DOCTOR STRANGE in an AVENGERS "PREMAKE" film.

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Dr. Strange greets thee!
Behold! The Eye of Agamotto!
---

If you're a fan of Marvel comics and/or their comic-inspired films, you have assuredly become immersed by the assorted rumblings about the upcoming AVENGERS film.

You may also have read, heard and/or engaged directly in the inevitable bemoaning of whether it will be faithful to its comic roots and fan-base.
You may further be angst-filled for having to wait several years for it to become a reality.

Well, while you and I have been content to sit on the sidelines and do naught but wonder, one creator has taken it upon himself to actually CREATE a "PRE-MAKE" of the film - to the utter delight of anyone who calls themselves comic-movie fans.

Talented writer/artist/editor/director Ivan Guerrero mixed his love of comics and cinema and combined them, utilizing his obvious skills as an editor and director to thus whip up the stuff of nerd-fantasy.

"AVENGERS - 1952" is a delight of sweet eye-candy, with a center of classic film nuget and a delicious covering of the honeyed nectar of comic-nerd love.

It isn't a "Prequel" as it isn't a prelude to the current film in any way.
It IS an ORIGINAL production... albeit while "borrowing" clips from over 50 old classic films and serials and mixing them with modern film-editing software and a fine director's eye.

In fact "eye" is quite apropos as the director has taken to calling himself "eyevan", and his YouTube channel is named "Who is eyevan" (but all one word; whoiseyevan).

While some may decry the merits of fan-fiction, I challenge ANYONE to find fault or criticize this work.
It is truly the inspired stuff of genius.

With nearly 20 Marvel characters and several classic comic locales interspersed within the film this is a joy to watch again and again just to see how layered the production value goes - classic film mash-up, with comic book roots, rewritten dialogue, new voice-overs and sound effects, digitally enhanced effects and details. Easter egg after Easter egg. Hidden gem after hidden gem.

And, as you have seen from the still shot I placed atop this post, DOCTOR STRANGE makes a glorious (if brief) appearance!

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Doctor Strange meets Captain America
---

A greeting and a spell is cast.
---

Behold! The Eye of Agamotto!
---

Enough delay!
Watch this and enjoy!



(You can also go to "whoiseyevan's" channel and see it - HERE)

Did you catch ALL the assorted comic-themed cameo appearances of characters and locations?
To watch it again in annotated form, (with all the answers laid out for you,) check it out again here.



(or go to the YouTUBE page for it - HERE)

For MORE Comic-Inspired (and FILM-inspired) remixed movies and cartoons, check out Ivan's YouTUBE channel - HERE

I can only hope the "real" Avengers film is HALF as enjoyable as this!

"Tamam Shud!"
~P~

ANIMATED MAN-THING? (ANI-MAn-ThingED?)

Sheesh... I keep trying to get back on track with some real posts here, and I keep finding more swell news tidbits to post instead. However, since this is more MAN-THING goodness, I'm fine with it.

File under "Easter Egg", I watched the preview trailer for Marvel/Disney's new, upcoming AVENGERS : EARTH'S MIGHTIEST HEROES animated series and in the first few seconds saw THIS.

See that newspaper's front page?
Check out the right side-column EXCLUSIVE story.

Click pic to make Man-Thing "Giant-Sized"

Note: the classic "Bigfoot" film-footage pose. Nice touch.

Yup.
"MAN-like 'THING' stalks upstate!"

Now, don't ask me what Man-Thing is doing in upstate N.Y. (most likely, since I've never heard of any other state having an "upstate") and away from his Florida Everglades home, but as we've seen with recent developments in the comics canon (as reviewed HERE), Manny is now capable of long-range travel, so... anything goes.

Sadly, that seems to be the extent of his "animated" appearance, but it does provide hope for an actual appearance in the show down the road.

This all-new 'Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes' animated series from Marvel Animation premiers on Disney XD this Autumn 2010.

For your convenience, you can check out the trailer here.




