Comics Cavern: 2010-11-28

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Monty Python to open Ministry of Silly Games on Facebook

If you've never experienced any of Monty Python's PC games, you missed out on King Arthur's adventures, the meaning of life and (quite literally) a complete waste of time. Now the troupe is returning to the computer box courtesy of a new Facebook game entitled The Ministry of Silly Games. Developed by Zattikka, the game is essentially a collection of mini-games bound together in a simple RPG structure.

Is Proto-Goblin The New 'Spider-Man' Reboot Villain?

via Splash Page

Just a little while ago, news hit the wire that "Slumdog Millionaire" actor Irrfan Khan was cast as a second villain in Marc Webb's "Spider-Man" reboot. The character's name was listed as "Van Atter," leaving many comic fans to ask, "Who?"

alien wedding cake: chestburster civil unions approved

via technabob

This Alien wedding cake made the rounds on the internet about a year ago, but somehow I missed out on it. But like many things on the ‘net, everything old is new again, so I figured I’d give it a whirl and see how many people pick this thing up and send it to their friends again anyhow.

The Teen Titans' Raven is getting her own TV series [Television]

via io9

With Smallville wrapping up this spring, the CW is looking for a replacement for the long-running superhero drama. It looks like they've found an unlikely candidate — the spell-casting empath Raven from the Teen Titans.

Tannenbaum Tuesday on SyFy

The SyFy channel has been possessed by the holiday spirit, among other malevolent spirits, and they've injected their Tuesday night lineup with a little bit of Christmas cheer.

It starts at 9:00 PM (8:00 PM Central) on a new episode of Eureka, as Secret Santa and yummy Christmas food is interrupted by a code 12.

Here's a sneak peek:

Peace on Earth and goodwill to men continues at 10:00 PM (9:00 PM Central), as we have a very Warehouse 13 Christmas.

Claudia wants Artie's father to return with her to see his son, but he's not budging and so she's forced to think a little outside the box. A little white lie never hurt anyone, so - uh, Artie's dying? Yeah, that's it!

Artie, meanwhile, is the bearer of bad news as he informs Pette and Myka that Christmas vacation is off, as they have a new case.

In the spirit of the holidays, I present not one but two clips.

Here's clip #1:

And clip #2:

Kirkman talks about WALKING DEAD staff changes

via The Beat

While an earlier Deadline report set tongues a twittering, you’ve got to like how Robert Kirkman has deflected some of the freak-outs over changes at the Walking Dead’s writing staff by frankly addressing them. In an interview with TV Guide he explains that things aren’t how they look.

Our Favorite Things: Parker: The Outfit by Darwyn Cooke

via CrunchGear

The Outfit by Darwyn Cooke is based on Richard Stark’s Parker novels. Set in the roaring ’50s, Parker is a career criminal who only hurts the folks who deserve it. The closest cultural analog would be a noble ninja, righting wrongs and getting a piece on the side for himself.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Nicolas Cage says Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance has no links to first film

via Coventry Telegraph - The Geek Files

EVEN though it was met with less than glowing reviews, the 2007 comic book adaptation Ghost Rider brought in $237million at the global box office and then a further $103million in DVD sales in the US alone, according to figures on The Numbers film data site.

'Spider-Man' Reboot Adds Second Villain and More

via Cinematical

C'mon, you really didn't think the new 'Spider-Man' movie would only have one villain, did you? After Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man 3' was criticized for having too many villains dancing around one too many storylines, we imagine producers are being real careful about the amount of villains they have in the reboot and the ways with which they're used.

KISS Coffin Re-Introduced via Eternal Image Inc

via SlashGear

Those of you who follow the eternally epic saga that is KISStory, you might remember the most evil and excellent product they ever offered was almost certainly the Kiss Kasket. During the years 2001 through 2008, this product was sold as a real coffin (though the fact that it was waterproof often led to it being used as a Kiss Kooler for their Cold Gin.)

Third actor injured in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

via Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources

A third actor has been injured in the delay-plagued, and apparently danger-fraught, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

The New York Post reports that Natalie Mendoza, who plays the villain Arachne, received a concussion Sunday night when she was hit in the head by a rope during the show’s problem-filled first preview.

