The MAN-THING meets Sun Tzu? Plus MORE MAN-THING appearances!

So has the Art of War been reduced to little more than a Mud-Fight?
How about a muck-encrusted MOCKERY of a mud-fight?

That seems to be the case when ARES; God of War will face off against MAN-THING!

Art by Mike Deodato

Not anything major is known to write about at this time, but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention it...

MAN-THING is to be featured in DARK AVENGERS # 10.

Interview with Brian Bendis can be found on CBG site [HERE].

Not much info to be found there, but that's where the artwork came from.

*** EDIT / UPDATE**

I should ALSO have mentioned that MANNY is to be in:

PUNISHER # 12

Written by Rick Remender
Penciled by Tony Moore
Cover by Mike Mckone
Franken-Castle, Part 2
The Punisher is dead, so who, or what, is the giant patchwork monster skulking through the tunnels under New York? And what do those strange armored Japanese hunters tracking him want? Criminals are no longer being killed; they are simply vanishing into thin air. Listen closely, you can hear their pleas far below the streets. Those forgotten by society have a new protector. The Legion of Monsters has found a new leader.
32 Pgs./Parental Advisory $2.99

and

DEADPOOL : MERC with a MOUTH # 6

Written by Victor Gischler
Penciled by Bong Dazo
Cover by Arthur Suydam
Head Trip, Part 6
Space, the Final Frontier. O-ver-ra-ted. Wade, the severed Zombie Deadpool head and Dr. Betty find themselves back on good old Earth, knee-deep in swampy goodness. Seems like Headpool is a little homesick, and everyone agrees the zombie virus should be put safely back into its own dimension. All they've got to do is find that damn dimensional portal. Anyway, you don't think A.I.M, is gonna give up that easy, do you? No way. Just because their space station got itself all blown up doesn't mean they're out of the game. But wait -- who's this surprise guest star? Is it a MAN? Is it a THING? Well, you see where this is going ... Is this enough preview copy to get you to buy the damn book, because I can go on all night?!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory $2.99

DORMAMMU! by Bowen An Idol Pursuits post

A visitor to the blog sent me an email with a little bit of news;
BOWEN DESIGNS (those of the uber cool Marvel statues and such) are producing a bust of the DREAD DORMAMMU!


This pic is the one sent by AL, the owner of STATUEMARVELS site, and as such retains his watermark.
That link will bring you directly to the post about the Dormammu piece.

From what I can ascertain, Randy Bowen (or at least a worker under his name) sent the StatueMarvels site in progress shots of the sculpture being worked up by Jeremy Lloyd.

Nice to see some more love being paid to the magical side of Marvel.
Dormammu is a no-brainer since he was featured in practically EVERY Marvel Comic for the past two years.

Thanks Al.
Everyone should pay a visit to his site.

(Now I just have to start saving money by recycling cans so I can buy the statue)

Yet ANOTHER SuperHero Squad UPDATE! With DOCTOR STRANGE design drawings and video! A "Magic of Video" post

With DOCTOR STRANGE in there - on far left end...
a new promo image / screen grab of the "Squaddies".

While I am not crazy about my lack pf posting here as of late, I am equally less-than-enthused about the fact that one of the FEW things that I AM blogging here is the SuperHero Squad animated series.

Personally, after watching the first few episodes, I found it so moronic that it stupified even my inner-child's brain.
Really. For the most part, it's not funny.
(OK, I chuckled a few times here and there. I mean KLAW dressed as a PIMP? That was kinda funny. But in a nonsensical way.)

Yes, yes... I KNOW it's a "kiddie" show and probably isn't targeted to 40-something male adults (unlike the majority of all of Marvel's output)... however, it is there, and as such, is a fan's mountain to climb.

However, with the 4th episode it seems to have stepped up a notch.
While still predominantly unfunny (most humor is aimed as low as possible - although there IS a nice dig at STORM's horrid dialogue from the first X-MEN movie - i.e; "What happens when a Toad is hit by lightning?"), hope doth spring eternal, and knowing that Doctor Strange is going to be featured on this show soon, I have high hopes for at least a turning point wherein the show becomes watchable.

My eagerness to blog about it (and give extra exposure to the show - you're welcome, Marvel) is purely due to the fact that this show delves deeply into the corners of the Marvel Universe and pulls out some wonderful nuggets of esoteric character gold!

Watching a new preview clip (which I'll add to this post) I saw quite a few 9th tier Marvel characters being given the limelight. Screaming Mimi - in her pre-Songbird incarnation and costume!?! Cool! And THAT is truly awesome! For that alone, I feel I should recommend the show. Sure, it HAS to have the ubiquitous, overmarketed Wolverine on the team, but to be able to showcase losers like KLAW and the RingMaster and the Circus of Crime? All is forgiven.

Also, there IS some exceptional design work, here and there.
I can always be swayed a bit by good design.

