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Get ready for DC musical chairs!!! Creators come and go (and kinda stay) as DC tries to improve some of the titles in the ‘New 52’! get out the scorecard and get your pencil…and an eraser!

 Writer Greg Hurwitz will be taking the writing duty of ‘Batman The Dark Knight’ from David Finch who will remain as artist. 

‘Justice League Dark’ is losing writer Peter Milligan. But before Matman gets himself in an out of control hissy fit, the new writer is Jeff Lemire!

With Lemire picking up a new title, he loses ‘Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE’ to new scribe Matt Kindt.

In the shuffle, Peter Milligan will take the lead on ‘Stormwatch’. 

Other announcements include Tom DeFalco writing 'Legin Lost', Rob Liefeld will be co writing 'Grifter' and 'Hawkman' as well as writing and drawing 'Deathstroke'.
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If you've listened to the show lately, you know that we are tweaking the format of the second show each week beacuse there are plans afoot to get Secret Identity on a radio station in the near future. While those plans are still very tentative, the show format for the second podcast (the one that usually airs on Fridays) is going to chage to more closely resemble the old "Second Helping" episodes. These shows are a grab bag of comics, TV, movies, games, music and interviews--everything that makes up Secret Identity in one show.

It's been almost fifty episodes since we had the old format, and there may be some listeners out there who came aboard the Secret Identity train more recently, during this run of All-New Secret Identity shows. If things seem a bit confusing to you new listeners, that's understandable. If you'd like to get a taste of the old format before it arrives in the next week or so, there is a ton of old shows that you can choose to sample from. On our page over at Drive Thru Comics, we have over 200 of our shows archived, dating all the way back to issue #200 of the Secret Identity Podcast. Not only are there dozens of our "Second Helping" shows, but it's a great place to grab back episodes that feature interviews with creators you might have missed. In fact, in the comig weeks, I'm going to do some posts on the blog here highlighting some of the old episodes and the interviews in them, for folks who never got a chance to hear them the first time around.

If you really want to take a trip back in the wayback machine, you can visit our page over on the Internet Archive, where the first fifty or so episodes of the podcast from 2006 are posted.

SO, I guess what I'm saying is that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Despite the occasional tweaks to the format of our shows, we still talk about the things we (and you) love each week, and we still have a wonderful community of listeners that like to hang out and discuss the things they are passionate about. 

Thanks as always for your support, and for spending time with us each week. It means the world to us, and it's why we are still recodring Secret Identity after six years.

--Brian and Matt

P.S. If you do check out any of our old episodes on Drive Thru, please support them as well by cehcking out some of he thousands of comics they have. Drive Thru is a champion of small publishers, and many of our friends have their books over there. Drive Thru has always supproted us and they allow us to make episodes available through them, so please show them some love.
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Brian and Matman have made some great friends since doing Secret Identity and one of those is writer Rob Anderson, writer of the super awesome ‘Animal Control: Special Victim’s Unit’.

“Rob is not only one of the nicest guys I know,” said Matman, “but he is also one of the most creative. And he now has a new and real cool project coming out!”

‘Rex, Zombie Killer’ is a one shot by Rob and artist Dafu Yu coming out from Big Dog Ink in April.

Here’s the skinny…

In the wake of a zombie apocalypse, a Golden retriever and a pack of animals, accompanied by a bat – wielding gorilla, attempt to cross the country and find safety. ‘Homeward Bound’ meets ‘The Walking Dead’! 

The comic is a double sized full color one shot and will sell for… get this…only $3.50! That’s right folks only $3.50.

To find out more go to www.RexZombieKiller.com

Or flip to page 253 in this month’s Previews and look at where the ‘Spotlight On’ logo is along with the Zombie - Rific seal. 
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This may be the closest we ever get to Matthew Broderick reprising his Ferris Bueller role.
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_ Press Release

That's right, Saturday Night Live, television's longest-running, highest-rated, most-awarded sketch comedy show is the latest subject of COMICS, a biography series illustrating the life stories of stand-ups, sitcom stars and comedians who have made a huge impact on popular culture. 

From the Not Ready For Prime Time Players to the cultural relevance of modern day America, “Comics: SNL” takes you on a four decade-long journey through television history.

"COMICS: Saturday Night Live" is written by Chad Lambert with illustrations by Patricio Carbajal. Due out in March 2012, the book will sell for $3.99.

"The COMICS series has thrived on telling amazing stories about amazing people, but this is our first crack at chronicling a comedy institution," said Darren Davis, president of Bluewater Comics. "The love and respect the creative team had for this show comes through on every page of the comic." 