SEGA Inks Actors Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston to Star in the Video Game Thor: God of Thunder

Press Release

SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced they have signed Chris Hemsworth to voice the title role and Tom Hiddleston to voice Loki in the upcoming action adventure Thor™: God of Thunder. Both actors’ likenesses will also be used in the game, which is based on the legendary franchise from Marvel Entertainment, and marks Thor’s first standalone appearance in a video game.

“Bringing in Chris and Tom to star in Thor: God of Thunder gives us AAA talent that will create a truly cinematic interactive experience,” said Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SEGA Europe and SEGA of America. “Mighty Thor and the trickster Loki will face off with real emotion while giving fans visual and vocal continuity between the video game and film adaptations of the Marvel franchise.”

Thor: God of Thunder will take players through an original, epic-scale third-person action adventure for which Matt Fraction, the Eisner Award-winning writer and lead Thor comic book author, served as story consultant. In the game, Thor battles through the numerous worlds of Norse mythology to save Asgard. Players will wield the iconic Mjölnir, Thor’s legendary hammer, to fight enemies of an immense scale while controlling the elemental storm powers of lightning, thunder and wind to vanquish enemies. Thor must overcome monstrous foes lifted from the pages of the comics, including Ulik, Ymir and Surtur, as well as other daunting enemies.

Thor: God of Thunder is scheduled for release spring 2011 on all major video game platforms.

Australian actor Chris Hemsworth played George Kirk in the 2009 Star Trek film before portraying the title role in Marvel Studios’ Thor film and SEGA’s upcoming game, and he will pick up the hammer once more in 2012 for Marvel Studios’ The Avengers. He has also appeared in a variety of TV roles and in films such as A Perfect Getaway, Ca$h and more.

Tom Hiddleston graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and has gone on to star in a number of critically acclaimed television productions including Return to Cranford and Wallander. He has also received universal praise on stage in a number of roles including a hugely successful production of Shakespeare's Othello alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ewan McGregor, and an Olivier Award-winning performance in Cymbeline. In addition to voicing the role of Loki in Thor: God of Thunder, he plays Loki in the upcoming Thor film adaptation from Marvel Studios and in 2011 will also star in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris and Steven Spielberg's War Horse.

Mondo’s First ‘Director’s Series’ Posters Pay Tribute to Guillermo Del Toro

via Underwire

Fans of Guillermo Del Toro, Blade II or high-quality movie posters in general, you have something new to salivate over.

Austin, Texas-based Mondo, the art collectible chop shop of Alamo Drafthouse, has dreamed up a visual pleasure-fest with its new Director’s Series of posters focusing on particular A-list moviemakers. The first artist/director collaboration features Del Toro’s 2002 hit, which starred Wesley Snipes as the badass slayer who combats Reaper Vampires.

Deadpool's creator attacks Fox: 'Get your act together'

via Blastr

Rob Liefeld, the comic-book artist who created the Deadpool character for Marvel before leaving to co-found Image Comics, took to Twitter to express his displeasure with the studio that's taking its time with the Ryan Reynolds-starring flick.

Nice Art: Ben Templesmith’s BLACK SKY teaser

via The Beat

“Black Sky” is a new “illustrated film” project by Ben Templesmith from Halo-8 Entertainment, the production company that seems to have a hand in a lot of interesting comics-esque related things, like the Grant Morrison documentary and so on. The first teaser image have just been released:

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Holiday disaster: Ice Quake comes to SyFy

It's that special time of year, friends family, the spirit of giving and togetherness - and DISASTER!

In the SyFy original movie Ice Quake, a family is stranded on an icy mountain, which in and of itself isn't so great. Then the shaking starts, and things really get ugly.

Here's a sneak peek:

And you thought your Christmas sucked.

Ice Quake airs on SyFy on Saturday, December 11 at 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central.

DEXTER Renewed for Sixth Season

via Collider

Good news for Dexter fans today as a renewal for the sixth season of the hit show seems to be imminent. While two seasons were ordered back in 2008 bringing it up to the current season five, and creators talked about making a solid five seasons and ending it; Dexter will be on the air for at least one more season after this year.

Last Doctor Who adventure game of the season coming Christmas Day

via Joystiq

It may not be as nice as finding a for-real sonic screwdriver under your tree, but the BBC does have a great holiday gift in mind for any Doctor Who fan: the last episode of the first season of Doctor Who: The Adventure Games, called "Shadows of the Vashta Nerada."

