6/30/2009

Fighting the Ogre


A pic from Drew's 4e D&D game. The heroes were fighting an ogre pulling a cart full of explosives while town burned around them. Brutal fight with Jagger Killmane dishing out some serious damage and taking the majority of the abuse.

6/29/2009

MJ Comics?


So, two of the Launchpad guys (Jim and Mike) were hanging out the other night and we were speculating as to how many Michael Jackson comics there would be solicited in the next month's Previews. Bluewater has already announced one. Both of us guessed around 3 to 4, naming the companies we figured would likely to try to cash in (Bluewater was a given). Thoughts?

Btw, the above doesn't look like any iteration of Michael Jackson's face I recall. Perhaps its some idealized chimerical version. Like putting slim, relatively healthy Elvis into the sweaty white jumpsuit.

MONDAY TELEMETRY For June 29th, 2009

Welcome to another installment of Monday Telemetry, a weekly blog from The Launchpad that covers some of the more interesting releases or events that are coming to the store in the coming week.

Happy Fourth of July! Have fun, be safe. Want to let you all know that this one holiday, thanks to it falling on a Saturday, that will not affect the shipping of that week's comics. New com
ics on the following week will be available on Wednesday as normal.


NOTABLE RELEASES THIS WEEK (click on images for larger version)

BATMAN & ROBIN #2
"Batman Reborn" continues with the reteaming of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WE3, New X-Men)!

In a blazing Gotham City police department, the new Batman and Robin face the bizarre, fighting freakshow that is the Circus of Strange and find that they don't make as good a team as Batman had hoped!

Meanwhile, the mysterious Sasha escapes from Professor Pyg and vows vengeance on the people who killed her father.

Check out a short preview at IGN.


CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #1
Following the events of Captain America #600, Steve Rogers' closest friends and allies may have found a way to bring back the original Captain America. Or is what they found something more sinister? The Red Skull's greatest plan to destroy Captain America has been in motion and its completion is almost at hand. Will Captain America be lost forever or will he be REBORN?

Check out the LA Times preview.




DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH #1
"HEAD TRIP," Part 1 (of 6)-It's the Merc with two mouths! Deadpool travels to the Savage Land to retrieve what might be the deadliest bio-weapon the universe has ever seen. What is this deadly object? Well, Deadpool's employer is being a little vague about that. Let's just say when the secret is finally revealed, it's enough to throw even the Merc with two Mouths for a loop...Oh hell, we can't keep a secret, it's the severed-but-still-hungry head of the Marvel Zombies Deadpool! To save the universe, Deadpool must team up with himself to dodge Hydra operatives, dinosaurs, cavemen and zombie cavemen as he attempts to take his not-so-precious cargo back where it came from: the Marvel Zombies Universe.


JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #1
What brings a team together? Justice! Batman and Martian Manhunter have been slaughtered. But he's not the only hero to fall at the hands of villains. The murder has to stop, and it's time to take the fight to the bad guys! Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Supergirl, Atom, Shazam, Congorilla and Starman unite in a cry for justice!

This 6-part miniseries from James Robinson (STARMAN, SUPERMAN) and rising star artist Mauro Cascioli (TRIALS OF SHAZAM) pushes our heroes to the brink and beyond as evil can no longer be tolerated to win. But when Prometheus plans his revenge on not only the heroes, but on the very places they call home, will this new team be ready to pay the cost for the justice they seek? This time it's personal - and it'll only get more bloody before it's over!

Check out the preview at Newsarama.

STAR WARS INVASION #1
A new series comes to Dark Horse's Star Wars line! After its special sixteen-page May preview on starwars.com, Star Wars: Invasion continues in print!

This series is set twenty-five years after the Battle of Yavin. The Jedi, and the galaxy, are facing their first real threat since the Sith were defeated: an invasion of hostile warriors called the Yuuzhan Vong.

The forces of the New Republic and the fledgling New Jedi Order stand ready to face the invaders, but they've never seen anything like the Yuuzhan Vong! Luke Skywalker is about to discover that it's not his galaxy anymore.

Check out the lead-in and preview at starwars.com.

