"There is nothing wrong with your web browser. Do not attempt to adjust the monitor. I control the horizontal. I control the vertical. I control the lack of proper grammar. For the next few minutes sit quietly, for you are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the shock and awe which reaches from the inner mind to...The marX Files."

 

"Kree!”

 

Who Me? - Catching you up on what I’ve been up to with writing, interviews and reviews.

Web Chatter - A collection of news bits bouncing around on the Web.

Strange News - Truth (or at least the possible truth) is often stranger than fiction.  Explore, if you dare, the stranger side of The marX Files.

Not Comic Books, But I Like It - Movie and TV news that isn’t necessarily comic book related, but I like it.

For The Gamers - Role Playing Game news and reviews.

Prepare To Be Adapted, Resistance Is Futile - News on comic book adaptations.

 

Who Me?

 

Happy Be an Angel Day!

 

It is time for another edition of The marX Files.  You can find more comic book news in my Chicago Comic-Con coverage that can be found…here.

 

Some of the news in today’s entry is a little old, but I’ve been busy with Chicago darn it…did I already mention that?  I’ll get this column back on track next…err…ok, probably not until Dragon*Con has finished.

 

Don’t forget I will be at Dragon*Con this year. So, email me if you would like me to stop by your booth or panel. As always, feel free to email me if you would like me to review your book(s) or pass along news.

 

Web Chatter

 

All Star Disappointment – All Star Batman & Robin #5 has been delayed…again.  This issue was originally supposed to hit stores on April 2006.  I’m sorry, but if this keeps up DC should just cancel it.  Frank Miller and Jim Lee are uber-talented, but I’ve found this to be a really poor book, especially compared to the excellent All Star Superman.  I’m not a math expert, but I think crappy story + ‘All Star’ delays (should) = cancellation or at least a new creative team.

 

Civil War To Last Longer Than Expected – To a universal moan of disappointment by fans on the web, Marvel Comics will delay much of the Civil War series.  Issue #4 has been delayed until September 20th and #5 has been pushed back to November 15th.

 

This will also affect many of the tie-in books (ouch).

 

Claypool No More – The nearly 14-year old comic book publisher Claypool Comics announced that they are closing their doors and saying, “Thank you and farewell.”

 

The final books to be released will be Elvira, Mistress of the Dark #166 (February 2007), Soulsearchers and Company #82 (February 2007) and Deadbeats #82 (March 2007).  After that Deadbeats will continue on the Internet and the other books will experience das Ende.

 

Claypool’s Richard Howell said, “We’ve been working with Diamond to get our comics out to more stores in more quantity, but ultimately we had to surrender to reality: There’s too much competing product out there for the customer base, the retail base, and the distribution chain — and we’re a small, black-and-white line of offbeat, almost uncategorizable comics. Based on the commitment and intensity of our fans, we’re convinced that our books fulfill a need in the marketplace. We’re just not reaching enough of those readers — or reaching them consistently enough — in their current format. Moving Deadbeats to the Internet will allow us to reach more levels of the potential readership, lower our overhead, and open new routes towards bringing Claypool-style narrative sensibility to those who’d value it.”

 

Claypool Comics blames this on Diamond.  Some on the web, like Paul O'Brien, blame Claypool for poorly running its business.

 

Jetta News – MAW Productions has updated Toshigawa.com with some major updates.  Click on over to get a sneak peak at the upcoming book Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa – Crucible written by Jason Negan and illustrated by Martheus Wade with cover art by Adam Shaw.

 

Rocket Pirates Want You – Want to make a webcomic?  Then check out Warren Ellis’ http://www.rocketpirates.com, submissions are currently closed (for now).  But keep your eyes open for another chance to submit your webcomic.

 

The submissions system is simply this: email your materials to me at warrenellis@gmail.com. I want to see at least three completed pages and an overview of what you intend to do. No need to be formal — rambly emails talking about the central concepts and what you want to achieve are fine.

I’m open to anything — series, serialised graphic novels, single panels, self-contained shorts, newspaper-style strips — in any style, from manga to clipart to whatever the hell you just invented in your basement. No limits.

Why? – John Woo asked, “Our fascination with comic superheroes is time-tested. Why do we continue to relate to them?”  Click here to read the answers.

 

Strange News

 

A Real Life Daredevil – I saw this one on an ABC television special.  A really cool medical mystery.  Blind humans that can see like bats, using a type of echolocation.

