Official Release from Marvel:

Marvel is proud to present your first look behind the scenes of The Marvelous Land of Oz #1 (on-sale tomorrow), the hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times best-selling The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in an all-new free sketchbook RIGHT HERE. Courtesy of Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, get an in-depth look at L. Frank Baum’s masterpiece as the critically acclaimed team of Eric Shanower and artist Skottie Young provide exclusive commentary on their stunning adaptation! With a slew of new characters, never before seen artwork, and commentary by the creators themselves, this sketchbook is a must read!

Plus, don’t miss the red-hot The Wonderful Wizard of Oz HC, on-sale now! You may think you know the story of Dorothy, Toto and the yellow brick road, but you’ve never seen Oz like this before! Eric Shanower and artist Skottie Young present a vibrant, faithful adaptation of Baum’s seminal novel, which has IGN.Com raving “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is one of the finest comics I’ve read in a long time… This series evokes pure joy in the reader.”

Before The Marvelous Land of Oz #1 hits stores tomorrow, don’t miss The Marvelous Land of Oz Sketchbook for free RIGHT HERE!

THE MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #1 (of 8) (SEP090381)

THE MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #1 (of 8) SHANOWER VARIANT (SEP090382)

THE MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #1 (of 8) MCGUINNESS VARIANT (SEP090383)

Written by ERIC SHANOWER

Pencils & Cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG

Variant Cover by ERIC SHANOWER

Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS

All Ages …$3.99

ON SALE THIS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4^th!

THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ HC (JUL090457)

Written by ERIC SHANOWER

Penciled by SKOTTIE YOUNG

Cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG

All Ages …$29.99

ON SALE NOW!

DC/ JOHNNY DC

AZRAEL #1 Preview Available

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #35 Preview Available

BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #5 Preview Available

BATMAN: UNSEEN #2 (OF 5) Preview Available

BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN #3 (OF 3) Preview Available

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28 Preview Available

DCU HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2009 Preview Available

FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: DANCE #6 (OF 6) Preview Available

FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS

JONAH HEX VOL. 7: LEAD POISONING

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38 Preview Available

THE OUTSIDERS #23 Preview Available

POWER GIRL #6 Preview Available

THE QUESTION VOL. 5: RIDDLES

SCOOBY-DOO #149

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: HOUSE OF SECRETS VOL. 2

SUPERGIRL #46 Preview Available

SUPERMAN/BATMAN #65 Preview Available

SUPERMAN: THE ADVENTURES OF FLAMEBIRD AND NIGHTWING

TINY TITANS #21

VIGILANTE #11 Preview Available

VERTIGO

AIR #14

HELLBLAZER #260

SCALPED VOL. 5: HIGH LONESOME

UNCLE SAM DELUXE EDITION

WILDSTORM

EX MACHINA #46

GEARS OF WAR BOOK 1

STORMING PARADISE

WORLD OF WARCRAFT #24 Preview Available

DC DIRECT

BLACKEST NIGHT: SERIES 1 ACTION FIGURES

BLACKEST NIGHT ALPHA LANTERN BOODIKKA AF     

BLACKEST NIGHT BLACK LANTERN EARTH 2 SUPERMAN AF      

BLACKEST NIGHT BLUE LANTERN SAINT WALKER AF       

BLACKEST NIGHT RED LANTERN ATROCITUS AF

AME COMI BATGIRL V.2 VINYL FIGURE

AME COMI CATWOMAN V.2 VINYL FIGURE       

HARLEY QUINN 1/2 SCALE BUST              

HEROES OF THE DCU AQUAMAN BUST 

WORLD OF WARCRAFT DELUXE ILLIDAN (DEMON FORM)

For more news, previews and more, check out dccomics.com!

 Previews and list provided by DC Comics.

Lucasfilm has been kind enough to give us a sneak preview of this weeks new episode of Clone Wars.  I must have been right on the mark of my assesment that it looks like a remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious, as the press release below indicates that director Dave Filoni had Catherine Taber, the voice of Padme, watch the film before they recorded it.

Here’s the press release:

Against Anakin’s vehement wishes, Padmé is recruited to investigate a fellow Senator – and former love interest – suspected of conspiring with the nefarious Banking Clan. A conflict as divisive as the Clone Wars has a way of turning hearts and minds, and she finds that even old friends may have new agendas. Meanwhile, Anakin must watch powerlessly from the shadows as his lady love willingly and deliberately courts the affections of another man….

