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MONDAY, JULY 13, 2009

NATALIE PORTMAN CAST IN THOR MOVIE

Marvel Studios has announced that Natalie Portman has been cast to star as Jane Foster in the Thor movie.

Portman joins Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Tim Hiddleston (Loki) in Thor, which will be directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Principal photography for Thor is set for early 2010, with a May 20, 2011 release date.

Here's how Marvel describes the film:

"This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth. "

Portman's credits include three Star Wars movies and V for Vendetta.



MORGAN SPURLOCK TO HELM THE SIMPSONS SPECIAL

Fox has announced that filmmaker Morgan Spurlock -- whose credits include Super Size Me and 30 Days -- is set to produce and direct The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice, airing Thursday, Jan. 14.

The documentary special will be the conclusion to the "Best. 20 Years. Ever.," a year-long global celebration of The Simpsons that launched in January and culminates on the 20th anniversary of the series' debut.

In the special, Spurlock will examine the cultural phenomenon of The Simpsons. The special will document how the world sees The Simpsons and how the Simpson family has seen the world for two decades.

"When they first called me about this, I thought it was a prank and I hung up," Spurlock said. "And then my agent called back and said, Œ'No, no, this is for real,' at which point I fainted. Then when I woke up, I called everyone I knew because it was the coolest thing I could ever get to do in my career."

Spurlock has built a career that spans film, television and web programming. His first feature-length documentary, Super Size Me, won the Documentary Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 and was nominated for an Academy Award the following year. In 2005, Spurlock formed his Manhattan-based film, television and web production company, Warrior Poets, which is devoted to making socially significant and simultaneously entertaining work.

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BOOM! STUDIOS ROUNDUP

BOOM! Studios has announced that Claudio Sanchez -- the creator of the Coheed and Cambria, including the mini-series, The Amory Wars -- will launch his new property, Kill Audio, at Comic-Con International in San Diego next week.

Sanchez will sign the Kill Audio Preview Book at the BOOM! booth. In addition to the preview book, BOOM! will offer the monotone variant of the Kill Audio Vinyl Figure, limited to 1,200 pieces.

The figure will only be available during Sanchez's signing times from 4-5 p.m. on July 24-25.

The Kill Audio series will begin in October. It is written by Sanchez and Chondra Echert, with art by Mr. Sheldon and covers by Mr. Sheldon and Kristian Donaldson.

Here's how BOOM! describes the book:

"Kill Audio follows the adventures of an immortal little troll who struggles to find purpose in a land where creativity is a controlled substance. When musical creativity spirals into chaos, Kill Audio discovers his life mission.

"Supported by a wildly eccentric posse and a nemesis hell-bent on proving his mortality, Kill Audio takes on non-sensical musical sub-genres while traipsing across a vivid landscape."

"This is disturbing work, and I mean that as a compliment," BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief Mark Waid said.

In other BOOM! Studios news, Simon & Schuster has announced a sales and distribution agreement with BOOM!.

Under the agreement, Simon & Schuster will handle sales, distribution and fulfillment for all new and backlist titles to trade and specialty accounts in the United States. The agreement is effective immediately.

"BOOM! Studios has a unique line of graphic novels of wide- ranging appeal," said Michael Selleck, executive vice president, sales and ,arketing for Simon & Schuster. "They are an excellent fit with our existing list, and we look forward to helping them expand their presence in traditional bookselling and specialty outlets.²

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IDW TO PUBLISH YOE! BOOKS

IDW Publishing has announced it will be the home for Yoe! Books, a new imprint that will publish numerous books by the author, editor and designer Craig Yoe, beginning with The Art of Ditko and The Complete Milt Gross Life Story and Comic Books, both releasing this fall.

"IDW is committed to expanding our book collections, and continuing to offer readers a wide variety of unique and historical material," said Greg Goldstein, IDW's chief operating officer. "We're excited to be the home of Craig's imprint, Yoe! Books, highlighting unknown geniuses and revelatory books on well-known names."