I'm not sure how I feel about the overall look and quality of this production.
This is the closest I've seen Marvel get to the quality of DC's animated series, but it's still a bit... "off".
Not sure why most of Marvel's animated output always look so inferior to DC's.
Yes, I know DC has Warner Bros. studios behind them, but this is Marvel-as-backed-by-DISNEY we're talking about.
I'd expect better by now.
Especially with a big-budget series of films about to be unleashed that will feed directly into and from this.


Well, if MAN-THING (or DR. STRANGE) will appear, I'll be more forgiving.

"Tamam Shud!"
~P~
PTOR

MAN-THING to TERROR Down and HERO-UP!

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Since MAN-THING's recent resurgence in the pages of THUNDERBOLTS (a glowing review of the first two issues of Manny's appearances there can be found [HERE]), Manny is ready to come out to play with some extra appearances this OCTOBER 2010 - in time for Halloween! (natch!).

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First, Man-Thing returns to chill your blood in:

TOMB OF TERROR # 1

Legion of Monsters - Redux!

Here's the solicit copy:

COVER BY: Travel Foreman
WRITER: PAUL HORNSCHEMEIER
JOE R. LANSDALE
JOSEPH THOMAS PRUETT
ROB WILLIAMS
PENCILS: JORDAN RASKIN
MARK TEXEIRA
INKS: JORDAN RASKIN
MARK TEXEIRA
LETTERED BY: NEUROTIC CARTOONIST, INC

THE STORY:
Marvel’s most terrifying monsters star in four tales of harrowing horror! Jack Russell, the Werewolf by Night stalks a killer werewolf in the mountains while searching for a cure that will end his curse.
The mal-formed Man-Thing, temporarily in possession of his mind, attempts to save a man from certain death at the hands of racist hunters.
And Son of Satan battles a possessed child killer along with the murderous voices in his head.
All this and much more in this all-new, all-black-and-white one-shot in the spirit of the Mighty Marvel Magazines of yore, but ALL-NOW in style!

Parental Advisory.
PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: October 6, 2010

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Ooh! Scary!

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But then, just so you don't get the wrong idea about him and forget about his cute and cuddly side, MANNY joins the "SQUADDIES" as he makes his first appearance in the SUPER HERO SQUAD universe.

SUPER HERO SQUAD # 10

Here's the cover image and solicit text:

The "Trick or Treat" part is alright,
but the "smell my feet" portion is gonna be rough!

COVER BY: Leonel Alexis Castellani
WRITER: Todd Dezago
PENCILS: Leonel Castellani, Marcelo Dichiara
INKS: Leonel Alexis Castellani
and Art & Comics Int'l
COLORED BY: Christopher Sotomayer
LETTERED BY: David L. Sharpe

THE STORY:
It’s a spooky party down Memory Lane when the SQUADDIES Costume Up as the Classic Marvel Monsters; Werewolf by Night, Tomb of Dracula, The Living Mummy, and more! But their party plans go awry when a mysterious macabre menace shows up! Who could it be...? Aw, you'll get it when I tell you the title of the story. It's "Whomsoever Knows Fear...! (There! Ya happy?) Oh, plus, there's a Halloween Party at the Baxter Building! C'mon…you're all invited!

All Ages …$2.99

IN STORES: October 13, 2010

Now, the SHS characters are supposed to be squat and cute.
Let's hope that "L'il Manny" is rendered that way.

Hey, Leonel Alexis Castellani... if it helps any, you couldn't go wrong if you emulated the style of Colleen Coover (from the X-Men: First Class series) - as shown, lovingly in this old post [HERE].

Aww.... c'mon. Isn't he ADORABLE?
You just want to squeeze that tooshie!
*ahem* sorry.

If Manny is to be featured in the comic, then I wonder how long it'll be until he's on the cartoon and then... made into a tiny little Squaddie figure?!?!?

OOOOH! I want that so bad I'm AFRAID I can hardly wait.
And you know what that means...
"WHOMSOEVER KNOWS FEAR..." GETS HUGS!