New Comics In Stock 07-01-09

AGENTS OF ATLAS #7 DKR
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #8
ASTONISHING TALES #6
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #17
AUTHORITY #12
BATMAN #687
BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #31
BOYS #32 (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 04 WE GOTTA GO NOW (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #26 CHEN CVR
CABLE #16
CAPTAIN AMERICA POSTER BOOK
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #1 (OF 5)
CROSSED #6 (OF 9) (MR)
CROSSED #6 (OF 9) WRAP CVR (MR)
DAREDEVIL NOIR #4 (OF 4)
DEAD ROMEO #4 (OF 6)
DEAD RUN #2
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #1
DESTROYER #4 (OF 5) (MR)
EXILES #4
FANTASTIC FOUR #568
GEARS OF WAR #8 (MR)
GHOSTBUSTERS BRUSHED LOGO BLK T/S MED (C: 0-1-3)
GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME GN
GOLD DIGGER #108
GOLD DIGGER PEEBO TALES SPECIAL #5
GOLD DIGGER TECH MANUAL #5
GOLD DIGGER TIFFANY & CHARLOTTE 2ND SEMESTER #1 (OF 4)
GREEK STREET #1 (MR)
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #38 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GREEN LANTERN RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS HC
IRREDEEMABLE #4
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #1 (OF 7) CVR A
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #1 (OF 7) CVR B
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #152
LOCKE & KEY HEAD GAMES #6
LOONEY TUNES #176
MARVEL DIVAS #1 (OF 4)
MIGHTY #6
PROMO POSTER COVER GIRLS DCU WONDER WOMAN STATUE (NET)
SAVAGE DRAGON #150 (NOTE PRICE)
SCOURGE OF GODS FALL #1 (OF 3) (MR) (C: 1-0-0)
SECRET SIX #11
SOLOMON GRUNDY #5 (OF 7)
SOULFIRE #10 MICHAEL TURNER CVR (RES)
SPAWN #193
SPAWN ENDGAME TP VOL 01
STAR WARS INVASION #1 (OF 5) (C: 1-0-0)
STEPHEN COLBERTS TEK JANSEN #5 (OF 5) (RES)
TOY STORY MYSTERIOUS STRANGER #2 (OF 4) (C: 0-0-1)
UNCANNY X-MEN #513 DAX
USA COMICS #1 70TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
WAR OF KINGS #5 (OF 6)
WARHAMMER 40K HORUS HERESY FALLEN ANGELS MMPB (C: 0-1-2)
WARLORD #3
WITCHBLADE #128 SEJIC CVR A
WOLVERINE #72 2ND PTG MCNIVEN VAR
WRITING FOR COMICS & GN WITH PETER DAVID REVISED ED (C: 0-1-

6/27/2009

Elegy Agitato


Sometimes the best indication that a writer knows his craft is his ability to bring a new reader up to speed without clumsy exposition or those little editors notes in boxes. I haven't been following DCs big events and continuity for a while now. Missed out on Batwoman's first go around as well. Despite this the first issue of Greg Rucka's run on Detective Comics (#854 but it feels all new) brought me up to its break neck pace with ease.

Character dynamics are established elegantly and I was able to infer all I needed to know about the ongoing plot of the Crime Bible.

I knew I had to read this because I've always liked JH Willaims III's work. He not only does not disappoint but renews my belief that the guy is one of the best in the business today. This is simply the best looking book this year. I enjoyed Batman & Robin #1, and Winnick's first issue on Batman, but this, this is a great comic. Check it out.

6/26/2009

Bizarre Coincidence

So as you all know by now, Michael Jackson passed away yesterday.

I'm sitting here before the shop opens looking through the latest Game Trade Magazine, which we received about a week ago, and I spy this in the Mega Miniatures listing.

It's part of a parody fig line and is listed as Chiller, Zombie of the Month. Too Weird.

6/25/2009

70s Employment Opportunities

The following ads are scanned from a tattered copy of DC's House of Mystery #131 from May 1975. I know comics have always had adult fans but ads from the older eras of comics always seemed to skew pretty young. This comic has the Hostess Fruit Pie ad "Batman and the Mummy" and ads for the usual x-ray specs and army men. I'm struck by how many of its ads are for various kinds of "job training".

It's interesting how a kid in 1975 is bemoaning his lack of "tech skills". This company is still in existence and provides electronics and computer training via "distance learning".

"Work side-by-side aiding a man..." An ad aimed squarely at girls that like puppies and kittens.

I didn't realize we had a national shortage of draftsmen in the 70s.

There was a huge trucker craze in the late 70s and I'll wager there were plenty of kids and adults who wanted to join the metaphorical "convoy".

Another 70s fad. Now interest in motorcycle repair seems fueled by a resurgence in "outlaw biker" culture.

6/22/2009

Monday Telemetry for June 22nd, 2009

Welcome to another installment of Monday Telemetry, a weekly blog from The Launchpad that covers some of the more interesting releases or events that are coming to the store in the coming week.

DARK AVENGERS UNCANNY X-MEN UTOPIA #1
The Dark Avengers take on the Uncanny X-Men! Kicking off the 6-part crossover event, rising star Matt Fraction (UNCANNY X-MEN, INVINCIBLE IRON MAN) is joined by X-artist supreme Marc Silvestri (X-MEN: MESSIAH COMPLEX, CIVIL WAR: THE INITIATIVE ONE-SHOT) to bring you a story that shakes the foundations of the Marvel Universe. When mutant riots break out in San Francisco, Norman Osborn declares martial law and sends the Dark Avengers in to quell the riots and take down the X-Men. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Don't miss the first Avengers/X-Men crossover in over 15 years!


GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1 NEW ONGOING SERIES!
This all-new series features the bad girls of Gotham City! Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are tired of playing by other people's rules regardless of which side of the law they're on. These tough ladies have a new agenda that's all their own, and they'll use any means necessary to pursue it. But can they get along and work as a team? And who will get hurt along the way? DETECTIVE COMICS and STREETS OF GOTHAM writer Paul Dini kicks off this brand-new ongoing series with amazing artwork by Guillem March (JOKER'S ASYLUM: POISON IVY, GOTHAM GAZETTE).


PREDATOR #1
The world's attention is focused painfully on a brutal third world Civil War, a merciless sectarian conflict sparing neither soldier nor civilian, grandmother nor child. But amidst the terror and carnage, where great nations and powerful interests jockey for position and advantage, another blood feud rages in the shadows, one no more humane but decidedly less human. Two warring tribes from the stars have chosen Earth's killing fields as their arena, with each clan sworn to eradicate the other . . . and all who stand between them. Each is the other's prey, each the other's Predator.


STARCRAFT #2
Based on the worldwide hit videogame! The War Pigs' quest to find and assassinate Jim Raynor begins in earnest. But before they can get anywhere fast, they first have to wrest their ship, the General Lee, from the hands of cutthroat pirates! Plus, just who is Cole Hickson? And what dark secrets from his past and present does he harbor? One way or another, the War Pigs are in for a rough ride.

New Comics In Stock 06-24-09

AVENGERS INITIATIVE #25 DKR
AVENGERS INVADERS #12 (OF 12)
AVENGERS INVADERS BY ALEX ROSS POSTER
BARACK THE BARBARIAN #1 A CVR OBAMA
BATMAN THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #6
CLEANERS #4 (OF 4)
DAREDEVIL #119
DARK AVENGERS #6 DKR
DARK AVENGERS UNCANNY X-MEN UTOPIA #1 DAX
DARK REIGN ELEKTRA #4 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN HOOD #2 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN LETHAL LEGION #1 (OF 3) DKR
DARK REIGN SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 4) DKR
DARK REIGN SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 4) DKR
DARK REIGN ZODIAC #1 (OF 3) DKR
DARK TOWER SORCERER POSTER
DARK WOLVERINE #75 DKR
DETECTIVE COMICS #854
DYNAMO 5 #22
END LEAGUE #8
ESSENTIAL DOCTOR STRANGE TP VOL 04
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #1 (OF 6) CV A (MR)
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #1 (OF 6) CV B (MR)
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #1 (OF 6) CV C (MR)
FRINGE #6 (OF 6)
FUSION #2 (OF 3)
GAMEMASTERY MAP PACK WIZARDS TOWER (C: 0-1-2)
GANTZ TP VOL 05 (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
GI JOE #6
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1
GREEN LANTERN #42
GREEN LANTERN TALES OF THE SINESTRO CORPS TP
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #15
HEAVY METAL SUMMER 2009 (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
IGNITION CITY #1 (OF 5) FX ED (MR)
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #27
IMMORTAL IRON FIST TP VOL 04 MORTAL IRON FIST
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #130
IRON MAN SPIDER-MAN POSTER
JLA DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 02
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #28
KILLAPALOOZA #2 (OF 6)
LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #2 (OF 6)
LITERALS #3 (OF 3) (MR)
MADAME XANADU #12 (MR)
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #52
MILO VENTIMIGLIA PRESENTS BERSERKER #1 KEOWN CVR A
MS MARVEL #40 DKR
NEIL GAIMAN DAVE MCKEAN CRAZY HAIR YR HC (C: 0-1-2)
NEW AVENGERS #54 DKR
NOVA #26
PREDATOR #1 (OF 4)
RIFTWAR #1 (OF 5)
RUNAWAYS 3 #11
SECRET WARRIORS #5 DKR
SGT ROCK THE LOST BATTALION #6 (OF 6)
SKAAR SON OF HULK #12
SONIC UNIVERSE #5
STAR WARS DARK TIMES #13 BLUE HARVEST PT 1 (OF 5) (C: 1-0-0)
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #42 MASKS PT 1 ( OF 3) (C: 1-
STAR WARS LEGACY #37 TATOOINE PT 1 (OF 4) (C: 1-0-0)
STARCRAFT #2
SUPERMAN #689
TEEN TITANS #72
THOR #602
THUNDERBOLTS #133 DKR
TIMESTORM 2009/2099 X-MEN
UNCANNY X-MEN #512
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #9 (MR)
VENOM TP DARK ORIGIN
VIKING #2 (MR)
WARHAMMER 40K HEROES OF THE SPACE MARINES (C: 0-1-2)
WILDCATS #12
WIZARD MAGAZINE #214 GI JOE RISE COBRA MOVIE CVR (C: 0-1-2)
WIZARD MAGAZINE #214 SPIDER-MAN ROMITA JR CVR (C: 0-1-2)
WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #16
WOLVERINE NOIR #3 (OF 4)
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #3
WONDER WOMAN #33
WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #7 (OF 8)
X-FACTOR #45
X-FORCE #16 XMW
X-MEN FOREVER #2
YTHAQ NO ESCAPE #3 (OF 3) (MR)

6/19/2009

Fallout 3 DLC: Point Lookout


So, the next DLC for Fallout 3, Point Lookout, drops onto Xbox Live next Tuesday. Anyone who's visited the Dunwich Building in Fallout 3 knows that the devs like them some Lovecraft and judging by the early images and trailer from Point Lookout it seems things have become a bit horror tinged. Looking pretty Innsmouthy... can't wait!

