Freak Comics

This has got to be one of the greatest videos I’ve seen in a while.
On Friday, a Batman impersonator was involved in a tiff with some picketers: they wouldn’t let him use their porta-potty. Batman ripped off his cape and threw it to the ground while yelling at the picketers.

Batman even had a little backup from his pal Chewbacca, who was so angry he ripped his own head off.

The LA PD ended up getting involved and busted the caped crusader. Don’t take my word for it: check the video yourself.

Jimmy Kimmel also had a bit to say about it:

Update:
You can get the full newscast video on the ABC Los Angeles website.
There are a few funny quotes, my favorite is from one of Batman’s fellow street performers, Hollywood Afro Man:

“He’s no good for here. That’s why a lot of the characters named him Bat Trash… because he’s got a trashy mouth.”
according to ABC, Batman started banging his head (presumably in to a wall) when they took him in to the station, and kicked out the window of a patrol car. Way to go, Bat-Trash!

Screen caps of Batman’s arrest (click images for a larger view)

Marvel comics has partnered with Al Ahli Group and will be opening a massive theme park dedicated to Marvel Comics heroes… in Dubai and more specifically, Dubailand a 3 billion square foot (107 mile) amusement park… twice the size of all the Disney Land / Disney World resorts combined.

The Marvel portion of the theme park will cost $1 billion dollars (a drop in the bucket considering the rest of the park will cost another $19 billion).

A mere two weeks before the second issue of its fledgling run hits the stands, Image Comics is announcing a complete sell out of Manny Trembley and Eric A. Anderson’s SAM NOIR: SAMURAI DETECTIVE #1!

“Just to have SAM NOIR published through Shadowline was a milestone for me and to see the reaction we’ve gottten so far resulting in the issue selling out is honestly more than i could have imagined,” said Trembly. “I just want to say thanks to Jim and Kris for seeing the potential and giving us a shot.”

“From start to finish, bringing this book to life has been an absolute blast,” says Anderson, “and for a couple of newbies to the comic world, I can’t think of a bigger surprise than for the first issue to sell out as fast as it has!”

SAM NOIR is also becoming a favorite among critics, being called “Surprisingly heavyweight and funny” by the Las Vegas Weekly, “Quality” by Fractal Matter and “Compelling” by Broken Frontier. SAM NOIR continues to be piled on with positive praise.

As a way to get the book in to the hands of those who may have missed it, Image Comics is posting the entire first issue on its website in time for fans to read before issue #2 hits.

“quote from Jim V” - (we’re so proud to have this book sell out and thanks to feedback from retailers, we realize that this was a gem that slipped under the radar for many. by providing the first issue for free, we hope that retailers take this opportunity to re-evaluate their orders to meet demand).

SAM NOIR tells the story of Sam, a masterless samurai who works as a private detective. Hired to follow a woman named Jasmine, he falls in love even though he has never spoken a single word to her. When she is murdered before his eyes, he embarks on a quest to find her killer and avenge his “love.”

“It’s kickass to know people are genuinely interested in Sam and his world,” says Anderson. “Good thing we’ve already started work on his next little adventure.”

“We’ve got a barnstormer of a second series planned,” adds Trembly, “and if all goes well, we’ll keep bringin’ the noir - Sam Style.”

SAM NOIR: SAMURAI DETECTIVE is a black & white miniseries which retails for $2.99. SAM NOIR: SAMURAI DETECTIVE #2 (AUG061776) and #3 (SEP061827) are both available now for advance reorder.

Best-selling author Gregg Hurwitz, the writer behind the Kill Clause and Last Shot, will be revamping Foolkiller for the Marvel MAX line. Hurwitz is bringing his gritty, street crime writing sensibilities to the hard-edged anti-hero Foolkiller for a five issue mini-series this winter. A sneak preview of the series can be seen this Wednesday when the MAX Sampler hits stands.

“The transition from novels and screenplays has been a lot of fun,” said Hurwitz. “It’s amazing to work with artists and see the creative process. Unlike TV or novels, comics have less production time so you get that sense of almost immediate gratification.”

