Ryan Ottley, the artist of Invincible (and friend of Big Shiny Robot! (really, go buy signed copies of Sea Bear and Grizzly Shark from the store)) posted the colored covers of Invincible #78 and #79 on his website today and they were too pretty not to share with you.
And spoiler alert:
Why do I get the feeling that the baby facing away from us on the cover of 79 is Mark and Eve’s baby?
That would be rad.
Lucasfilm has been kind enough to provide us with another advanced look at Clone Wars. This time, we see the cameo of George Lucas as Baron Papanoida in greater detail. This is a larger piece of a snippet that was shown at Celebration V and it seems like it pretty clearly takes place in the Mos Eisley Cantina.
Continuity nerds are already having a heart attack about the ret-conned nature of Greedo’s appearance. Every indication given has been that this is THE Greedo we saw both in the deleted scenes in The Phantom Menace and in A New Hope proper. This doesn’t bug me. This is a relatively minor continuity fix for the EU. I can’t wait to see what they say about other things coming up this season.
From the press release:
When Pantoran Chairman Papanoida’s family is kidnapped and held for ransom, Ahsoka Tano must team up with Senator Riyo Chuchi to aid the new chairman in recovering his family. It’s a journey deep into the dark underbelly of the Coruscant crime scene, with an unlikely – and immediately recognizable – protagonist painted into a corner and forced into action in “Sphere of Influence,” an all-new episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars – airing at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Friday, October 1 on Cartoon Network.
Seen only briefly as a background character in Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, Papanoida will nonetheless appear very familiar to Star Wars fans, film buffs and pop culture aficionados. He is, of course, modeled after Star Wars creator George Lucas – who also wore blue face paint for the character’s live-action cameo debut.
“My appearance in Episode III was just for fun. Mostly, I did it for my kids,” says Lucas. “I was wrapping the series, and I’d never been on-screen in a Star Wars film, even though I’d been making them for decades. With The Clone Wars, I get the best of both worlds, because I get a starring role but don’t have to do any acting or wear any blue make-up.”
Lucas’ children – Amanda, Katie and Jett – also appeared with the director in the live-action outing, and they, too, make their Clone Wars debut in “Sphere of Influence.” None of the Lucas family provides voice-acting for the series, however; Jett’s doppelganger is voiced by Robot Chicken’s Seth Green, while Amanda and Katie’s avatars are voiced by Meredith Salenger (who also voices Barriss Offee) and Nika Futerman (Asajj Ventress), respectively. Lucas himself is voiced by Clone Wars regular Corey Burton (Count Dooku, Cad Bane) – who based the character’s distinctive sound on Orson Welles’ Harry Lime from The Third Man.
While Papanoida is featured fairly passively in his live-action incarnation, the character has an opportunity for a considerably more active role inThe Clone Wars. Taking him deep into the Coruscant underground, the Pantoran Chairman’s mission gives him the chance to demonstrate his chops in a few decidedly action-oriented sequences.
“We actually made Papanoida into kind of an action hero,” says Dave Filoni, supervising director of The Clone Wars. “The bad guys have his family, and he goes after them, blasters blazing. Shoot first, ask questions later. His character is very focused on finding and protecting his kids; it’s a desperate situation, and he steps up. It’s a fun episode with a lot of action – and it’s unique, in that our normal heroes give up the spotlight while Papanoida takes matters into his own hands. This was a surreal episode to produce, since the guy on screen was sitting right next to me while we were making it.”
I love Marvel‘s fantasy comics, from the old Conan books to the triumphant return of Thor during the J. Michael Straczynski run. Putting Asgardian warriors and ancient gods in the present time can be tricky without repeating the ’man out of time’ story told in so many genres.
Here Bryan J.L. Glass handles the task perfectly while seamlessly filling in the missing gaps of where Brunhilde AKA Valkyrie has been and making amends for some of the terrible incarnations this poor psychosis suffering woman has had to endure. Recently the devilish Loki’s attack on Asgard killed Brunhilde during the events of Ragnarok.
This one shot takes place between the Avengers Disassembled event of (2004) and the more recent Secret Invasion (2008). If you’re reading Secret Avengers this gives you a look into the resurrection of a character with such a great history from the Defenders to a big part in the pages of Thor, there are some great answers in this book. Complete your ‘Women of Marvel’ collection and get to know a Secret Avenger.
