Stephanie Cox's Blog
Posted by Stephanie Cox
A judgment came earlier than expected in the latest drama surrounding the long-awaited film adaptation of Alan Moore's classic "Watchmen" graphic novel. Fox Studios originally filed the Watchmen lawsuit after the completion of the film earlier this year.
A court date was originally set for January 20, 2009 on whether or not Fox Studios actually owns the copyright for the movie that Warner Brothers paid for and made to completion. Instead, an LA court judge presiding over the suit issued an unexpected Christmas morning summary of the case.
The result brought a welcome surprise for Fox Studios, which maintains that it owns the copyright to Watchmen even though the film, which went through 4 different studios on its nearly 20 year journey to the big screen, was completely financed and produced under Warner Brothers studio.
Questions Remain After Watchmen Ruling
Despite a definitive conclusion on who owns the film rights to one of the best selling and most critically acclaimed graphic novels of all time, the future of the film is surely as full of as many twists as the epic graphic novel it is based on.
Fox Studios has several options at this point: accept a cash settlement from Warner Bros and proceed with the movie's March 6, 2009 premiere date or possibly upset a large fan base by delaying the release of the movie in order to recover complete control over advertising and distribution. Warner Brothers on the other hand has at this point the only option of appealing the decision.
The real question that many fans are asking is why on Earth this Fox Studios pass on making the movie itself dozens of times and instead wait until the movie was completely done before filing a lawsuit?
Posted by Stephanie Cox
Brian Michael Bendis is really starting to grow on me. I like how he writes Marvel's characters. He's got the talent that bigger names like Jeph Loeb only dream of. Bendis engineered much of Marvel's sucessful Ultimate Universe and he also crafted the storylines for House of M and the Secret Invasion.
Which is why my Pick of the Week, Secret Invasion Dark Realm #1 written by Brian Michael Bendis, is a no brainer.
This Marvel One-Shot is the transition between the *boring* Secret Invasion (I know I just uber complimented Bendis who wrote the Secret Invasion, but alien invasions are just not my cup of tea in the comic world, though the arch was well-written) and what future Marvel storylines are going to be. I love it when Marvel gets all creepy and Forboding! And this issue is full of creeps and foreboding.
Super villian Norman Osbourn holds a meeting with all the other Marvel super villians-- Doom, the Hood, Loki, Namor and even Emma Frost-- and sets up all kinds of potential for the next year of Marvel comics. Back-stabbing and evil scheming are sure to ensue! Pick this crucial issue up or else I'm sure you'll be left wondering 'wtf?' for Marvel comics in 2009.
Posted by Stephanie Cox
*WARNING* This blog contains spoilers about Batman #681
I'm just going to come right out and say it. I can't believe Grant Morrison killed Batman. What a great ending to the twisted, year-long crescendo that was "Batman R.I.P." Grant Morrison has been writing Batman for a little over 2 years and long hinted at the possibility of killing off Batman. It's nice to see a comic book writer have the guts to follow through on such a tantalizing possibility.
DC Comics is slowly pulling itself out of the trench that Joe Quesada and Marvel's recent success has put them in. The Marvel universe has had a lot going on in that past couple years-- the House of M storyline, Astonishing X-Men series and Civil War storyline, just to name a few, have been both crowd pleasers and financial winners for Marvel. The Death of Batman seeks to heat up the competition and I like it.
I also love the irony that it wasn't anyone from the gallery of rogues that killed Batman, nor was it even simply an epic battle like the one that did in Superman several decades ago. Instead Batman was methodically destroyed from the inside out- spiritually, mentally, and finally physically.
Go read it! It's sure to be a collector's item and it leads into 2009's Battle of the Cowl storyline, which supposedly will see Bruce Wayne's family members fighting over his legacy.
Posted by Stephanie Cox
Action Comics #870 "Brainiac Finale", released October 8, includes the exciting climax of the Superman vs. Brainiac story arch. The writing and story by writer Geoff Johns outdoes the art, by Gark Frank and Jon Sibal, but lately Marvel has the talent-heavy art team anyway. The pacing, dialogue and plot elements make the Brainiac story worth a read. Brainiac is proving to be a pretty evil dude-- and Superman takes him down in brute-style in this issue.
