Freak Comics

Benderspink has optioned the rights to The Gray Area (a graphic novel from Image comics). This means that they have the option to produce it as a motion picture.

The Gray Area is a supernatural thriller that follows Rudy Chance into the afterlife following his execution at the hands of the drug cartel he sought to double-cross. A brutal, corrupt copy an womanizer, Chance expects to wind up in Hell. Instead, he finds himself in the Gray Area, where he is given extraordinary powers and forced to combat evil as part of a kind of afterlife “police force” in order to gain a shot at redemption. Benderspink is viewing the property as a potential franchise.

Benderspink has produced The Ring, American Pie and Red Eye to name but a few. They also have a weird name that makes me think of a pink Bender from Futurama.

Image comics has sent two debut comics back to press. Issues #1 of Grounded and Bone Rest sold out and are now going back to press with different covers.

Grounded #1 will feature a new cover by series artist Paul Azaceta, while Bone Rest #1 features a stunning collaboration between series artist Giuseppe Camuncoli and superstar painter Gabriele Dell’Otto (Marvel’s Secret War).

“When the news started to come in about selling out, I was overwhelmed,” said Azaceta. “Luckily, I get to do a whole new cover for the second printing as kind of a thank you to the fans. The new cover has real significance to me, because I couldn’t have done it if it wasn’t for the great response we’ve received.”

“I’m really thrilled with the response, both critically and commercially, to Grounded,” added Sable. “It only gets better from here, and although issue 2 is a great jumping-on point for new readers, I’m glad Image is going out of its way to make sure that no one has to miss out on our debut.”

Grounded, a six-issue miniseries by Mark Sable and Paul Azaceta, tells the story of Jonathan, a normal kid sent to to a high-school for super-powered children after making a startling discovery about his parents. He now has to abandon his superhero fantasies and deal with the reality that he’s actually the only kid at school WITHOUT powers.

Meanwhile, Matteo Casali and Giuseppe Camuncoli’s Bone Rest is about a man named Adam Bone, who has come to New York to settle a mysterious debt, but unwittingly brings about the end of days. Critically acclaimed overseas, Bone Rest #1 marks the series’ debut in the United States.

I haven’t read Grounded, nor have I seen the Disney film Sky High, but I must say that it sounds like this comic and the movie are very similar. I’m betting that Grounded is more entertaining though as Disney films are pure crap.

Read The Adventures of Stickman #27

Defenders #1 has sold out, and there are no plans at this time to go back to press.

Eisner-award-winning creators Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire are now the comic-selling machine behind the resurgence of Defenders. And when they’re done, you’ll never look at these mythic heroes the same way ever again.

Doctor Strange has recruited Hulk, Sub-Mariner, and the Silver Surfer to reform the Defenders in order to stop the unholy alliance of Dormammu and Umar. But can these heavy hitters overcome temper tantrums, inflated egos, and an unhealthy fascination with the beach in time to stop them?

Defenders #1 art

Read The Adventures of Stickman #26

Marvel just announced the release of Avengers: The Serpent Crown which collects Avengers #141-144 and #147-149 in to one paper back.

The Avengers must fight a two-front war across space and time that they can’t afford to lose in the classic Perez-drawn Avengers: The Serpent Crown TPB. The twin galactic threats of Kang and the Crown make their move simultaneously, forcing the Avengers to split into two teams to protect not only Earth, but all of reality.

Admist the chaos, an all-out brawl consuming multiple Earths occurs when the Set-serving Squadron Supreme take on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in any dimension, the Avengers!

While one team of Avengers battles the Squadron Supreme, another team travels back in time to stop Kang. First, the Avengers find themselves in the nineteenth century trying to keep the West from getting wilder. Then, they must deal with the villianous…President Nelson Rockefeller?!

I love epic battles that span several issues of comics, but hate spending $3 per issue (or more if they’ve hit collector status), so paper back collections are the way to go for me. Unfortunately I must admit that I’ve never even touched an Avengers comic, so maybe I should check this one out.

This month, Astonishing X-Men draws to a close, and promises to leave fans wanting more. Actually, Senior Editor Mike Marts says something a little more ominous: “…an ending that will leave fans dying for #13″. Very interesting.

The best news, however, is Joss Whedon and John Cassaday are set to return for another year of Astonishing X-men.

There is little that can be said about Joss and John’s work on Astonishing X-Men that hasn’t already been said, so let me just get to the info that fans really care about…Joss and John will be back for another year’s worth! And in the words of the ol’ wordsmith himself, ‘nuff said!’ - Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada.

Astonishing X-Men #12 is due out August 31 2005. Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous TPB is due out October 26, 2005.

Astonishing X-Men #12 preview

Marvel Comics

Captain America #9

THE WINTER SOLDIER
Our second arc continues to cut a brutal swath through all that Captain America holds sacred. In the wake of disaster, Cap begins his hunt for the enemy that has dogged his steps, who has taken more from him than anyone ever has! Creators Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting continue the ground-breaking work that some are calling the best Cap run ever!

Exiles #68

“DESTROY ALL MONSTERS”
Fin Fang DOOM?!? Tragedy once again befalls the Exiles! While most of the team is on a world of giant monsters, a deadly threat stalks the crystal corridors of their trans-temporal headquarters. All this, and Red Ronin, too?

Gravity #3

Gravity versus Black Death: Round Two! This is Greg’s chance to prove to the super-hero community he has what it takes to be one of them. But has he bitten off more than he can chew? Find out in the latest installment of Marvel’s newest super hero saga!

House of M #5

The comic event of the decade continues. The Marvel Universe has indeed been rocked to its very core and more and more rebels join to rise up against what has happened. But can Spider-Man handle the truth about his life as it is and his life as it was? The fallout will shock you! Also, the rebels have gathered and are ready to fight! But who is behind the House?
Guest-starring EVERYONE!!!

Incredible Hulk #85

“LAST REFUGE”
HOUSE OF M tie-in! The Hulk has taken control of Australia and entered into an alliance with the Human Resistance group known as AIM. Down Under has now become the destination for downtrodden humans hoping to escape the second-class citizenship of the outside world. But AIM has bigger plans than creating a refuge for the humans of the House of M – Will Bruce Banner approve… or will his allies suddenly find themselves facing off against Banner’s rampaging alter ego? Part 3 (of 4).

(more…)

I have decided to remove myself from blogtopsites.com. I don’t know what I was thinking in the first place by adding myself to the list. I hate auto generated popularity contest lists. They’re a poor judge of content and I’ll never join one again.

I’m not bitter over the fact that I only received a few hits from the site, nor do I care that my site was low on the totem pole. What I do hate is the fact that my site was low without reason. Of course well established sites are going to kick my site’s butt and propel me to a lower rank. That’s the problem with auto lists, they don’t give the new guys a chance.

Read The Adventures of Stickman #25