Greetings robots! We’re here with another edition of Tee Time with Dr.Cyborg! In which I take a few minutes out of my busy golf schedule to give you your opinion about something I’ve read. Accompanied by my trusty caddie, Slugtron,  this time we’ll be talking about the newly released Sea Bear and Grizzly Shark. So pour yourselves a Robot Cocktail, (1/2 pint Jack Daniels, 1/8 pint Vodka, 2 drops Grenadine. Mix well, add ice, and serve.) And let’s go golfing!

Sea Bear & Grizzly shark is a combination of Jason Howard, and Ryan Ottley’s 24-hour comic projects, complete with an origin story written by Robert Kirkman, and some gray scales by Cliff Rathburn.

I was really shocked when I heard that Kirkman fidgeted his name onto the back of the comic. -Slugtron

One of the reasons I was so compelled to read this book, was not only the killer premise, but also the gimmick of picking a side.

In fact I think it’s such a great gimmick that by the eighteenth hole, I pledge to have picked a side once and for all. “Bear”ing in mind that sharks scare the hell out of me, and I loved Yogi bear as an adolescent robot. Anyway, let’s get on with the review…Well, actually… before we get all the way started I just wanted to mention that I’ve grown up a lot since last golf season, and I’m no longer going to participate in juvenile games such as bikini golf, or laser golf… Now I play a much more mature game that I call “The essence of golf”. Which is essentially the same as regular golf, but I’ve dug eighteen holes throughout an elephant sanctuary that’s wired to blow if I don’t hit the kill switch hidden in the final green in a half an hour… there are also flamingos.

The first half of the comic was Jason Howard’s Sea Bear. Out of the two, I’m glad that Jason Howard chose to do Sea Bear, I think it plays into the strengths of what he’s used to drawing. (The Astounding Wolf-Man) After all, what is a Wolf-Man, if not a glorified sea bear? Whether I was attempting to be sarcastic or not, I felt like Jason Howard did a good job… Keeping in mind that these were at least attempted 24-hour comics, I think the art on Sea Bear was good. It predictably had a few good scenes of gore, and enough killing spanned over 24 pages that you would have to be suffering a stroke during an Earthquake at Disneyland, in order to be entitled to complain about it’s pacing.

The pages were pretty simple, but they took the story far enough… In fact, I was really surprised to see how far from the sea Sea Bear went. A revenge tale that spanned twenty years, it included what I would easily consider random elements. From cybernetic assassins and mutant bears, to an oddly disfigured female alien woman. Strangely, with all of these oddities it really didn’t seem to be funny, but in its defense, it didn’t seem to try to be. I thought it was a great 24-hour comic, my only complaint is that I wish the actual Sea Bear was in it a little more. I’ll keep the ending a surprise, but at least at this point I have to say I would pick Urkel from Family Ties to fight at my side before Sea Bear.

If grizzly bears could live in the ocean, why are the polar bears doing such a lousy job? -Slugtron

There is literally not even a blank page to separate the books, so therefore I feel as if I should just go directly into the review of Grizzly Shark!

Grizzly Shark is both drawn and written by Ryan Ottley of Invincible fame. I’ve read and liked his past 24-hour comics, but I have to say, this one blew all of the others out of the water. (Which is kind of a pun right?) Grizzly Shark was so good, and not just as a quick side comic, but one of the best comics I’ve read in a long time. I hardly ever laugh out loud, but during this comic I came close! Everything was so over the top, but I loved every second. It was a lot of fun, and I could tell that Ryan had a lot of fun drawing it.

The violence in Grizzly Shark is inspirational to us all! …We should bring back national punch your grandma in the face day! Thanks Ryan Ottley! -Slugtron

Since I called Sea Bear a revenge tale, I feel obligated to label this b-horror movie, complete with a hillbilly named Jonbob. The art was really good, definitely better than I expected, and it was filled to the brim with a mountain of ingenious fatalities. My only possible complaint was that it was established that Cinnamon Bear Jubilee was the sharks kryptonite, but it didn’t aid in his killing at all. I find this to be the worst possible complaint because the ending was so rad anyway. Seriously, this was one of the funnest reads I’ve had in a long time.

Holy mackerel! – Slugtron

Both of these books were well done, but ultimately I’ve decided to vote, “I’m with Shark!” Mostly because Grizzly Shark is eating a baby on the front cover.

