Comic-Con International in San Diego has come and gone, but we were able to round up the latest movie, television and video game news from the world of comics!
Green Lantern: The Animated Series
Fans of the Green Lantern universe will be excited to hear that Cartoon Network has released a short preview of the new Green Lantern animated series. We get a glimpse of the Guardians of the Universe, Kilowog, Salaak, and of course, Hal Jordan — all of which look great. I’m especially stoked to hear Michael Clarke Duncan reprise his role as Kilowog after the phenomenal job he did in Green Lantern: Emerald Knights!
Spider-Man: Edge of Time
Activision gave con-goers a look at their follow-up to Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, Edge of Time. Fans of the first game will be happy to hear that the new game features stunning visuals and a story by superstar comic writer Peter David. Spider-man teams again with this future counterpart from 2099 but, unfortunately, Neil Patrick Harris will not be among the returning talent.
Penn and Teller Tell a Lie
Penn and Teller are back with an interesting new show on the Discovery Channel. Following their stint on Showtime with their hilarious and somewhat controversial show Bull****, P&T plan to take a card from their stage performance and pull a fast one on their audience. Each episode will present viewers with 6 scenarios, one of which will be a lie. Those tuning in can vote on the Discovery Channel website for which stunt they think is the ruse. Sounds fun!
DC Animated Features
DC Comics have an incredible line-up of animated features in production. First up is Batman: Year One, an adaptation of Frank Miller’s critically acclaimed graphic novel. This will be followed by Justice League: Doom and Superman vs. The Elite, but the last announcement is the one to get excited about: Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns will enter the Timm-verse in the form of not one, but two, feature length movies.
The Walking Dead: Season 2
Head over to amctv.com to see the trailer for Season 2 of the Walking Dead. It promises to be every bit as awesome / scary / crazy as the first season. Check out the first 16 episodes here! You will not be disappointed.
The Sixth Gun Mini Series
There isn’t a lot of info about this one yet, but there is the possibility for greatness. Cullen Bunn’s The Sixth Gun has been picked up by SyFy as a six-part mini-series. To give you a hint of what’s to come…think cowboys vs. monsters.
Avengers (2012)
Concept art from the forthcoming comic movie mash-up, The Avengers, surfaced in San Diego, showing the entire team ready for action. This is the movie comic fans like myself have been waiting a lifetime for. I’m especially stoked by the Incredible Hulk design, who has a more Frankensteinish appearance, bringing me back to Bill Bixby and Lou Ferigno’s The Incredible Hulk TV Series.
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Spider-Man is on his way back to the big screen, this time with Andrew Garfield stepping up to the plate. When I heard he was picked to play Peter Parker, I wasn’t so sure he would be a good choice. He just didn’t seem to fit the part…that is, until I saw this video posted on iFanboy.com!
Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham Asylum was without a doubt the best Batman video game ever created. Some have argued that it was the best video game based on a comic book ever…I happen to be one of these people. So, imagine my excitement when I saw this trailer for the sequel, Arkham City, featuring the Penguin!
X-Men Destiny
A brand new action RPG featuring everyone’s favorite mutants! This time, players will take on the roles of new mutants fighting to protect a world that fears and hates them…or destroy it!
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will get an “Ultimate” upgrade featuring 12 new playable characters! You can be certain I’ll be playing as Rocket Raccoon!
Fright Night (2011)
Vampires again? I’m afraid so, but before you count this one out, you should check out the classic 1985 horror comedy it is based on. The new movie stars Colin Ferrell, and if they can keep the humor of the original, I’m sure it will be worth checking out.
Knights of Badassdom (2012)
LARPers rejoice! Never has there been a movie (since Role Models) that honored the brave and mighty warriors of Live Action Role Playing. I’ve always liked Steve Zahn, and Peter Dinklage is hilarious. I doubt we have another Army of Darkness here, but as long as they can balance the humor and horror just right, it will definitely be worth a rent!
DC Universe Online – Fight for the Light Expansion
This MMORPG based on the DC Universe is about to get a whole lot cooler…and a whole lot greener. On the heels of the Ryan Reynolds blockbuster, an all new Green Lantern expansion pack will give players access to the powers of the Green Lantern Corps! Or, if green just isn’t your style, you can dawn a yellow ring of fear and join the Sinestro Corps on a mission of terror on earth!
The Darkness
It wouldn’t be Comic-Con without a surprise announcement. This soon-to-be adaptation fits the bill. Marc Silvestri told audiences the film is being worked on, but no other details could be shared. If you wonder what all the fuss is about, rent the game on PS3 or Xbox 360!
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)
All the stars were on hand to tease the release of the first part of the Twilight finale, Breaking Dawn. Each of the cast readily admitted their affinity for the books on which the films were created and reminisced about the first time they read them. If you wan to relive the series yourself, start here!
Shrapnel
Hilary swank is set to produce and star in an adaptation of Radical Books’ sci-fi epic, Shrapnel. I’m pretty sure this is her first foray into this genre, but there is no doubt in my mind that she is talented enough to pull it off. Check out her filmography here!
Chickenhare
Half chicken. Half rabbit. What more is there to say? Sony pictures announced their intentions to produce an animated feature based off of Chris Grine’s Eisner nominated story. This sounds like the perfect amounts of strange and fun!
Beasts of Burden
Another smash hit from Dark Horse comics is making its way to the silver screen. Beasts of Burden features a team of adventurous household pets who solve mysteries and battle the supernatural. But, don’t worry — the stories have more in common with Hellboy than Scooby-Doo. The movie will be CG animated and, hopefully, will stick closely to the multiple award-winning comic series.
Afro Samurai
Samuel L. Jackson is no stranger to Comic-con, and although his portrayal of Colonel Nick Fury in just about every movie from Marvel Studios is sure to be a bigger attraction, people should not let Afro-Samurai go unnoticed! It’s been a manga, an anime series and a made for TV movie and even a game! And, now, with a little help from Mr. Jackson, a movie is in the works!
Voltron
Relativity Media made a huge announcement at the con when they told spectators they will be putting together a live action remake of 1980’s cult-favorite anime series, Voltron! The first of many imitators, there is a reason the show has stuck around this long. Put this one on your calendar.
Marvel TV
Marvel is, without a doubt, on roll. Their big screen properties continue to break records but they plan to make waves on the small screen as well. Four new ABC television properties were talked about at Comic-Con and I can’t wait to see what they can do! First up is Jessica Jones, which will be based on Brian Michael Bendis’ super-hero/noir series Alias. She may not have be a super-star outside of the comics world, but Jessica Jones is the kind of strong, yet flawed, character that could easily carry multiple seasons.
Next, although details are scarce, the name alone will get people excited about the second announcement: The Hulk! The timing on this is perfect. With the avengers coming out in 2012, I have a feeling people will make a point to tune in to the adventures of Bruce (David) Banner on a weekly basis.
A lesser-known femme fatale starring in her own upcoming series is Marvel heroine, Mockingbird. The creators are billing this one as Alias meets Felicity, and will revolve around young Bobbi Morse, college freshman by day, SHEILD super-spy by night.
And, last but not least, is a teenage super-drama called Cloak and Dagger (not to be confused with the 1984 movie of the same name). The duo has roots with both Spider-man and the X-men, but will be leaving New York City in favor of post-Katrina New Orleans. The show will air on ABC Family.