Best Classic Holiday TV Specials

via TV Squad

If you want to forget about the madding crowds and remember why it's the most wonderful time of the year (truly), just take a break from the shopping list, grab a mug of hot cocoa and settle in with your nearest and dearest for a long winter's night ... of viewing the best classic holiday shows of all time.

Masturbating Walmart Shopper Banned From Any Store That Sells Kids Toys

via The Consumerist

You may remember the story from September about the man in Florida who was caught red-handed (or at least sweaty-palmed) pleasuring himself to a Sports Illustrated magazine in the toy section of his local Walmart. Now it looks like the man has cut a deal that would keep him out of jail -- and away from the retail giant and any other store that sells toys for children.

$402,111 bid not enough to win 1942 Superman #14 cover at auction

via Blastr

What may be the earliest and most important piece of original comic book art in existence—Fred Ray's patriotic 1942 cover to Superman #14—almost also became the most EXPENSIVE cover. But last night's final bid of $402,111 wasn't enough to top an auction house's reserve price.

How do you feel about comic book movies? Good or not good? Do you have any you like or loathe?

Comic book movies are a lot like comics - there are too many of them, creativity is too often sacrificed to maximize profits and merchandising opportunities, and we as fans are in a perpetual cycle of rabid excitement that often dissolves into disappointment and disillusion.

However, also like comics, comics-based movies are spectacular when they're done right.

Spider-Man 2: excellent.

Ghost World: cinematic classic.

Fantastic Four: worse than Superman 4.

I didn't think that the X-Men franchise could get worse after the third film, but yeesh Origins: Wolverine stank on ice.

2011 is going to be the most important year for comics films to date - the critical and commercial responses to Batman 3, Green Lantern, Thor, Wolverine 2 and the rest are going to have a huge impact on the future of the genre.

I'm also very eager to see how the X-Men, Spider-Man and FF reboots pan out.

Ask me anything

What's your favorite comic book store?

Forbidden Planet, hands-down. From NYC to Cardiff its a name that's been synonymous with quality for as long as I've been reading comics, and thats a loooong time. I'm also a big fan of TFAW.com.

Ask me anything

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The Original TIE Fighters Were Purple [Image Cache]

via Gizmodo

Roaming through discarded exposures and lighting film tests, a cinema enthusiast has discovered that George Lucas originally wanted Star Wars' Imperial TIE Fighters to be purple. Thankfully for everyone except Prince, this horrible idea was discarded for technical reasons.

Dark Horse Launches Its Digital Comics Program January 2011

via The Blog From Another World

This January, Dark Horse Comics is launching a new and ambitious digital publishing program known as the Dark Horse Bookshelf app, eliminating additional third-party fees from its eComics. Not only will readers be able to enjoy more Dark Horse comics at lower prices, but comic creators will receive a greater percentage of each digital sale.

B.P.R.D.: The Dead Remembered Explores Hellboy’s Fiery Friend, Liz Sherman

via Underwire

Upcoming comic book miniseries B.P.R.D.: The Dead Remembered digs into the traumatic teen years of Hellboy’s pyrokinetic pal, Liz Sherman.

Is Heath Ledger To Return As The Joker In The Dark Knight Rises? - In A Word, NO

via Bleeding Cool

This old rumour is rearing its ugly head again. According to the generally rather credible Stuff, Chris Nolan is considering the use of unused footage from The Dark Knight in The Dark Knight Rises, giving Heath Ledger another big screen outing in the guise of The Joker.

The Warrior's Way - new red band clip!

For those of you who like it raw like the Wu-Tang Clan - you know who you are - I present this red band clip from the upcoming action flick The Warrior's Way, in theaters December 3.

Here's the official description of the film:

The world's greatest swordsman abandons his warrior clan to start a new life in the American Badlands in The Warrior's Way, a visually dazzling modern martial arts adventure with stunningly choreographed fight sequences and gravity-defying stunts. In an original, gorgeously realized journey into a mythical past, writer and director Sngmoo Lee seamlessly marries the cinematic traditions of East and West. Korean superstar Jang Dong Gun, Kate Bosworth, Danny Huston and Academy Award® winner Geoffrey Rush star in this epic story of revenge and redemption.