Sea Bear & Grizzly Shark is being distributed by Image, and comes out today, (June 23rd) I highly recommend going to your comic book shop and picking it up. The cover price is $4.99, but it is worth every single penny twice!

Its finally happened! DC Comics have joined the digital comics world! What are the specifics? How is it going to work? Where is it available? Well over at The Source they announced the details, and we’re bringing them to you here. The screen caps at the bottom of this post are screenshots taken from our very own Swank-mo-tron using the iPhone app. Also stay tuned to Big Shiny Robot because later today Swank-mo-tron will be interviewing DC Co-publisher and Executive Editor Dan Didio about Digital Comics and Superman #700 which is out today.

PARTNERS WITH COMIXOLOGY AND PLAYSTATION®NETWORK DIGITAL COMICS

ONLINE SALES AND DC COMICS APP FOR IPHONE®, IPAD® AND IPOD® TOUCH LAUNCH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 WITH UNPRECEDENTED RETAILER AFFILIATE PROGRAM, CONSUMER PLATFORM CONVERGENCE AND PROMOTION OF EAGERLY ANTICIPATED SUPERMAN STORYLINE

NEW YORK / BURBANK, Calif., June 23, 2010 – DC Comics, publisher of Superman, Batman, Green Lantern and Fables, is partnering with comiXology and PlayStation®Network for two separate digital comics distribution deals launching today, Wednesday, June 23. In addition, a DC Comics App for the iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® Touch is available allowing consumers an easy way to access DC Comics’ content. The announcement was made jointly today by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution.

“At DC Comics, it has been a top priority that DC forges a meaningful, forward-looking digital strategy,” said Jim Lee, Co-Publisher, DC Comics. “As both a comic book creator and Co-Publisher, it was incredibly important that our plan includes not only creator incentive payments, but also an innovative component that supports comic shop owners. We see digital as an opportunity to grow our entire business.”

Both the comiXology and the PlayStation Network Digital Comics launch offerings will include classic titles from DC Comics, Vertigo and WildStorm, such as Batman: Hush, Green Lantern: Rebirth, Fables: Legends in Exiles and Planetary: All Over the World and Other Stories. Both programs will share a tiered pricing format, with digital comics priced from $.99 to $2.99 per issue. The Justice League: Generation Lost mini-series will be available through both platforms day and date with each issue’s print edition on-sale date, with both the digital and print editions priced at $2.99. Several comics will be available for free at launch, including the first installment of the ZUDA series Bayou and select stories from Batman: Black & White.

To further promote today’s announcement, DC Comics is offering a free 10-page preview of the 700th issue of Superman available through both platforms, day and date with the issue going on sale in comic book stores. The 10 page story is a prelude to writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Eddy Barrows’ highly anticipated “Grounded” storyline that will be published in Superman which will examine how Superman sees America, and how America sees Superman.

“Grounded is a major turning point in the history of Superman,” said Dan DiDio, Co-Publisher of DC Comics. “This storyline has the potential to generate national headlines and bring new readers the series.”

About the comiXology program: The comiXology program will launch with over 100 issues, from DC Comics, Vertigo and WildStorm, including the first issue of All Star Superman. Beginning with launch, one issue of Neil Gaiman’s critically acclaimed Sandman will be available digitally exclusively through comiXology each week and over 100 additional issues from the company’s diverse imprints will be made available through the comiXology program each month. The digital comics, priced from $.99 to $2.99 per issue, will be available through:

• DC Comics app for the iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® Touch;
• DC Comics-branded storefront, located in the Comics by comiXology app for the iPhone®, iPad® and iPod® Touch;
• DC Comics-branded storefront on the web at Comics.comiXology.com.
• www.dccomics.com, later this year.

“Once readers download an issue, they will be able to read it on all DC Comics-branded Comics by comiXology-supported platforms,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “DC’s taking a bold approach to platform convergence, and we’re thrilled to be their solution of choice.”

Staying true to comiXology’s support of comic retailers, DC’s partnership with comiXology also includes a first-of-its-kind Retailer Affiliate Program, which will collect a portion of digital revenues to be invested back to and on behalf of comic book retailers in a variety of initiatives.

“The ComicsPRO Board of Directors is looking forward to continuing our dialog with DC Comics to figure out how their digital strategy can lead to new customers for storefront retailers,” said Joe Field, owner/operator of Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff, an Eisner-Award winning comic book shop in Concord, California. “We’re pleased to be part of this important conversation about the future of the comics business.”