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So, it looks like ALL -TREATS and NO TRICKS this Halloween!

Tamam Shud!
~P~
PTOR

Marvel SUPER HERO SQUAD - ONLINE Game. As if I don't have little enough free time as it is!

*Sigh*... I'm not much of a video game player.
Don't misunderstand, I LIKE video games, but I have absolutely NO time to play them.
(I still have the last 2 MYST games sitting in the box waiting for my move to a retirement home, so while the other old bats are playing shuffleboard, I can solve weird mysteries and puzzles. Of course, by then, it'll be 3D-HD-SYNAPTIC-ENHANCED VIRTUAL shuffleboard, and my "advanced graphics" computer games will seem quaint and archaic by comparison, truly marking me as "that OLD guy who won't get with the times!" *Sigh*).

Anyway, even if I were able to plunk down some money for a video game, it would be better if it were an actual tangible console game (the last one that I purchased was the Marvel Ultimate Alliance - which I STILL haven't had a chance to finish).
I have absolutely no time or money for ONLINE gaming!
That way leads to madness.

So, now Marvel is teasing me with THIS!
The new Marvel Super Hero Squad ONLINE game - set for release in 2011.

DOCTOR STRANGE is featured in the teaser trailer.

Doc shows up twice. At the
:48 second mark
and again at the
1:17 mark.

And truthfully... he looks pretty darn cool!

See for yourself.
(I re-sized the video to fit my column width. Hopefully my HTML-fu is strong!).)




I'm going to have to win Lotto or something, so I can sit around all day in my underoos playing games and reading comics.
I mean, that IS the message being given to me by the release of all this swell stuff that I want to have. Right?
*Sigh!*

News from San Diego ComicCon 2010.

While I am still in the middle of my relocation I have been trying to keep on top of the news related to this obsession...er... hobby of mine - and the various characters that warm my heart's cockles.

Here's what news is new from the SDCC (San Diego ComiCon) as found on the CBR site [HERE]:

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DOCTOR STRANGE
(and the ILLUMINATI):

"Illuminati will show up in Avengers #7," Bendis said, "they will be outed to the world for doing something even worse than they did last time."

Great.
Instead of trying to redeem what could have been an interesting secret society of super-heroes, instead they are continued to be portrayed as bumbling, incompetents and guilty of screwing up prety much everything they set their hand to.

Truthfully, when first revealed several years back, I kinda liked the concept of the Illuminati... a little.
I took offense at their portrayal from their first appearance, but only because they were being used to set up several massive blunders (Planet/ World War Hulk, Secret Invasion, perhaps parts of the Beyonder's SECRET WARS II stuff..., etc...), but the basic kernel of the idea really popped for me.

Instead of a cool, conspiracy-oriented bunch of stories of mystery and intrigue, we'll continue to get the 6 STOOGES (Yes. "6 Stooges"... even the 3 Stooges weren't just the 3 Stooges. There were Larry, Moe, Curly, Shemp, Ted Healy, Joe Besser, Curly Joe DeRita, Emil Sitka...).

*Sigh*
Why can't I have nice things?

No word what will happen to DR. STRANGE (or DR. VOODOO) after this mess currently going on in NEW AVENGERS.

-----------

ROM - SPACEKNIGHT:

In keeping with his promise of wanting to work with ROM SPACEKNIGHT (as first blogged back in April of 2009 - HERE), Brian Michael Bendis seems to be following through.

When asked about the character, Bendis said "you will see [Rom] Space Knight show up in a future Avengers story."

Unfortunately, but necessary due to legalities, that will mean a redesign of ROM's armor (unless they have him appear in human form, as he has in the past), they won't be able to actually call him by name (ROM), and BENDIS - while seemingly into the character, will undoubtedly have "Space Knight" speaking in a pattern unrecognizable to ROM and fans of the character.

For all of us who have wanted to see a return of ROM, this will most likely fall into the category of: "Beware what you wish for... you just might get it."