While a relationship forged in the heat of war may be a crucible of heightened emotions, according to Catherine Taber – voice of Padmé Amidala – it is this fiery dynamic between two strong personalities that fuels the series’ heart and keeps THE CLONE WARS interesting.

“I think the relationship is just fun to watch,” says Taber. “We try to incorporate some of the things that are inherent to all deep love relationships – like jealousy and the little struggles for power, as well as those inside jokes that can only really exist between two people who know and trust one another. I want people to feel that when Anakin is in the mix, it is the only time when Padmé loses focus. In fact, I think it makes her uncomfortable, and she feels she has to prove – to herself – that her top priority is the Republic. I personally believe that, underneath it all, her primary allegiance would be to Anakin – but I don’t think she’d ever admit it.”

A departure from the epic battles and fierce fighting which has become a hallmark of THE CLONE WARS, “Senate Spy” explores an altogether different side of the conflict, focusing instead on the delicate political machinations as they play out behind the scenes of the swashbuckling space opera.

“Dave [Filoni] and the team have said from the beginning that they wanted to show the Star Wars Saga from different perspectives, and this episode is a great example of that,” says Taber. “I love the epic battles, of course, but here we have a chance to follow the mystery, the politics and the intrigue. These slow-burn political ‘battles’ are really driving the whole war effort. Dave actually had me watch [Alfred Hitchcock’s] Notorious before we started working on ‘Senate Spy.’ He wanted me to see the way the pressure builds – especially when love is involved. It’s a very different kind of danger than what we’ve seen in THE CLONE WARS. I really love that about the series; we are trying to give the Star Wars audience – old and new – something special.”

For the most up to date Star Wars info, be sure to follow Swank over at The Examiner.

DC COMICS AVAILABLE TODAY! 10/14/2009

BATMAN #691

Written by Judd Winick ; Art by Mark Bagley and Rob Hunter ; Cover by Tony Daniel

BATMAN double-ships this month as Two-Face and the new Batman throw down in the Batcave. And the fight is a vicious one, but just as Two-Face begins to get the upper hand…Batman shows up? The final chapter of Dick Grayson’s first adventure as Batman is a can’t-miss!

(Preview link below)

DC COMICS/ JOHNNY DC

* ACTION COMICS #882 Preview Available

* ADVENTURE COMICS #3 Preview Available

* BATGIRL #3 Preview Available

* BATMAN #691 Preview Available

* THE BATMAN CHRONICLES VOL. 8

* BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE-NEW PRINTING

* BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN #3 (OF 3)

* BOOSTER GOLD #25 Preview Available

* DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL #11 Preview Available

* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: ESCAPE #6 (OF 6) Preview Available

* GREEN ARROW AND BLACK CANARY #25 Preview Available

* GREEN LANTERN CORPS #41

* JSA VS. KOBRA #5 (OF 6) Preview Available

* JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA: WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

* R.E.B.E.L.S. #9 Preview Available

* RED ROBIN #5 Preview Available

* SECRET SIX #14 Preview Available

* THE SHIELD #2 Preview Available

* SUPER FRIENDS #20

* TITANS #18 Preview Available

* TRINITY VOL. 3

HEAVY LIQUID – NEW EDITION

Written by Paul Pope; Art by Paul Pope

“Pope has embellished his stylish love story with heart-stopping action and adventure. …Pope’s drawing and page design … is both technically assured and wonderfully expressive.”—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“This has the potential to attract a large audience, including serious readers, science-fiction buffs, artists, and would-be graphic novelists.”—SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
In a future where New York has evolved into a sci-fi metropolis, “S,” a man addicted to “heavy liquid,” a substance that is both a drug and an art form, finds himself trapped in a mystery littered with love and drugs. This new edition features bonus sketch material, new coloring and more.

(Preview link below)

VERTIGO

* THE ABSOLUTE DEATH

* AIR VOL. 2: FLYING MACHINE

* BLOOD AND WATER

* DMZ #46

* FABLES #89

* HEAVY LIQUID – NEW EDITION Preview Available

* HOUSE OF MYSTERY HALLOWEEN ANNUAL

* SCALPED #32

* THE UNWRITTEN #6

RED HERRING

Written by David Tischman ; Art by Philip Bond and David Hahn; Cover by Philip Bond

The MacGuffin realizes Red Herring’s paranoid conspiracy story is the half-truth (and nothing but the half-truth), as Afi Komen finds them and teaches them that payback’s a bitch. On Capitol Hill, elected officials pull their heads out of the sand as Capricorn’s sworn testimony pulls the wool over their eyes. It’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma – but it’s our story, and we’re sticking to it.

