Freak Comics

Civil War has been tearing its way through the Marvel Universe as America has passed a Superhuman Registration Act, but will the fighting carry over to Wakanda when heroes on both sides of the conflict attend the royal wedding of the Black Panther and Storm in Black Panther #18.

Regale at the most royal Marvel wedding ever as Shawn Dudley, the Emmy-Award winning Costume Designer for TV’s Guiding Light, has designed Ororo’s Wedding Dress.

Eisner-Award nominated artist Frank Cho provides a memorable wraparound cover while fan-favorite Michael Turner delivers a spectacular variant cover featuring Storm and Kaare Andrews provides guest pencils for the wedding ritual pages.

You’ve seen their mutual past revealed and their relationship grow, now watch as T’Challa and Ororo consummate their love in the bonds of holy matrimony. But will Captain America and Iron Man ruin their special day with an epic Civil War battle?

Don’t miss Black Panther #18 for a very special Civil War tie-in as Storm and the Black Panther take a very important step in their lives in front of Captain America, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and a host of other Marvel heroes.

Black Panther #18 (May061955)
Written by Reginald Hudlin
Penciled by Scot Eaton
Cover by Frank Cho
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC – 4/27, On Sale 5/17/2006

Black Panther #18 Turner Variant (May061956)
Written by Reginald Hudlin
Penciled by Scot Eaton
Cover by Michael Turner
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC – 4/27, On Sale 5/17/2006

Blade: The Series flew onto the small screen this week with the premiere of the new series on Spike TV. In honor of this event, Marvel.com, in conjunction with Spike TV and New Line Television, offered fans the chance to show off their artistic skills and win exciting prizes.

Now, it’s time to stake your claim to who you think the best Blade: The Series artist is. Contestants from across the nation sent in illustrated pages based on an exclusive Blade: The Series video clip shown on Marvel.com. Having whittled down the numerous exemplary submissions, our editors have now picked ten finalists—and their fate now lies with you. Check out our voting gallery and vote for your favorite. The artist with the most votes wins an unforgettable prize package including a trip for two to San Diego’s Comic-Con.

Make your howl heard—vote now for your favorites, up to once per day, until voting ends July 6, 2006.

Finally a Spider-Man 3 trailer has surfaced!

I wasn’t a great fan of the second Spider-Man movie, although I loved the first (even with the liberties taken).

Usually I don’t go out for sequels or thirds. Follow up movies are usually standard Hollywood “bigger-is-better” fluff. I also don’t go out for trailers much because they almost always make a movie look better than it really is.
However, after seeing this trailer for Spider-Man 3, I am convinced this will be the greatest of the trilogy.

The black suit looks absolutely amazing. I love the detailed zooms, and the brief shot of it crawling on to Spidey’s hand (above).

Sandman should also be pretty impressive, although I can’t help but be reminded of the Mummy when I see him in the tailer.

I would also like to point out that I was absolutely wrong, and I am now very much looking forward to the third movie.

When I was younger I used to collect stamps. Although I was never serious about it (didn’t keep them in a book or in pristine condition), I did enjoy the various styles. I guess I was always a bit of a geek.

Well now it looks like I’ll be collecting another set of stamps, because for the first time in history the United States Postal Service will be issuing super hero stamps.

The stamps will be DC themed and feature 10 flagship characters (all justice leaguers), including Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. The other 10 stamps feature various comic book covers.

A ceremony to dedicate these stamps will be held at Comic-Con on Thursday, July 20 at the San Diego Convention Center.

“Paid admission to Comic-Con International 2006 is required to attend the ceremony. Admission to Thursday’s show for visitors ages 12 to 17, active military with ID, and senior citizens at least 60 years of age is $12. Adult admission is $25.”

The stamps will be available in San Diego that day, and San Diego alone. The following day, (July 21) they will be available nationwide.

J. Caleb Mozzocco of Newsarama says, “Marvel’s “Giant-Size” format is the perfect one for Hulk stories—a character this big demands a big book, and, at 74 full-color story pages, Giant-Size Hulk #1 certainly fits the bill…with some great Hulk stories.”

