Wednesday, August 14, 2002

PAUL DINI, ALEX ROSS ON JLA

Paul Dini and Alex Ross have another oversized one-shot this November, JLA: Secret Origins. The 48-page, 10-inch by 13.5-inch one-shot begins a year-long build-up to fall 2003's JLA: Liberty and Justice, an all-new, 96-page graphic novel.

"The work Paul and Alex have done with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel really shows their reverence and love for the characters," said Paul Levitz, DC's President & Publisher. "Now they're working with a broader palette as they take on the assembled forces of the World's Greatest Super-Heroes. I can't wait to see what they come up with."

Between the two works, DC Direct will unleash an array of Justice League-themed items illustrated by Ross, including posters and collector's plates. It stars with February's JLA: Secret Origins By Alex Ross Poster, featuring Ross' cover art on a 24-inch by 36-inch poster.

JLA: Secret Origins features DC's greatest icons: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Flash, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, the Atom, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Plastic Man, and Captain Marvel, along with a behind-the-scenes look at the heroes of the Justice League.

This graphic volume reprints the double-page origins of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel (a popular feature from their previous collaborations), and includes eight all-new origin spreads, plus an original five-page framing sequence focusing on the team's commitment to protecting humankind.

The book also includes exclusive interviews with the creators, reprintings of classic Alex Ross artwork, as well as preview art and sketches for JLA: Liberty and Justice.

"This is like a complete fanboy fantasy come true," Ross said. "We created Secret Origins book because I wanted to do origins for the JLA members I'd never touched on before. I'm getting the chance to do the era I grew up with, the classic representations of these characters."

"Secret Origins will give us the chance to present our look at key members of the classic Justice League," Dini said. "As with everything Alex and I do, we try to be respectful of the histories of each of these great characters, yet add a personal twist to their on going legends."

As for JLA: Liberty and Justice, Ross said that it is "a group story like this demands much more space. And the word balloons will be back."

Said Dini, "This book will feature a lot of diverse personalities interacting as a team, so it's a definite change from the interior monologue style of narration from the other stories Alex and I have done. Liberty and Justice will be a big story dealing with a global threat, and pretty much all the major JLA players throughout the years will be involved in it to varying degrees."

JLA: Secret Origins is edited by Charles Kochman and Joey Cavalieri and will be in stores on Nov. 13.

JUDD WINICK TALKS GREEN LANTERN

September's Green Lantern #154 features a hate crime against the gay supporting character Terry.

"Something very dramatic happens in the life of Kyle Rayner, which gives him a different perspective on his life as a super-hero," Green Lantern writer Judd Winick said at the recent Comic-Con International in San Diego.

"Things take a very dramatic turn, and the Green Lantern title is going to change for the next year."

The issue was featured on the cover of the New York Times' Arts section as well as in an Associated Press story. According to the AP story, Terry and his boyfriend are walking down the street when three men start yelling out a derogatory anti-gay word and chasing them. They catch up with Terry, who's brutally beaten.

Green Lantern #154 goes on sale on Sept. 11. Here's how DC Comics solicited the issue:

"One of the most important people in Green Lantern's life has been attacked and left for dead. Kyle's about to discover that even with the most powerful weapon in the universe, he can't always protect those closest to him. Now that one of his inner circle is at death's door, Green Lantern is forced to examine just how vicious human beings can be. And no matter what actions he takes, both Kyle, and his legacy as Green Lantern, will begin to change with this issue."

Green Lantern #155 goes on sale on Oct. 9. Here's how DC describes the issue:

"Green Lantern pleads with the Flash and the JLA to help him go back in time and avert his personal tragedy - which leads his peers to confront him about the ethics of heroism, and the line of violence that Kyle may have crossed. Now, only the wisdom of Hal Jordan as the Spectre can save his soul. This issue heralds big changes for the coming months and features the unexpected return of a long-absent hero."

Winick is also teaming with Ben Raab to write Green Lantern/Green Arrow, a six-issue mini-series team Kyle Rayner with Ollie Queen.

"Ben and I plotted the mini-series and then each guy is taking an issue to write," Winick said.

The story involves alien drug dealers, although Winick said the entire adventure takes place on Earth.

"Ollie and Kyle hate each other, and by the end of this mini-series, they're still going to hate each other," Winick said, joking. "Ollie's best friend was Hal Jordan and now he sees this 25-year-old wearing the ring and in his clothes."

The art for the mini-series is by Charlie Adlard.

BULLETPROOF MONK MOVIE UPDATE

Like so many movies, MGM's Bulletproof Monk had an unveiling of sorts at the recent Comic-Con International in San Diego.

The film's trailer was shown for the first time, and stars Seann William Scott and Jamie King appeared in person.