GL has a posse


So the Green Lantern film script is still undergoing revisions. Cinematical has the story. Apparently some of the GLC will be appearing as well as an all new lantern...

6/18/2009

New Conan cast


In the upcoming Conan film the titular role will be player by Roland Kickinger an Austrian-born bodybuilder.

The more things change...

6/17/2009

Kick-Ass slips again


The ship date on Kick-Ass #7 has slipped again. Now scheduled for 7-08-09, with #8 scheduled for 8-19-09. Why are so many good books chronically late?

6/16/2009

MONDAY TELEMETRY For June 15th 2009


CAPTAIN AMERICA #600
Where were you when Captain America died? It's the anniversary of the day Steve Rogers was killed, a day of reflection and mourning in the Marvel U...a time to look back on the things Steve did and what he stood for... or is this issue actually the beginning of the most wicked plot twist since issue 25? Yeah, actually it's both. Plus, contributions from Cap creators past and present, including a very special essay by Joe Simon, a classic story from Cap's Golden Age, a full gallery of 600 Cap covers, and more anniversary shenanigans than you can shake a shield at!



EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #1
Aspen's blockbuster new series arrives! Secretary. Bodyguard. Assassin. The Executive Assistant is all of the above rolled into one. She's meticulous, ruthlessly efficient, and completely loyal to her employer. But in the high-stakes web of corporate wealth and power, one young woman, Iris, must decide between her duty-and her own morality. When she soon discovers that the man she serves is even more vicious and depraved than the criminals she's supposed to be protecting him from, her life begins to crumble. Torn between her loyalty and a heavy conscience, she must journey back to the school that created her in an attempt to rediscover her humanity. But is she already too late? With three incredible covers to choose from, get in on the ground floor of this exciting new Aspen series!



POWER GIRL #2
As the Ultra-Humanite holds Manhattan and Power Girl hostage, he tells the parts of his origin that have never before been revealed. And what Power Girl learns chills her to the bone...
Continuing the new series from the fan-favorite writing team of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (JONAH HEX, TERRA) and artist Amanda Conner (JSA CLASSIFIED, TERRA)!


X-MEN ORIGINS: GAMBIT
Remy LeBeau is one of the X-Men's biggest guns, but he started out on the other side of the equation, alongside Mister Sinister's Marauders. From New Orleans to the Mutant Massacre and beyond, this is the story of the Ragin' Cajun's transformation from villain to hero - and what it cost him...

