“Dark Knight” Viral Game Reveals Hardy’s Bane

While principal photography for Christopher Nolan and Warner Bros. incoming DC Comics adaptation “The Dark Knight Rises” just started yesterday, it appears the studio is already on top of promoting the next Batman movie. Today, a number of fan sites including SuperHeroHype played along with a new viral game launched along with the film’s official website at TheDarkKnightRises.com. The audio file of chanting men on the official site contained a phrase hidden in its computer coding which let fans to the Twitter account @thefirerises which in turn pointed viewers to the first official image of actor Tom Hardy as the villain Bane:

These moves fall well in line with Warners campaign for “The Dark Knight” which offered fans sneak peeks and advanced screenings for playing along with games centered on Harvey Dent’s District Attorney campaign and the Joker’s “Why So Serious?” rein of terror.

For more, check out SuperHeroHype

FCBD 2011 generated $1.5 million in publicity

Free Comic Book Day founder Joe Field reports that this year’s event drew between 300,000 and 500,000 people to participating retailers, and generated an estimated $1.5 million in publicity for comics and comics stores. “Free Comic Book Day may have been my idea ten years ago, but seeing the remarkable things this event has done for the entire comics world is really encouraging,” he writes on his store’s blog. “Many of my comics retailer colleagues in the U.S., Canada and 40 other countries bring energy, creativity and enthusiasm to FCBD, making it a very special community event that is now the world’s largest annual comics’ event. All of this shows just how current the comics’ medium is — and how vital comic book specialty stores are to our local communities.” [Flying Colors, via The Beat]

Romeo must die by Rafael Sanz

The success of Thor the failures of Wonder Woman and how they both connect. Like many comic fans this summer I’m realy up for this summers comic movies . We have captain america an american icon x-men first class the fith instalement of the popular x-men films you have to count wolverine origins in those films indie comic movie cowboys and aliens and of course grean lantern dc first big movie other than superman or batman.
But the season started off with thor the big question that most of us had about thor is can it be a sucsess at the box office well with a budget of 150 million and a 3 week worldwide gross of 345 million and rising that question has been answered and the answer is yes.
Now how does this have anything to do with wonder woman . Wonder woman as we all know is one of a hand full of characters that you can walk up to any one about and they will say ya I know wonder woman.
Far more people have heard of her than thor.
So why can’t she get a tv show or a movie.
Failures it have been noted for years that the heads of dc and warner brothers. Do not have much faith in the character. For years since the rebirth of comic movies many dc and wonder woman fans have been asking for her shot and the answer has always been no.
We have seen characters more known then her like spiderman and batman have big hit franchise and some like superman have misteps here’s to you bryan singer let’s hope zac snyder can get it right. But we have had characters less known than her find sucsess blade ironman of course and thor.
Thor and wonder woman how do they connect well here we go they are both characters of myth thor is the god of thor grounder in asgardian and norse history, wonder woman is made from clay of the greek gods greek myth.
The best thing to for her is that one nbc did not pick up that awful looking show from the costume to the premise to it being on nbc a network that has been in last place for the better part of the decade take a look at the cape people, the show would have been trashed it was already just by the shots of that god awfull costume and cancelled .
That would have made a movie even more of a hard sell for fans and warner would have looked at it like see we are right ,now I could be wrong and they will look at it like well if they don’t pick up a pilot why should we waste time with her like I said I hope I’m wrong.
Number two the box office numbers of thor like I said more people know wonder woman than thor, now let’s get into this thors world is much harder to get across than wonder womans he’s a god he lives in asgard he has to try and connect with the humans of misgard.
But here’s the the thing he’s an avenger they are building to a movie the foundation is being laid for that movie it started in ironman hulk ironman 2 now thor and will go to captain america.
How this helps wonder woman we have grean lantern coming out this summer let’s hope that’s a big hit take that momentum and build to a wonder woman film, princess of paradise island steve trevor needs her she comes to america to prevent ares god of war it could work.
So warner take notice of what marvel is doing with there less known characters and give wonder woman her rightfull place on film.
Before I go I have to thank the no apologies crew for first haveing me as a guest on the show then making me a new co host and now leting me do this is you like this reply or leave a itunes review because I love comics . My next article will be on 90s comic thanks for reading.

NBC Passes On Wonder Woman

NBC has passed on David E. Kelley’s much-discussed Wonder Woman pilot, which reimagined the DC Comics superheroine as a successful corporate executive who fights crime in Los Angeles.

Entertainment Weekly reports that although the network isn’t saying why the pilot isn’t among the wave of pickups announced over the past couple of days, word is that it garnered mixed reviews at test screenings.