In Bulletproof Monk, Chow Yun-Fat plays a mysterious monk with no name zigzagging the globe to protect an ancient scroll -- a scroll that holds the key to unlimited power. Now the monk must find a protégé, the next guardian of the Scroll of the Ultimate. Kar (Scott) is an unlikely candidate, a streetwise young man whose only interest is himself, but when he saves the Bulletproof Monk from capture, the two become partners in a scheme to save the world from the scroll's most avid pursuer.

Together, with the help of a sexy Russian mafia princess called Bad Girl (King), they seek out, find and face the ultimate enemy in a final battle.

Scott and King answered several questions about Bulletproof Monk, and for a complete report on the panel, with photos, CLICK HERE.

GEMSTONE ANNOUNCES OVERSTREET #33 COVERS

Gemstone Publishing has announced the covers for the 33rd edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, scheduled for April.

"For the Direct Market covers of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #33 we asked two of our more popular cover artists to make return engagements," said author and publisher Robert M. Overstreet. "Murphy Anderson has provided us with a fantastic recreation of Marvel Comics #1 and John K. Snyder III offered us a wonderful take on All-Star Comics #8. These covers are already getting quite a positive reaction."

All-Star Comics #8, recreated by John K. Snyder III (Green Lantern: Brightest Day/Blackest Night), uses as its basis one of the most familiar Justice Society covers from the Golden Age original incarnation of All-Star Comics. In this case, though, the original Doctor Mid-Nite and Starman are replaced by their contemporary counterparts, so the original JSA looks into the future and sees something of the modern JSA. This plays into the theme for 2003 edition: the continuity of characters, creators and fandom.

Marvel Comics #1, the first Timely comic, was originally illustrated by Frank R. Paul. For the 33rd annual, it has been recreated by Anderson. "Murphy Anderson is hardly a stranger to comic fans or to the cover of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. He's not known for his work on Marvel characters, though, so it made for a wonderful twist to see a creator who for many personifies the glory of Silver Age DC recreating the first pre-Marvel," Overstreet said.

"Murphy is a big fan of famed illustrator Frank R. Paul and in fact he told us he might never have picked the original comic off the newsstand if it didn't have the Frank Paul cover," said editor Arnold T. Blumberg. "Additionally, the record price of $350,000 for the sale of this issue was set just this year, so it seemed like an excellent time to celebrate this landmark first appearance of the Human Torch and Sub-Mariner."

FIRST LOOK: IRON MAN #58

Iron Man #58 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by Mike Grell, with art by Michael Ryan and Sean Parsons and a cover by Ryan.

Marvel Comics did not release any story information with this issue's solicitation.

Iron Man #58 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.25.

GIVE'EM A CLICK

MOONSTONE BOOKS FOR DECEMBER

Following are Moonstone Books' solicitations for December, with information coming from the company.

WEREWOLF THE APOCALYPSE: FIANNA

Written by Joe Gentile, art by Steve Ellis, tones by I. Daniel Scott, cover by Eddy Newell.

This is the next volume in a series of one-shots based in the noir universe of White Wolf's Werewolf the Apocalypse role-playing game. A pack of strong-willed Fianna rock-n-rollers try to maintain their peace and sanity at an out of the way blues bar. Agents of the Wyrm have no intention of allowing this, or to allow the Fianna cause for a Wolf Sanctuary to happen. The tension amongst themselves becomes a danger more powerful than any Black Spiral Dancer, as their camaraderie dissipates into a mess of drunkenness and frustration. The bad guys take full advantage of this, and try to pit the werewolves against each other, and plan an all-out assault as well, just for fun.

48 pages, black and white, $5.95.

KOLCHAK THE NIGHT STALKER: FEVER PITCH

Written by Stuart M. Kaminsky, penciled by Christopher Jones, inked by Barbara Schulz, colored by Andre Maitland, cover by Doug Klauba.

Moonstone's first all-original Kolchak story. For three nights straight, some poor innocent spontaneously combusts in front of a horrified witness. Like chain links, the previous night's witness is the following evening's victim. But who's behind these deaths? The Wolfman? An Anaconda? A Giant Spider? According to police reports, these three monsters were spotted at the scene. Kolchak, hot with the flu, makes a little report of his own that adds up to some life saving advice- never turn your back on fear.

48 pages, $6.95.

MOONSTONE NOIR: THE HAT SQUAD

Written by Jay Faerber, art by Eric Yonge, cover by Tim Seelig.

Moonstone continues its new line of crime books. The Hat Squad-four tough cops who deliver justice their way on the streets of Chandler's LA. When actress Sheila Rivers calls "The Squad" because she fears a hit has been put out on her, they blow her off as a flake who watches too many Edward G. Robinson movies. When she ends up murdered, they snap, and put a heat on the city's underworld that would make the devil burn.

48 pages, black and white, $5.50.

BRIEFLY

Sources told The Continuum that an announcement on a Superman movie is expected soon after director Wolfgang Petersen announced his intentions to direct Troy before Batman vs. Superman.

The WB has released three more photographs of Birds of Prey stars Dina Meyer, Ashley Scott and Rachel Skarsten.

GIVE'EM A CLICK