VALKYRIE #1
Written by BRYAN J.L. GLASS
Penciled PHIL WINSLADE
Cover by JAY ANACLETO
$3.99
in shops 9/29/10
Don’t forget our CONTEST: Win a Marvel Giclee!
AMC has given us another Behind the Scenes look at The Walking Dead!
There’s moments in this piece that gave me the chills. Particularly a moment between Shane and Lori. Man… Robert Kirkman and Frank Darabont look like they’ve knocked this one out of the park.
The Walking Dead seems like it’s already MUST-SEE television and the first show hasn’t even aired yet.
It looks amazing, and I can’t wait to see it with all of you guys on Halloween Night.
Lucasfilm has been kind enough to provide us once more with an advanced look at Friday’s episode of Clone Wars. It’s called “Supply Lines.”
I have to say, the battle sequences in this clip look every bit as good as they do in Attack of the Clones on Geonosis, though these take place on Ryloth.
From their press release:
Joined by familiar faces – from the live-action Saga, previous seasons of The Clone Wars and even the expanded universe – the heroes of the Republic are leading the charge into extended storylines examining the backstory of the Star Wars galaxy. In the series’ third season, The Clone Wars expands and explores stories beyond the front lines – revealing new insights and fresh revelations about the characters, the conflict and even some of the stories we’ve seen so far. “Supply Lines” takes the narrative back before the series’ very first episode. It’s an all-new facet to a fan-favorite storyline – airing at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Friday, September 24 on Cartoon Network.
Ryloth is under siege. Trapped on the surface, Jedi Master Di rallies the local forces with the help of rebel leader Cham Syndulla. Desperate to save them, Senator Bail Organa and Representative Jar Jar Binks are dispatched to the planet of Toydaria, where they must convince the King Katuunko to send aid to Ryloth – before it’s too late.
“This is one of the fun aspects of being this deep into the series,” says Dave Filoni, supervising director of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. “Now that we have two seasons already under our belt, we can go back and look at some different aspects of key moments from the Clone Wars; we can jump around in the timeline. We can explore different aspects and different stories. We have a neat opportunity to blow out stories that we’ve seen already, and look at them from a different perspective, a different point of view – and that’s been an important aspect of Star Wars since the original trilogy.”
Taking place before Yoda’s fateful meeting with King Katuunko on the moon of Rugosa – chronicled in the series premiere episode, “Ambush” – “Supply Lines” sheds light on some of the dramatic events that forged The Clone Wars. It also explores the origins of the Ryloth occupation and the subjugation of the Twi’lek people occupation, explored in the first season’s two-part season finale.
“This conflict is vast, to say the least,” says Filoni. “It’s a big galaxy, and there’s a lot going on at all times. Even two seasons in, we’re only seeing a fraction of the war – key moments that are really focused on the primary heroes from the films. But those moments are framed by heroism and villainy, too, just as there are important events happening concurrently with the key scenes we’ve explored.
We’ve got 22 minutes per episode and 22 episodes per season, and we’re still only scratching the surface of the Clone Wars.”
Serving to support existing stories and to build on the overall mythology of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, “Supply Lines” nonetheless promises its own action and surprises.
Featuring the return of some fan-favorite characters from the live-action films, the episode also introduces some brand new characters – such as Jedi Master Di.
“We’re going to meet Jedi Master Di,” says Filoni. “I like him a lot; he’s cool and I’d like to be able to do more with him. But you should remember that this is a prequel, and that it takes place before the episodes we’ve seen already. There may be a reason we haven’t seen him after the events of this episode. Here’s a hint: Star Wars characters have a history of suggestive names. Greedo was a greedy bounty hunter. Lobot’s a guy with a computer implanted in his brain, like a lobotomy. General Grievous and Darth Maul are both intent on causing pain and suffering. Han Solo’s a loner.
So I’m just saying that maybe Jedi Master Di should watch his back.”
Marvel was kind enough to send us our first look at New Ultimates #4 this morning and I wanted to share it with you. Not because I think the book is great. In fact, I had it axed from my hold after 2 issues. The art is very, very pretty and I love Frank Cho, and there are a couple of preview pages here that are pretty stunning.