Lambert, a lifelong SNL fanatic and 10-year veteran writer of small press comics, said he wanted to capture the magic of a television legacy. "Everyone on the planet has been a fan of this show at some point in their lives, and no matter what era you hold dear, the show keeps pushing forward." said Lambert. "The real trick was writing 37 years of comedy history in 24 pages.”

He said the key to the show’s legacy is producer Lorne Michaels. "Here’s a guy who created a formula for success that’s lasted through five very different decades," states Lambert. "You have to respect any amount of longevity in comedy, but this level of integrity is off the charts." 
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by Brian LeTendre

Since the New Year started, I have been moving full steam ahead with my transition to digital comics. I put my print collection in order, and started whittling down my comic lists into three categories--(1) Still collecting in print, (2) Switching to digital and (3) Dropping altogether. There is also an emerging category of new books I’m checking out digitally, so I guess that makes four altogether. The following is an incomplete list off the top of my head of where things are at right now:

Still Collecting in Print:
Amazing Spider-Man
Scarlet Spider
Ultimate Spider-Man
Dungeons & Dragons
GI Joe: A Real American Hero
Superboy
iZombie
All-Star Western
Deathstroke
Wonder Woman
Fantastic Four
Swamp Thing
Daredevil

Switching to Digital:
The Infinite (just got cancelled)
Hellraiser
Justice League Dark
Batman and Robin
Resurrection Man
Legion of Super Heroes
Suicide Squad
Batman

Dropping:
Teen Titans
Haunt
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man
FF
New Avengers
GI Joe
Buffy
Justice League
Green Lantern Corps

New Books I Started Following Digitally:
Animal Man
Ghostbusters
Fearless Dawn
Locke & Key
Batgirl
Hawk & Dove

Obviously, this list in in constant flux (except for dropped books), as I’m still really figuring out what books I want to follow, especially in the new DC 52. There are also a ton of one-shots and indie books that I’ve checked out, which I will try to bring to the podcast more often. Probably the biggest change during my move to digital so far has been my culling of Marvel books. This is primarily because of pricing. At $4 for most print books, it’s just not worth it, and most of their digital offerings are still at the same price. While DC drops issues to $1.99 after a month, and makes some back issues $.99*, Marvel keeps their prices closer to print for a longer period of time. Even back issues of old series are overpriced. Until they bring their prices down, I’ll be staying away, or waiting for sales.  Case in point--I picked up the first four issues of Remender’s Uncanny X-Force for $.99 apiece the other day in a sale. The next few issues are $1.99, but after issue #7 they jump in price again.  

One of the things I am enjoying most about this transition is that it’s really making me examine my reading habits, as well as go back and read all of the back issues I have. This past week, I went back and read Dan Slott’s The Thing series from 2006, which I’ll talk about on the show in the near future.

*The first 12 issues of Kamandi are on ComiXology for $.99 apiece right now. I may check them out, knowing what a big fan Matt is.
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Justice League # 5 - Wish the entire ‘New 52’ took place in this time period. I love the new feel of the team and the long drawn out fights that really showcase Jim Lee’s big pencils! What’s not to like? 4 out of 5 angry Parademons 

Justice League Dark # 5 – Peter Milligan and Mikel Janin have created an incredible book with some real interesting, offbeat and dysfunctional characters! If you’re not reading this one, than you are missing out on a true gem! 5 out of 5 evil teeth

Godzilla Kingdom Of Monsters # 11 – Sadly this book is just not working for me. I love Godzilla but not enough to keep getting this title. Sadly the recent creative changes haven’t helped to get a handle on this one.           1 out of 5 missed chances  

All Star Western # 5 – Palmiotti and Gray continue to write a gem and Moritat makes it all happen visually! And now we’re in the batcave? Let the bullets fly! 5 out of 5 Man Bats 

Batman The Dark Knight # 5 – The Scarecrow vs. Batman vs. Superman? Holy cow is this one good! And to think I first passed on this book! A solid and incredibly entertaining must read comic.4 out of 5 bad scarecrows 

Superman # 5 – Despite Nicola Scott’s incredible art, I have no clue what is even going on in this book! Can I hold on for the new team starting with # 7? 1 out of 5 no clues 
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Press Release

Image Expo is the premier comic con experience of Northern California in 2012. The three-day event takes place at the Oakland Convention Center February 24-25-26. Celebrating the creative spirit of independence, The Image Comic Expo commemorates the formation of IMAGE COMICS 20 years ago. But more than just looking to the past, the event showcases the evolving the comic market by spotlighting the future of the publisher.