Still, if they can find a way to make it work, there is a hint that ROM will be featured in the next AVENGERS title.

Lanning asked, "Who would be interested in a 'Cosmic Avengers' book?" Lots of applause.

Will there still be an ongoing cosmic title after "Thanos Imperative?" "Stay tuned," McCann said.

So... with the DIRE WRAITHS still running around (as seen in recent issues of FANTASTIC FOUR and DARKSTAR and the WINTER GUARD), having ROM resurface was inevitable.

I'm staying tuned.

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MAN-THING
(And Marvel HORROR):

Will more horror characters come back? Several: "Yes."

"Satana will be showing up in the upcoming 'Women of Marvel' digital miniseries," Horwitz said.

I know Son of Satan (Damien Hellstrom) is featuring pretty largely recently (New Avengers being the most recent starring profile), and he and his sister SATANA will both be getting BOWEN mini-busts soon as well.

With her appearances here and there over the past few years, SATANA is ready for a return.

As for MAN-THING, no mention that I could find, but he's been doing well thus far in THUNDERBOLTS, so... if that's all he gets lately, it's all good.

(Although, the looooong-awaited Man-Thing graphic novel, written by former Man-Thing scribe; Steve Gerber - penned before his death, and illustrated by Kevin Nowlan - has been hinted at a release in the near future. Whether it remains in graphic novel format or is broken into a mini-series is anyone's guess.)

-----------

ASSORTED:

Marvel has announced a STRANGE TALES II, follow-up anthology mini-series, since the previous one (with all independent / underground comic creators) proved itself to be a hit.

While DOC was featured in the previous series', aside from the usage of his original comic's title, there's no telling if he will appear in this next foray.

But for MORE info on this series, with specific creators and plans mentioned, check out the story being updated on CBR [HERE].

-----------

That's all for now.

If I see anything else interesting, I'll try to pop it on here.

Don't FEAR The Ferry Man-Thing! - or - Have THUNDERBOLT - Will Travel.

---

Marvel's THUNDERBOLTS has long been a dynamic comic with a slightly different angle than most traditional super-hero fare.
It being a team comprised mostly of villains:

• Those trying to dupe the world into thinking that they are doing the work of heroes in order to reap rewards and further their own evil desires.

• Those who were villains, but are now seeking redemption.

In this latest incarnation, written by Jeff Parker, the Thunderbolts meld both types of teams into one: villains who are incarcerated and are being forced to do the work of heroes as a part of their sentencing.

As I mentioned a few months back [HERE] Marvel has been, for the past year or so, prepping the MAN-THING for bigger things

Jeff Parker has set his unique vision upon the Man-Thing and has him / it stand hunch side by side with heroes and (former?) villains in this new incarnation of the ragtag team of misfits, outcasts and ne'er-do-well's.

issue 144 cover by Marko Djurdjevic

So, how does Man-Thing fit in with a group led by Luke Cage that consists of:
Juggernaut, Ghost, Moonstone, Songbird, and Crossbones?

Only in the most awesome way possible:

Your cabbie's name is MANNY.

---

Man-Thing is being used as the team's mode of TRANSPORT!

Utilizing an ability that has not been seen much since the 1997 HEROES RETURN era, Man-Thing is able to tap directly into the Nexus of All Realities in order to summon mystical gateways between one place and any other - seemingly anywhere, since the Nexus bridges time, space and realities.

The first instance of this ability being shown so overtly was back in GENERATION X # 25 (which led directly to DAYDREAMERS 3-part mini-series and then the HEROES REBORN: The RETURN 4-part miniseries).

Written by Scott Lobdell with art by Chris Bachalo, I wonder whose idea it was to have Man-Thing be able to teleport in that manner? Was it Lobdell or possibly J.M. DeMatteis, who was the writer of the DAYDREAMERS mini which this issue set up?

Either way, it answered a common problem of having the Man-Thing get around from Point-A to Point-B without having to fall into garbage trucks or be captured and transported by mercenary groups.