About PlayStation Network Digital Comics: The PlayStation® program will launch with over 80 issues from DC Comics, Vertigo and WildStorm, including the first 25 issues of Superman/Batman. Comic book titles based on videogame properties, including Free Realms, God of War and Resistance, will be made available digitally exclusively on PlayStation®Store for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Over 50 additional issues will be made available each month, priced from $0.99 to $2.99 per issue, available through PlayStation Network.

“With the PlayStation Network digital comics available for all PSP models, the user is able to explore a huge range of more than 1600 comics and we look forward to working with DC Comics to continue to add even more titles,” said Susan Panico, senior director, PlayStation Network, Sony Computer Entertainment America. “PlayStation Network is the premiere entertainment destination and we are excited to provide users with exclusive content and continue to expand our growing library of comics.”

About the DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution partnership:

DC Comics is working with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution to leverage its global digital platform expertise and key partner relationships with companies such as Apple, Microsoft and other online distributors. Through these efforts WBDD will help DC Comics grow their digital publishing business.

“We’re very pleased to be working with the exceptionally talented team at DC Comics to help bring digital comics to consumers,” said Thomas Gewecke, President of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution. “This innovative offering breaks new ground, and makes some truly great works available in digital form for the first time.”

“Today’s launch provides an additional opportunity to convert new readers and recapture lapsed readers while serving existing fans,” said John Rood, Executive Vice President, DC Entertainment. “We look forward to working with our partners in the industry—the creators, the retailers and the fans—as we experiment with our digital strategy, in a manner that remains additive to our traditional business models.”

I was given the opportunity to interview David X. Cohen, the creator, producer, and head writer of Futurama in advance of Thursday night’s premiere.  I was also able to talk to Billy West who is the voice of Fry, the Professor, Zoidberg, Zapp Branigan and many others.  You can listen to the interviews here.

For my review of the episode, see my piece that originally ran in IN Magazine.  Below is an expanded version:

I’m not a television critic, but when I was asked if I wanted to review the upcoming, two-episode premiere of “Futurama” on Comedy Central, my heart was aflutter. I’m not even much of a television viewer at all, but “Futurama” has always captured the nerd half of my brain and entertained the hell out of it. In fact, when “Futurama” went off the air the first time, I stopped watching television altogether for quite a while.

I’ve heard some concerns that fans are worried about the show living up to its prior incarnations, but I’d like to assure you that you have nothing to fear from the first two episodes of the Comedy Central relaunch. They do not disappoint. They are just as witty and hilarious as the “Futurama” we knew and loved. I was even a bit taken aback by how easily these characters settled back into their place in my heart. The show starts without missing a beat and bringing me back into the drama and lives of characters I love. At times I even found myself upset that Fry wasn’t with Leela and it made me take a step back and remind myself that it’s just a show.

With these new episodes, however, the comedy has a bit more of an edge to it. Being on cable instead of Fox allows the writers to push the envelope further in terms of jokes and content. As an example, the second episode hinges on a rogue, Death Star-like satellite dubbed “V-Giny” in a Star Wars and Star Trek reference combo. Somehow, I don’t think Fox would have allowed the writers to get away with such an overt a vaginal reference.

And I have to say, I’m a huge fan of the Transcredible Adventures of Zapp Brannigan.  I found myself re-watching that episode over and over again, laughing hysterically each time.  I won’t ruin the ending of the second episode either, but the blatant hypocrisy that it points it was both hilarious and maddening.  Futurama has a very good way of shining lights on political problems and pointing out absurdities and hypocrisies through the lens of the future and this time was no different.

I talked to show co-creator, producer and head writer David X. Cohen about the differences between producing the show then and now. “I think the show is a bigger deal for Comedy Central and they’re definitely going out of their way to do heavy promotion for it, both on the air and online. Yeah, they are very excited about it. I don’t want to say anything [about the future of “Futurama”] because no matter what I say, the opposite happens. I think we’re doing well, we get cancelled and I go pack my bags and go to do something else and then I get a call that we’re back on. It seems like everything is based on the flip of a coin as far as it’s concerned. But I think the episodes are very good and the fans will be pleased.”

We also chatted a bit about what’s coming up in the series this season and guest stars we could expect to be seeing, “Al Gore will be making his fourth appearance. He’s in our holiday special which will be between the two seasons. Other guests for the sci-fi fans includes Katee Sackhoff and she’s playing a person with a very alien-related fetish, and I’ll just leave it at that. A couple of comedians we’re fans of will be making appearances. Chris Elliot, Patton Oswalt and Craig Ferguson will be on. And one more that I’ll mention, for our 100th episode for our season finale at the end of the summer we have Devo appearing.”