Announced in October, the revival seemed shaky almost from the start, with Kelley revealing two months later that he hadn’t “necessarily committed” to the project. However, when he did commit, Warner Bros. encountered difficulty finding a home for the pilot, with all the broadcast networks initially passing on Wonder Woman before NBC changed course in late January. That was followed by negative reaction to a leaked draft of the script and then the first look at star Adrianne Palicki in a costume that apparently never made it into the pilot.

EW suggests Warner Bros. could shop the pilot elsewhere, but then immediately dismisses that notion, wondering who would want a project NBC rejected. Besides, all the other networks already passed on Wonder Woman back in January.

It’s not all bad news for Kelley, though: The network renewed his midseason legal drama Harry’s Law for a second season. Parenthood, too, will return for another season.

NBC also picked up three other series tonight: Grimm, the fantastical cop drama from Jim Kouf (Angel) and David Greenwalt (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) set in a world in which characters from Grimm’s fairy tales are real; The Playboy Club, a drama that centers on the opening of the first Playboy Club in Chicago in 1963; and Awake (formerly REM), a drama from Lone Star creator Kyle Kellen that follows the parallel lives of a detective who can’t let go of his fractured family after a car accident.

The addition of Grimm may, unfortunately, mean the network passed on 17th Precinct, a supernatural crime drama from Battlestar Galactica‘s Ronald D. Moore that stars Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Stockard Channing and Kristin Kreuk.

DC Comics announced today via their blog, The Source the debut of a new one-shot based in the same continuity as “Batman Beyond.”

Written and illustrated by longtime Marvel creators Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema, “Superman Beyond” is set to debut in August under a cover by Dustin Nguyen. The series is notable not only for spinning off a new title from DC’s well-received “Batman Beyond,” but also for being the first work at the publisher by both DeFalco and Buscema in decades.

DC’s official description of the one-shot follows:

Spinning out of the fan favorite BATMAN BEYOND series come the adventures of The Man of Tomorrow in the DC Universe of the future! An aging Kal-El is called back into action to stop a villain more powerful than he’s ever faced – all while his own super powers are starting to fade.

DC Shares One Last Teaser Before “Flashpoint” #1

Though its first issue hits comic shops today, DC Comics incoming summer event “Flashpoint” has remained fairly mysterious for comic book fans. The five-issue main series by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert will establish a world where the heroes of the DCU exist in strangely different circumstances than they did before today. That world – one with Emperor Aquaman and U.S. hero Cyborg – will spin the event out into 16 support mini series and four additional one-shots. However, beyond a general idea of Barry “The Flash” Allen’s attempts to see why the world has changed with the help of a casino-running Batman, other details have remained under wraps.

The publisher took one step further towards throwing light on the book today, releasing the following teaser image with art from the main book and several of the support series:

Artist Justiniano In Custody On Child Pornography Charges

A member of the comics community has been arrested by Connecticut police for one of the more serious and disturbing non-violent crimes on the books.

According to a story in the Connecticut Post (via Newsarama), Josue Rivera – AKA artist Justiniano – has been brought in by police on charges of child pornography. Reportedly, the artist dropped a thumb drive off to a local funeral home in July that was supposed to contain pictures of a recently deceased friend for an upcoming service. Instead, the drive contained 33 files classified as child pornography – a number which grew to over 100 with three videos once Rivera’s house and computer were searched and seized. One of the photos is believed to be of the suspect’s niece.

As Justiniano, the artist had done many issues for DC Comics in recent memory including a run on Dr. Fate with late writer Steve Gerber in the pages of “Countdown To Mystery.” Of late, his byline has been largely absent from the comics scene, though he was on the guest list for the upcoming Wizard Big Apple Comic Con on May 21 – 22.

So far, the Post’s story does not note that Rivera works as a comics artist. If wider news outlets decide to play up that angle, the story could make for some less than desirable publicity for the comics community in general, however for now, all readers can do is wait and see which charges are filed and how the case works itself out.

WC11:“Retro-Active”

According to DC Comics:

“‘Retro-Active’ reunites classic writers and artists with classic characters Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and Justice League of America, returning to the interpretations they are best known for. Each of these series will have 3 one-shots that pay homage respectively to the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.”

Each one-shot will contain 26 new story pages along with 20 pages of classic stories re-printed from that specific time-period. In an exclusive series of interviews, CBR spoke with some of those classic writers and artists – namely Keith Giffen (writing the ‘90s “Justice League” one-shot), Marv Wolfman (writing the ‘70s “Superman”), Louise Simonson (writing ‘90s “Superman) and artist Jon Bogdanove (drawing ‘90s “Superman”).