 

De-icing Woolly – Those pesky scientists.  Japanese researchers are thinking about bringing back to life giant woolly mammoths.  So far, the process using frozen sperm has worked with mice frozen for as long as 15 years.

 

Evolution Reversed? – BBC News reports that US researchers have de-evolved a mouse back 500 million years.  Scientist hope that this experiment will illuminate how evolution works.

 

Got Faith? – An interesting article that asks the questions, “Are we hard-wired for religion?”

 

The Real Fountain – David Copperfield claims to have discovered the “Fountain of Youth” in the southern Bahamas.  "You can take dead leaves, they come in contact with the water, they become full of life again. ... Bugs or insects that are near death, come in contact with the water, they'll fly away. It's an amazing thing, very, very exciting”…

 

I don’t know about his one.  My momma told me never to trust a magician…

 

Not Comic Books, But I Like It

 

A Quick Look At Summer SF – I just wanted to point out some of the good and bad of SF television this summer.  The Dead Zone has had a really weak season.  I love this show, but this season has been seriously lacking.  The episode ‘Panic’ was the absolute worst episode of The Dead Zone ever.  No official word yet on whether we will see another season.  I just hope that when the series ends, it wraps up the major storyline with Johnny and the end of the world scenario. 

 

Stargate SG-1 With a Low Budget

Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis have been very strong this summer.  Some episodes this season are great, some are so-so.  Ah, but the Stargate Atlantis episode ‘Sateda’ blew me away.  That was one of the best episodes of Atlantis ever.  The directing, acting, stunts, special effects and writing was tight and created a highly action packed episode that also helped show us more about Ronon’s past.  Stargate SG-1 has been more entertaining this season than the last.  Vala has been a great addition.  The 200th episode that recently aired was FANTASTIC!  The inside jokes for the fans, the puppet scene, the Farscape parody, the Star Trek parody, the Wizard of Oz parody, the ‘Furlings,’…it was hilarious.  I really hope the feature film does happen.  One gripe though…enough with the being coy about Carter and O'Neill!  Are they together or not?  If not, then why would O'Neill retire?  If so, then why won’t Carter ever come out and say it?  And don’t get me started on her almost kissing Martouf.  Come on guys, just come out and say it and move on.

 

Sadly, the Sci Fi Channel announced that Stargate SG-1 will not return for a 11th season.

 

"SCI FI Channel is proud to be the network that brought Stargate SG-1 to its record-breaking 10th season. Ten seasons and 215 episodes is an astounding, Guinness World Record-setting accomplishment. Stargate is a worldwide phenomenon. Having achieved so much over the course of the past 10 years, SCI FI believes that the time is right to make this season their last on the channel. SCI FI is honored to have been part of the Stargate legacy for five years, and we look forward to continuing to explore the Stargate universe with our partners at MGM through a new season of Stargate Atlantis."

 

Too bad, I really felt like this transition to a new enemy and new team had finally come together this season.  Oh well, 10 years is an impressive accomplishment.  I just hope we see a feature film, O'Neill and Carter get married (or at least see them dating), Daniel Jackson and Vala join Stargate Atlantis (wouldn’t that rock) and another spin-off someday in the future.

 

The 4400 has been a very captivating series this season.  Lots of twists and turns.  This show has always been one of my favorites, but it felt a little lost last season.  This season though, has been really tight and I can’t wait to see another season.  One gripe: why can’t USA give this show a full 20-22 episode season? 

 

I would be surprised if it isn’t renewed.  So would executive producer Ira Steven Behr who told Sci Fi Wire, "I would say that there is a very good chance that we will come back, and hopefully we will hear sooner than we heard last season, which was not until the end of September, [when] we did get the thumbs up," Behr said. "We're all hoping that it will be sooner than that."

 

"Even though we do still have a bunch of cliffhangers—because it worked so well last season, we did that again—I still think in an odd way if the show had to end, we end on a really interesting note this season, and, certainly, it would leave much room for thought and Internet chatter into what would have happened if the show hadn't been canceled. But I'm not really ... that concerned about that."

 

Eureka has been a fun SF series this summer.  A sign (I hope) of more entertaining original television shows from the SciFi Channel.  Eureka manages both to be funny and also have a really interesting mysterious story arc running throughout every episode.  It also is filled with a great cast and great writing. 

 

Psych isn’t SF (science fiction), but it is super funny.  One of the best mystery/comedies I have seen for a very long time.  Sorry Monk, but I like Psych better.  Ah, I can tie it into SF.  The season finale this Friday has Psych going to a Sci-fi convention.  George Takei guest stars.