And usually I love Jeph Loeb, but his foray into Ultimate comics has been lackluster, to say the least. His work in the Batman universe is second to very few, if any, and it’s difficult for me to see one of my favorite writers on Batman, struggle so hard in the Marvel Universe (both in 616 with Hulk, and here in the Ultimate Universe).
But New Ultimates bored me. It bored me to tears. I love Frank Cho’s art, but without a cool story (or even a passable one) I couldn’t stay on board.
But I must say, these pages are making me second guess my decision. Though my biggest problem is that the Ultimate Universe during its first decade felt like one cohesive place, but with Mark Millar’s Ultimates books, and Brian Michael Bendis’ Spider-Man books, Loeb’s stories seem oddly out of place.
My proposal? They should let Jeph Loeb create the 626 universe or something and let Bendis and Millar carry the Ultimate torch and rebuild it into something that’s great.
Here’s what came in the press release with the pages:
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Ultimate Comics New Ultimates #4, from the superstar creative team of writer Jeph Loeb and artist Frank Cho! IT’S THOR VS. THE ULTIMATES! Thor’s returned from the underworld, but that’s not good news—he’s on a rampage! When he discovers the depths of Loki’s treachery, Iron Man, Captain America or Hawkeye won’t be able to stop him! How do you put down a god gone mad? Find the answers in Ultimate Comics New Ultimates #4!
ULTIMATE COMICS NEW ULTIMATES #4 (JUL100528)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art & Cover by FRANK CHO
Parental Advisory …$3.99
On-Sale – 10/13/10
But without further ado, here are Frank Cho’s pages:
As readers will know, I was able to attend and cover the red carpet premiere of The Clone Wars (which hits televisions for everyone else on Friday, September 17th).
StarWars.com posted a video of the event with interviews with the cast and director, as well as George Lucas himself.
Though I’ll post a picture of it, you can spot me just before I met George Lucas as he was signing autographs for the kids of the Boys and Girls Club who were lucky enough to attend the event at Lucasfilm’s Presidio campus.
This gives a tantalizing behind the scenes glimpse of the third season of Clone Wars. It’s been subtitled “Secrets Revealed” and from tidbits I’ve heard, we’re in for some pretty major secrets.
Lucasfilm has been kind enough to give us another look at the premiere of Clone Wars. Sorry to bombard you with all the Star Wars news, but it’s a Star Wars kind of week. And really, if you didn’t like it, you wouldn’t click on it.
And I can vouch for the episode. It’s great.
From their press release:
The war wears on, and the Republic is pushed to its breaking point. Support for the Jedi Knights and their noble cause comes in the form of valiant clone troopers – steadfast defenders of peace and justice, even as the Jedi falter and the mighty Republic begins to crumble. Joined by familiar faces and confronted with deadly new threats, these everyman heroes lead the charge into a transformative new season of Clone Wars adventures – where alliances will be tested, truths will be questioned and galaxy-changing secrets will be uncovered to shake the very foundations of the Star Wars universe. The next chapter of Star Wars: The Clone Wars begins with a must-see two-part premiere, airing at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT Friday, September 17 on Cartoon Network.
In “Clone Cadets,” five headstrong cadets – Hevy, Cutup, Droidbait, Fives and Echo – struggle to complete their training on the ocean planet of Kamino. Unable to work together as a team, they must learn to embrace their future as soldiers before they are drummed out of the academy.
“It’s a band-of-brothers story that takes you back before most of the episodes we’ve seen so far; it’s one of the earliest episodes – chronologically – in the series,” says Dee Bradley Baker, voice of the clones. “We’re going to see how the ‘shinies’ [new recruits featured in the first season episode, ‘Rookies’] learn to work together. Starting off, they’re not a team at all. They’re just everymen; they’re human. And now they’ve got to pull it together. There’s something really cool about how the show brings out the heroism from characters like that – not just the superpowered ones.”
A revealing look at clone development and training, the episode also introduces a unique new character. Clone Number 99 is a unique clone – and imperfect model relegated to menial, custodial duties at the Kamino production facility. Still, despite his physical flaws, he nonetheless identifies with his genetic brethren – and he aspires to make his own small contributions to their noble war efforts.
