Thor: Mighty Art

Thor Inspired by the Film Valhalla Rising

I recently discovered a cornucopia (now that's an over-used word!), yes, a cornucopia of incredible Thor art. Jarreau Wimberly's Thor Thursday is pretty much what you'd expect from what I've just told you. Every Thursday you get a new piece of art about the Marvel superhero based on the Norse god, Thor. To churn these out week after week is truly amazing. I highly recommend you check it out. It's a year-long project from 6th May 2010 so there's still more in it. His last year-long project was Wolverine Wednesday, which is probably also awesome. I'm about to kill some serious time trying to go through the entire archive! .. or maybe I should call my girlfriend?

For more of Wimberly's art, check out his Deviant Art page.

The X-Men Meet Blade Runner

Wolverine and the X-Men meet classic '80s sci-fi Blade Runner courtesy of the seriously talented Jarreau Wimberly.

I wondered the other day whether Blade Runner could actually be a film that was better than the book it was based on. Then I thought I should probably read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? before I make that judgement.

Why It's A Good Thing Kick-Ass 2 is Not in the Works

Don't get me wrong. I loved Kick-Ass. It was possibly the most fun film I saw in 2010 but news that Kick-Ass 2 probably isn't going to happen was cause for relief at least for me. Speaking to Absolute Radio, Jane Goldman, co-writer of Matthew Vaughn's film adaptation of Mark Millar's Kick-Ass comic, said:

"I don't think it's going to happen,"

Apparently the creative team is currently all working on different things and then has stuff lined up after that. Despite Goldman's outlook, it still could happen in the future but I'm kind of hoping it doesn't. Let me get to why. Like I said, Kick-Ass was a very cool film and succeeded in flipping the genre on its head a little. However, by the end of the film (and I'm sure I've said this before somewhere), it was defying its own purpose and logic. Kick-Ass and Hitgirl had basically become mainstream, albeit ultra-violent, superheroes. I'm sure this wasn't the intention but the film that had flipped the genre on its head essentially put it back right just how it had found. I had a bad feeling when I heard of the sequel that it would have continued on this trajectory and would have had none of the original charm, wit and shock of the first outing. That's why it's a good thing it doesn't look like there'll be a sequel... although I'm very happy to be proved wrong!

I hope Mark Millar is still going to let me come to Kapow Comic Con in two weeks.

Superman Fan Trailer

I've seen a lot of fan films and fan trailers, ranging from very poor to totally awesome, so I thought I'd finally give it a go myself by mashing up a few videos using Windows Movie Maker. For a first time effort, I think it's OK but nothing special. It was a couple of evenings work, half of which was getting the music. Anyway, it's given me a new appreciation for the good mash-ups I've seen.

The Great Comics Switcheroo!

Have I mentioned, I like comics? One of the greatest and weakest things about comics is the ease with which new writers can completely change characters, events, science, anything they want in order to suit their story. I rather originally call it The Comics Switcheroo.

How to Make a Margarita

Just a helpful How To video for Saturday night!

Batman Finally Meets Batpug

Here's some light relief after all the drama of Adrianne Palicki's Wonder Woman costume yesterday. Remember that little pug that likes to sing the 60's Batman theme tune? If not, prepare to have your mind blown by clicking right here. Artist, Kristin Palach, is obviously a fan too, thinking it was about time the little fella and his hero got together for some serious crime fighting and singing.

Is This Really Wonder Woman's Costume?

I've just posted the first image of Adrianne Palicki in a Wonder Woman costume. Palicki plays Wonder Woman in the pilot for a new TV series scripted by David E Kelley for NBC. The costume has so far received an overwhelmingly negative response, from myself included (so much so that I had to quickly computer edit the costume to make myself feel better). Even Palicki herself looks kind of miserable in this shot, for which no effort was made to disguise the dull photo studio background. Then I had an idea.

Adrianne Palicki as Wonder Woman: FIXED

I just posted the debut photo of Adrianne Palicki in her Wonder Woman costume for the TV pilot to be shown by NBC and written by David E Kelley. It was so bad there was only one thing for it. To get over the terror of how much like a cheap porn star she looked, I had to jump into Pixlr.com and just try to make it look a little better. It still looks a bit tacky but I think it's an improvement. Here goes:

Is this any better?