There's also a very fun iPhone app available for free download here.

Wikileaks: Comic Book Secrets

via Comix 411

If you took the time to read through the nearly 250,000 documents released this week via Wikileaks, you’d find a comic book connection in several of them.

Frank Darabont Axes All Writers from THE WALKING DEAD

via Collider

With such a successful short-but-sweet first season that has already garnered increased ratings and a successful series order, what could be wrong with the writing staff of AMC’s new hit series The Walking Dead? Well, nothing may be wrong per se, but there is something going on behind the scenes as Deadline reports series writer/executive producer/director Frank Darabont has gotten rid of all the writers from this first season.

'Stargate Universe' Cast on Season Two, Being Trapped on Destiny and Those Creepy Communication Stones

via TV Squad

All you 'Stargate Universe' fans out there: haven't you always wanted to know what the cast thinks about the communication stones? Or what they would bring with them if they were really trapped on the Destiny? What about their favorite sci-fi shows?

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Christopher Nolan confirms Inception video game in development

via Joystiq

Inception director Christopher Nolan has been considering putting together a video game based on his mind-bending film for a while, but it looks like those plans have gone one level deeper: He now tells Entertainment Weekly that the project is a go.

Johnny Depp: Disney Hated Captain Jack and Thought He Might Be Gay

via Cinematical

Johnny Depp has finally provided a partial answer to the question that's plagued all of us for what seems like an eternity, namely, "Jack Sparrow: What's his deal?"

Fear of the unknown on a new Sanctuary

What happens when Tesla encounters new, never-before-seen technology? Why, he freaks right out, that's what! Henry is the voice of reason, but of course he's just a bundle of anxiousness and curiosity.

But maybe fear really is the appropriate response?

Here's a sneak peek:

The new episode of Sanctuary, titled "For King and Country", airs Friday at 10:00 PM/9:00 PM Central on SyFy.

Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark Still Beat Producer’s Expectations

via Vulture

At the first preview for the $65 million Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark musical last night, there was missing scenery, an actor stuck to an aerial harness, and faulty equipment, as well as hecklers, and overhead stage wires dropping on audience members. But "It went much better last night than expected," said producer Michael Cohl.

Amazon Deal of The Day: Save 60% on "Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series" on Blu-ray or DVD

Today only, you can save 60% on Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series on Blu-ray or DVD. You can save an additional $8 when you buy either set along with Caprica: Season 1.0.

This offer is valid today only, November 30, 2010, and while supplies last.

Epic Mickey' Takes Disney's Mouse Into A Video Game 'Wasteland

via NPR

Mickey Mouse is back with a new attitude in an attempt to crack one market that has so far been a bit of a disappointment for the superstar cartoon character: video games.

Epic Mickey is scheduled for release Tuesday on the Nintendo Wii. The game plops the charming little mouse in world called "Wasteland" that's full of discarded Disney characters and detritus. Your job, if you choose to take up this challenge, is to help Mickey escape this dark corner of the Disney empire.

Monday, November 29, 2010

10 Gifts for the Geeky Gal Under $50

via Geeks are Sexy

If you’re like me, thinking about gifts this season is a little stress-inducing. While the recession is technically over, here in the states, many of us are still feeling the crunch. And while I like to try and make most of the gifts we give during the holidays, that’s not always practical. The truth is, time these days is about as scarce as unobtanium.

Ian McKellen has Signed on to THE HOBBIT Films

via GeekTyrant

Ian McKellen has subtly confirmed that he'll be back to take on the role of Gandalf in Peter Jackson's next two Hobbit films!

If only...

I swear to god I fell asleep watching TV last night and at about 4:00 a.m. I thought I heard a newscaster say that the President was going to look into prosecuting the makers of Freaky Links, the awful '90s TV show.

As I drifted back into full unconsciousness, I thought "I hope MANTIS is next. And Titus was a waste of a perfectly good half hour of my life, too."

But uh, it's WikiLeaks. So we tried to secretly clone a U.N. official or something? That would actually make for a great episode of The Lone Gunmen.