When asked how he decided to try his hand at comics, Hurwitz said, “I was doing a book signing in Florida with Brad Meltzer and I mentioned to him that I had always loved the Punisher. He put me in touch with Marvel Executive Editor Axel Alonso and things clicked, which led to Foolkiller.”

Besides being a best-selling novelist, Hurwitz also has television and screenwriting credits to his name. Now, he’s looking to add best-selling comic scribe to his list of accolades.

Pick up Marvel’s MAX Sampler this Wednesday for a sneak peak into the Foolkiller series coming this February as well as other upcoming MAX series. For fans of hard-edged, over-the-top street crime, you do not want to miss Foolkiller by Gregg Hurwitz and artist Juan Barranco.

For more on Gregg Hurwitz, be sure to visit his website at www.gregghurwitz.com.

Max Sampler (Jul068031)
Written by Paul Cornell, Garth Ennis, Alexander Irvine, Mike Raicht
Penciled by Trevor Hairsine, Russ Braun, Kyle Hotz, Arthur Suydam, Richard Corben, and More
32 Pgs./Max – Explicit Content …$1.00
on Sale – 9/15/2006

In order to keep the hottest series of the year in stock and on shelves for readers, Marvel is going back to press on the red-hot Civil War #3 with a Thor Returns Variant Cover.

The comic event of the decade just gets bigger and better as the long-missing Thor returned…and was shown to be on the side of the Pro-Registration heroes. The Thunder God’s return in Civil War #3 is one of the biggest comic moments of 2006, making this issue a must-have.

The reaction to Civil War has been tremendous from the beginning and as this event marches on, it keeps getting better and better.

Civil War keeps gaining momentum so be on the lookout for the 2nd printing of Civil War #3 with the Thor Returns Variant Cover.

Civil War #3 (of 7) Thor Returns Second Printing Variant (Aug068071)
Written by Mark Millar
Pencils & Cover by Steve Mcniven
32 Pgs./Rated T+ …$2.99
Foc – 10/19, on-Sale – 11/8/2006

As Civil War rolls on and “New Avengers Disassembled” continues, the Sentry chooses his side in New Avengers #24. The man with the power of a thousand exploding suns has the power to end this war, but which side will he choose?

With guest penciler Pasqual Ferry, Bendis presents the next chapter of “New Avengers Disassembled” spotlighting the Golden Guardian of Good, the Sentry. As the Sentry meditates on what course of action to take, he takes a trip to the blue area of the Moon to pay a visit to the Inhumans.

The Inhumans and Earth are currently embroiled in a Cold War as a result of the events of Son of M. So what does a meeting with the Sentry mean for Earth?

Do not miss this important chapter of “New Avengers Disassembled” as this issue ties together Civil War, New Avengers, House of M, and Son of M. And more importantly, the man who could change the tide of the war by his lonesome, the Sentry, makes his decision in New Avengers #24.

NEW AVENGERS #24 (JUL061986)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art by PASQUAL FERRY
Cover by ADI GRANOV
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99
FOC – 10/5, On Sale – 10/25/2006

Although it doesn’t even hit stands until December, reviewers are already in love with the new Image Comics series MELTDOWN. Early rough draft copies of the book that have made it into the hands of reviewers have received some of the most overwhelmingly positive reviews in recent memory.

Astoundingly, no reviewer has given MELTDOWN anything less than their highest rating. It has garnered 5 out of 5 bullets on SilverBulletComicBooks.com, 5 out of 5 stars on ComicCritique.com, and Comic Buyer’s Guide made it their Pick of the Month with 4 out of 4 stars.

MELTDOWN tells the story of a reluctant super-hero whose own fire-based powers are killing him; melting him down from within. He’s only got 7 days left to put his life in order, and to make amends for all of his regrets. The script is by David B. Schwartz, artwork is by Sean Wang (creator of the smash-hit indie comic “Runners”), colors by Guru-eFX, with covers by industry superstars Chris Bachalo and Greg Horn.

“These reviews have been absolutely astonishing,” said David B. Schwartz. “It’s always scary to send your work off to the critics. You just kind of keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best. But, to have this kind of over-the-top praise is really more than we could ever have possibly hoped for.”

