Comics Continuum by Rob Allstetter: Friday, April 13, 2012

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FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

MARVEL COMICS FIRST LOOKS - UPDATED!

For covers and three- to six-page previews of Marvel Comics titles arriving in stores on Wednesday, April 18, CLICK HERE.

Titles include Amazing Spider-Man #684, Avengers #25, Avengers Vs. X-Men #2, The Defenders #5, Incredible Hulk #7, Invincible Iron Man #515, John Carter: The Gods of Mars #2, New Mutants #41, The Punisher #10, Thunderbolts #173, Uncanny X-Force #24, Venom #16, Wolverine & The X-Men #9, X-Factor #234 and X-Men #27.

And for a preview of Uncanny X-Force #25, arriving in stores on May 9, CLICK HERE.

ASPEN COMICS FIRST LOOKS

For covers and four-page previews of Fathom: Kiani Vol. 2 #1, arriving in stores on Wednesday, April 18 from Aspen Comics, CLICK HERE.

For previews of Dark Horse Comics titles arriving in stores on Wednesday, April 18, CLICK HERE.

IDW PUBLISHING ROUNDUP

IDW Publishing has announced a July launch for another series of Jericho comics, based on the television series. Jericho returns with a story picking up after the events of Jericho: Season Three. Overseen by the original television series' writing staff and written by Kalinda Vazquez with art by Andrew Currie and covers by Tim Bradstreet, the five-issue series will be an essential piece of Jericho's sprawling post-apocalyptic story.

"The greatest fans in the world came out strong for Jericho Season Three: Civil War and we are so thrilled to announce another installment of the comic book series," said Dan Shotz, executive producer of Jericho. "Jake and Hawkins have finally come home to Jericho and we want to personally thank those fans and IDW for allowing that to happen."

"Working so closely with the creators of the TV show has been a blast, their love of the material is contagious, and one of the reasons I think fans relate to it so fervently," said IDW editor Scott Dunbier.

In other IDW news:

* Secret Battles of Genghis Khan is a graphic novel slated for July. Written by Daryl Gregory with art by Alan Robinsonand Jay Fotos, the 104-page book will tell the story of how a boy named Temujin became the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.

"My job was to comb through his history to find the key moments in his life and discover what drove him," Gregory said. "Alan had the toughest job, though. He had to show not only the emotional lives of a huge cast of characters, but deliver the epic sweep of the story, with one bloody battle after another. People are going to be blown away by what he's done."

Sam Shearon provides a painted cover, and the book will include back-up material detailing Khan's life and battles.

THE AVENGERS: VIDEOS

The Continuum continues its video previews of The Avengers movie.

To watch more than seven minutes of color footage from Wednesday's world premiere in Hollywood, CLICK HERE.

For an interview from the world premiere with Jeremy Renner, who plays Hawkeye, CLICK HERE.

For an interview from the world premiere with Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, CLICK HERE.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Farmers Insurance's Avengers commercial with J.K. Simmons, CLICK HERE.

BRIEFLY

* Dark Horse Comics has announced a November release for 47 Ronin, from writer Mike Richardson and artist Stan Sakai. 47 Ronin tells the tale of a daimyo (feudal lord) who was forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) and his samurai-turned-ronin who avenged his wrongful death.

"I've been fascinated with this story from the earliest days of Dark Horse, visiting the significant locations and doing research during my trips to Japan. For years I've been looking for just the right artist and it finally dawned on me that he was right here at Dark Horse," Richardson said. "Stan Sakai is a master storyteller who knows the material, and his artistic interpretation is perfect for the story. What's more, my friend, legendary manga writer Kazuo Koike (Lone Wolf and Cub), has served as editorial consultant for the project."

47 Ronin marks the first time Sakai has collaborated extensively with another writer. He said he will use stylized artwork in the vein of traditional Japanese woodblock prints --- one of the most popular depictions of the 47 ronin.

"I have known the 47 Ronin story about all my life, and I paid a pilgrimage to their gravesite when I was in Japan in 2009," Sakai said. "This is a significant event in Japanese history, and when Mike asked me to illustrate the story I jumped at the chance. I'm known for the research I do, but I was amazed at the research and knowledge Mike already had. I'm having a blast with this."

* Michael Avon Oeming's Wild Rover will premiere in Dark Horse Presents #14, a 104-page issue due slated for July 18. The two-part story deals with addiction and alcoholism.

* Image Comics has announced a second printing for the sold-out America's Got Powers #1. The new printing will be in stores on May 9, a week before #2.

Image did not detail the book's initial press run.

* Image Comics has announced a second printing for the sold-out The Secret #1. The new printing will be in stores on May 9, the same day as The Secret #2.

Image did not detail the book's initial press run.

* Filmmakers Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, along with producer Alexander Rodnyansky, have announced that production will begin on the sequel to 2005's Sin City, entitled Sin City: A Dame To Kill For.

"The first question I am always asked is, 'When will you make another Sin City?'" Rodriguez said. "I have wanted to re-team with Frank Miller and return to the world he created since the day we wrapped the original, but have felt a duty to the fans to wait until we had something truly exceptional that would meet and exceed what have become epic expectations. A Dame To Kill For will certainly be worth the wait."

Casting will begin next week, with many of the original cast expected to return.