Friday, July 16, 2010

Dan Didio Needs to Keep His Word and Fire Himself

In January of this year, recently demoted co-publisher of DC Comics Dan Didio took over as writer of The Outsiders series, a team of superheroes who do not fit the norms of the mainstream superhero community, namely the Justice League of America. But with half a year behind us, it's hard to categorize his efforts as anything but a failure. Just look at the numbers:


In March 2009, The Outsiders had monthly sales of roughly 28,000 copies, which was a typical sales figure for the title.

In the wake of Batman's apparent death in Final Crisis, a new team of Outsiders was created, and the title was "relaunched" to great success. Sales for the November release jumped to roughly 51,000.

Fast forward to June 2010, and Dan Didio's version of the book saw sales of a mere 18,000 copies.

So Didio not only lost every single one of the new readers who jumped on board for the post Final Crisis reboot, he's almost lost half of the traditional fan base as well, who you used to able to count on to pick up the title month in and month out.

When Didio was doing his press tour in November regarding his taking over of The Outsiders title he said "If I felt that the book was not achieving, I would not be on that book. As simple as that. I'd cancel myself."

Since it seems that once again, Dan Didio has lied to the loyal fans of the DC Universe. The only question left is will it be Jim Lee or Geoff Johns who has to go in and tell him he's fired.

Another Sh*tty Story Unveiled: Cover of JLA/THE 99 #1


Before we start our diatribe, it needs to be pointed out the art on this comic is amazing. But the story of JLA/The 99 itself looks like a fucking disaster.  Absolutely no continuity with the DC Universe and not portrayed as an ElseWorlds Tale. The last thing anyone wants is to learn more B list superheroes FROM Teshkeel Comics.  It is excruciating enough to keep track of the god damn Legion of Superheroes.  Now you want me to learn 16 additional characters with the potential to become 99.  WTF?

The Twilight Remake for Guys

I have never seen a Twilight movie, nor have I read the book.  But the warning screen for this video had me hooked.  So apparently I have to choose a team now. 

"The following spoof contains some profanity, kissing and girls in their underwear.  View Discretion is Advised."

Kevin Bacon Cast as Villian in X-Men First Class Movie

X-Men: First Class, which is being directed by Matthew Vaughn (Stardust, Kick-Ass), has been on a casting tear since we discovered that Vaughn would be taking over.


Kevin Bacon has been confirmed in the role of an unknown villain for the movie.  That's right, the Kevin Bacon game has invaded the world of superheroes.
Mystique has also been cast.  Mystique will now be played by Jennifer Lawrence, who has previously starred in The Burning Plain, Devil You Know, The Bill Engvall Show, and Winter’s Bone. Mystique was of course played by Rebecca Romijn in the first three X-Men movies.

X-Men: First Class also stars who will now officially be only one degree away from Kevin Bacon:  James McAvoy as Professor X, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Nicholas Hoult as Beast, Alice Eve as Emma Frost, Caleb Landry Jones as Banshee, and Lucas Till as Havoc.

Superdouche!

Sometimes Superman needs to be reminded of the tragedies outside of Metropolis or in this case educated about them.

Thanks to UnntuckedFilms for this hilarious spoof on the Man of Steel or in this case the biggest douche-bag in Metropolis.

Gfest's Picks for the Best Comic Con 2010 Exclusives

Like a kid on Christmas Eve, gfest is so very excited for next week's grand daddy of them all, the San Diego Comic Con International.  And these Comic Con Exclusives, which we think are the very best of the Con, are the reasons why!

Futurama's Plush Nibbler


DCUC Plastic-Man with Suitcase

DC 75th Anniversary Justice League Vs. Starro Pack


Darkwing Duck #1
 Robot Chicken Exclusive Nerd


Jumbo Stormtrooper

Batman & Joker 6″ Mez-Itz Two Pack

Evolution of a Lego Minifigure


Evolution of a Lego Minifigure according to Charles Darwin.

Mama F*ckin Mia - You Princess Cheatin B*tch!


I always knew Peach was a two-bit Cheatin whore.  Was it the power, kingdom, bad-boy image or his massive "tail" that made Peach sway.  We may never know.  Hopefully, Mario can get a hold of Elin Nordegren's attorney.