MELTDOWN has been called “one hell of a good read” by ComicCritque.com, while Comic Buyer’s Guide lauded it as “absorbing,” “masterful” & “stunning,” with “striking” artwork, and PaperbackReader.com says “superhero comics do NOT get better than this.”

SilverBulletComicBooks.com hailed MELTDOWN as “a slick, involving, emotional tale that is only made better by Sean Wang’s awe-inspiring artwork… MELTDOWN delivers the goods, creating a super-hero epic with true heart and passion… Hopefully, people will take heed when I say that this is a must-buy once this series hits the comic stands.”

MELTDOWN is a two-issue prestige-format mini-series available for pre-ordering in the October Previews (on sale now!). Each issue of this full-color series will retail for $5.99 and issue 1 is scheduled to be in stores on December 6th, 2006.

The third special in the Stan Lee Meets series features “The Man” meeting none-other-than the ever-loving blue-eyed Thing. In Stan Lee Meets the Thing, the man who helped create the House of Ideas gets to meet one of his favorite creations, Ben Grimm of the Fantastic Four.

Celebrating his 65th year of working at Marvel, Stan is penning an all-new story where he writes himself into a story brought to life with the pencils of Lee Weeks. The story finds Stan making the mistake of bicycling through Yancy Street, which Ben Grimm will tell you is never a good idea.

Plus, Roy Thomas and Scott Kolins present another all-new tale featuring Lee, depicting an untold incident during Stan’s years in the service with guest appearances by some of the wildest characters of comics’ golden age!

And what would be a special about “The Man” without including one of his classic stories. Stan Lee Meets the Thing will also feature a reprint of Fantastic Four #79, which featured a major turning point in the relationship between the Thing and on-again, off-again flame Alicia Masters.

Come celebrate with Marvel and Stan with Stan Lee Meets the Thing, jam-packed with the great comic story-telling that made the medium the favorite of millions.

Stan Lee Meets the Thing (Aug062071)
Written by Stan Lee & Roy Thomas
Penciled by Lee Weeks & Scott Kollins
Cover by Lee Weeks
48 Pgs./Rated T+ …$3.99
Foc – 10/5, on-Sale -10/25/2006

Captain America’s life has been completely turned upside down with the passing of the Super Human Registration Act. After the events of last issue, which saw Sharon Carter and Cap’s relationship pushed to the breaking point because of Civil War, things continue to get worse for Steve Rogers.

Since he learned that his long-thought-dead sidekick is among the living, Captain America has desperately been trying to catch up with Bucky, or as he is now known, the Winter Soldier. But the Winter Soldier comes across another aging war hero instead – Nick Fury.

Nick Fury has been underground since the events of Secret War, but will this new war be enough to get him to resurface? Plus, what is his connection to the Winter Soldier and what reprecussions will this have on the Civil War?

Captain America’s greatest enemy, the Red Skull, has slowly been ensuring Cap’s downfall and now with the start of a Civil War, it is the perfect opportunity to see his plans to fruition. The Skull will form a deadly alliance that will make the entire Marvel Universe tremble beneath their heels; but what major player will it be?

The “Drums of War” play on in the pages of Captain America #23 as Civil War continues, featuring a spotlight on the Winter Soldier and a new devlopment with the Red Skull that no one will see coming.

Captain America #23 (Aug062040)
Written by Ed Brubaker
Penciled by Mike Perkins
Cover by Steve Epting
32 Pgs./Rated T+ …$2.99
Foc – 10/5, on-Sale – 10/25/2006

Just like the citizens of the Marvel Universe, you too can pick up your own copy of the Daily Bugle, hitting stores monthly from Marvel. In the tradition of the Civil War Daily Bugle Newspaper and the Pulse House of M Newspaper comes the Daily Bugle, a newspaper with all the latest news and updates on everything happening at Marvel.

Brimming with articles and images on all the comics hitting stands that month, the Daily Bugle brings to you the latest news on your favorite books and creators; plus, feature interviews, updated images, previews, variant covers, and tons more.

Each month, the Daily Bugle will contain an up-to-date checklist on all of Marvel’s comics and collections so you can make sure not to miss a single issue or volume.

Pick up the premiere October issue of the Daily Bugle out today for all the highlights of the month, including the cover story Ultimate Power, Civil War news, and more on the Dabel Brothers.