Co-founder of YOE! Studio, Yoe is known for his creative and out-of-the-box books, which often focus on historical comic art.

The Art of Ditko is a large-format book featuring artist Steve Dikto. It will include little-seen stories and original artwork, an introduction by Stan Lee and essays by Jerry Robinson, John Romita and P. Craig Russell.

The Complete Milt Gross Life Story and Comic Books spotlights the ground-breaking Jewish cartoonist. Yoe! Books will reprint every one of his rare comic-book tales, plus offering a career-spanning biography based on interviews with those who knew and worked with him. The book will sport an introduction by Mad magazine's Al Jaffee.

Yoe's most recent book, Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Schuster, was released in April.

"I'm looking forward to spitting on my hands, pulling on my briefs, and tag-teaming with IDW. Together, we're going to wrestle some great books to the ground," Yoe said.

spiderman


MARVEL COMICS FIRST LOOKS

For covers and six-page preview of Amazing Spider-Man #599 from Marvel Comics, arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

For previously posted previews of Marvel Comics titles arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

For previews of BOOM! Studios titles arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

For previews of DC Comics titles arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

For previews of IDW Publishing titles arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

For previews of Archaia Comics titles arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

For previews of Aspen Comics titles arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

For previews of Archie Comics titles arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

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DARK HORSE COMICS FIRST LOOKS

For covers and three-page preview of Creepy Comics #1 from Dark Horse Comics, arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

For previously posted previews of Dark Horse Comics titles arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.



BETTY COOPER, CONFIDENTIAL

Archie Comics has announced Betty Cooper, Confidential, its latest giveaway comic book for Halloween.

The 16-page comic is written by Dan Parent, with art by Parent and Rich Koslowski.

Here's how Archie describes the issue:

"Betty is en route to the book binder to get her diary professionally bound when a stiff wind literally sends the pages of her life flying! Will her friends be able to resist taking a peek at the pages they recover? Just what has Betty written about everyone over the years? These answers and more await you in this suspenseful and poignant tale, the perfect lead-in to the soon-to-be-released trade paperback collection, Archie's All-Stars Presents Volume 2: Betty's Diary!"

The comic may be ordered through comic shops in bundles of 25. Although participating comic shops give away one free copy to their customers the bundles are not free; they are for sale at your local comic shop.



SEPTEMBER SOLICITATIONS ROUNDUP

For previously posted September solicitations, click on the publishers' names below:

* Archaia Comics.

* Archie Comics.

* Aspen Comics.

* Avatar Press.

* Bluewater Productions.

* Bongo Comics.

* BOOM! Studios.

* DC Comics.

* Dark Horse Comics.

* Devil's Due Publishing.

* Dynamite Entertainment.

* IDW Publishing.

* Image Comics.

* Marvel Comics.

* Moonstone Books.

* Oni Press.

* Radical Publishing.

* Red 5 Comics.

* Top Cow Productions.

* Zenescope Entertainment.



BRIEFLY

* DC Comics has announced a third printing for Batman and Robin #1. The new printing will feature a recolored version of Frank Quitely's cover and will be in stores on August 5.

* Marvel Comics has announced a second printing for the sold-out Deadpool #11. The new printing will feature the interior art of Paco Medina on the cover and will be in stores on August 5.

Marvel has also announced a second printing for Uncanny X-Men #513. The new printing will feature the interior art of Terry Dodson on the cover and will be in stores on August 5.

* According to The Hollywood Reporter, Holt McCallany has joined the cast of The Losers movie. McCallany will play Wade, a special-forces officer who has left the group.

* Ken Lashley is providing a variant cover for Marvel Comics' Black Panther #7.

* Marvel Super Hero Squad #1 will cost $2.99, not $3.99 as originally solicited.

* Gerard Butler, star of 300 and Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter, will be a guest on CBS' The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Tuesday, July 21.