(He also made mention in the interview of Stephen Hawking‘s repeat performance, but that will be next season.)

All in all, I’m intensely pleased to report that “Futurama” is back in its seductive, velour uniform, reporting for duty to the benefit of all mankind. It premieres Thursday, June 24 at 11 p.m. on Comedy Central.

Deadline New York reported yesterday that Marvel has brought on the Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Openheimer, the writers behind the forthcoming Conan relaunch and Favreau’s Cowboys and Aliens, to write a script for Dr. Strange.

Marvel Studios has hired Conanscribes Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer to write Dr. Strange, marking forward progress on a long-gestating superhero property which will likely be among the first Marvel films generated under the Disney banner.  Aside from Conan–the Marcus Nispel-directed Lionsgate film that stars Jason Momoa–Donnelly and Oppenheimer also scripted a live action adaptation of the vidgameUncharted: Drake’s Fortune for Sony and producer Chuck Roven, and they wrote a draft of the Jon Favreau-directed Cowboys and Aliens for DreamWorks/Universal.

With writers being hired, some speculate that this could be the first Marvel film that could fly under the Disney banner, since Dr. Strange has been a free agent for a long time.  Which is not surprising, since The Sorcerer Supreme might sound more like a pizza than a kickass comic property to the uninitiated.

I, for one, would be quite happy to see Dr. Stephen Strange on the silver screen facing off against Dormammu.

It also makes me wonder if this might be one of those Marvel/Disney shorts that were talked about yesterday.

As far as casting, who do you guys think would make a good Sorcerer Supreme?  I’m thinking Timothy Dalton, but he might be a bit old.  Michael Sheen, maybe?

To say that I don’t know shit about The Green Hornet is an understatement. But that doesn’t change the fact that the trailer for the new film has hit the interwebs! I think this film actually looks like it could be a lot of fun, despite my lack of background on the source material. Starring Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, and Cameron Diaz The Green Hornet hits theaters January 14, 2011

Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is the son of LA’s most prominent and respected media magnate and perfectly happy to maintain a directionless existence on the party scene – until his father (Tom Wilkinson) mysteriously dies, leaving Britt his vast media empire. Striking an unlikely friendship with one of his father’s more industrious and inventive employees, Kato (Jay Chou), they see their chance to do something meaningful for the first time in their lives: fight crime. But in order to do this, they decide to become criminals themselves – protecting the law by breaking it, Britt becomes the vigilante The Green Hornet as he and Kato hit the streets.

Using all his ingenuity and skill, Kato builds the ultimate in advanced retro weaponry, The Black Beauty, an indestructible car equal parts firepower and horsepower. Rolling in a mobile fortress on wheels and striking the bad guys with Kato’s clever gadgets, The Green Hornet and Kato quickly start making a name for themselves, and with the help of Britt’s new secretary, Lenore Case (Cameron Diaz), they begin hunting down the man who controls LA’s gritty underworld: Benjamin Chudnofsky (Christoph Waltz). But Chudnofsky has plans of his own: to swat down The Green Hornet once and for all.

If many of you were like me this weekend and rushed to the theaters to get a huge dose of nostalgia via Toy Story 3, you were once again treated to an animated short prior to the feature film. Pixar/Disney have put together some fantastic shorts to precede their equally fantastic feature films (my favorite thus far being Presto) and now it looks like Disney may be looking to apply that same idea to their newest property, Marvel.

Latino Review is reporting a rumor that Disney and Marvel may be looking to introduce additional characters from the Marvel universe in 10-minute shorts preceding upcoming Marvel films:

Got a scoop from a well trusted source that Marvel/Disney are looking at doing 10 minute short films in front of their feature length movies that will introduce secondary characters like Black Panther, Luke Cage, Dr. Strange, etc.

There is no information on which upcoming Marvel movie they may debut these shorts with or who the first character to get the “shorts-treatment” would be – and, as stated before, this is just a rumor at this point, but an exciting concept none-the-less.

I for one think this could be a fun way to give 2nd and 3rd tier characters from the Marvel universe some solid screen time without the risk of shoveling tens of millions of dollars behind a lesser-known character and risk having it flop.

So, what do you all think about this potential “news”? What Marvel characters do you think would work best in the 10-minute short format? Sound off in the comments below!