 

Lastly, the new season of Prison Break started last night.  All I can say is wow. 

 

The Doctor (Who) Is In The House…Again – Sci Fi Channel and BBC Worldwide announced that Sci Fi will air the second season of Doctor Who.  Second season starts on September 29 with a two-hour premiere that includes the “Christmas Invasion” special.

 

Although it is sometimes a little campy and, perhaps, occasionally too British for some Americans, I really enjoyed season one.  I can’t wait to see season two.  I just hope Sci Fi also picks up season one of Torchwood, the Doctor Who spin-off.

 

Dragon*Con Approaches – The large SF convention, known as Dragon*Con, quickly approaches.  Don’t know what Dragon*Con is about?  Here is a quickie overview of it:

 

Dragon*Con is a massive SF convention in Atlanta.  This year there are around 429 guests & bands.  Some of these include:  Adam Baldwin (Firefly), Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Jason Carter (Babylon 5), Don S. Davis (Stargate SG-1), Mira Furlan (Babylon 5, Lost), Summer Glau (Firefly, The 4400), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (writer of many things including Lost, plus he has ‘Marx’ in his name),  Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1), and many more (fingers tiring).  Plus, great comic book creators like Peter David, Paul Dini, Brandon Scott Jerwa, George Pérez, Marv Wolfman and many more.

 

Did I mention contests?  There are 11 contests including Anime Music Videos, Comic Book Quick Sketch, Dawn Look-Alike Contest and Miss Klingon Empire Beauty Pageant.

 

Like panels?  This baby has mucho panels.  With 31 programming tracks that run throughout the entire convention.  I’m looking forward to the American SF/Fantasy, British SF/Media, Comics (of course), Independent Film and Podcasting tracks the most.

 

I plan on spending much of my time at the Independent Film track.  It is a combination of screenings, panels, and the Independent Short Film Festival.  There are 16 panels this year listed including “Indie Film Directing,” “Q & A With George A. Romero and Tom Savini,” “The Tech of Film Making,” and “Low Budget Film Making: The Good, The Bad, and the Really, Really Stupid.”

 

The Independent Short Film Festival this year includes over 40 of, “the very best short films from all over the world.  There are monstrous African birds, greedy time travelers, persecuted robots, depressed vampires, ninja store clerks, confused storm troopers, and dead mimes.”

 

There are a couple of films I would like to highlight.  First up is the dark comedy Forgiving the Franklins which was at Sundance this year.  The Franklins are a Southern fundamentalist Christian family that goes through a radical change after a car accident.  “It's extremely funny, very sexy, and filled with religious commentary,” says Matthew M. Foster director of the Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival.

 

I’m also looking forward to seeing The Call of Cthulhu, a 47 minute horror film based on the classic HP Lovecraft story by the same name.  What is really interesting is that the film was made in the style of a classic 1920’s silent movie.

 

If you are an independent film or horror fan then the Independent Film track is a must to check out.

 

Banner


Heroes Secrets Revealed – The 9th Wonders website now has a compilation of spoilers for the upcoming NBC series Heroes.

 

Meanwhile, the cast of Heroes are talking to Scifi Wire about their characters’ abilities.

 

"Character development is paramount to the people involved in the making of the show, and flying? Who doesn't want to fly?" said Pasdar (House of Frankenstein), who plays a politician who can fly.

 

"I'm not sure I'd always want that, but what I think is so interesting, too, and why I was attracted to playing this, is because we're trying to understand what's happening to us," Ali Larter (Final Destination) said. "We're trying to get our kids to school, and we're trying to deal with all these things that are happening in our life."

 

Cast of Heroes

"When I first read the script, it suggests that Peter is an empath," Milo Ventimiglia (Cursed) said. "He physically feels people's true emotions, true potential in life. ... So you start to wonder, 'Well, what happens when Peter comes into contact with other people? Is he going to empathically be able to help them or even ultimately take on their powers or think he has those powers?' .... In addition to that, there's the fear and exhilaration, too, of understanding you can fly or you're unbreakable or you're hearing voices. How do you deal with that? Are you afraid? Are you completely elated about it? ... I'd be pretty freaked."

 

"Of course I'd want that kind of power [super healing], but as out there as it sounds, I think it's realistic," Hayden Panettiere said. "My character also deals with a lot of just normal teenage angst. ... You know, trying to find their way, trying to find friends, trying to find the person that she wants to be. ... I think it's definitely how teenagers feel. ... If anyone knows anybody who has my power, please do let me know."