WC11: Green Lantern With Geoff Johns

On the heels of a lively DC Nation panel, the talent changed some but the company kept rolling as DC Comics presented their “Green Lantern” comics panel at WonderCon 2011 in San Francisco, and CBR News was on hand for the action. Things got rolling quick as panelists Executive Editor Eddie Berganza and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns took the stage with a large prop Lantern from the Green Lantern film which glowed. “I really, really recommend you come to the panel tonight,” Johns said. “We’ve got cool stuff…if you like Sinestro, you’re going to dig it.”

“It’s all about Hal, John, Kyle and Guy…we wanted to bring them back to the center again,” Johns then said about the current “War of the Green Lanterns” arc. “It’s kind of a follow up to what we originally did in ‘Green Lantern: Rebirth’…One of the things we wanted to do with this arc is get back to the people behind the ring.”

Johns then explained that they’ll reveal who the White Lantern is at the end of “Brightest Day” #23, and it won’t be who fans expect. “[The series] was a lot of work…but we finished it!” he laughed before noting that he’ll also soon be writing an “Aquaman” book, which he announced will be drawn by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado. “I don’t think you can get much better in comics…everything the do elevates the characters they work on, and we hope to do the same for Aquaman.”

During fan questions, a reader asked whether or not there was any fear that the books were focusing too much on other Lantern Corps and not on Hal Jordan. “I think we’re pretty happy…Green Lantern’s big, and I don’t want it to focus on one kind of story. Green Lantern can be any story,” said Johns. “I’m glad it’s big.” The reader asked as a follow up about whether one of the earth Green Lanterns would die at the end of the current “War of the Green Lantern” stories to which Johns joked, “You expect me to answer that?” He wished the reader a nice con instead.

The expansion of the other Corps was asked after. Johns said he has more plans for Larfleez and the Indigo tribe, and readers can expect more conflict between the different Corps.

Shifting topics briefly, a fan asked if Johns had any desire to introduce more characters to the big or small screen like he had for the Legion and the Justice Society on “Smallville.” The writer replied, “I just saw a cut of the [‘Smallvile’] Booster Gold episode I did with Blue Beetle, and it’s really good. It’s out in mid-April…but [I’ll write] anything. Wonder Woman, Flash…I want all of them.”

Back to Green Lantern, Johns promised more tales of the various Lantern Corps solo stories in the future. A reader also asked for “Mogo: Secret Origin” to which the writer replied. “There’s actually a lot coming up with Mogo, but it’s not exactly his secret origin.” Alan Scott will not be brought back into the Green Lantern books anytime soon. He’ll remain a player in the “Justice Society” ongoing, however.

Johns promised a “Round 2” between Hal Jordan and Bruce Wayne coming up working under the rules “No rings, no utility belts.” He also said that readers will learn about the very first Green Lantern soon.

A young fan who asked about Krona’s role after “War of the Green Lanterns” was told he’d have to wait and see what happens in the story, but as a consolation, Johns let him pick up the prop lantern. “Be careful…if you drop it, it explodes,” the writer joked.

The reader from the previous panel who enjoyed “Flash” as a book for his son to read came up, asking about the follow up story to Johns and Reis’ “Secret Origin” arc on “Green Lantern.” “We will do ‘Green Lantern: Secret Origin 2: The Fall of Sinestro’ but we’re not sure when yet. The story is done, but it’s a matter of scheduling at this point,” Johns said.

A fan who asked after the Anti-Monitor got the response of “Wait until you meet his wife!” from Johns who quickly added. “I’m just kidding…he would never get married.”

An active service member of the Air Force asked why we never see Hal Jordan in his dress uniform, to which the writer replied “Because he hates it…don’t you?” The man agreed that he does in fact hate it, to which Johns said “I went to Edwards Air Force Base for a couple of months ago to hang out with actual test pilots.”

A reader who’s new to the property asked whether the ring in the “Green Lantern” movie would itself talk. Johns said that no, that wasn’t part of the plan, adding, “The movie is so close to the comics in the mythology, characters and designs that it’s pretty amazing…if you look at Abin Sur’s ship in the movie, a lot of it is based on what Ivan did [in ‘Secret Origin’].”

Johns told a young fan that you will eventually see a character who will wear all of the colored Lantern Rings and “His costume is going to be super colorful too!” The fan said he wanted to see more stories with Jonathan “The Scarecrow” Crane as a Yellow Lantern, and Johns promised he’d think about it.

Asked to describe his take on “Aquaman” in one sentence, Johns said, “I can do it in one-word: ‘Tough.’ That’s it. Or maybe ‘Orange.'”

Johns echoed one of his most frequent questions to calls for spoilers when one fan asked if there was a chance Kyle Rayner would become Ion again. “There’s a chance to see a lot of different things…there’s always a chance.” However, the writer did reveal that there was a method behind the colors of the chains Krona is using to keep the entity-possessed Guardians on a leash in the pages of “War of The Green Lanterns.”