New Comics In Stock 06-17-09

1939 DAILY BUGLE (NET) (BUNDLE OF 25)
ABSOLUTION #0 (OF 6) (MR)
ABSOLUTION #0 (OF 6) WRAP CVR (MR)
ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #12
AIR #10 (MR)
ALL NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK #3 (OF 4) DKR
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY #7
ARMY OF DARKNESS TP VOL 08 HOME SWEET HELL (C: 0-1-2)
BARACK OBAMA THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE #1
BATMAN STREETS OF GOTHAM #1
BATMAN THE BLACK CASEBOOK TP
BOOSTER GOLD #21
BOYS HEROGASM #2 (OF 6) (MR)
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #24
CABLE #15 XMW
CAPTAIN AMERICA #600
CAPTAIN AMERICA MAN WITH NO FACE PREM HC
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #14
CARTOON NETWORK BLOCK PARTY #58
DARK REIGN FANTASTIC FOUR #4 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN HAWKEYE #3 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN MISTER NEGATIVE #1 (OF 3) DKR
DARK REIGN YOUNG AVENGERS #2 (OF 5) DKR
DARK TOWER THE FALL OF GILEAD #2 (OF 6)
DESTROYER #3 (OF 5) (MR)
DR HORRIBLE HORRIBLE CARTOON BLK T/S LG (C: 0-1-3)
ELEPHANTMEN #20 (RES)
EX MACHINA #43 (MR)
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #1 BENITEZ CVR
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #1 FRANCISCO CVR
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IRIS #1 TAKEDA CVR
FABLES #85 (MR)
FANTASTIC FORCE #3 (OF 5)
GEARS OF WAR SOURCEBOOK (MR)
GENEXT UNITED #2 OF(5)
GI JOE COBRA #4
GOLD DIGGER #107
GOLD DIGGER TECH MANUAL #4
GOLD DIGGER SWIMSUIT SPECIAL 2009
GREEN LANTERN SINESTRO CORPS WAR TP VOL 02
HELLBLAZER #256 (MR)
HITMAN TP VOL 01 A RAGE IN ARKHAM TP NEW PTG
HOT TOYS DARK KNIGHT 1/6 SCALE TWO FACE FIGURE (C: 1-0-0)
INCOGNITO #4 (MR)
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #14 DKR
INVINCIBLE #63
JACK OF FABLES #35 (MR)
LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT BOX SET (NET)
LITERALS #2 (OF 3) (MR)
MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS #37
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #3 (OF 4)
MASQUERADE #4
MIGHTY AVENGERS #26 DKR
MYSTERIUS THE UNFATHOMABLE #6 (OF 6)
OUTSIDERS #19
POWER GIRL #2
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS CHAPTER TWO #0
PUNISHER #6 DKR
RED ROBIN #1
SHOJO BEAT JULY 09 (C: 1-1-1)
SIMPSONS COMICS #154
SIMPSONS COMICS #155
SLEEPER SEASON 1 TP (MR)
SONIC UNIVERSE #2
SPIDER-MAN NEW WAYS TO DIE TP
STAR WARS KNIGHTS OLD REPUBLIC #42 MASKS PT 1 ( OF 3) (C: 1-
SUPERGIRL #42
SUPERMAN BATMAN #61
SW CMG CLONE WARS MAP PACK #2 SHOWDOWN TETH PALACE (RES) (C:
THOR #600 DELLOTTO VAR
THOR TRIAL OF THOR
TINY TITANS #17
ULTIMATE ORIGINS TP
ULTIMATUM #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG FINCH VAR
ULTIMATUM SPIDER-MAN REQUIEM #1 (OF 2)
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS GIANT-SIZE SPECIAL #1
UNWRITTEN #2 (MR)
VIGILANTE #7
WAR MACHINE #7
WAR OF KINGS ASCENSION #3 (OF 4)
WIZARD HTD HEROIC ANATOMY DLX SPIRAL ED (C: 0-1-2)
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #37 DKR
WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #7 (OF 8)
WOW SER 4 MURLOC TWO PACK AF (NET) (RES)
WOW SER 4 SUCCUBUS DEMON AF (NET) (RES)
X-MEN LEGACY #225
X-MEN ORIGINS GAMBIT #1
YOUNG ALLIES COMICS #1 70TH ANNIV SPECIAL

6/13/2009

Were they imprisoned in a Dark Dungeon?


Over at Bleeding Cool Rich Johnston reports:
Today, a court in Singapore sentenced the fifty year old Ong Kian Cheong and his forty-six year old wife, Dorothy Chan Hien Leng for distributing a series of eleven Jack Chick comics, described as “seditious or objectionable” to Muslims.
Check out the full story and images from the religious tract here.

Most tabletop gamers know who Jack Chick is thanks to the inflammatory Dark Dungeons tract that exposed the truth behind the transformative powers of Dungeons and Dragons.

6/12/2009

Lamentations of the Women


From Variety:
Marcus Nispel has been set by Nu Image/Millennium Films to direct "Conan," ending a nine-year development ordeal to reinvent the Robert E. Howard-created barbarian first immortalized onscreen by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1982.
Production is scheduled to start at the end of the year.

I'll save you a trip to IMDB. Nispel is a music video director who most recently lensed Pathfinder, and the Friday the 13th remake.

6/10/2009

This man scares me...


Mickey Rourke as Whiplash in Iron Man 2.

Wednesday: New Comics Day


Just to let everyone know we recently changed how we do things at The Launchpad and we're getting the new comics earlier in the day on Wednesdays. Which means by the time we open at 11:00 we have that weeks comics on the shelf ready to go.

6/09/2009

The Marvel Movie Breakdown


Last night we were trying to remember the order in which the upcoming Marvel movies were going to be released and when. Did a little research and thought I'd share it with everyone. Here's where it stands currently.

Iron Man 2 -- May 2010
Thor -- May 2011
The First Avenger: Captain America -- July 2011
Avengers -- Summer 2012

Here's an interview with Marvel Studios president of production Kevin Feige at First Showing.

Some Highlights:

As we already know, they're halfway done with shooting, and almost all of the dialogue is finished being shot, with the next six weeks dedicated to action. Earlier today I posted a brief update from Mickey Rourke, and while Feige talked highly of Rourke and Sam Rockwell's involvement as villains, he also dropped an interesting hint about Scarlett Johansson. He said her character has "two sides" - her entrance is as an assistant to Tony Stark, but she is later revealed to be a character named Black Widow. Is this a veiled confirmation that her character stays true to the comics and eventually betrays Stark? I think so.