First Official Green Lantern Movie Pictures of Carol Ferris and Hector Hammond

The cover of the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly debuted Ryan Reynolds in his Green Lantern outfit. It also includes six additional Green Lantern movie images.


The images below feature Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan in his signature bomber jacket alongside a brunette Blake Lively as love interest Carol Ferris; Jordan letting the Green Lantern ring hover above his outstretched hand; Tim Robbins as Senator Hammond and Angela Bassett as Dr. Waller looking over Peter Sarsgaard as Hector Hammond; Hector in a bunker with the body of deceased alien Abin Sur; and a close-up of Hector pre-alien exposure and looking very 1970s.

The Green Lantern opens on June 17, 2011.



Comic Con International Just OFFICIALLY "Nuked the Fridge"

Alexandre Aja, the Director of Piranha 3-D, was scheduled to show a preview of his movie at Comic Con International in San Diego.  The clip includes a scene of a wet t-shirt contest.  The people who run Comic Con subsequently crapped their pants, and told him he had to cut the scene or he couldn't show the clip to Comic Con's paid attendees. 

It makes gfest's stomach turn to think that the people that run Comic Con, which the King of Comics Jack Kirby and his friends started, is trying to stifle an artist's creative expression.  It's shameful really. 

Gfest has never had a problem with Hollywood's invasion of Comic Con, even though many Comic Con purists have.  The merger of comic books and Hollywood was the fulfillment of Jack Kirby's vision, not its demise.  But censorship?  Well, that's just really, really not cool Comic Con.

Luckily, Aja told Comic Con to shove it, and walked away from Comic Con.  Instead, he will debut his movie at the UA Horton Plaza nearby on the same day that Comic Con 2010 opens. 

Gfest can't help but think that King Kirby would be proud of you Alexandre.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

FIRST THEATRICAL TRAILER FOR THE SOCIAL NETWORK

The first theatrical trailer for David Fincher’s Facebook-origin story, The Social Network, is now online and it damn good.  It's no surprise since I very much enjoyed the first two teaser trailers.

The Social Network stars Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, future web-slinger Andrew Garfield, Joseph Mazzello, and Armie Hammer.  It’s set to open later this year on October 1st.

FIRST CAST PICTURE OF AMC'S WALKING DEAD SERIES

Here is the first full cast pic from the upcoming AMC series The Walking Dead, adapted from a comic-book series of the same name.

If you'll be traveling to San Diego this weekend there will be a panel at Comic-Con and it will feature series stars Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually), Jon Bernthal (The Pacific), Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), Laurie Holden (The Mist), and Emma Bell (Law & Order). The Panel is Friday July 23 at 11:30AM in room 6BCF.

Source: io9

FIRST LOOK: RYAN REYNOLDS AS GREEN LANTERN


Here it is.  The CGI Green Lantern suit.  What do you think? 
Ryan Reynolds stars as Hal Jordan, a cocky test pilot who becomes a ring-wearing intergalactic superhero in this massive sci-fi epic from director Martin Campbell (Casino Royale). Though Reynolds has prior experience in the superhero realm from his role as Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, playing Green Lantern involved some major challenges, like getting hurled through the air on a wire at up to 60 feet per second to create the illusion of flight. “The first time you do it, you’re seriously considering an adult diaper,” Reynolds says. Still, he couldn’t resist the chance to play the beloved DC Comics hero, whose power ring can conjure virtually anything he can dream up. “Will and imagination are his superpowers,” Reynolds says. “We need a circus of Timothy Learys to think of things Hal would invent with his ring.”
Source: Enterntianment Weekly

Great #NotAtComicCon Ad from Dark Horse Comics

For those unable to attend Comic-Con, the participating stores (The list of participating stores can be found on the Dark Horse website) will "create a fun and creative atmosphere" with free drinks and more than $200 worth of Dark Horse prizes. Between 3 and 5 p.m. EST -- on July 24, presumably -- Dark Horse will make an announcement to fans at participating stores before releasing information to attendees in San Diego.