Superman's hapless cousin Supergirl is rescued from Brainiac's grips and Metropolis is saved all in one issue! What more could a Pick of the Week have? Action Comics #870 goes even further to include a heart-wrenching ending. It's good stuff. Check it out.
Posted by Stephanie Cox
The "Batman R.I.P." story arch is about as easy to follow as season 3 of Lost. Composed of 6 Batman issues by writer Grant Morrison and artists Tony Daniel and Sandu Florea and a few crossover in the DC Universe, "Batman RIP" is causing fans to turn to Wikipedia and other online forums to figure out just what the heck is going on here.
This week's Pick is the fifth installment in the series involving the an enemy group called the Black Glove, who are intent and emotionally and mentally destroying Batman. The leader, Dr Hurt, is convinced a psychological death of Batman would be far more effective than simply trying to physically kill him. Somehow the Joker is involved and provides clues through enigmatic card hands.
It's not clear what is real and what is a dream in Batman's now-ravaged psyche and this issue gets downright creepy at points Joker splits his own tongue with a knife in one disturbing sequence' while Batman stumbles around in a drug-induced stupor, sporting a hand-sewn purple batman costume.
Check it out this week if you've only got 3 bucks to spend at the comic shop for the eeriest Batman and Joker get, though I won't promise you'll be able to figure out entirely what's going on (though, after reading the series, I'm not sure I've figured it out either).
Batman R.I.P. Checklist:
Batman #676-681
Detective Comics #846-850
Nightwing #147-150
Robin #175-176
Batman and the Outsiders #11-13
Posted by Stephanie Cox
For Comic Book Wednesday 9/24/2008, I choose X-Men Legacy #216 as my Pick of the Week.
X-Men Legacy #216 is written by Mike Carey and illustrated by Phil Briones and Scott Hanna. #216 is the second of a 2 parter called "Walkthrough" which is part of the ongoing "Manifest Destiny" portion of Marvel's Secret Invasion event.
This issue continues the scheme of a terrifying Emma Frost to make Professor X beg for mercy. "Walkthrough" is purely one big psychic romp of a mind f*** for Professor X, which is why it gets my Pick of the Week stamp. Emma Frost is on her most Supreme Queen of Evil mode and many facets of Professor X are explored.
Posted by Stephanie Cox
The entire shipment of All Star Batman and Robin Boy Wonder #10 had to be recalled this week due to a publishing error that led to the printing of curse words in the comic books. The already-controversial series usually prints curse words that are blacked out, but this week's issues had plenty of blue dialogue in full view.
Some fans were able to get a hold of a copy before the series was pulled off shelves, and are already making money off selling on it eBay. The recall angered many fans who were already impatient for another issue of the much-delayed series by Frank Miller. Many point out the fans of series are unlikely to be fazed by curse words in an already gratuitously violent and gory series that isn't for kids. Either way, this issue is likely to be high on collectors' lists.
Posted by Stephanie Cox
Yes, of course the Marvel machine is pumping out a Magneto Origins story just in time to stir up interest for Marvel Entertainment's upcoming Magneto Origins Movie release. But that doesn't mean the series isn't any good.
X-Men: Magneto Testament was released this week, September 10, and is written by Marvel veternan Greg Pak, and illustrated by Carmine Giandomenica and Matt Hollingsworth. Released under the Marvel Knights line, Magneto Testament attempts to fill in the gaps of Magneto's origin story. The general story of Magneto's Nazi-era Germany beginnings are followed here, with a few new details including Magneto's actual birth name.
The authors note that crafting a story after all the contradictory information in the Magneto canon, however they are sticking true as many of the original details as they can.
This should a good series. The first issue's cover is beautifully painted, which I always like to see in my comics, but inside actually lives up the eye-catching cover.
Posted by Stephanie Cox
A little late, but my Pick of the Week for September 3 is "Kick-Ass" #1-3 written by Mark Millar and drawn by John Romita Jr. The first 3 issues of this interesting series were released in one book this week by Icon comics.
Ever fantisized about becoming a super hero? Better yet, know an imaginitive, unbalanced teenaged comic fan who you think just might have it in him to pretend to be a super hero at night? Give this book to him.