A fan wondered whether Johsn would return to the personal themes of life behind the mask that were explored in the classic “Green Lantern/Green Arrow” stories to which the writer replied. “The point of ‘War of the Green Lanterns’ really examines that…what kind of life is it when you never come out of the costume?”

Another reader wanted to know if the Joker would ever get a Lantern ring, and Johns revealed, “In ‘Blackest Night,’ we almost gave the yellow ring to Joker instead of Scarecorw…but we really wanted to explore Scarecrow in that way. Maybe in the future there will be a Yellow Lantern Joker.”

Finally, the writer confirmed that the multiple Lantern Corps would continue to be developed in other media as much as possible, noting that Parallax will appear in the “Green Lantern” movie and the Red Lanterns will be the villains in the incoming animated series.-by Kiel Phegley

Joanne Siegel’s posthumous appeal to Warner Bros.

December 10, 2010

Jeffrey L. Bewkes
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Time Warner Inc.

Dear Jeff,

I am Joanne Siegel widow of Jerry Siegel, creator of Superboy and co-creator of Superman with Joe Shuster. It has always been my policy to be in touch with the Chairmen of the Board of your company going back to when Steve Ross formed Warner Communications.

Steve Ross knew how to take care of large vexing problems. He paid the price, whatever it was, then went on, and the company prospered. He was gracious and friendly when my late husband Jerry and I met him at a stockholders meeting after he sent Jerry, Joe, my daughter Laura and me company stock. He also phoned me to say if we needed anything I should just pick up the phone and call him. He said if he could not be reached for some reason, one of the top officers in the company, Deane Johnson, would handle things personally. Laura and I believe if Steve were alive our copyright ownership matter would have been successfully resolved long ago.

Jerry Levin was also reachable and thoughtful. He sent my husband and later me, cases of grapefruit at the holiday season. He remembered Jerry’s birthday with a Superman sculpture. When my Jerry passed away, Jerry Levin told Laura and me that we are part of the Time Warner family, part of its history. Unfortunately he retired before our rights issues were resolved. He had given his attorneys too much power so that negotiations were unsatisfactory and a settlement was impossible. Dick Parsons, on the other hand, was not friendly and, under him, the attorneys hired by the company were arrogant and pro-litigation.

Now you are Chairman and CEO. Because we are in litigation I held off writing to you. I now believe had we had contact early on, things might not have gone so far off track.

My daughter Laura and I, as well as the Shuster estate, have done nothing more than exercise our rights under the Copyright Act. Yet, your company has chosen to sue us and our long-time attorney for protecting our rights.

On December 1st I turned 93. I am old enough to be your mother. I have grown grandchildren. Unfortunately I am not in the best of health. My cardiologist provided a letter to your attorneys informing them that I suffer from a serious heart condition and that forcing me to go through yet another stressful deposition could put me in danger of a heart attack or stroke. I am also on medications that have side effects which force me to stay close to home and restrooms. Nonetheless your attorneys are forcing me to endure a second deposition even though I have already undergone a deposition for a full day in this matter. As clearly they would be covering the same ground, their intention is to harass me.

My dear daughter Laura too has painful medical conditions including multiple sclerosis, arthritis, glaucoma, spine disorders, and fibromyalgia. She has already had her deposition taken twice by your attorneys while in pain. Her doctors have given written statements saying she should not be subjected to a third deposition, yet your attorneys are insisting on re-taking her deposition in an effort to harass her as well.

So I ask you to please consider – do these mean spirited tactics meet with your approval? Do you really think the families of Superman’s creators should be treated this way?

As you know, DC and Warner Bros. have profited enormously from 72 years of exploiting Jerry and Joe’s wonderful creation. Superman is now a billion dollar franchise and has been DC’s flagship property for all this time.

As for this letter, the purpose is three-fold:

To protest harassment of us that will gain you nothing but bad blood and a continued fight.

To protest harassment of our attorney by falsely accusing him of improper conduct in an attempt to deprive us of legal counsel.

To make you aware that in reality this is a business matter and that continuing with litigation for many more years will only benefit your attorneys.

This is not just another case. The public and press are interested in Superman and us and are aware of our and your litigations.

The solution to saving time, trouble, and expense is a change of viewpoint. Laura and I are legally owed our share of Superman profits since 1999. By paying the owed bill in full, as you pay other business bills, it would be handled as a business matter, instead of a lawsuit going into its 5th year.

Even though you will no doubt pass this letter on to your attorneys, the final decision is yours. Your image as well as the company’s reputation rests on a respectable and acceptable outcome, and I hope you will get personally involved to insure this matter is handled properly.

The courtesy of a friendly and meaningful reply from you will be most appreciated.

Sincerely,
Joanne Siegel