As long as he could return to the swamps that empowered him with vitality, Man-Thing now had a much broader range of activity than just the Florida Everglades and surrounding environs.

Now, I hear you asking;
"But the Man-Thing isn't a criminal! Why is he on a team of convicts?"

Ah! Excellent question. You're paying attention.
As a part of the dubious "Registration Act" that set the whole Marvel "CIVIL WAR" into being, any super-powered entity who did not register with the US government's Initiative Program (ostensibly as a Weapon of Mass Destruction) was subject to arrest and imprisonment.

Believe it or not, the Initiative was sent to get the Man-Thing to register (which as a near mindless monster wasn't likely to happen).

This, as I mentioned in a previous post on the Man-Thing [once again - HERE] was back in Marvel Comics Presents v2 # 12.

MCP v2 # 12

Jai Nitz (writer), Ben Stenbeck (artist)

which was then followed-up in Dark Avengers #10, where Ares and the other Dark Avengers captured Man-Thing for Norman Osborn and held him/it as a prisoner.

written by Brian Bendis, art by Mike Deodato

So, that brings us up to speed. Right?

No?

You're now wondering that if Man-Thing needs to be in contact with the swamp in order to survive, just how did he live while in Government captivity?

Well... luckily, with the ouster of Norman Osborn at the end of the "DARK REIGN" and subsequent "SIEGE", kinder and gentler souls were put in charge of things (and Man-Things).

Hank "Ant-Man/ Giant-Man/ Goliath/ YellowJacket/ Wasp" Pym (aka the "Scientist Supreme") saw fit to do what he could to make good use of the misshapen muck monster - one who could theoretically be seen as an otherwise life-threatening hazard, and also give him/it a small piece of "home".

Wait for it...

Oh, how AWESOME is that?

I almost died when I saw how beautifully artist Kevin Walker and colorist Frank Martin bring a life, energy and "personality" to the Man-Thing!
Still, I do hope that writer Jeff Parker avoids bestowing much cognitive thought to Manny (as he did in the X-Men First Class series - as I wrote about [HERE]).

Pym suggests that Man-Thing might have some cognizance... but it is different from ours, so that might be Parker's way out, thus allowing him to bestow some more presence-of-mind to Manny than his usual empathic nature and garbled, quickly-forgotten thoughts and remembrances.

Only time will tell.

While being the living protector and guardian of the Nexus of All Realities is no small job description, breathing some new life and purpose into Man-Thing is a fantastic thing to THIS muck-head fan.

Still, I take some issue with the belief that the government would even be able to destroy the Man-Thing if they wanted to.

The reasoning that Man-Thing is in prison also because he has been linked to several deaths, is an interesting one. Almost like placing a dangerous animal in a zoo after they mauled a hiker or something, it is "humane" treatment and serves to give extra purpose to a life that might otherwise be sacrificed in the name of "justice".

But, utilizing the Man-Thing as "the Quinjet" is just plain nifty, and one reason why comics are so damn cool.
Luke Cage is right, as "Scientist Supreme", Hank Pym doesn't think anywhere NEAR the box.

Awww.... they're friends now.
I absolutely LOVE the deep, penetrating, backlit eye-ball glowing effect by Walker and Martin.
It masks any possible "thoughts" than might be going on inside Man-Things "mind", all the while imbuing a sense of danger and extra-sensory-perception to the near-mindless muck-heap.

But that was only the FIRST introductory issue (# 144). The next issue (#145) sees the "team" on its first mission.

issue 145 cover by Marko Djurdjevic

Before the mission gets started the entire team heads down to Man-Thing's sanctuary to catch a ride.
Oh, creative team, I ♡ you so much.

It is truly fabulous that Man-Thing creeps out even the toughest, most hardened criminal.
(But since "Whatever knows fear BURNS at the touch of the Man-Thing", I sense a LOT of "burning" to be going on in future issues. Yay!)