 

Creator Tim Kring said that the group won't turn into a “Justice League.”  “They'll come together in small ways and in small pockets,” he said. “And just like all shows when people come together, you'll have to find ways to break them apart, to keep the drama alive.”

 

Don’t forget Heroes premieres September 25 with a two-hour movie and will air Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.  NBC will offer a free download of Heroes on iTunes starting September 1, as well as bonus content, trailers and behind-the-scenes footage.

 

Joan of Exorcism – According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS has committed to a pilot for an exorcism-themed drama from Barbara Hall (Joan of Arcadia) and producer Joe Roth.

 

The pilot revolves around exorcists and other investigators of the paranormal.  Hall is writing the script and executive producing with Roth.  Bob Larson, an occult & supernatural expert, is consulting.

 

Kyle XY Lives! – According Variety, Kyle XY, the ABC Family SF drama on Mondays about a mysterious teen who behaves far younger than he looks, has been given the green light for a 13 episode second season. 

 

ABC has been running the drama on Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT, between episodes of America's Funniest Home Videos and 20/20.  The series has an average of 4.6 million total viewers (a 1.4 rating in adults aged 18-49) to that timeslot.

 

I somehow missed this science fiction series.  Was it ever advertised?  Is it any good?

 

New NBC Series – According to Variety, NBC has picked up a pilot for an untitled time travel themed drama from Emmy winner Kevin Falls (The West Wing).  A man travels back in time to correct wrongs, plus there is a romantic storyline.  That description isn’t exactly thrilling me, but I’ll keep an open mind.

 

Recently Announced (or Rumored) DVD Release Dates (all prices are SRP):

The Adventure’s of Superman: The Complete 6th Season (November 14, $39.98)

Alias – The Complete 5th Season (November 21, $39.99US/$59.99CAN)

The Complete Toxic Avenger (September 5, $44.99)

Dark Shadows – Bloopers & Tresures (November 21, $19.98)

Ghost Whisperer – The Complete 1st Season (delayed – new release date not given)

Hellboy: Sword of Storms (February 6)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventure of Superman – The Complete 4th Season (November 14, $59.98)

Masters of Horror: Dario Argento - Jenifer (August 15, $16.98)

Masters of Horror: Dance of the Dead (September 12, $16.98)

Masters of Horror: Larry Chohen – Pick Me Up (October 17, $16.98)

Masters of Horror: Takashi Miike - Imprint (September 26, $16.98)

Quantum Leap – Season 5 (November 14, $49.98)

Speed Racer – Collector’s Edition Volume 5 (October 31, $19.98)

Stargate SG-1: The Complete 9th Season (October 3, $49.95)

Voltron: Defender of the Universe – Collection 2 (November 21, $39.95)

X-Men: The Last Stand (October 3)

 

What Could Have Been… – Check out this humorous article about "The 10 Best Sci-Fi Films that Never Existed."

 

White Male Star Trek Star Seeking Talented SF Personality – William Shatner (Star Trek, Boston Legal) is sponsoring an online contest searching for the most talented SF personality in the United States.  What?  You say that they are looking for you?  Then you need to create and upload (by Sept. 30) a short video clip that shows why you are the heir to the Original Capt. Kirk.  The grand-prize winner receives a large cash award and will be named the official spokesperson for the William Shatner Science Fiction DVD Club.

 

For The Gamers

 

Free Game! – Ever wonder what would happen if the Fuzion game system and d20 had a baby?  Wonder no more, for there now is F20.  Check out the free download. 

 

GoO Out Of Order? –  Well, Mark of Guardians of Order (GoO), has finally told fans about the fate of GoO.

 

My gods, I have no idea where to begin.

Yes ... effective more-or-less immediately, Guardians Of Order has ceased operations.

 

First, an apology. I am terribly sorry that George Martin broke the news about our situation. That is certainly not how I wanted the information to be released, and I had thought that my frank conversation with him about A Game of Thrones-specific issues was in confidence. This is the second time now that someone other than me releases very important news about Guardians Of Order, which leaves me frantically trying to patch the holes.

 

You can read the rest at the website:  http://www.guardiansorder.com/

 

Mark seemed to be a really good guy and I’m sorry that GoO has ended.  I kind of dislike his comments about George R. R. Martin leaking the news early on July 28.  From what I could tell, Mark wouldn’t return his messages (or anyone’s) for weeks, so I can’t blame Martin for feeling like he needed to tell his fans the news after he heard the official word.  Oh well, these are stressful times for everyone involved. 