* Wanted moves from Cinemax to HBO in September. Air dates and times include Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. and midnight; Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 9 p.m.; and Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 4 a.m.



COMICS CONTINUUM BACK ISSUES

If you missed The Continuum's coverage over the past month, following are links. Click on the date to get the day's full report.

* Wednesday, July 8: Colbie Caillat in Veronica, Jonah Hex animated, Zenescope's Comic-Con titles, Aspen Comics First Looks, Dark Horse Comics First Looks and Archie Comics First Looks.

* Tuesday, July 7: IDW to publish Archie collections, Colbie Caillat in Veronica, Vampirella, Witchblade's Ron Marz, Marvel Comics First Looks and BOOM! Studios First Looks.

* Monday, July 6: Marvel Comics roundup, Marvel Comics First Looks, Bluewater Productions' Tom Corbett: Space Cadet and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Comic-Con 2008 Products - Shop now!

* Sunday, July 5: The Spectacular Spider-Man.

* Saturday, July 4: The Spectacular Spider-Man.

* Friday, July 3: Marvel Comics First Looks and DC Comics First Looks.

* Thursday, July 2: IDW Publishing First Looks, Image Comics First Looks and Arcana Studio First Looks.

* Wednesday, July 1: Marvel Comics First Looks, Archie Comics First Looks, DC Comics First Looks and Dark Horse Comics First Looks.

* Tuesday, June 30: X-Men animated DVDs, Marvel Comics roundup and Marvel Comics First Looks.

* Monday, June 29: Bluewater Productions for October, Michael Jackson tribute comic, Marvel Comics First Looks, Red 5 Comics First Looks and Image Comics First Looks.

* Sunday, June 28: The Spectacular Spider-Man and BOOM! Studios First Looks.

* Saturday, June 27: Human Target and Marvel Comics First Looks.

* Friday, June 26: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Marvel Comics First Looks and DC Comics First Looks.

* Thursday, June 25: IDW Publishing First Looks, DC Comics First Looks, Image Comics First Looks, Archaia Comics for September, Zenescope Entertainment for September and Archie Comics CEO Jon Goldwater.

* Wednesday, June 24: BOOM! Studios for September, Avatar Press for September, Marvel Comics roundup, Dark Horse Comics First Looks and DC Comics First Looks.

* Tuesday, June 23: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen's Megan Fox, Dynamite Entertainment for September, Oni Press for September, Devil's Due Publishing for September and BOOM! Studios First Looks.

* Monday, June 22: IDW Publishing for September, Aspen Comics for September, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Dynamite Entertainment First Looks, DC Comics First Looks, Wizard World Philadelphia and Heroes Con.

* Sunday, June 21: The Spectacular Spider-Man, Dynamite Entertainment at Wizard World Philadelphia and Marvel Comics' Dark Reign: The List.

* Saturday, June 20: Marvel Comics panel at Heroes Con, Garth Ennis/Dynamite Entertainment panel at Wizard World Philadelphia, BOOM! Studios First Looks and The Spectacular Spider-Man.

* Friday, June 19: Marvel Comics First Looks, Bongo Comics for September, Red 5 Comics for September, The Spectacular Spider-Man, Kick-Ass and Days Missing.

* Thursday, June 18: Green Lantern: First Flight, IDW Publishing First Looks and Image Comics First Looks.

* Wednesday, June 17: The Spectacular Spider-Man, DC Comics First Looks, Archie Comics First Looks, Dark Horse Comics First Looks and Top Cow Productions First Looks.

* Tuesday, June 16: Marvel Comics for September, Aspen Comics exclusives, Fox season premieres, Marvel Comics First Looks, BOOM! Studios First Looks and DC Comics First Looks.

* Monday, June 15: DC Comics for September, Captain America Reborn, Archie Comics for September, Wolverine and the X-Men, Marvel Comics First Looks and BOOM! Studios roundup.

* Sunday, June 14: DC Comics First Looks and Mercury Comics First Looks.



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