Pym's interface allows for a smooth Manny-powered transport.

The art team of Walker and Martin make the trip complete with a nice visual mix of the mystical (glowing red swirlies) with the technological (Star Trek "transporter"-like fade-out).

Keeping him in character, Jeff Parker shows that with nothing triggering his empathic alarms, Man-Thing is a neutral force in the ensuing battle with escaping trolls (much to Songbird's dismay).


Don't blame the Man-Thing. He's a lover not a fighter.

With Man-Thing on board for the foreseeable future (at least confirmed through issues 148 - 149 which will be a "Shadowland" crossover), and with an excellent creative team, THUNDERBOLTS, like a fine cream, has risen to the very TOP of the heap.

It is the new "destination" comic that I have to read first - and Man-Thing is the one collecting my fare.

"Tamam Shud!"
~P~


note:

This review post was originally written (75% of it anyway) well over a month ago, but not wrapped up until now. As many readers know, I'm in the middle of a relocation, and I've fallen waaay behind on my intended [and sometimes already-in-progress] posts. I apologize for the delays. Please stick with me.
This blog will continue with what time I can spare.

Thank you.

FIREWORKS for your MIND - DOCTOR AMERICA - Occult Operative of LIBERTY

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Today is JULY the 4th, which - here in AMERICA, is the day we celebrate our "Freedom" and "Independence".
We Americans no longer suffer under the yoke of any who would hold sway over us.
No one and nothing rules us or our life path!
That's right. Our lives are completely and totally our own.

In order to participate with the spirit of the day as well as keeping the RED, WHITE and BLUE motif of the day, I present to you the recent production of:

DOCTOR AMERICA:
Occult Operative of LIBERTY!

This totally free-minded mash-up of Doctor Strange and Captain America was written by Matt Fraction, with art by Brendan McCarthy, letters by Todd Klein and colors by special friend of the blog (and myself) - fellow Dr. Strange uber-fan; Howard Hallis!

Created as a 6-page story in the recent "Captain America : Who WON'T Wield the Shield" one-shot, DOCTOR AMERICA is a "DITKIRBANKO" (Ditko, Kirby, Steranko - natch!) bit of weirdness that touches base with the psychedelia of the 1960's/1970's era comics, op-art and politics (with too many Nixon references to shake a subpoena at).

More a demonically-tinted, mystically "satanic", Captain America origin tale than anything really "Dr Strange" related (except for some trappings) - it is still enough of a tribute to Doc and the "strangeness" of those early silver age comics for my inclusion here on the blog.

Flawed, yet totally entertaining, this story is a small, but awesome part of the
"Captain America : Who WON'T Wield the Shield" comic.


Truthfully, the comic itself - while possessing some truly fantastic parts, is flawed and filled with that detestable kind of mock self-deprecating humor that only the most guilty offender uses to try and hide their own deeply-seated self-loathing.

Using the old Marvel "mascot", FORBUSH-MAN, as a sort of "Winter Soldier" stand-in, the comic pokes fun at Marvel, several characters and creators as well as Marvel's publishing practices in toto - all the while providing just enough goodness to ensure that we come back for more.

In short, it seems aimed to try and make readers want to hate Marvel all the while knowing that they have us right where they want us - on the hook.

In short... not "Free" or "Independent" at all.

But, there are some really good points to the comic, and it does feature some color artwork by a friend, plus it features a pretty wild "Doctor Strange"-esque "Captain America"-like story, which is like some crazy-assed fireworks for your brain, so... go get it anyway!
(Note: This comic came out in Late April 2010, so my review is waaaay late, but I'm sure you can find it easily enough.)

Hey, maybe you can download it soon onto your iPhone, iPad, iPod, or computer with one of the 100,000,000 apps that are available.
Then, you can feel free to write about it on YOUR blog, tell your friends on Facebook, tweet it on Twitter and text your friends and family showing that you are indeed free... of everything... except for mass media and electronic devices and networking and ... comics.