Thursday, December 23, 2004
MARVEL COMICS FOR MARCH
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Marvel Comics has released its solicitations for March.
For a rundown, with cover images, CLICK HERE.
For a rundown of trade paperbacks, CLICK HERE.
IMAGE COMICS' HERO CAMP
Hero Camp, a full-color monthly ongoing series debuts in May from Image Comics. Co-created by writer Greg Thompson and artist Robbi Rodriguez, Hero Camps takes a lively look at teenage self-discovery and superheroes.
Here's how Image describes the book:
"This spring comic readers are invited to enroll at Camp Enokchuk -- a summer camp where 'the super-powered become super-people' -- a place where classes such as Heroic Flight Patterns, Super-Strength Training and Mastering Witty Banter are the norm and every camper is training for the day they might be called upon to save the universe. (or, at the very least, their neighborhood)."
According to Thompson, readers should be able to identify with the book's main character, Eric, a normal teen who just happens to be the offspring of the world's most popular superheroes.
"I think most people have felt like an outsider at some point in their lives. The choice wešve all had to make is whether or not to let that define who we are," Thompson said. "Eric may not have superpowers, but he's a bright, resourceful kid who always manages to maintain the upper hand. Everyone loves an underdog, and Eric, the main character in the story, is definitely that."
Hero Camp begins as Eric's parents send him to Camp Enokchuk to discover and hone his so far undiscovered super-powers. Eric's family and fellow campers refuse to believe he is powerless, so in addition to normal teenage anxieties like girls and grades, he must also worry about surviving daily camp life. To add to these predicaments, a trio of villains believe that Eric is the key to destroying Camp Enokchuk and wiping out a cadre of future foes.
It should come as no surprise that the villains attempting to terrorize Camp Enokchuk are familiar to any kid who ever sat around a campfire swapping horror stories.
"Originally, there weren't going to be any prototypical baddies in the stories," Thompson said. "But a friend of mine convinced me that if you're going to do a superhero book, you gotta have bad guys. Well, it's a book about a summer camp, so the logical bad guys are those that we've all used to scare each other. Išm speaking of the Goatman, Hookman and Bloody Mary."
While the non-powered Eric is the star of the book, the spotlight also shines on a variety of heroes in training, including Hottie, a scorching hot flame-thrower, Tex (aka Cowboy), an invincible cowpoke with a magical lasso, Dina Mite, a super strong spitfire and member of the legendary Mite family of super heroes, Hype, a super speedster with an invisible girlfriend and many, many more.
Thompson and Rodriguez are using shorter story arcs, one shots and backup stories to develop the characters.
"I really prefer shorter story arcs and backup stories," Thompson said. "I've got a short attention span, and grew up reading comics from the Silver and Golden Age, so it just makes sense to me. I also like the fact that anyone will be able to pick up an issue of Hero Camp and either get a complete story or only have to find the previous issue to complete a story. While actions will have repercussions and certain themes will run throughout the book, a new reader will never have to worry about not knowing what's going on. It's going to be really accessible for new readers."
CONSTANTINE VIDEOGAME
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, THQ and SCi have announced the talent line-up secured for the Constantine videogame, which is based on the upcoming film from Warner Bros. Pictures, set for release in February, and the DC Comics/Vertigo Hellblazer comics.
Keanu Reeves, Tilda Swinton, Gavin Rossdale and Max Baker have their likeness recreated in this explosive third person action game. Players will be able to assume the title role of the film's protagonist John Constantine (Reeves) in the game.
Here's how the game is described:
"Inspired by the DC Comics/Vertigo Hellblazer graphic novels, with all the supernatural thrills of the highly anticipated film, you are cast as irreverent mystic detective John Constantine and must embark on an investigation in a world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught up in a series of catastrophic events, it is imperative that you seek out and destroy pure evil -- before peace on Earth is destroyed forever."
BRIEFLY
COMICS CONTINUUM BACK ISSUES
In case you missed The Continuum's recent coverage, here are some links:
* For Friday, Dec. 17, including David Goyer writing and directing a Flash movie, CLICK HERE.
* For Thursday, Dec. 16, including Fantastic Four movie news, CLICK HERE.
* For Wednesday, Dec. 15, including Elektra movie news, CLICK HERE.
* For Tuesday, Dec. 14, including Fantastic Four movie news, CLICK HERE.
* For Monday, Dec. 13, including DC Comics' solicitations for March, CLICK HERE.
* For Saturday, Dec. 11, CLICK HERE.
* For Friday, Dec. 10, CLICK HERE.
* For Thursday, Dec. 9, including Marvel Comics news, CLICK HERE.
* For Wednesday, Dec. 8, including Dark Horse Comics' solicitations for March, CLICK HERE.
* For Tuesday, Dec. 7, including The Darkness and Son of The Mask movie news, CLICK HERE.
* For Monday, Dec. 6, including Justice League Unlimited news, CLICK HERE.
* For Saturday, Dec. 4, including Blade: Trinity and Batman Begins movie news, CLICK HERE.
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