So, before I run on even further, allow me to showcase some design artwork for DR STRANGE and post the clip of the new teaser trailer here as well.


First, the DOCTOR STRANGE design sketches.

Note: They are updated, and the updates seem to be the inclusion of the high-backed cowl on the Cloak of Levitation, and the removal of the lower "skirt" portion of his tunic (to keep it in style with his Squad figure).

Also note: All of these works are Copyrighted by Marvel and I stake zero claim to any of them.
I am merely sharing them with anyone who may have interest in the show (these and more design drawings are found at marvel.com) . Hopefully the new Disney-owned Marvel will grok free press.

I like the style and overall seriousness that is attributed here to (most of) Doctor Strange's stances and character.


Readers of this blog will note that the colored versions of two poses from these two pages was shown in a previous post [HERE]. And the Doc-in-flight pose was used prominantly in the show's opening sequence (video of which was also shown in that previous post).


This NEXT sketch is sadly, not one that I'd like to see explored further, primarily because it seems to try at an attempt to poke fun at the "Strangeness" of Dr. Strange's name.

Unless this story was written by Steve Gerber before his untimely passing, I have little interest in "Strange Dr. Strange".

It would seem that this was an early draft idea, and has hopefully been left on the idea-cutting-room floor.

Now, for those who have waited patiently, here is the new preview trailer:
Doctor Strange is shown as a serious player. I'm not 100% sure about the "Rainbow Bright" effect that he has when using his magic, but it could have been far worse (as "Strange Dr. Strange" will attest).

Dormammu shown at .34 seconds
Doctor Strange VS Enchantress at 1.00
Doc in the crowded rush scene (as shown at top the blog post) at 1:06
Silver Surfer vs a Mindless One at 1:16

Since STRANGE left, the place has turned into a BROTHEL!

After a few years of having famed blogger Chris Sims (of The-ISB) constantly reviewing the insanely bad issues of TAROT : Witch of the Black Rose, I confess I finally succumbed and checked out an issue.

The COVER is the most tasteful part of the entire comic!

The newest issue (# 58) of Jim Balent's opus (self-published by his BroadSword imprint) held one unexpected delight for me hidden among it's many overinflated boobs and ludicrous crotchshots.

And that is, that Doctor Strange seems to have rented out the Sanctum Sanctorum (or at least it's designer) to these nekkid witch ho-bags.

Check it out. Clicking image makes pic DDD!

Naughty Bits have been obscured (by me) for the young and impressionable who may visit this all-ages site.

When TAROT and her evil sister; RAVEN arrive back into the inner sanctum of some magician/librarian (/friend of the artist due to the specifics of the likeness in the drawing of the man), it seems his window shares some mystic design with that of the Sanctum Sanctorum of Doctor Strange.
i.e.; The WINDOW.

While I have no further intent to pick up Tarot : Witch of the Black Rose (because it is just as bad as Sims has professed), I am happy at the serendipity which caused me to get this one issue.

On Pins and Needles - or - Voodoo or Voodon't : which will it be?

-

Just another quick blog post today.

This time, I'm providing links to three entries from Marvel.com and an interview / discussion with writer Rick Remender about his take on Brother / Doctor Voodoo in his upcoming series; DOCTOR VOODOO: AVENGER OF THE SUPERNATURAL.

A three part interview series, it can be found at these links:

PART 1
PART 2
PART 3

Mentioned in the articles:

- DR STRANGE's role as tutor!
- The "Lost Spirits of SHUMA GORATH"!
- Doctor Doom gets the EYE of AGAMOTTO!
- Voodoo will use necromantic aspects of magic which Strange avoided!
- Cool new uses for magick in the Marvel Universe!

...And More!

Here is some artwork from the article / issues by series artists,
Jefte Palo and Jean-Francois Beaulieu.

Consultation of the Doctors.

Voodoo's Scrying Stones watchdog station.
(eagle eyed observers will notice MAN-THING being scryed in the stone to the far left, from his turn with the Midnight Sons / Zombies.
Also, Son of Satan, Hood, Ghost Rider, Dracula, Punisher vs Hood, and Marvel Zombies.
Looks like Doctor Voodoo has the recent mystic upheaval under observation!)

While Dr Strange is looking rather bloated and "strangely" Germanic in facial appearance...
(I mean that mustache alone screams "Baron Bomburst"!), the artwork seems alright thus far. Perhaps not what I would readily imagine for a work dealing with Voodoo/ Supernatural stuff, but, while there are more page samples at the links above, there isn't a lot to develop an accurate opinion just yet.

I'm sure there will be MORE info on the series before it's October 7th release.
However, I for one am quite anxious to see what progresses from all this.

On "pins and needles" if you will.

Super Hero Squad Animated series update! or: Is that a CROW-FU dog? UPDATED with VIDEO!

While life and times here in the Sanctum Sanctorum are making regular blogging difficult, I had to toss this bit up on the blog before it becomes old news.