WILDSTORM

* RED HERRING #3 (OF 6) (OCT-14)

* STORMWATCH PHD: WORLD’S END (OCT-14)

JLA IDENTITY CRISIS CLASSICS: SERIES 1: SUPERMAN

Superman is one of the four core members of the Justice League of America are perfect for superhero fans and collectors of all ages!

Based on the original IDENTITY CRISIS figures, this release features new head sculpts that showcase the art of this modern comics classic better than ever before.

The Superman figure stands at 6.25′ and features multiple points of articulation, include a display base and are packaged on 4-color clamshell blister card packaging.

DC DIRECT

JLA IDENTITY CRISIS CLASSICS: SERIES 1: BATMAN Action Figure

JLA IDENTITY CRISIS CLASSICS: SERIES 1: GREEN ARROW Action Figure

JLA IDENTITY CRISIS CLASSICS: SERIES 1: SUPERMAN Action Figure

JLA IDENTITY CRISIS CLASSICS: SERIES 1: THE FLASH Action Figure

Check out dccomics.com for news, previews and more!

It took long enough, but at long last we have a feature length trailer for the highly anticipated Toy Story 3 which hits theaters on June 18, 2010! I know people get nervous when sequels are made to great movies, but with Pixar at the helm, is anyone that concerned? Check out the trailer in full HD over at Apple!

Woody and Buzz had accepted that their owner Andy would grow up someday, but what happens when that day arrives? In the third installment, Andy is preparing to depart for college, leaving his loyal toys troubled about their uncertain future. Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings. TOY STORY 3 will be presented in Disney Digital 3D^TM in select theaters.

Lucasfilm has been kind enough to provide us with a preview clip of this Friday’s episode of Clone Wars.

From their press release:

After outwitting his Jedi foes and escaping with the Holocron, bounty hunter Cad Bane sets into motion the next stage of his nefarious assignment: to find Force-sensitive younglings and take them to Mustafar for Sith training.

But Bane is merely the instrument of evil, a deadly distraction to occupy the Jedi while the true source continues to plot from the shadows. While he has been glimpsed in previous episodes – and in his seemingly benevolent double-role as Supreme Chancellor of the Republic – Darth Sidious emerges in “Children of the Force” as a direct threat to the galaxy’s future.

“He’s all the hidden secrets most of us have,” says Ian Abercrombie, who provides the smooth and silvery voice of the Janus-faced Sith Lord. “Palpatine is the face, and Sidious is the dark soul. When people are that bad, they cannot change. Somewhere in the back of my head, I know that Sidious is always there and that he will take over. Evil often does.”

For Abercrombie – perhaps best known for comedy roles such as Seinfeld’s doddering Mr. Pitt – providing the voice of THE CLONE WARS’ central villain has been a delicious departure – and a unique career challenge.

“Somebody told me once that when you play a villain, you must try to find a redeemable quality,” says Abercrombie. “I haven’t found it. He’s cold and completely shut down. So, in my head, it’s stillness; he’s very precise. He’s authoritative, he knows everything that’s going on, and so often he’s pulling the strings. It’s difficult to play, but it’s also interesting, because you can’t predict what he’ll do. I love it.

While embodying the evil of such an iconic character may be new to the venerable British actor, the Star Wars universe itself was not – though he could not have predicted that he’d be portraying the subversive driving force of that “galaxy far, far away.”

“It’s quite something, as they say. I was at the very first screening in May 1977 at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The first Star Wars movie ever! I can’t even believe it, because I never stand in line like that,” he recalls. “But someone sold me on it, and that’s why I did. I never imagined I’d be a part of it. It’s an actor’s dream, playing something bigger and larger than yourself. You can have a field day.”

And with the outcome of the Clone Wars a foregone conclusion and his character’s triumph inevitable, Abercrombie can let his dark side run rampant and have a field day, indeed.

DC COMICS AVAILABLE TODAY! 10/7/2009

 Written by Grant Morrison; Art and variant cover by Philip Tan and Jonathan Glapion ; Cover by Frank Quitely

Are two Dynamic Duos too much for one city? Batman and Robin find themselves at cross-purposes with Red Hood and Scarlet. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? And who will end up being the chosen protectors of Gotham City?