Brian Ewing of IGN.com calls it a “must have…looking at the entire package as a whole, it’s a no-brainer.”

Featuring two all-new stories by Peter David and Greg Pak, one a Hulk-Champions flashback and a Planet Hulk interlude, along with a reprint of the popular Hulk: The End by Peter David, Giant-Size Hulk #1 delivered great Hulk stories all in one mind-blowing issue.

Be sure to pick up the next issue of the Planet Hulk saga in Incredible Hulk #96 as the next act of the Jade Giant’s epic begins, continuting from the events seen in Giant-Size Hulk #1.

Fans should note that some copies may still be available at the retail level.

Incredible Hulk #97 (Jun061965)
Written by Greg Pak
Penciled by Aaron Lopresti
Cover by Ladrönn
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99
FOC – 7/20, On Sale – 8/9/2006

It’s finally here: Superman Returns hits theaters for the general public, which means you can finally witness either Superman’s triumphant return to theaters, or a parasitic train wreck riding on the coat tails of success that Batman Begins brought to the silver screen. I have high hopes for this flick and believe it will overcome the Kryptonite that is Hollywood fluff.

To celebrate this final day of superman, enjoy this ensemble of really old (and a couple of new) Superman commercials!

Sugar Frosted Flakes commerical

Yes kids, give yourself a swell boost of false energy, and a few cavities to boot… just like Superman!

Kellog’s Flying Superman commercial

Plastic flying crap… only 10 cents!

Kellog’s Sugar Smacks

What’s with Superman being a slave to the Kellog’s corporation? This one is particularly creepy… the clown at the end will give me nightmares for the next 10 years.

Superman Peanut Butter

Lex Luthor, your poor sap!

Batman toys

Ok so this one doesn’t have anything to do with Superman, but I couldn’t resist… Batman’s voice sounds like it was done by an old, grizzled, drunken bum.

Superman AT&T calling card

Superman is so cheap he uses a pay phone and a calling card. He must also live in low rent government housing…

The Adventures of Superman commercial

The sound on this one sucks, but I couldn’t resist posting it.

Superman Duracell commercial

Batteries!? You should be ashamed of yourself, rich executives that are rolling in the dough from selling out!

Superman Alienware commercial

I never actually saw Superman in this commercial… just a red streak of light. By my estimate, that could have been any number of super heroes, including Super Girl, the Flash or Blossom from the Power Puff Girls.

Superman Cap’n Crunch commercial

Quick! Up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s another vain attempt to fly in the wake of Superman Return’s success!!

Superman Inflato-suit commercial

What a piece of junk! What happens when your kid decides to pound on the family cat and get’s his new $20 suit hacked and slashed? Or worse yet, decides to pummel the school bully and gets his face hacked and slashed?? Incidentally, the still shot of this video looks as though the kid’s guts are exploding.

Marvel has released the two covers to Wolverine: Origins #5 which will be released in a 50/50 split. The first cover is by regular Wolverine: Origins cover artist Joe Quesada and the other cover is by Squadron Supreme’s Gary Frank. It doesn’t stop with these awesome covers for Wolverine: Origins #5 as Captain America and the X-Men guest-start in the conclusion to “Born In Blood.” Plus, a mind-blowing revelation about Logan’s past that will have everyone talking.

Wolverine: Origins #5 (Jun061999)
Written by Daniel Way
Penciled by Steve Dillon
Cover by Joe Quesada
Variant cover by Gary Frank
“Born in Blood”,
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC - 7/20, On Sale – 8/9/2006

Civil War tie-ins have been just as popular as the main event itself. As a result of the massive response to these now sold out titles, Marvel is going back to press on New Avengers: Illuminati Special, Wolverine #42, Amazing Spider-Man #532, Thunderbolts #103, and She-Hulk #8.