Spider-Man musical’s first performance caught in web of mishaps

via Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources

The good news for producers and hopeful fans of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is that the delay-plagued $65-million musical finally previewed Sunday night on Broadway. The bad, if not unexpected, news is … things didn’t go well.

Torchwood's Ianto Jones WON'T be coming back—and here's why

via Blastr

Doctor Who show runner Steven Moffat gets asked about the Whoniverse all the time, but there's one particular fan question that comes up again and again: Would he consider resurrecting Torchwood's Ianto Jones, who was killed off in the last Torchwood series, 2009's Children of Earth? His answer? A resounding NO.

Irvin Kershner, 1923-2010

via Topless Robot

Director Irvin Kershner also died yesterday, at the age of 87, after a long illness. I doubt I have to tell you that Kershner directed The Empire Strikes Back, generally considered the best of all Star Wars movies, and one of the most important nerd movies of all time.

60 MINUTES Piece on SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK; plus Reviews of Tonight’s Debut Preview

via Collider

CBS’ 60 Minutes did a segment tonight on Julie Taymor’s upcoming musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. With music by U2’s Bono and The Edge, it is the most expensive musical in Broadway history.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Leslie Nielsen Dead At 84

via The Inquisitr

Canadian actor and comedian Leslie Nielsen is reported to have passed away after a battle with pneumonia at the age of 84.

Don't Go to War with This Aliens Replica M41A Pulse Rifle [Props]

via Gizmodo

Movie prop replicas are a luxury item for many aficionados, sure, but for $900 an Aliens replica M41A pulse rifle better have a working ammo counter, spring loaded triggers and a strap so we can recreate the fateful finale!

31 Batmobiles and Batmobile Wannabes - Caped Crusader Transportation Incarnations

via TREND HUNTER

If you feel compelled to exclaim, “Holy Batmobiles and Batmobile wannabes, Batman!” when you see the sheer number of cars inspired by Bruce Wayne’s “night side,” then this collection of graphic novel autos is for you.

Seasonal gift from a famous resident

via Northampton Chronicle & Echo

A WORLD-FAMOUS Northampton writer is giving something back to the community he grew up in this Christmas.

Alan Moore, who is well known for his work in graphic novels, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, is donating 300 Christmas hampers to residents in sheltered housing in Spring Boroughs, which is the area he grew up in, and to the homeless drop-in centre at the Salvation Army.

Star Wars Mice [Pics]

via Geeks are Sexy

Check out these awesome handmade Star Wars felt mice by Etsy user TheHouseOfMouse:

For his 47th, get caught up with a Doctor Who primer

via Blog@Newsarama

On November 23, 1963 at 5:15 pm on a Saturday, the BBC premiered a program that was intended to educate children on some basics of science and history and was expected to last perhaps a year. It became popular with people of all ages, delved into science fiction, history and fantasy, and wound up lasting twenty-six years before being cancelled in 1989 (not counting a previous attempt to cancel the show).

Greedo's Shoe Fetish

It's like some extra-awful outtake from Sex and the City. Greedo, symbol of intergalactic scum and villainy, wearing high heels.

It wasn't uncommon back in the '70s to stick heels on an actor to achieve the desired height proportional to the other actors in a given scene. Of course, this was in the days before this could be easily accomplished with CGI... and, of course, before the Internet was around to immortalize these goofy images.

Hi, I'm a classically trained actor. This is me in a green rubber alien costume and PayLess pumps.

via imgur.

Dragon Dictate for Mac - A Work in Progress

As a guy who spends most of his time writing and who struggles with hand pain, it's been very helpful for me to use speech recognition like MacSpeech, or as its now known, Dragon Dictate for Mac. It recently received an upgrade, along with a name change that they're hoping will stick.

When you install, or upgrade, these programs, you have to train them to recognize your voice so that you'll get accurate text when using your voice in place of the keyboard. I like to dive right in and give the software an acid test, the better to learn and adapt to my voice as quickly and efficiently as possible.

I've got a song in my heart tonight, so I thought I'd give this new improved version of Dragon Dictate my singing voice to work with; if it can handle that, it can handle anything. As you can see, I've still got a ways to go:

Why do you build me up by the Meme just let me down MSc around you and worst of all you never call baby when you say you will but I need you still I need you I need you more than in England and you know that I have from most stability up mail me up Buttercup don't break my heart