DC COMICS/ JOHNNY DC

    *  BATMAN AND ROBIN #5 Preview Available

    * BATMAN ANNUAL #27 Preview Available

    * BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #34 Preview Available

    * BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE-NEW PRINTING

    * BATMAN: UNSEEN #1 (OF 5) Preview Available

    * CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #42

    * DOOM PATROL #3 Preview Available

    * FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: RUN! #6 (OF 6) Preview Available

    * JONAH HEX #48 Preview Available

    * JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #4 (OF 6) Preview Available

    * LOONEY TUNES #179

    * MAGOG #2 Preview Available

    * THE MIGHTY #9 Preview Available

    * R.E.B.E.L.S. ANNUAL: STARRO THE CONQUEROR Preview Available

    * RED TORNADO #2 (OF 6) Preview Available

    * STRANGE ADVENTURES #8 (OF 8 ) Preview Available

    * SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #8 (OF 12) Preview Available

    * THE WARLORD #7 Preview Available

GREEK STREET #4

Written by Peter Milligan; Art by Davide Gianfelice; Cover by Jock

As Lady Esther slums it among the villains and tarts of Soho looking for proof of her husband’s (the “noble” Lord Menon) infidelity, Detective Dedalus finally gets to question the three “mad women.” But the answers he gets put him on a collision course with one of the scarier monsters of Greek Street. Meanwhile, young Eddie may not live to see another day…

VERTIGO

    * GREEK STREET #4

    * HOUSE OF MYSTERY #18

      * JACK OF FABLES VOL. 6: THE BIG BOOK OF WAR 

    * PETER AND MAX: A FABLES NOVEL Preview Available

    * SWEET TOOTH #2 

     * TRANSMETROPOLITAN VOL. 4: THE NEW SCUM – NEW EDITION  Preview Available

PLANETARY #27

Written by Warren Ellis; Art and cover by John Cassaday

Tons of things have changed since writer Warren Ellis (THE AUTHORITY, STORMWATCH) and artist John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men) began their long, strange trip into the bizarre underbelly of the WildStorm Universe, but one thing has stayed the same: Anticipation for this final issue of the critically acclaimed series remains gargantuan! Over a decade in the making, PLANETARY culminates in this spectacular, oversized adventure. Prepare for answers to be revealed as the enigmatic Elijah Snow has one last errand to run!

Featuring a stunning 3-piece wraparound gatefold cover drawn by Cassaday, PLANETARY #27 represents the end of an era and should not be missed!

WILDSTORM

    * FREE REALMS #2 (OF 12)

    * NORTH 40 #4 Preview Available

    * PLANETARY #27

 Check out dccomics.com for news, previews and more!

DC has been kind enough to give us a preview of the new Batman miniseries “The Unseen” introducing a new villain into the Batman mythos.  From the cover, it seems as though it’s the Invisible Man.

Doug Moench and Kelly Jones are at the helm and they were behind some of the best issues of Batman comics ever written (including Batman: Vampire, which was reviewed by us back in June, 2008) and it’s good to see them back in the act again.  Doug Moench is one of the best Batman writers and Kelly Jones’ iteration of the character is one of my favorites.

And so, without further ado, here are 7 pages to check out.  The first issue (of five) hits comic stands Wednesday, October 7th, so be sure to pick it up.

Official Press Release from Marvel:

Marvel is proud to uncover the Hulk #16 Deadpool McGuinness Variant by fan-favorite artist Ed MGuinness!  In Hulk #16, Emmy & Eisner Award winning superstar writer Jeph Loeb and red-hot artist Ian Churchill go into Code Red as Red Hulk recruits a team of lethal heroes including Deadpool, Punisher, Elektra and more to capture Domino.  But what secret has Domino discovered regarding the Red Hulk that would lead him to recruit this powerhouse team?  Luckily, Domino isn’t on her own as she’s enlisted her friends in Wolverine and X-Force to even up the score!  And if this titanic throw-down between two teams of Marvel’s heaviest hitters wasn’t enough, Red She-Hulk makes her thunderous debut!  But just whose side is this wildcard on?

Don’t miss the series that ComicBookResources.com calls, “classic Marvel fun.”  Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Hulk, as it continues to garner buzz with the current “Code Red” storyline featuring a plethora of guest-stars from Deadpool to Wolverine and X-Force! Who is the Red She-Hulk? How will the X-Force fare against the Red Hulk and his A-list squad!? Find out in Hulk #16!