Kick-Ass is not set in any traditional comic book universe. Rather it follows the story of a bored 14-year-old who likes the Goo Goo dolls and and Heroes who sews his own super hero costume and decides to fight crime at night. With this storyline, the series could have taken on an entirely cheesy tone rife with morals and junk. Fortunately, Millar writes what would actually happen, a mix of the wannabe super hero getting physically destroyed by criminals and a stint as a You Tube celebrity among other side effects of a life as a masked vigilante with no fighting skills. The surprise gratuitously violent ending is great for Millar fans also.
With this kind of honesty, Kick-Ass is a hilarious and in-touch-with-today read, and the series is probably worth at least browsing in the future.
Posted by Stephanie Cox
If you have only 3 dollars this week at the comic shop, spend it on this. Though you might need to spend some time catching up on what's been happening in the Marvel Universe (see Avengers Disassembled and World War Hulk, then catch up on the Secret War.
Once you're caught up on how the New Avengers and the Mighty Avengers formed and why the Skrulls are interested in the hapless Marvel superheroes, then this issue will be of serious interest. New Avengers #44 deepens the Skrull mystery and makes you go "God gamn! Those Skrull are messed up!" This issue also stands as a shining example of the shift Marvel comic books have taken in recent events. Heavy emotional turmoil and plot twists that keep you guessing.
Great book.
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Posted by Stephanie Cox
MARVEL COMICS
Amazing Spider-Man #569 (Regular John Romita Jr Cover)(Spider-Man New Ways To Die Tie-In), $2.99
Angel Revelations #4 (of 5), $3.99
Avengers Initiative #16 (Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
Black Panther #40 (Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
Daredevil #110 (Regular Marko Djurdjevic Cover), $2.99
Daredevil #110 (Incentive Monkey Variant Cover), $2.99
Fantastic Four True Story #2 (of 4), $2.99
Ghost Rider Annual #2 Mercy, $3.99
Haunt Of Horror Lovecraft #3 (of 3), $3.99
Immortal Iron Fist #18, $2.99
Kick Ass #4, $2.99
Marvel Adventures Avengers #27, $2.99
Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #39, $2.99
Marvel Adventures Iron Man TP Vol 03 Digest, $7.99
Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #2, $2.99
Marvel Comics Presents #12, $3.99
Marvel Previews #61 (September 2008), AR
Marvel Your Universe Saga, AR
Mighty Avengers #17 (Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
New Avengers #44 (Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
New Exiles #10, $2.99
New Warriors #15 (Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
New Warriors TP Vol 02 Thrashed, $19.99
newuniversal Conqueror, $3.99
Nova #16 (Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
Runaways 3 #1, $2.99
Secret Invasion Amazing Spider-Man #1 (of 3)(Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
She-Hulk 2 #32 (Incentive Monkey Variant Cover)(Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
She-Hulk TP Vol 06 Jaded, $14.99
She-Hulk 2 #32 (Regular Mike Deodato Jr Cover)(Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
Skaar Son Of Hulk #3, $2.99
Thunderbolts #123 (Secret Invasion Tie-In), $2.99
Ultimate Iron Man II #5 (of 5), $2.99
Ultimate Spider-Man #125, $2.99
Ultimate X-Men #97, $2.99
Wolverine #68, $2.99
Wolverine First Class #6 (Regular Salvador Espin Cover), $2.99
Wolverine First Class #6 (Incentive Monkey Variant Cover), $2.99
X-Force #6 (Regular Clayton Crain Cover)(X-Men Divided We Stand Tie-In), $2.99
X-Force #6 (Bloody Variant Cover)(X-Men Divided We Stand Tie-In), $2.99
X-Men Legacy #215 (X-Men Manifest Destiny Tie-In), $2.99
DC COMICS
Ambush Bug Year None #2 (of 6), $2.99
Americas Best Comics Primer TP, $4.99
Batman Gotham After Midnite #4 (of 12), $2.99
Blue Beetle #30, $2.99
Cartoon Network Block Party #48, $2.25
Catwoman #82, $2.99
Countdown Lord Havok And The Extremists TP, $17.99
DC Universe Last Will And Testament #1 (Cover A and Cover B), $3.99
DMZ #34, $2.99
Dokkoida Vol 03, $9.99