Feige also confirmed that Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston were officially cast in Thor. He spoke very highly about both actors, but focused more on Hiddleston, who plays the villain Loki. Feige explained that finding a classic villain that could be sustained over the course of many films and provide the hero with a challenge while also being a mirror of that hero himself was very tough. "Loki has those aspects." He also did say that Thor takes place on both modern Earth and other worlds like Asgard, confirming what we heard the other day about Donald Blake not being a part of the story and the setting be primarily Earth. And lastly, he said that director Kenneth Branagh would not let them use any classic Shakespearian dialogue like was often used in the comics.

But let's get back on topic, specifically The First Avenger: Captain America. Feige confirmed that it's "primarily" a period piece that takes place during WWII. He said they went and looked at Raiders of the Lost Ark, which he says he "didn't know" was a period piece when he was watching it. They want to make Captain America with the "same level of fun" as that. And in regards to director Joe Johnston, he said that this would be a little bit of The Rocketeer, lots of October Sky, and a little bit of the ship designs that Johnston did for Star Wars, alluding to how this is the perfect movie for him to direct. "It's the movie his entire career has been leading towards."

Feige also reveals at the end of the interview that another film will be announced for release in 2012. It probably won't be Ant-Man since Edgar Wright hasn't finished the latest script and wont until production on Scott Pilgrim is over. My guess? Nick Fury.


New Characters join Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2

The upcoming video game Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, focusing on the Civil War storyline, will include Norman Osborn as the Green Goblin and the Mac Gargan iteration of Venom.

Check out the MUA site for detailed info on Green Goblin and Venom

6/08/2009

MONDAY TELEMETRY For June 8th, 2009

In this special epilogue to BATTLE FOR THE COWL, new BATMAN writer Judd Winick rejoins the Bat Family! This 40-page issue explores the final moments of the Battle for the Cowl as the new Batman learns that winning the Cowl comes at a high price! Witness the new Batman taking to the streets of Gotham City for the first time! Putting a new man inside the Bat-suit was the easy part - now the fun begins! Guest-starring Superman and Wonder Woman, this issue is a must-read for any Batman fan.

All new Batman, All new creative team! A great time to check out this title and Morrison's Batman & Robin.



The future begins now! Join us as we present pop culture's first hero -- Buck Rogers! The first man out of time... the first man to be taken from his present and thrown into the future... the inspiration for countless heroes, and it all begins here!



At last, the answer to the question that's plagued DC fans for decades: Who's faster, Superman or The Flash? Call your bookie and bet the farm, because you've never seen a run like this - and if speedsters keep dying at the pace they're going, you might never see another one again!



TWO STORIES over TWO ISSUES! Each tale begins in WOLVERINE #73 and concludes in #74…as the WOLVERINE comic book makes a change you won’t believe… “A DAY IN THE LIFE” PART 2 Superstar WOLVERINE artist ADAM KUBERT returns, joined by superstar WOLVERINE writer JASON AARON! Experience a day in the life for America’s favorite mutant—a day packed with action, women, villains, costume changes and beer. Ever wonder why Logan keeps himself so busy these days? The answer lies within. “ONE PERCENTER” PART 2 Meanwhile, WOLVERINE: ORIGINS writer DANIEL WAY is joined by MARVEL 1985’s TOMMY LEE EDWARDS in a prelude to DARK WOLVERINE! Logan wants to get the hell out of New York, and he’s in no hurry to get back to San Francisco, either. So he gets on a motorcycle and takes the long way home. But home for Logan isn’t in a secret underground headquarters—it’s in a fight, with his hands wrapped around the neck of somebody who’s got it coming.

