Archive for May, 2010

May 28, 2010: Superman on TV – May 29-June 4

By Barry Freiman

Well Superman fans, we’ve been at this juncture before, haven’t we? Warner announced this week that, following the end of the Harry Potter franchise, Warner will be turning largely toward the DCU stable including Superman. The next Superman movie has been scheduled for the holiday season in 2012, hopefully with a release before the Mayan calendar runs out.

The next Superman film, scheduled or not, remains a Warner pipedream. Chris Nolan is still attached to the project in an undefined way. There’s no script, no official writer, no cast, and no Man of Steel. Many fans hope for Brandon Routh. Still others hope for Tom Welling. The most likely scenario is the film’s director will make his own choice as directors are wont to do.

While waiting for more official word, fans still have a lot of Superman to look forward to. There’s the final season of “Smallville” which completes Clark Kent’s journey into Superman. One way or another, it’s looking like Tom Welling will end up in a blue, red, and yellow suit if even for a moment.

Then there’s the announcement this week that a sequel to “Superman/Batman: Public Enemies” will be the next DCU animated feature after “Batman: Under the Red Hood”. It will be called “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse”. Comic fans will recall that New God Darkseid factored into the storyline after “Public Enemies” in Jeph Loeb’s Superman/Batman comic book – and that Darkseid is from the planet Apokolips. If this is a straight-up adaptation of that story, “Apocalypse” will include the secret origin of Superman’s cousin Supergirl, whose rocket was encased in a piece of the giant Kryptonite meteor from “Public Enemies”. Will Kara’s story be the focus of “Apocalypse”? Will Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy return to voice Superman and Batman in the sequel? How about Clancy Brown’s Lex Luthor?

Lots of questions and few answers; yes we Superman fans have been here before, haven’t we? There’s only one thing to do as a fan and that’s “believe”. And wait. Again.

“Smallville” airs a rerun of “Metallo” Friday at 8 PM on the CW. Brian Austin Green plays John Corben, a.k.a. Metallo. Also, catch reruns of “Smallville” three hours each weekday on HD-Net.

Chris Reeve and Richard Pryor star in “Superman III” Friday at 2:30 PM on AMC.

Click ‘Read More’ to do just that.

May 28, 2010: Superman Homepage "Speeding Bulletin" News Video

Here’s the “Speeding Bulletin” video report for the week May 21-27, 2010.

The “Speeding Bulletin” is your weekly Superman news video, recapping the latest events in the world of Superman. It also includes the “Bailey Planet” rant, Neal Bailey’s thought of the week, brought to you in his own infamous style.

May 21-27, 2010 (or YouTube version)

Subscribe to the “Speeding Bulletin” vodcast via iTunes or your favorite Podcatcher.

Merchandise seen in this episode:

• Steve is wearing a Superman “Man of Steel” Shield Charcoal T-Shirt available from SupermanSuperstore.com
  
• Pre-order “Smallville: The Complete Ninth Season” on DVD and Blu-ray Disc from Amazon.com
  
• Purchase this week’s Superman comics from TFAW.com
  
• Purchase “Speeding Bulletin” and “Bailey Planet” merchandise from CafePress.com.
  

DC brings back key war titles in September

The DC offices are closed today, so posting will be light. And, I should be well on my ways to a few days of rest in the Florida Keys as you read this. But we do have one cool bit of news for you to carry you through this Memorial Day weekend.
This September, DC will [...]

May 28, 2010: "Superman/Batman: Apocalypse" Animated Film Coming Soon

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released the back cover artwork for “Batman: Under the Red Hood” (pictured right) which reveals that the next installment of the Warner Premiere/DC line of direct-to-DVD releases will be “Superman/Batman: Apocalypse”.
The back cover states that a “first look” at the “next original animated movie” will be a special feature included on Under the Red Hood.

May 27, 2010: Melbourne to Attempt Super Hero World Record

Children of all ages wearing their favourite DC Comics Super Hero costumes will converge on Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia this Saturday (May 29th) in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of people in Super Hero costumes in one location.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Comics, will be hosting the world record attempt as one of the major highlights in Australia this year to celebrate the 75th anniversary of DC Comics, which began publishing in 1935.

Between 10am and 11.30am on Saturday, 29 May Fed Square will become a hive of activity as men, women, parents, and children alike begin to arrive dressed as their favourite iconic characters in their attempt to overtake the previous record.

Registration begins at 9am and closes at 10am. Those who register before 9.30am will be eligible to win great Warner Bros. spot prizes.

There will be plenty to keep families amused with roving DC Super Hero characters with whom to be photographed, as well as the chance to appear on television and the chance to be part of a world record.

The record was raised last weekend in Britain, from 1016 (set in 2009 in the US) to 1091 people.

Visit FedSquare.com for further details.

May 27, 2010: Retro Review – "Adventures of Superman" Episode Review

Superman Homepage reviewer James Lantz continues reviewing episodes of the 1950s “Adventures of Superman” TV series.

Check out his review of “Semi-Private Eye”, in which Lois hires private eye Homer Garrity to find out if Clark is Superman.

The JSA throws a hail mary against the Darkness Engine

Mr. Terrific gathers the ragged remains of the Justice Society in a last-ditch attack on the Fourth Reich, and their power-negating Darkness Engine. If they fail this time, there’s no coming back from the devastation, courtesy of writer Bill Willingham and artist Jesus Merino.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #39 hits 6/2.
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Close out the work week with a ton of WEDNESDAY COMICS extras

I wouldn’t say we’ve saved the best for last. With a project like WEDNESDAY COMICS, every strip was loaded with so much energy and talent, it’s hard to pick your favorite. On sheer numbers alone, though, this posts definitely ends out weeklong spotlight with a bang.
Below, we’ve got sketches and designs from some of the [...]

It’s the Legion plus Doom Patrol in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #34

J. Michael Straczynski and artist Jesus Saiz continue to roll as they present the first part of a two-part story that finds the Legion of Super-Heroes going back in time to find new recruits. Not the first time for the 31st century heroes, but it’s bound to be a little different when the Doom Patrol [...]

May 27, 2010: Superman Movie Possibly Set for 2012 Holiday Season Release

Warner Bros. Entertainment Chairman and CEO Barry Meyer recently spoke in New York about the upcoming slate of films to be released by Warner Bros. Pictures.
In addition to an announcement for a mid-December 2011 release for Sherlock Holmes 2 and the previously announced July 20, 2012 release date for Christopher Nolan’s next Batman movie, Meyer said that the studio is eyeing a 2012 holiday season release for the next Superman movie.
He went on to reveal that Warner Bros. is getting close to giving the green light for a movie about DC Comics’ The Flash.