Comics Continuum by Rob Allstetter: Wednesday, June 2, 2010

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2010

AMC'S THE WALKING DEAD

Production begins today in Atlanta for AMC's adaptation of the Robert Kirkman comic The Walking Dead, published by Image Comics.

The six-episode first season -- written, produced and directed by three-time Academy Award-nominee Frank Darabont and executive produced by Gale Anne Hurd -- follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, traveling in search of a safe and secure home after a zombie apocalypse.

AMC has released a first look photo of "The Walkers" -- the series' titular flesh-eating creatures. Click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

The network has also released a video. To view it, CLICK HERE.

Here's how AMC describes the series:

"The Walking Dead tells the story of life following a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, traveling in search of a safe and secure home. Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, Teachers, Strike Back) will portray the lead role of Rick Grimes while actor Jon Bernthal (The Pacific, The Ghost Writer) will portray the character Shane, who worked with Rick in the police department before the zombie disaster. Other cast includes Laurie Holden (The Shield), who plays Andrea, one of two sisters who join the survivors of the zombie plague, Steven Yeun as Glenn, an expert scavenger and Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), who plays Rick's wife Lori."

The show is geared for an October launch.

DC COMICS FIRST LOOKS

For covers and five-page previews of DC Comics titles arriving in stores on June 3, CLICK HERE.

Titles include Brightest Day #3, Adventure Comics #12, Batman Confidential #45, The Great Ten #8, The Joker's Asylum: The Riddler, JSA All-Stars #7, Nemesis: The Impostors #4, Red Hood: Lost Days #1 and Superman/Batman Annual #4.

MARVEL COMICS FIRST LOOKS -- UPDATED!

For covers and two- to three-page previews of Avengers #2 and Thunderbolts #145, arriving in stores on June 23 from Marvel Comics, CLICK HERE.

Titles include Avengers #2 and Thunderbolts #145.

For previews of titles arriving in stores on June 3 from Marvel Comics, CLICK HERE.

BOOM! STUDIOS FIRST LOOKS

For covers and six-page previews of BOOM! Studios titles arriving in stores on June 3, CLICK HERE.

Titles include 28 Days Later #11, Codebreakers #3, Irredeemable #14, The Muppet Show Comic Book #6 and Walt Disney Comics and Stories #707.

SPIDER-MAN: SHATTERED DIMENSIONS TRAILER

Activision has released a villains trailer for its upcoming Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions video game.

To view the trailer, CLICK HERE.

JOE QUESADA NAMED MARVEL CCO

Marvel Entertainment has announced that it has promoted Joe Quesada to Chief Creative Officer.

In this new role, Quesada will work alongside Alan Fine, Executive Vice President, Office of the President and Chairman of Marvel Studios' Creative Committee, to ensure that portrayals of Marvel's characters and storytelling remain true. Quesada also will provide creative oversight of all areas of Marvel's business including theatrical, television, publishing, animation and games, while also actively participating in all story and script development for Marvel's films and animation.

Quesada held the role of Chief Creative Officer & Editor-In-Chief, Marvel Animation & Publishing and oversaw the creative aspects of Marvel Comics and Marvel Animation.

Said Fine, "I am excited to have Joe join me as Marvel Entertainment enters the next chapter in our history. Joe has already played an instrumental role as Editor-in-Chief in changing the face of the comic book industry with bold new ventures and an unprecedented penetration of the mainstream consciousness. His love and passion for Marvel, along with his experience guiding publishing for the last decade, will be invaluable as we bring our characters to life in new media."

I am honored to take this new position at Marvel Entertainment and work with Alan to bring the rich history of Marvel to a brand new audience," Quesada said. "Together with the incredible talent here at Marvel, in all our divisions, I look forward to making Marvel an even bigger part of the entertainment industry and showing why we've been an industry leader for over 70 years."

Quesada will continue to serve as editor-in-chif of Marvel's publishing.

BRIEFLY

* Warner Bros. Pictures has announced that the Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black will write and direct the movie adaptation of Matt Kindt's graphic novel, 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man, published by Dark Horse Comics.

3 Story is a modern fable that explores the life of a giant man, Craig Pressgang, whose strange medical condition causes continuous growth. Told by the three women who knew him best, 3 Story follows Craig's amazing journey from birth to his eventual three-story height.

Dark Horse's Mike Richardson will produce the film, with Keith Goldberg as executive producer.