Here s the press release released yesterday:
DARK HORSE AND RED BULL’S CHINASHOP MAGAZINE LAUNCH #NOTATCOMICCON CAMPAIGN! OVER 50 COMIC SHOPS ACROSS THE US TO HOST EVENTS FOR FANS UNABLE TO ATTEND COMIC CON INTERNATIONAL

JULY 14TH, MILWAUKIE, OR – On July 24th fifty-five comic book shops across the country will host unique parties in conjunction with ChinaShop Magazine and Dark Horse Comics to celebrate the highly dedicated culture of sequential art during the weekend of San Diego Comic-Con.
Branded #NotAtComicCon, based on the Twitter hash-tag those unable to attend San Diego Comic-Con have been using, fifty-five participating stores will create a fun and creative atmosphere where free drinks and over $200 worth of Dark Horse prizes will be available. In addition, Dark Horse Comics will make an exclusive announcement to fans at participating stores before releasing the special information to crowds in San Diego.

Fans looking to participate in the unprecedented, nation-wide event can find a comic book shop in their area on the following site:  http://www.darkhorse.com/Blog/34/notatcomiccon

Plus, during the week of July 19th, ChinaShopMag.com will feature interviews with well-established comic creators who aren’t attending San Diego Comic-Con to get their insight into the larger community rarely talked about in mainstream news outlets.

Fans are also encouraged to use the hash-tag “#notatcomiccon” when talking about the event to show the world the fun comic fans have even outside the largest pop-culture convention. For more updates, follow @notatcomiccon and @chinashopmag on Twitter
 Source: Robot6

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Funny: Dr. Doom & Peanuts Mashup

"The Doctor Is In" by Philip Haragos for Threadless. Hilarious Dr. Doom and Charlie Brown Mashup.  If you like it go to Threadless and vote to make it a t-shirt.

Source: Super Punch

NEW Robert Downey Jr. & Zach Galifianakis Movie Gets a Trailer!

Ahoy, squirts! Quint from ain't it cool news posted this trailer for DUE DATE.  The trailer is hilarious and with Galifianakis and Downey acting and a Todd Phillips (THE HANGOVER) movie you know it's got to be good.   

As Quint stated in his post, "the prospect of trapping them together in a PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES type of anti-buddy road movie for a couple of hours holds so much promise." 

Enjoy the trailer:
 

Tony Daniel Takes over BATMAN Title

Tony Daniel will permanently take over as writer and artist on the regular BATMAN series.   I have mixed emotions because Grant Morrison frustrated me immensely at times, but am indifferent to Tony's run thus far.  I'm willing to stick with it and see what comes about this Fall and Winter.  I am hoping for good things for the Bat family.

Quote from Tony for the The Source blog:
“I am thrilled and honored to be tapped for further writing duties on the world’s most iconic super hero, Batman. I look forward to telling exciting tales with the caped crusader and exploring old and new characters alike. I will continue to put my best foot forward on each and every page.”

SEXY Anime Princess Peach

Yoshi looks like he is going to get up in that.  I bet the Princess likes that long sticky tongue.

Mario Kart Cartoon: "Quid Pro Quo"

This one speaks for itself.  Thank to Jeremy Vinar and Matt Fahmie at Virtual Shackles for this funny cartoon.

PREVIEW: THE KILLER: Modus Vivendi #4 (If You're Not Reading it, Start)

I cannot say enough about THE KILLER.  It is hard to find a comic book on the market today as refreshing and engaging as this book.  The first two story arcs were fabulous.  The art and dialogue were top notch and the story itself contained numerous plot threads that all were weaved together well by the end of each particular story.  If you need more convincing, Brad Pitt's production company bough the rights to this book.

Thank heavens the creators of this wonderful story decided to keep THE KILLER alive (no pun intended) by releasing a third story arc entitled, "Modus Vivendi," which loosely means "agree to disagree."  If you have not read THE KILLER head over to your local comic shop or click here to purchase the first two volumes.  If you're all ready on board, enjoy the preview of "Modus Vivendi #4"
Ordinary People, Part 2. The Killer’s involvement with the Cuban agent Katia deepens, and he is once again drawn to wondering about his place in the world. Things in Venezuela go as planned but now our Killer is caught in the middle of a high-stakes play between the Americans and the Cubans.
Mature Readers (series contains Nudity, Graphic Violence and Adult Content)

Source Major Spoilers