 

I hope other publishers learn from this.  Your fans are your life’s blood.  When you have financial problems, don’t close off communications to your base, let them know.  It could help sales enough to keep things afloat.  If not, well then it is at least a far less stressful exit for you and your fans.

 

Mark is trying to find homes for many of the game lines (A Game of Thrones, Silver Age Sentinels, and BESM).  I’ve heard rumors that Mongoose Publishing and Fantasy Flight Games are interested.

 

Why did this happen?  Blame it on a poor exchange rate, a so-so RPG market and some bad mistakes (like the big misprint for BESM: d20, where GoO printed the wrong version).

 

For you Amber fans out there, Erick Wujcik confirmed on RPG Pundit's website that the rights do revert back to him and Phage Press.

 

“While Guardians of Order took over the Amber Diceless inventory (books, Amberzines & t-shirts, plus some original manuscripts and art) from Phage Press, they never finalized the deal. As they go out of business, everything reverts back to Phage, and to me, Erick Wujcik.”

 

Prepare To Be Adapted, Resistance Is Futile (Just ask Alan Moore…)

 

Avengers Assemble…On The Big Screen – In an overview on upcoming Marvel films, Marvel announced an Avengers live-action film.  Screenwriter Zak Penn (X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, Elektra) will write the screenplay.  This should be interesting.  I wonder what characters they are going to use and how much it will be like Ultimates (hopefully a lot).

 

The Dark Knight Begins – Warner Brothers has officially announced the title to 2005’s Batman Begins.  The new title is The Dark Knight and to top that, WB announced that Heather Ledger will play Joker.  Production should begin early 2007.  Now we can see if the rumors about Penguin and Two-Face pan out.

 

"I'm excited to continue the story we started with Batman Begins," Christopher Nolan said in a statement. "Our challenge in casting the Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented, but fearless. Watching Heath Ledger's interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale's Batman is going to be incredible."

 

Meanwhile, there is an unconfirmed rumor at Contact Music that actor Ryan Phillipe will play District Attorney Harvey Dent.

 

Fantastic Four Goes Silver – Fantastic Four 2 has a new title… Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

 

Hellboy Animated – Cartoon Network has announced that it will air the Hellboy: Sword of Storms animated movie on Saturday, October 28.  In case you haven’t already heard, the DVD will be out on February 6.  The next movie Hellboy: Blood and Iron is in the works right now.

 

Hellboy Live - Director Guillermo del Toro updated Latino Review on the status of the sequel to the live-action film. "We have a long prep ahead of us," del Toro said. "We're going to shoot this one in Budapest in Hungary, and we're going to shoot a little bit in London, and we're going to do preproduction and post-production in London. ... We definitely have all the regulars: Hellboy, Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman are back. We have two characters from the fantasy world, which are a prince and a princess that we will be casting very soon."

 

Guillermo del Toro describes it as "sort of the magical world declaring war on the human world. The first one was dealing with a much more urban environment, and the second one is more in a mythical type of environment, more magical. So hopefully it's closer to some of the aspects of the comic book that we couldn't portray in the first one."

 

Hulk 2 Breaks Out In 2008 – Louis Leterier is set to direct Hulk 2 for a 2008 release.  Dominic Purcell (Prison Break, John Doe) was on a radio show in New York and would not confirm nor deny rumors that he is in negotiations to play the role of Dr. Banner.

 

Ultimate DVDs – Crave Online recently spoke to Craig Kyle, VP of Creative Development for Marvel’s animation, where he discussed the Ultimate Avengers 2 direct-to-DVD animated movie.

 

While we are talking about Marvel animated movies.  Here are some proposed movies that didn’t make the cut.

 

Wanted, James McAvoy – According to the Hollywood Reporter, James McAvoy (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) will play the starring role in Wanted, an adaptation of Mark Millar’s comic book mini-series.  Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov will direct.  Derek Hass and Michael Brandt, who wrote 2 Fast 2 Furious, have written the script.

 

Who Won?  X-Men: The Last Stand vs. Superman Returns - The Hollywood Reporter has an in-depth analysis of both films.

 

Meanwhile, there are rumors that Jude Law will play Zod in the Superman Returns sequel.

 

Cheerio!

 

That is all for now.  If you have any questions, comments, scoops, criticisms, or even comic book trivia questions, feel free to send them to me at: marx@paperbackreader.com

 

Until next time...Marx out.