Adrianne Palicki as Wonder Woman: NOOOOO!!!

I'm sorry to say this but this is bad. Really bad. At first I couldn't believe it was real but it's on Entertainment Weekly, which I guess confirms it. Am I the only one who thinks she looks like a porn star? A cheap porn star? Is the whole costume plastic? She doesn't look comfortable, and who can blame her, which must be why she looks neither like a superhero or a powerful princess! Apparently the writer, David E. Kelly (Ali McBeal), promises Wonder Woman won't be campy... Really? This looks pretty camp. Finally, I don't want to criticise Andrianne's physique but I think it's a mistake to cast a woman as a symbol of female empowerment who looks like she's had a boob job.

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Batman: Noel Coming from Lee Bermejo

The Joker and Lex Luthor: Man of Steel artist is turning his hand to his first writing job for DC. The original graphic novel, for which he will also do the art, has no release date yet but I assume it'll be out around Christmas. Can't wait. I've picked some of my favourite's from his previous work below.

The Death of Superman - But Not As You Know It!

Surfing the net and found this old Super Powers cartoon dealing with the death of Superman and what follows in dodgy Silver Age style. It's really quite something so in the spirit of sharing, here it is! Be sure to check out the classic cheese-fest ending!

Spider-Man Street Art

You can't deny that Banksy has changed graffiti forever and inspired a new style.

Thor and Captain America Toys are Asking for Trouble!

It's health and safety gone mad!

I'm only slightly relieved that this children's toy version of Thor's hammer is made of foam.

Do you think that after 5 seconds of having this toy in their hands any child is going to heed the safety warnings on the box?

Do not aim at eyes or face

The first thing I would do (as a kid of course, not now that I'm a grown-up) is hit someone over the head! I AM THE MIGHTY THOR! HAVE AT THEE!!

And Captain America's shield?

Shield really flies!

Yeah at your face! Oh to be a kid again and covet all these awesome toys...

If you're unfamiliar with these objects and how they are used, check out the Thor and Captain America film trailers here and here.

Darren Aronofsky Quits The Wolverine

Oh, that's a bit shit then. For completely understandable reasons, Aronofsky has stepped down as director of The Wolverine. A film that, with him at the helm, promised to eradicate the bad memories of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. In a statement he said:

"As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, it became clear that the production of The Wolverine would keep me out of the country for almost a year,” Aronofsky said in a joint statement with Fox. I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time. I am sad that I won't be able to see the project through, as it is a terrific script and I was very much looking forward to working with my friend, Hugh Jackman, again,”

Among Aronofsky's filmography are The Wrestler and Black Swan. His involvement was the only thing keeping me positive about this film and Fox will have to do some serious work to pull in another director able to take Wolverine where fans want to see him.

Chuck's Super-Spy as the Avengers' Ms Marvel?

What's this? The Avengers Movie Tracker is back?! Fanboy favourite, Yvonne Strahovski of Chuck fame, is rumoured to soon be cast as Carol Danvers (aka Ms Marvel) in Joss Whedon's Avengers due out next year. Take this all with a bucket of salt but casting rumour, speculation and confirmation are exactly what the Avengers Movie Tracker is for! Take a look at how the latest line-up shapes up below and then go through to the tracker page itself to see how the movie Avengers have been evolving over the last year.

Review: Superman: Earth One

Let me start off by saying that Superman: Earth One wasn't great but I didn't hate it. It was alright. I just didn't really connect with it like I do with some other comics.

Russian X-Men: First Class Trailer Better Than English

How is it that the trailer for the Russian release of X-Men: First Class is so much better than the English version? What I love about this trailer, apart from all the extra footage and mutants, is that it hints at the strain of Charles' and Eric's relationship and the struggle they're both going through. I especially like the focus on Eric, which, as I hoped, seems to be heavily influenced by the script for the unmade X-Men Origins: Magneto. Now I am really psyched to see this when it's released 3rd June.