HULK #16 (AUG090471)

HULK #16 MCGUINNESS VARIANT (AUG090472)

HULK #16 DEADPOOL MCGUINNESS VARIANT (AUG098052)

Written by JEPH LOEB

Pencils & Cover by IAN CHURCHILL

Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS

Deadpool Variant Cover by ED MCGUINNESS

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC—10/8/09, On-Sale—10/28/09

Justice League Of America 80-Page Giant

Written by Chuck Kim, Josh Williamson, Rich Fogel and others; Art by Mahmud Asrar, Adrian Syaf and others; Cover by Jay Anacleto

With a tale this massive, we could only fit it in an 80-page giant! When a battle between Epoch and the Time Commander spills over into our era, the Justice League finds itself scattered throughout time. That leaves Superman and Dr. Light fighting alongside a tornado-powered Samurai, Green Lantern and Red Arrow locked in a showdown with Cinnamon in the Old West, Green Arrow and Firestorm facing the Bride of Frankenstein in WWII, John Stewart and Vixen drawing swords alongside the Shining Knight, and Black Canary and Zatanna evading gangsters with the original Crimson Avenger!

Reintroducing the classic, extra-sized issues for a whole new generation, this special issue features the writing of TV’s Chuck Kim (Heroes) and Rich Fogel (Batman Beyond, Justice League) along with writer Joshua Williamson (Dear Dracula) and artists such as Mahmud Asrar (Dynamo 5) and Adrian Syaf (BLACKEST NIGHT: BATMAN)!

DC COMICS/ JOHNNY DC

* BATMAN: THE BLACK GLOVE

* BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #9

* BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #2 (OF 6) Preview Available

* BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS #2 (OF 3) Preview Available

* FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: INK #5 (OF 6) Preview Available

* GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #4 Preview Available

* GREEN LANTERN #46 Preview Available

* HIGH MOON VOL. 1 Preview Available

* ICON: A HERO’S WELCOME – NEW PRINTING

* JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 80-PAGE GIANT Preview Available

* JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #31 Preview Available

* THE LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #5 (OF 6) Preview Available

* SUPERMAN #692 Preview Available

* SUPERMAN/BATMAN VOL. 1: PUBLIC ENEMIES – NEW EDITION Preview Available

* SUPERMAN: KRYPTONITE

* TEEN TITANS #75 Preview Available

* WONDER WOMAN #36 Preview Available

Fables Deluxe Edition Vol. 1

Written by Bill Willingham; Art by Lan Medina, Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha and Craig T. Hamilton; Cover by James Jean

For the first time ever, Bill Willingham’s acclaimed, Eisner Award-winning series FABLES is presented in a deluxe hardcover edition collecting issues #1-10. When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters have created their own peaceful and secret society within an exclusive luxury apartment building called Fabletown. When Snow White’s party-girl sister, Rose Red, is apparently murdered, it’s up to Fabletown’s sheriff, the reformed and pardoned Big Bad Wolf, to find the killer. Meanwhile, trouble of a different sort brews at the Fables’ upstate farm where non-human inhabitants are preaching revolution – and threatening Fabletown’s carefully nurtured secrecy.

VERTIGO

* FABLES DELUXE EDITION VOL. 1 (SEP-30)

* JACK OF FABLES #38 (SEP-30)

* UNKNOWN SOLDIER #12 (SEP-30)

Absolute Promethea Vol. 1

Written by Alan Moore; Art by J.H. Williams III and Mick Gray; Cover by J.H. Williams III

Alan Moore’s entrancing masterpiece is collected for the first time in oversized, Absolute format featuring the spectacular art of J.H. Williams III. The first of three ABSOLUTE PROMETHEA slipcased collections, this volume collects PROMETHEA #1-12! Discover the stories that introduced Sophie Bangs, an ordinary college student in a weirdly futuristic New York, whose life will be changed by her research into the mythical warrior woman known as Promethea!

WILDSTORM

* ABSOLUTE PROMETHEA VOL. 1

* ASTRO CITY: ASTRA SPECIAL #1 (OF 2)

* TRICK ‘R TREAT

DC DIRECT

From the pages of the much-loved ’80s series from Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire, these four characters round out the original incarnation of the Justice League International!

* JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL: SERIES 2: BLUE BEETLE Action Figure

* JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL: SERIES 2: BOOSTER GOLD Action Figure

* JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL: SERIES 2: FIRE Action Figure

* JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL: SERIES 2: MARTIAN MANHUNTER Action Figure

Listings and previews provided by dccomics.com.