Some more information has been released pertaining to the MARVEL SUPER HERO SQUAD animated TV show that is soon to be airing on Cartoon Network.

*SPECIAL UPDATE*
I've posted two video clips at the end of this post.
One features DR STRANGE...
and the other shows the SANCTUM SANCTORUM!

As mentioned in a previous blog post [HERE], I mentioned (among other things) that Doctor Strange would be featured in at least one episode, but, while some cool artwork had been released at that time, no artwork of Doc was anywhere to be found.

I hope this rectifies the matter a little.

Doctor Strange; Master of the Mystic Wiener?

Not sure what the singing / dancing hot-dog has to do with anything, but I think it's being served up for me to eat (in lieu of a helping of CROW).

"Why?", You ask?
Because, my first impression of this cartoon was that it was going to be lame.
I believe that I am going to be proven wrong.

Allow me to share some more artwork and info with you and you may find why I seem to be changing my tune.

Here is a line-up showcasing some of the heroes that are to be featured.

*click pics to enlargensize*

Note: DR STRANGE above Silver Surfer at the top right.
Also, Valkyrie at bottom right.

And.... of course, the villains.

Note: BARON MORDO above DORMAMMU (who has a few MINDLESS ONES nearby) who is in turn above...CHTHON.

CHTHON?!?!?
HOLY CRAP!

Most likely, for a SCARLET WITCH themed episode.
I mean... they're not going to have the friggin' DARKHOLD in this too, are they?
My mind... it 'slpodes!

For a kiddie cartoon, this is gonna be DARK!

Here we see Wolverine (of course) in Chthon's realm!

For those who are keeping score, there is also a checklist of voice-talent and some of the characters that they are to portray.

Who would have thought that the cute little "action figure things" would be such a hit.
I mean, I have a few of them, but just to get Doctor Strange and a few other characters (DEFENDERS, mostly).


I do have the "regular" Doc figure, but the "astral form" version is still to be released in the USA.
This image is from a site called therumorbuster.com.
I had to snag a pic from someone else until I get my own "Secret Invasion" set (as shown in a previous post [HERE] and reposted right here for your convenience):

Skrull Soldier, Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Dr. Strange (Astral Form)

--- UPDATED---
Here are two videos for the Squad cartoon.

This is an official teaser trailer.
Doctor Strange is shown at the 32 second mark.




This one was found online, and seems to be filmed by someone at a comic con showing.
Basically, it's a preview, but at the 23 second mark the Sanctum Sanctorum is shown.



------

So, I now have to keep my eyes out for not only the new astral Doc, but the spin-off animated series as well.
Of course, as soon as I DO get this stuff, I'll post it here for all you guys.

Damn you, Marvel!
Why is it so hard to resist your charms?

I have GOT to find a job soon. I need disposable income - STAT.

...and the days dwindle down...

"September Song" is one of my favorite tunes.
Doesn't make any difference who sings it, I've heard them all.
Everyone from Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, and Willie Nelson
to Lou Reed, Jeff Lynne (E.L.O) and Ian McColloch (Echo & the Bunnymen).

It always comes to mind this time of year, and serves to remind me that time is not my friend.

Sadly, I've been out of synch with time the past few weeks (at the very least).
Not the least of reasons because early September always maintains a very full schedule for me.
The first week of September has my mother's birthday, and my wife's is the very next day.
There are also a few personal milestones to celebrate, not the least of which is my Wedding Anniversary.

Not that this isn't enough, but with my unemployment, I've been really digging into the "warehouse" to post stuff for eBay auctions (2 weeks of which, I was too busy to even MENTION here - which is sad, because some sweet goodies are up there. There's still a day left on the latest batch. It's not too late to hop into the auctions UP FOR SALE on the eBay).

On top of all that, we were searching for a "new" used vehicle to replace the ones that died on us several months back.
Happily, we just purchased a van (wanted for several reasons; we need a 2nd vehicle so I can better look for work, my wife prefers a larger vehicle when the snowy season hits, and a van is handy in case we need a larger vehicle to move stuff out of our home... if these tough times make it come to that), but, of course, not without incident.

The long and the short of it all is to say that somewhere, with all of this going on (and much more that I won't bother you with) I have run myself down to a frazzled nub of my former self.

One GOOD thing... the first day with the new vehicle, I drove into town and found the new "Marvel Legends 'Nemesis' figures" and scored my BLACK BOLT (as mentioned [HERE]).
So... at the very least, my action figure collection is complete (for now - at least until Brother/Doctor Voodoo & The Hood are released - also mentioned [HERE]).

However, action figure goodness aside, the past week has had me feeling like crap, yet only for the past 2 days have I actually been able to stop. And do nothing.
I need the rest, or else I'll have a serious illness on my hands.

So, I DO wish to catalogue some goodies here, and discuss some recent events, but I'm just too tired.

Let's hope that I won't be out of commission too long (hopefully not "from May to December").