“He’s a great example of the show’s creative risks,” says Baker. “I was nervous going into this episode. Does he sound real? Is he believable? I agonized over it; he’s a very special character, and a very unique challenge. Kinda high stakes for me, because I wanted so badly to get it right. He’s a little bit slower…quieter…softer than your basic clone voice. I skewed his dialect toward cockney to give him a blue collar, salt-of-the-earth flavor. I’ve got a lot of favorites, but 99’s definitely one of them. His story is very affecting – really beautiful on a lot of different levels.”
On the heels of “Clone Cadets” comes “ARC Troopers,” which revisits the clones after the notable events of “Rookies” – with the surviving squad members tasked with defending Kamino from a large-scale Separatist attack. After the Republic repulses the Separatists’ first assault, the real threat begins. Asajj Ventress, General Grievous and an army of droids rise out of the planet’s oceans, determined to destroy the clone production facilities – and the clones themselves are the last line of desperate defense.
“This episode raises the stakes in a really spectacular way. This is big space opera; this is why you want to own an HD TV. It’s basically the scale of a Star Wars movie – on TV,” says Baker. “It’s awesome. I’m so very proud of this show; it’s exciting to make this kind of episode work. And it’s such a team effort. There’s an army of artists working to make this compelling and moving.
This is extraordinary storytelling.”And it’s just the beginning. In a galaxy far, far away…much to learn there still is.
This originally appeared on the Huffington Post, here.
I’ve long extolled the virtues of DC Comics and their Vertigo line of original graphic novels, and they’ve always been challenging the medium to do bigger and better things. I was asked if I would review and present a preview to Huffington Post readers of their latest important graphic novel that would be of interest to an intelligent and politically savvy audience. It’s called Cuba: My Revolution and was written by Cuban expatriate and artist Inverna Lockpez and drawn by Dean Haspiel.
It tells a very different sort of story about Cuba during the revolution and it drips with seemingly first hand accounts.
This book beautifully tells the tale of a Cuba I’d never really read about. The Cuba I think of when it comes to art and literature is the Hemingway’s Cuba. To a lesser extent, even Graham Greene’s Cuba. I’ve not read much fiction during the turmoil that seemed to hit so hard into reality and it was a bit of a wake-up call. I’ve always been very sympathetic to Fidel and Cuba, but this has me thinking a little bit differently and that’s what great art is all about.
It’s very beautifully written and rendered and there are scenes of alternating beauty and brutality that make it feel almost like you’re there. There was a bit of choppiness in some of the sequential storytelling, but it was laid out in such a classic 50s/60s art sort of fashion, it’s impossible to argue with.
The coloring is stark, practically black, white, and red, but manages to intone all the shades of grey of the conflict.
The book comes out next week (you can order it on Amazon here), but you can check out these preview pages in the meantime.
This originally appeared on the Huffington Post.
It’s hard to believe that five years have gone by since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and it’s even harder to believe that there are still displaced residents living in trailers and the damage is still being repaired. For some, those five years have flown by, but that seems like an appropriate amount of time to see fictional stories told in that setting. Timed for release to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the hurricane, DC’s Vertigo Comics will be releasing a graphic novel called Dark Rain.
Written by Mat Johnson and drawn by Simon Gane, Dark Rain tells a story of opportunists trying to exploit the plight of New Orleans in the days after the hurricane. At times it’s alternately funny and moving, but it’s always focused on a very sharp but simple story.
It tells the tale of a man desperate for money who wants to rob a bank in the chaos of the flood and enlists the help of a reluctant ex-con who could use the money to help with his child support. Things go from bad to worse when they realize they’re racing against an evil Blackwater type outfit of mercenaries to the bank. Very reminiscent of a Third Man type story set in New Orleans, this is a book very much worth checking out.
The book doesn’t just tackle the heist story, though, it captures a taste of the horror and confusion of the days after the hurricane and the immense sense of depression and loss that must have been present in the Superdome while residents waited far too long for aid. In fact, there were more than a couple of moments in the book set in the Superdome that almost brought tears to my eyes.
In the end the book is very optimistic, offering hope to those who choose to do the right thing.
For those interested, the book hits streets August 24th, 2010 (you can order it on Amazon here, or you can go to your local comic book retailers). Vertigo has also been kind enough to provide us with an exclusive preview of the book below.
Enjoy:
Bryan Young is the editor of Big Shiny Robot!, a geek news site.