Headline guests include IMAGE COMICS Founders & Partners Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino. Special guests for Image Comic Expo include BK Vaughan, Fiona Staples, Blair Butler, Ed Brubaker, Joe Casey, John Layman, Jonathan Hickman, and many more!

The Image Comic Expo is a fan fest spanning the latest and greatest from the world of comic books. From a show floor packed with over one hundred exhibitors, to an exciting artist alley, and autograph sessions and master-class workshops that give fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators, the Image Comic Expo brings the best of popular culture to the Bay Area!

Ticket Sales for the 2012 Image Comic Expo are now available ONLINE. Please be sure to check back for General Admission and MVP Ticket Packages.

For more information please go to www.imagecomicexpo.com.
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Gotham City Impostors, The upcoming first-person shooter featuring the DC license launched its beta yesterday. Here's the official word from the PR team:

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment announced that the Gotham City Impostors public console beta is now available in the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®Network. 

Those interested in joining the Xbox 360 version of the beta can go to https://www.gothamcityimpostors.com/beta/ to register for a chance to receive a key.  The PS3 version is available in the PSN and can be downloaded without a key.  

Gotham City Impostors is a download only title that will be available in the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®Network and Windows PC.  Fans of the game can go to www.GothamCityImpostors.com for the latest updates and news. 

Gotham City Impostors is an original first-person shooter where up to 12 players battle for control of an unhinged Gotham City overrun by impostors inspired by the DC Comics characters Batman and The Joker.  Players can engage in deliriously fast paced, uniquely vertical, completely unconventional urban warfare to level up and unlock a mind-boggling array of customization options that let them personalize their Batz or Jokerz Impostor with insane costumes and a huge assortment of traditional and homebrew weaponry, equipment, and perks. Gadgets such as the Glider Rig, Grappling Hook, and Spring Boots give gamers unprecedented mobility options, while support items like bear traps, boomerangs, and body armor open up crazy new tactical options.  The game will feature maps and modes inspired by DC Comics’ Batman license.

You can check out a couple of trailers for the game below. The gameplay looks like it could be a lot of fun.

--Brian
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by Brian LeTendre

I've been pretty interested in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning for some time now. As a fantasy fan, the fact that R.A. Salvatore was writing the story and help create the world for a fantasy RPG was exciting. Todd McFarlane bringing his artwork to the game was also pretty intriguing. Add to that the fact that former MLB star Curt Shilling's game studio (38 Studios) was working on the game, and I was definitely interested in seeing what the creative team came up with.

The demo of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning arrived on the PS3, XBox 360 and PC last week, and I spent a good bit of time with it on PS3 last weekend. While the game wasn't exactly what I was expecting, I'm still leaning toward checking it out when it releases on February 7th.

When I say the game wasn't what I was expecting, what I mean is that I was expecting a dark, gritty, gory RPG--something of a cross between the original Dragon Age and the Elder Scrolls series. After playing the demo though, I think Reckoning is a lot closer to the Fable series than those other games. The tone of the game is by no means whimsical, but the presentation is more lighthearted, the character design is fairly cartoonish, and the color palette is much brighter than Dragon Age or Skyrim. It definitely reminds me of Fable.

From a mechanics standpoint, the are also some parallels to Fable. The combat is designed to be simple like in Fable, but Reckoning takes things a step further, and the result feels more like an action game than a tradional RPG, something more akin to God of War. The way weapon and magic wielding compliment one another in combat is very smooth, and combat overall is fun in Reckoning. In fact, the combat was easily the strongest part of the demo for me.

The story in Reckoning seems pretty interesting. You begin as a character who was recently killed, but through some new Dwarven magics, has been resurrected. The beginning of the demo involves an escape from the Dwarven stronghold that is under attack. After that, you get forty-five minutes to roam around the world, take on quests and explore.

One thing I wasn't really impressed with is the menu system in Reckoning. Looking at the various stats for your character, equipping items and paging through quests is just not as smooth as it could be and I felt like the descriptions and stas were too bare bones in that they didn't give me a clear enough picture of my character's status.

The other underwhelming part of the demo was the character creator. There just wasn't a lot of options for races and character appearance. I was really disappointed when I saw that Dwarves were not one of the playable races. I'm hoping that the options in the demo were just limited, and the character options in the final game will be greater, but I suspect that isn’t the case.

I think Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has the potential to be a really solid game. The moment to moment gameplay is fun, so if the story turns out to be good, then the things that bothered me in the demo won't be that big of a deal in the long run. I would definitely recommend downloading the demo and trying it. You can check out the trailer below, and then head to www.reckoning.amalur.com for more info.
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