Thor Super Bowl Trailer

This is by far the best Marvel trailer I've seen

• Those are some cool explosions and some EPIC battles
• I love Hollywood's nonsensical  use of the English accent
• Frost Giants!!
• Apparently "some idiots in America" are boycotting due to Black and Asian Norse gods. They don't get that they're not really Norse or "gods".
• Good use of culture clash for comic effect, Mr. Branagh

Captain America Super Bowl Trailer

For those who missed it during our February down-time, here's the Captain America Super Bowl TV spote.

My reaction in summary:

• Get me some of that super soldier syrum!
• Red Skull looks badass!
• Impressive skinnifying CG on Chris Evans as the weakling army reject, Steve Rogers!
• Is he maybe too big though? Like, a DD cup? Captain America shouldn't be more muscular than Thor, the Mighty Norse God of Thunder!
• Oh look, Tommy Lee Jones!
• Must go find a version of this with the Team America theme dubbed over it!

The Best VHS EVEEERRRR!

Every so often you come across something online that just takes your breath away. You sit back to take it all in and.. just.. wow.

Check this out:

A 1989 VHS (the big black boxes you used to get before DVDs were invented) with a multicoloured composite cover worthy of what I was doing in MS Paint a few years later (I was 3 in 1989). It really does leave you kind of speechless.

The best thing about it is that some chancer is trying to flog it on Amazon for £11.99 plus delivery (condition: Used - Very Good!). The "Actors" are listed as Captain America, Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers and Superman and apparently it's "Exempt" from classification - well that's one way to put it! The synopsis of the all-star adventure? A compilation of children's comic superheroes including Superman, Robin, The Green Hornet, Captain Marvel, Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, Commando Cody and Captain America. And how much viewing time do we get of this epic beyond compare? 50 minutes! The perfect gift! This can't be legal so grab it while you still can! There's only one copy!

Wolverine vs The Hand Redefines Fan Trailers

Quite simply astounding and beautiful. This excellently executed piece of cinematic art showcases perfectly what can be achieved with very limited material. I doth my cap to Filmplusone and Gary Shore. I wish that one day I could be this talented!

Thor Goes Hollywood Cover Variants

As Thor's Hollywood premier grows nearer, Marvel is revealing some pretty cool variant cover artwork taking "Thor" and "Hollywood" as the theme. So far, we've got "Thaws" and "Thorankenstein" (sorry) on the Uncanny X-Force #7 and Heroes for Hire #5 covers by Mike del Mundo and Greg Horn respectively but there's more to come. One can't help but wonder to what other iconic cinematic moments Thor will be paying homage in the coming months but I think we can rule out Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Thor gives Frankenstein's monster a shock

Thor obviously heard about the punching them in the nose thing too

X-Men: First Class Trailer

The X-Men: First Class trailer looks OK but it didn't inspire me as much as I expected. There's still a lot of potential, however, and having read the script for the unmade X-Men Origins: Magneto, I'm even more hopeful. The Magneto script was simply brilliant and I hear that a lot of it has been used for X-Men: First Class. Watch the trailer here:

Must... use.. POWERS.. to... RETURN!

We're back! It's been a long month but thanks for sticking with it and I'm very happy to finally connected with broadband in my new place. Not only has it been a long month in terms of waiting for a return but also in terms of news! A serious amount has happened and during this time, the blog even turned one year old (of course you already know that if you follow on Twitter or Facebook)! Here's my quick run-down of the most important events in February and the beginning of March with more in-depth articles to follow as we catch up and still provide up-to-date stuff:

1. Marvel hired writers for Black Panther
2. After a failed first pass, the pilot for the Wonder Woman TV series was bought by NBC. Adrianne Palicki got the lead role and the so far the plot seems ridiculous
3. A member of the Fantastic Four died, the Four became "FF" aka the Future Foundation, with new white costumes and Spider-Man joined their ranks
4. It started to look likely that, if a Red Sonja film is on the way, Amber Heard might get it
5. We got a trailer for X-Men: First Class
6. Jon Favreau was replaced by Shane Black (Lethal Weapon) as director of Iron Man 3 - he says it's going to be more like a Tom Clancy novel, which sounds kind of cool
7. RIP Milestone creator, Dwayne McDuffie, who died due to complications during a surgical procedure

One last thing: IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK!