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Disney Animated's "Paperman" Debuts On YouTube

1/31/2013

by Brian LeTendre

One of the highlights of taking my kids to see Wreck-It-Ralph this past November was the fantastic animated short "Paperman" that screened in front of the movie.

Directed by John Kahrs, the short film begins with a chance encounter between a man and a woman on a train platform, and the forces that intervene to make sure they meet again. It's beautiful and emotional, and you can watch it right now in the player below, as it debuted on YouTube today.

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Incredible Inhumans Series On DVD

1/30/2013

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Press Release

The Eisner-Award Winning series from
aacclaimed writer Paul Jenkins And Artist Jae Lee comes to life!

MARVEL KNIGHTS ANIMATION PRESENTS INHUMANS

LANDING ON HOME ENTERTAINMENT SHELVES FOR THE FIRST TIME

OWN IT ON DVD APRIL 23, 2013 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY

This spring, Marvel fans will have the chance to journey into the intriguing, millennia-old city of Attilan where the extraordinary Super-powered race of Inhumans reside. Developed by the acclaimed Eisner Award-winning team of Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee, the exciting adventures of King Black Bolt and his royal family are brought to life when MARVEL KNIGHTS ANIMATION’S INHUMANS DVD debuts for the first time on home entertainment shelves nationwide on April 23, 2013 from Shout! Factory. A must have for loyal fans, comic book enthusiasts and collectors, this stunning Marvel Knights Animation presentation is packed with insightful bonus content and a graphic rich cover, and features a unique comic book style plastic sleeve that bridges the comic book to DVD concept. MARVEL KNIGHTS ANIMATION: INHUMANS DVD is priced to own at $14.97.

Marvel Knights Animation remains true to the heritage of panel-by-panel graphic storytelling, boasting groundbreaking illustrations, sensational soundscapes, and of course, the explosiveness of the Mighty Marvel Universe. Behind every image and every word lies the genius of Marvel’s celebrated creators.

SYNOPSIS

The Inhumans have always been one of Marvel's most enduring oddities. A race of genetic outsiders, they live secluded in their island kingdom of Attilan , preferring not to mix with the outside world. Even stranger, their genetic mutations are self-endowed; each Inhuman, as a coming-of-age ritual, endures exposure to the Terrigen Mists, a strange substance that imparts unearthly powers -- some extraordinary, some monstrous.

But now the kingdom of Attilan is under attack from without and within. Can the Royal Family, led by Black Bolt, repel the foreign invaders who blast at their outer defense, as well as the internal threat of Black Bolt's insane brother, Maximus the Mad?

This popular series takes a classic Marvel cast of characters, and infuses it with a modern sensibility that includes international politics and an awareness of class systems. Dark and grimly compelling, The Inhumans is one story that won't be forgotten any time soon.

Bonus Features Include:

A Look Back At The Inhumans with Eisner Award-winning writer Paul Jenkins, Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada and Supervising Producer Kalia Cheng.

Total Feature Running Time: +/ – 132 minutes

Fans and collectors can pre-order this collection now at Amazon.com and ShoutFactory.com

You can pre-order the DVD here!

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Review--Adventure Time With Fionna & Cake #1 (KABOOM!)

1/29/2013

by Brian LeTendre

BOOM! has absolutely nailed the feel of Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time with their ongoing comic series, and this new limited series is based on one of the most popular episodes of the show, where a story written by Ice King features female versions of Finn and Jake--Fionna and Cake. All of the characters of the Adventure Time world are opposite genders in the story--Ice Queen, the vampire Marshall Lee and Prince Gumball, to name a few.

The main story is written and drawn by Natasha Allegri, and begins with Cake the cat telling Fionna a bedtime story about how volcanoes were created by the tears of a fire goddess. As the two banter back and forth about the quality of Cake’s bedtime stories, they notice a pack of baby fire lions fleeing through the rain from none other than the Ice Queen. Fionna and Cake get caught in a battle between the ice Queen and a flame warrior, who Fina has to come to the rescue of.

The opening chapter of Fionna and Cake’s tale certainly captures the feel of the show, and provides enough adventure and weirdness to leave me looking forward to the next installment. Allegri’s art is a great match for the property as well, and both the characters and the world are consistent with what Adventure Time fans would expect. The backup story by Noelle Stevenson is great as well, and brings in Prince Gumball and Marshall Lee.