Family Dynamic #1 (of 3), $2.25
Final Crisis Rogues Revenge #2 (of 3)(Cover A Character Cover/Cover B Story Sliver Cover), $3.99
Final Crisis Superman Beyond #1 (of 2)(Cover A Character Cover/Cover B Story Sliver Cover), $4.50
Jack Of Fables #25, $2.99
JLA Deluxe Edition HC Vol 01, $29.99
Justice Society Of America #18 (Regular Alex Ross Cover), $2.99
Justice Society of America #18 (Incentive Dale Eaglesham Variant Cover), $2.99
Legion Of Super Heroes #45, $2.99
Lost Boys Reign Of Frogs #4 (of 4), $3.50
Madame Xanadu #3, $2.99
Metal Men HC, $24.99
Northlanders #9, $2.99
Reign In Hell #2 (of 8), $3.50
Secret History Of The Authority Jack Hawksmoor #6 (of 6), $2.99
Suicide Squad From The Ashes TP, $19.99
Superman #679, $2.99
Supernatural Rising Son #5 (of 6), $2.99
Teen Titans #62, $2.99
Teen Titans Year One #6 (of 6), $2.99
Trinity #13, $2.99
Venus In Love Vol 04, $9.99
Wildcats #2 (Worlds End Tie-In), $2.99
Posted by Stephanie Cox
You'd think that the assassination of Cap in Captain America #25 (See Death of Captain America and Civil War to catch up) would have ended this series but it was not to be. Steve Rogers' Captain America shoes were filled in by his best friend and former army buddy James "Bucky" Barnes.
Bucky is proving to be an updated version of the once-naive and simple Captain America. Ed Brubaker has crafted the new super soldier to be a more shrewd and to-the-point Cap than the previous 1950's persona of the super hero. Granted Bucky does have a lot on his mind.
Currently Bucky is trying to clean up after the mess left by Cap's assassination and at the same time battle a new foe, the Red Skull. Captain America #41 is rife with pregnancy drama and political candidates, and is sure to keep you on your toes this week, in addition to being a worthwile read to catch up Cap's legacy after his highly symbolic death at the climax of the Civil War.
Posted by Stephanie Cox
It was a monumental task to follow the work of comic book celebrity and wunderkind Joss Whedon (with artist John Cassady) on the Astonishing X-Men series. However, Whedon couldn't have picked a better team to take over the reigns of his triumphant Marvel series with British comic writing veteran Warren Ellis, of Marvel Ultimate Fantastic 4 and Iron-Man fame, and unique artist Simone Bianchi.
Astonishing X-Men "Manifist Destiny"
Ellis and Bianchi took over after Whedon's grand finale in issue #24 and so far the pair proving themselves a match made in heaven with their "Manifest Destiny" story arch. Ellis really seems to understand the characters as Whedon created them, and Bianchi's watercolor-ish style definitely outshines the rest of the work out this week. The book is worth it simply for his art.
However, as a double treat, Ellis has provided fans with the witty, realistic dialogue and believable incarnations of the X-Men team that Whedon's grew the series with.
"Yes I am a massive snob, and there's no need for you all to think it at once" telepath Emma Frost explains in one panel. The cameraderie between nervous, newly minted X-Man Armor and beer-guzzling Wolverine is reminiscint of and endearing to fans who remember the informal tutelage of Jubilee by Wolverine in the late 80s/early 90s X books.
The issue also features a grimace-inducing firefight along with a pair of X-Men deeply discussing the morals of their work and decisions. This issue is great read and a signal of more great work to come from this dynamic pair.
Posted by Stephanie Cox
Batman's "The Last Good Day" is the second issue of a 5-issue story arch by writer Paul Dini and artists Dustin Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs.
The issue stands out among other titles because, in addition to continuing the events of the latest Black Glove and Hush chronicles, the issue is as an interesting self-contained story. The panels are beautifully composed and the smooth narrative style reveals a glimpse of Bruce Wayne's back story plus uncovers the haunting, morbid motive behind this issue's villain.
If you only have $3 to spend at the comic shop this week, Detective Comics #847 is your best bet! Tune in next week for August 13's Comic Book Pick of the Week!