New Comic In Stock 6-10-09

ACTION COMICS #878
AGE OF SENTRY #1 (OF 6) BULLOCK VAR (PP #829)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #597 DKR
ARMY OF DARKNESS #21
BATMAN #687
BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #30
BETA RAY BILL GODHUNTER #1 (OF 3)
BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #5
BLACK LAGOON GN VOL 06 (MR) (C: 1-0-1)
BOOSTER GOLD #21
BUCK ROGERS #1
DARK REIGN DEADPOOL THUNDERBOLTS TP
DEADPOOL #11 DKR
ENDERS GAME RECRUITING VALENTINE
ESSENTIAL THOR TP VOL 04
FABLES #85 (MR)
FANTASTIC FOUR #567
FATHOM KIANI TP VOL 01 BLADE OF FIRE
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH ESCAPE #2 (OF 6)
FINAL CRISIS HC
FLASH REBIRTH #3 (OF 6)
FLASH THE HUMAN RACE TP
GEN 13 #30
GI JOE ORIGINS #4
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #37
HACK SLASH SERIES #23 SEELEY CVR A (MR)
JSA VS KOBRA ENGINES OF FAITH #1 (OF 6)
LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS #2 (OF 4)
MARVEL ADVENTURES SUPER HEROES #12
MISS AMERICA COMICS #1 70TH ANNIV SPECIAL
NEW MUTANTS #1 2ND PTG NEVES VAR (PP #868)
PATRICIA BRIGGS MERCY THOMPSON HOMECOMING #1 (OF 4)
PATRICIA BRIGGS MERCY THOMPSON HOMECOMING #2 (OF 4)
PUNISHER FRANK CASTLE MAX #71 (MR)
REBELS #5
RED ROBIN #1
SAVAGE DRAGON #149
SCOOBY DOO #145
SHOWCASE PRESENTS GREEN LANTERN TP VOL 04
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #201
SOULFIRE NEW WORLD ORDER #2 (OF 5) CALDWELL CVR
SOULFIRE NEW WORLD ORDER #2 (OF 5) HERRERA CVR
STRANGE ADVENTURES OF HP LOVECRAFT #2 (OF 4) (MR)
STREET FIGHTER LEGENDS CHUN LI #3 (OF 4) A CVR DOGAN
SUPER FRIENDS #16
SUPERMAN LAST SON TP
THOR TALES OF ASGARD BY LEE & KIRBY #2 (OF 6)
TITANS #14
TOY STORY MYSTERIOUS STRANGER #1 (OF 4) (C: 0-0-1)
TOYFARE #144 MATTEL GHOSTBUSTERS CVR (C: 0-1-2)
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #133
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #6 (OF 6)
UNCANNY X-MEN #511
UNCANNY X-MEN FIRST CLASS GIANT-SIZE SPECIAL #1
UNWRITTEN #2 (MR)
WALKING DEAD #62 (MR)
WAR OF KINGS SAVAGE WORLD OF SKAAR
WITCHBLADE DARKNESS ANGELUS BLOOD ON SANDS (ONE SHOT)
WOLVERINE #74
X-FACTOR #44
X-MEN FOREVER #1
ZOMBIE TALES VOL 04 (OF 4) THIS BITES

6/05/2009

Thor's Rage


The co-writer on the Thor movie has this to say about the intent of the film:

"You want to feel Thor's rage when he rages. You want to see him fight like hell, and take as much he dishes out -- maybe more. You want to have a visceral reaction to the guy, and what happens to him. You don't want his adventures to be clean and antiseptic. You want to see the dirt, and grime and blood. You want to feel every bone crunching moment of every fight. And when he unleashes the storm, you want to feel like you're seeing the power of a GOD at work ... But at the end of the day, he's a man. In the comics, Odin sends him to Earth because he's not perfect. He's brash, arrogant. Even over-confident. We all know that guy -- some of us have even been that guy. Stan Lee's genius was to give Thor-as-hero an emotional throughline we could all relate to, and knock him down a couple of pegs. So on that level, your question answers itself. The challenge is to dramatize that and make the audience see what the fans have known and believed about the character all along."
Read more at Cinematical.

Kick-Ass #7 Updated Shipping Date


The current ship date (which is of course "subject to change") for the next issue of Kick-Ass is now 6/24/09. Three weeks from its original ship date of, oh yeah, last Wednesday.

Jonah Hex


Picture from the set of the forthcoming Jonah Hex film. Featuring Josh Brolin as the titular character.

6/02/2009

Ryan Reynolds talks 'Deadpool' movie


MTV has a bit on the upcoming Deadpool movie, scheduled for a 2012 release. Here's some of what Reynolds has to say.

“I’m intimately involved with it,” Reynolds told HitFix about the “X-Men” spin-off. “It’s going to be just like the comic books. I’m gonna have a messed up face and you may see some flashbacks of Wade earlier in his life, but primarily what you see is what you get in the comics and that’s the goal. And there is no better place to draw material from then the comics which are incredible.”
Check out the full article at MTV's Splash page.

6/01/2009

The New Assistant


Scottish actress Karen Gillan will be the Doctor's latest companion when the Doctor Who series returns in 2010. Add the 21 year old to the 26 year old Matt Smith (the new Doctor) and we've come along way from the middle-aged school teachers and grandfatherly Doctor of the original series. Maybe the Doctor gets younger with each regeneration.

MONDAY TELEMTRY For June 1st, 2009

Welcome to another installment of Monday Telemetry, a weekly blog from The Launchpad that covers some of the more interesting releases or events that are coming to the store in the coming week. For a complete list of the new Wednesday releases, check out the front of our myspace page.


"Batman Reborn" begins here! With the reunited team of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WE3, New X-Men), this first issue kicks off a 3-part story arc that can't be missed! The new Dynamic Duo hit the streets with a bang in their new flying Batmobile as they face off against an assemblage of villains called the Circus of Strange. They also tackle their first mission investigating a child who's been abducted by the mysterious Domino Killer. But will everything go smoothly? And who exactly are the new Batman and Robin? The newest era of The Dark Knight begins here!

I've been slipping up and calling this All Star Batman, which it is, basically.