My only concern about the first issue is that it assumes you are already familiar with the show, and the episode with Fionna and Cake in particular. There is very little world building, and no real introduction to who these characters are. I could see new readers picking this up and being somewhat lost.

That said, if you’re a fan of the show, chances are you’re familiar with Fionna and Cake, and this issue will be right up your alley.

3.5 out of 5 Lumpy Space Princes

What The Heck Is Going On At DC?

1/28/2013

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by Matman

From the outside it looks like a house on fire at DC! Two years ago their 'New 52' reset of the entire DCU was the toast of the comic world. Now it's looking like a runaway train without any chance of stopping.

For those who don't know me and my comic buying habits ...I'm a DC guy. I have had a vested interest in DC since 1975 and what seems to be going on over there is breaking my heart.

I have been vocal about the fact that so many of the 'New 52' books have had an identity and creator crisis on most of their line. Other than a handful of books (Batman, All Star Western, Wonder Woman to name a few) there has been lack of direction, stop / starts and a creator shuffle.

But it seems to be taking a disturbing twist and making Rob Liefeld sound like he knew what he was talking about when he left DC.

A month or so back it was announced that Gail Simone was off DC. After fan outcry via social media, she was put back on the book. It was rumored that DC instituted a policy that would penalize a creators future work if they spoke out against the company. Last week it was announced that two writers (Jim Zub and Robert Venditti) were taken off their books before they got started. Now we learn that Keith Giffen, a longtime DC creator may be leaving his current gig...only two issues in.

So what is going on?

I think a look must be made at the top; President Diane Nelson, Co Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio, Chief Creative officer Geoff Johns and Editor In Chief Bob Harras. When any company falters the top needs to be examined and it appears something isn't jelling or someone(s) may be in the wrong position. All of them have a proven track record, but something isn't quite right!

Could this be the curse of the new DC logo?

If you want my opinion, I feel that when DC relaunched their books, they never had a larger plan in place. Or if they did, they veered off it when the first bumps (round of cancellations) hit. I think there may be too many people making decisions and not letting creators do what they do best and that is to create comics.

And the people in charge need to know comics. I understand economics and realize the 'images' of characters like Superman and Batman make more than the comics do, but how important will these characters be if their comic books are failing?

Please DC...fix this.... for me?

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Review--Deadpool #3 (Marvel)

1/27/2013

by Brian LeTendre

So far, Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan’s Deadpool series has perfectly captured the humor and gratuitous gore that the character is known for. Wade Wilson has always been a character that would be at home in a Sam Raimi movie, and that hasn’t changed with his latest incarnation.

The first arc of this new series sees Deadpool being hired by SHIELD to take down the undead Presidents of the United States, as they’ve been raised by a patriotic necromance to put the country back on the right track. The problem is, they’d rather destroy everything and start anew, so Deadpool is brought in, and things only get worse from there. In this third issue, Deadpool and SHIELD seek out the help of Dr. Strange, as they’re dealing with some pretty nasty dark magic. Strange reluctantly joins up with them, and tries to deal with the mystical side of things while Deadpool dukes it out with a reincarnated Gerald Ford.

Tony Moore seems to be a perfect fit for this series, given his pedigree, and Posehn and Duggan give him plenty of visual gags to work with. Overall, the humor is hit and miss, but when Deadpool is the starring character, there’s sort of an obligation to keep the insanity coming at a fast and furious pace.

Deadpool is a fun read, but I can already feel myself starting to get worn out after only three issues. It has always amazed me that Deadpool is so popular, because he seems like such a one-note character. Sales have shown that people love this character though, and the current creative team is giving them want they want in spades.

3 out of 5 Kitchen Sinks

Join The Gang In Somerville On 2/2!

1/26/2013

Next Saturday (a week from today) some craziness is going down at Comicazi in Somerville, MA.

Join Secret Identity's very own Matman as he talks to fans about Secret Identity and sells copies of his book 'Pow-Bam-Sell: The Guide To Comic Book Marketing'.

But Matt (and possibly Brian) isn't the only reason to go. Appearing with Matt will be the following...

Chris Giarrusso - amazing creator of G - Man!
Jason May - Robot and LEGO artist!
John Cimino and Keith Gleason of Hero Envy / Swass Cast!
Alan and Chris Hebert from HB Comics, home of Lazerman!

And just added--Aaron Wood, who is one of the most talked about Social Media Propaganda artists who will be selling his book 'They Wanted A War So I Made It A War!'

"One of the things you may notice," Matman says, "is that everyone appearing at this signing has not only been a guest of Secret Identity, but are some of mine and Brian's closest friends."

The signing will be happening from 11AM to 2 PM at
Comicazi
407 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA

Review--Red She-Hulk #61 (Marvel)

1/25/2013

by Brian LeTendre

Jeff Parker's Red She-Hulk has been my pleasant surprise of Marvel Now! thus far. I have no idea how Betty Ross became the Red She-Hulk, but Parker is really doing a great job of making her an interesting character in this first arc. He's also calling back to Hickman's S.H.I.E.L.D. series, as Betty discovered the Terranometer--a computer developed by Tesla that can predict the future. The future Betty's seen involves a military super-soldier program called Echelon that results in a super-human armageddon Betty's attempts to shut the program down have brought her into conflict with The Avengers, and Machine Man has been assigned to track her down. As he has studied her however, he starts to sympathize with Betty and eventually joins up with her.

This issue featured the first real Hulk-out for Betty--she lost all control and became a savage beast, which scared the living daylights out of her, as she'd seen the same thing happen to Bruce time and time again. Her unlikely ally in Machine Man is able to get her focused back on finding out how to stop Echelon.

Despite Red She-Hulk rubbing elbows with the Avengers, it seems like Parker is carving out his own little corner of the Marvel Universe with this book, and I like that. Machine Man and Betty Ross is an odd pairing, but it works, and it helps make this book feel just a bit different than most other stuff out there right now.

4 out of 5 Odd Couples

Lost Vegas Reuinites Creative Team

1/24/2013

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Press Release

"With LOST VEGAS, Jim McCann and Janet K. Lee go from Dapper Men to a scruffy outer-space gambler in a series with roulette wheels and aliens a-plenty that's part Star Wars, part Ocean's Eleven and all intergalactically awesome. Just go ahead and beam me up now."– Brian Truitt, USA Today

Here aboard the luxury space station Lost Vegas, only the highest rollers in the galaxy are allowed. No bet is too high, and no game off-limits. But be careful — while you could win a fortune if you go all in, a much darker fate awaits if you get too far in debt here, and in casinos and back-room gambling halls in every planet around. Once you're over your head, you lose the last thing available: your freedom, something a con-man gambler Roland learned the hard way.

In LOST VEGAS, a new four-issue Image Comics miniseries by acclaimed creative team Jim McCann and Janet Lee (Return of the Dapper Men), Roland, now enslaved to the casino, has a plan to steal back his freedom. In just 24 hours, he must pull off the heist of the millennium.

"The system of "working off debt" is rigged in the houses' favor, like most things," writer McCann explained in an interview at PreviewsWorld. "It'll never happen. For him, there's only one option: ...cheat the system, get enough money to get a ship, and escape the cruiser with a new life."

Roland's caper and sense of adventure puts him in a category of dashing scoundrels that includes Han Solo, Danny Ocean, and Eddie Felson. And like any proper leading man, he has a strong-willed foil, the beautiful Kaylex, whose role on the luxury cruiser is a mystery to guests and workers on the Lost Vegas alike, one that can help or hinder Roland and his tight band of trusted allies.

Artist Janet Lee says of the book, "Artistically, Lost Vegas is the alien love child of The Hustler and The Wizard of Oz. It's filled with alien opulence, every type of creature I can imagine, fabulous costumes, scoundrels, thieves, and hard-hitting grit — you know, exactly like the real Las Vegas.”

With colorful aliens, splendidly-attired elites, and astounding attractions, all set in the gorgeous backdrop of the most luxurious pleasure-ship this side of the Titanic, LOST VEGAS is a feast for the eyes from the Eisner Award-winning team.

The first, 32-page issue of the full color miniseries will be in stores on March 6 and is available for pre-order now from the January issue of Previews. LOST VEGAS #1 features a wraparound "A" cover by series artist Janet Lee (JAN130473), a "B" cover by Dan McDaid (JERSEY GODS) (JAN130474), and a 1:10 incentive cover by Francesco Francavilla (Black Beetle) (JAN130475).