Featuring a special variant cover scheme running across three of the back-to-presses, New Avengers: Illuminati Special, Wolverine #42, and Amazing Spider-Man #532 will lose the standard Civil War banner and feature an iconic image from the interior of each specific book. For instance, the New Avengers: Illuminati Special Second Printing will feature a cover of the now iconic Alex Maleev image of Tony Stark sitting alone after the Illuminati have broken apart.

The second printing variants of Thunderbolts #103 and She-Hulk #8 will feature all-new covers by Mark Bagley and Juan Bobillo respectively. It’s a variant blast from the past as former Thunderbolts artist Mark Bagley and former She-Hulk artist Juan Bobillo knock out two fantastic covers for books they used to call home. Note: the sketches shown here are not the final covers as they will be in full color. (And for you Sensational She Hulk fans, the Green Goddess will be saying “Okay, now. This is your second chance. If you don’t buy my book this time, I’m gonna come to your house and rip up all your Civil War variants”)

Despite large overprintings, all five of these books have sold out as a result of new readers and the return of old readers to comic shops to read Civil War. Civil War is proving to be one of the biggest events in Marvel’s history so don’t miss out on these fantastic second printing variants of New Avengers: Illuminati Special, Wolverine #42, Amazing Spider-Man #532, Thunderbolts #103, and She-Hulk #8, and don’t forget Civil War #2 Spider-Man Unmasked Variant!

Fans be advised that some of the first printings may still be available at the retail level. Retailers should check their orders now on all upcoming Civil War issues and tie ins.

NEW AVENGERS ILLUMINATI SPECIAL SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068089)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils and Cover by ALEX MALEEV
48 PGS./Rated A …$3.99
FOC – 6/29, On Sale – 7/19/2006

WOLVERINE #42 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068092)
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Pencils & Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC – 6/29, On Sale – 7/19/2006

SHE-HULK #8 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068090)
Written by DAN SLOTT
Penciled by PAUL SMITH
Cover by JUAN BOBILLO
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99
FOC – 6/29, On Sale – 7/19/2006

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #532 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068096)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & Cover by RON GARNEY
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC – 6/29, On Sale – 7/19/2006

THUNDERBOLTS #103 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (MAY068091)
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA
Pencils by TOM GRUMMETT
Cover by MARK BAGLEY
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99
FOC – 6/29, On Sale – 7/19/2006

Heroes are battling heroes and the Daily Bugle is your only source for the in-depth coverage and exclusives you have come to expect from the metropolitan area’s best paper. Plus, this edition also features a very special editorial by the heart and soul of the Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson.

Peter Parker, former Daily Bugle photographer, has been revealed to be the wall-crawling menace Spider-Man. Pick up this special edition for JJJ’s response to unwittingly employing one of New York’s most dangerous vigilantes.

The Daily Bugle Civil War Special features the stunning art of Mike Mayhew as well as articles from ace reporters including J. Michael Straczynski, Peter David, Dan Slott, Zeb Wells, and other Pulitzer Prize worthy talents.

For Civil War secrets that you can’t find anywhere else, pick up the Daily Bugle Civil War Newspaper Special. The Bugle is your only source for the exclusive Civil War story – and art.

DAILY BUGLE: CIVIL WAR SPECIAL EDITION (MAY061959)
Written by PETER DAVID, J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI & VARIOUS
Art & Cover by MIKE MAYHEW
12 PGS./ Rated T+ …$0.50
FOC – 6/29, On Sale – 7/19/2006

Today’s Superman video feature is spoofs… call them SPOOFerman films, if you will (I deserve to be shot for that one)… there’s also a fan film thrown in at the end.

Superman Retires

Someone synced up audio from Rocky and footage from the old Justice League cartoon. Excellent editing!

Superhero Theater

Superman and Bizzaro in Of Mice and Men. This is decent, until the end (after the credits) which is hilarious.

Superman leaves physics 101

This one has been making the rounds, but it’s funny if you haven’t seen it yet.

Batman and Superman

This is a trailer for a fan film that was never made.