I’ve been incredibly excited to get to Celebration V, and now the biggest reason for my desire to go just dropped out of the sky.

Jon Stewart, the hilarious comedic firebrand of The Daily Show fame, has been announced as the interviewer in charge of George Lucas’ CV appearance.

I was able to see George Lucas live at Celebration III (after an overnight campout in the rain 3 miles from the site of a Tornado in Indianapolis) and it was easily worth the price of admission and travel for the entire affair.

This will be an event to remember, and I’ll write up as much of it as I can.

In the meantime, I will defer to the official press release:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (June 17, 2010) – Already jam-packed with a full slate of intergalactic events, activities and attractions, Star Wars Celebration V today announced THE MAIN EVENT – a live, on-stage interview with Saga creator George Lucas hosted by The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart. The hour-long, candid conversation will spark a discourse sure to shed light on the storied history of the Star Wars Saga – from its past to its future, with insider insights about the many steps along the way. A self-proclaimed lover of Lucas’ “galaxy far, far away,” Stewart brings a fan sensibility to the interview, aiming to focus on areas of interest to the many diverse and devoted groups that have helped Star Wars endure for more than thirty years. In addition to the dialogue between Lucas and Stewart, fan questions can be submitted through the official Star Wars Celebration V website: www.starwarscelebration.com.

Taking place in Orlando, FL from August 12-15, Star Wars Celebration V will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and the ongoing, weekly adventures of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Featuring celebrities, costumes, live entertainment, screenings, autographs, collectibles, panels and much, much more, Star Wars Celebration V is the official Lucasfilm convention – and the biggest Star Wars party in the galaxy!

Tomorrow night we will be holding our first pub quiz.  It will be hosted by myself and Shannon from The Geek Show Podcast.

I wrote about it this week for IN Magazine.  You can get details in the online version here, pick it up on stands, or click the image below for the laid out print version.

You can also join the event on our facebook page!

AMC is doing a really good job of engaging the online-nerd community during production of their show The Walking Dead, which is beloved for plenty of reasons by a lot of us.

Today, they released the first photo of Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes and, while this is only a pretty static publicity still, it looks good.  And now we have series creator Robert Kirkman’s word for it, “Writing this book for the past seven years I’ve gotten very close to the character of Rick. Andrew Lincoln embodies every aspect of the character that fans know and love. After seeing this photo I don’t think that there will be a doubt in anyone’s mind that he’s perfect for the role.”

As usual, click on the thumbnail above for a larger image.

Hollywood Life is claiming that a source close to Director Christopher Nolan has supposedly stated that Nolan is very interested in having Joseph Gordon-Levitt don the infamous question mark and take on the role of The Riddler as the villain in the third Batman film. Gordon-Levitt of course co-stars in Nolan’s upcoming film, Inception, due out this Summer. Here’s what Hollywood Life had to say on the matter:

“Chris really dug Joseph [as an actor],” a source close to the director tells HollywoodLife.com exclusively. “There was a joke at first between them [on the set of Inception] that Joseph wanted to read for Batman 3 and things heated up as filming continued.”

Adds the insider, “It’s not 100% confirmed that he’s getting [the role of The Riddler] but there’s certainly talk about it. Joseph is definitely on the short list.” This should make fans happy, especially as several fan sites have expressed a wish to see the 500 Days of Summer cutie score the role!

Before I continue, I would take this with a grain of salt. JGL’s name is the latest in a long line of many actors associated to being the next Batman villain, The Riddler or otherwise. I like this casting idea, and if this is being considered then you can consider me painted “cautiously excited”.

Now, Christopher Nolan recently confirmed to Empire Magazine that he will absolutely not be recasting the Joker and bringing him back as the villain in the third film, so we have seen the last of the Joker in this Batman universe. I really think that the Riddler is the next best, and logical villain for the film franchise – this is something that Kill-Tacular-Tron, Mexicus Prime and I have talked about in length before. Many people have the argument that the Riddler is too similar to the Joker, but hear me out. The fact that the Riddler is like the Joker is a plus; Imagine a tech-savvy younger guy (Gordon-Levitt’s age) who is essentially a Joker copy-cat, but ups the game and has his own riddle-based take on the fucked-up games the Joker was playing with Batman putting people’s lives on the line. I really think it could work and I would be excited to see the version of the Riddler Nolan will come up with.

So, even though this is very much just a rumor at this point, what do all of you think of this prospect?