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A Twisted Memoir...Dee Snider Speaks

1/23/2013

by Matman

Everyone in the mid 1980's knew who Dee Snider and Twisted Sister was! For metal fans he was our spokesman until the backlash from overexposure hit...and hit hard! But there is and was so much more to Snider than just 'We're Not Gonna Take It'!

'Shut Up And Give Me The Mic' (20012 Gallery Books) is the life and story of Dee Snider, about Dee Snider, and most important by Dee Snider! For over 400 pages you will see how Dee was driven to success and an admitted megalomaniac but at the heart of Snider story is his loyalty of friends and love of family. You will not read about drunken or drug fueled tirades or the non stop one night stands with all sorts of women, because that wasn't part of his life. What you will read about is how he rose from the New York club scene, reached the pinnacle of fame, alienated himself from his Twisted Sister band mates and then ssettled into his post rock star career. He's been a reality TV show host, a disc jockey, a father and husband and still remains a rocker.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Snider is that he is a brainless big mouth and after you read the book you see he's only a big mouth, but that's what we love about him. He is smart, calculated and has the respect of some of metal's biggest names including AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne and Motorhead's Lemmy. Sadly, for many music fans, his incredible vocals and amazing songwriting were never taken as serious as they should've been because of the image; makeup, big hair and on stage swearing.

The book is an incredibly easy and fun read with the writing so crisp and honest, you can hear Dee's voice as you read. I was a huge Twisted Sister fan starting back in 1981 (The Kids Are Back) and after finishing the book it rekindled my love of Dee and Twisted Sister.In fact as I write this review I'm listening to Dee's incredibly underrated solo disc from 2000 'Never Let The #$%^&* Wear You Down.'

If you love good music, characters that are larger than life and reading inspirational stories about fighting the odds again and again..and winning, this is a book for you. Thank you for everything Dee... the kids are back!

Matman Rating: 5 out of 5 filed down teeth

WOTC And Drive Thru RPG Team-Up To Launch DnDClassics.com!

1/22/2013

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by Brian LeTendre

Today, Wizards of the Coast and our friends at Drive Thru RPG announced the launch of DnDClassics.com, an online store that will sell PDF versions of materials from every edition of Dungeons & Dragons.

This is fantastic news, as so many of the materials from earlier editions have been out of print for years now. I've spent hundreds of dollars filling in my collection from eBay auctions, and there's still plenty of supplements that I don't have on my shelf. Being able to get a nice clean copy of Keep on the Borderlands to play with my kids is awesome.

If you've never played D&D, or you've been out of it for years, you definitely should head over and check out DnDClassics.com. as there is a good amount of free products including quickstart rules and intro adventures, that can introduce you, your friends and your kids to the game of D&D.

Here is the official press release from Wizards of the Coast, and you can read the FAQ about the new site here.

Press Releaase

Today, Wizards of the Coast together with DriveThruRPG, is thrilled to
announce the official launch of Dungeons & Dragons Classics, a new
online PDF store containing classic content from every edition of D&D,
including fan-favorite supplement materials and iconic adventures. A
one-stop-shop for classic D&D content, DnDClassics.com offers an easy
way to access and download favorite titles electronically by computer,
mobile phone, or tablet (including iPads).

How does it work? It’s easy! Simply create an account* and instantly
gain access to a wealth of D&D titles. There are 80 titles available
at launch, with smaller batches of additional titles being released on
a rolling basis starting in early February. Favorite titles can be
downloaded to an online Library or saved to a “Wish List” for purchase
later. Most titles can also be printed. Settings can also be
customized and users can opt to get email alerts whenever favorite
publishers or topics get new items (*Users can also sign-in using
their DriveThruRPG.com or RPGNow.com login).

We encourage you to share this exciting news with your readers. For
more information, check-out DnDClassics.com or visit Wizards.com.

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<< Previous

Disney Animated's "Paperman" Debuts On YouTube

Incredible Inhumans Series On DVD

Review--Adventure Time With Fionna & Cake #1 (KABOOM!)

What The Heck Is Going On At DC?

Review--Deadpool #3 (Marvel)

Join The Gang In Somerville On 2/2!

Review--Red She-Hulk #61 (Marvel)

Lost Vegas Reuinites Creative Team

A Twisted Memoir...Dee Snider Speaks

WOTC And Drive Thru RPG Team-Up To Launch DnDClassics.com!

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