"All Speed. No Limits." The end isn't near, it's here. America has become a wasteland, leaving the few cities that remain transformed into impenetrable fortresses. Beyond these walls lies The Zone, a brutal, plague-ravaged landscape stretching from one city to the next, populated by mutants, monsters, and warring factions of survivors driven insane by disease and starvation. Only the very brave or the very foolish voluntarily step foot outside the protective confines of the mega-cities. Nick Masters happens to be a little bit of both. Nick's a driver; if you need something picked-up, delivered, or disposed of, Nick's your man - and he's all business. But when he fails to deliver an important package to a local crime lord, Nick's business suddenly becomes very personal! Covers by Eric Canete and Jason Shawn Alexander.

Not enough post-apocalyptic stuff out there, good to see this.



"RETURN OF LEGION"-One of the most dangerous X-Villains of all time is back and he's targeted the New Mutants. Last time Legion reared his head, he created the Age of Apocalpyse. Do Cannonball, Karma, Magma, Moonstar and Magik have much hope of stopping him now? Part 2 (of 4)



The story that will change the Ultimate Universe forever continues! The unlikely pairing of Spider-Man and the Hulk take on Magneto's gathered forces as two more major heroes fall! And will Reed Richards, Doctor Doom and Zarda (Power Princess of the Squadron Supreme) manage to save the world...or just destroy what's left of it?! Eisner Award-winning writer Jeph Loeb and superstar artist David Finch rock the planet in this surprise-packed saga featuring the Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four and the Ultimates!

New Comics In Stock 6-3-09

AGENTS OF ATLAS #6 DKR
ALIENS #1 (OF 4) (C: 0-1-2)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #596 DKR
ANITA BLAKE LC NECROMANCER #2 (OF 5) (MR)
ASTONISHING TALES #5
AUTHORITY #11
BATMAN AND ROBIN #1
BLACK PANTHER 2 #5 DKR
BOYS #31 (MR)
BTVS TALES OF THE VAMPIRES ONE SHOT JO CHEN COVER
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 ANNUAL #1
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #38
CONAN THE CIMMERIAN #11
DAREDEVIL NOIR #3 (OF 4)
DARK AVENGERS #5 DKR
DARK REIGN HOOD #1 (OF 5) DKR
DEAD IRONS #4 (OF 4)
DEAD ROMEO #3 (OF 6)
DEAD RUN #1
DEADPOOL SUICIDE KINGS #3 (OF 5)
DEADPOOL TP VOL 01 SECRET INVASION DM ED
DEATH NOTE BOX SET (C: 1-1-2)
DELLEC #0
DRAGONLANCE ANVIL OF TIME VOL 04 FOREST KING MMPB (C: 1-1-2)
EUREKA TP VOL 01 (OF 4)
EXILES #3
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH RUN #2 (OF 6)
FR LEGEND OF DRIZZT BK XIII SEA SWORDS (C: 1-1-2)
FR WATERDEEP CITY O/T DEAD MMPB (C: 1-1-2)
GAMEMASTERY MAP PACK FARMSTEAD (C: 0-1-2)
GHOST RIDER #35
GI JOE MOVIE PREQUEL #4 SNAKE EYES
GREEN LANTERN CORPS SINS OF THE STAR SAPPHIRE TP
HOUSE OF MYSTERY TP VOL 02 LOVE STORIES FOR DEAD PEOPLE (MR)
HOUSE OF MYSTERY #14 (MR)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #129
INCREDIBLES FAMILY MATTERS #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG (C: 0-0-1) (PP
IRREDEEMABLE #1 2ND PRT (PP #863)
IRREDEEMABLE #3
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #27
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #151
LITERALS #2 (OF 3) (MR)
LOONEY TUNES #175
MIGHTY #3
MIGHTY #4
MIGHTY #5
MIGHTY AVENGERS #25 DKR
NEW AVENGERS REUNION #4 (OF 4) DKR
NEW MUTANTS #2
PUNISHER MAX NAKED KILL #1 (MR)
SEAGUY THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #3 (OF 3) (MR)
SECRET SIX #10
SHONEN JUMP JULY 09 (C: 1-1-1)
SKAAR #11
SLAM DUNK GN VOL 04 (C: 1-0-1)
SOLOMON GRUNDY #4 (OF 7)
SPAWN #192
SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #4 (OF 12)
TIMESTORM 2009/2099 SPIDER-MAN
TORCHWOOD GN RIFT WAR (C: 0-1-2)
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #133
ULTIMATUM #4 (OF 5)
ULTIMATUM #4 (OF 5) PETER PARKER RIP VAR
ULTIMATUM #2 (OF 5) 3RD PTG FINCH VAR
ULTIMATUM #3 (OF 5) 2ND PTG FINCH VAR
UNCANNY X-MEN LOVELORN TP
WAR OF KINGS #4 (OF 6)
WARLORD #3
WOLVERINE REVOLVER #1
WONDER WOMAN LOVE AND MURDER TP
YU GI OH GX GN VOL 03 (C: 1-1-0)