Custom Con 21 is in full swing over at Joe Acevedo’s site. They are already up to the day 4 listings so there’s lots of great stuff to see! Check it out at this link.
Second Chapter of “Watchmen” Motion Comics Now Available on iTunes and other Digital Distributors
Burbank, Calif., October 8, 2008 – Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution today announced the renowned graphic album “Batman: Black & White” and graphic novel “Superman: Red Son” are being developed into short-form digital Motion Comics. In addition the first and highly anticipated second chapter of the “Watchmen” Motion Comics are now available for download via iTunes, Amazon Video on Demand, Xbox Live and the Sony PlayStation Store. Summary editions of the “Watchmen” Motion Comics are available to Verizon Wireless V Cast customers as well as Sprint TV customers via the DC Comics Channel.
Warner Premiere’s Motion Comics are a new way for comic fans to connect with their favorite characters and the stories they know and love through short-form digital content. The Motion Comics slate draws on a deep reservoir of source material to bring a new visually engaging experience to life through the use of subtle movements, voice-overs, sweeping music scores and stunning comic book artwork.
“We’re delighted to bring these defining graphic novels to our Motion Comics slate,” said Diane Nelson, President, Warner Premiere. “We are working diligently, and in constant collaboration with our colleagues at DC Comics, to ensure the artwork and story of the original creators are as authentic as possible.”
Watchmen – Motion Comics
The second chapter of the “Watchmen” Motion Comics is now available via iTunes, Amazon Video on Demand, Xbox Live and the Sony PlayStation Store. This gripping chapter is set against The Comedian‘s funeral where Silk Spectre recalls her horrific assault at the hands of The Comedian and while Nite Owl and Doctor Manhattan recount their own experiences that reveal The Comedian to have been a larger-than-life enigma: a hero and a villain in one costume. Warner Bros. Digital Distribution will debut chapter three of the “Watchmen” Motion Comics the week of October 20 and future chapters every two weeks thereafter. Chapter one is also now available from the digital content providers listed above.
Summary editions of the “Watchmen” Motion Comics are available to Verizon Wireless V Cast customers as well as Sprint TV customers via the DC Comics Channel.
“Working with Warner Premiere on the creation of the Watchmen Motion Comics has been great,” said Dave Gibbons, the original illustrator of the critically-acclaimed series. “The level of care and detail the team is putting into the animation is amazing. I think fans will be very pleased.”
“Watchmen” takes viewers through the critically acclaimed DC Comics and Hugo award-winning graphic novel by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Set in 1985 at the height of the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union, costumed avengers have been banned with the exception of two – The Comedian and Rorschach. During this time the mysterious murder of a United States government official named Edward Blake occurs in New York, possibly by Soviet Communists. It is later confirmed that Blake is actually a costumed avenger – The Comedian.
The news of the murder is discovered by his fellow costumed avenger, Rorschach who sets out to discover the murderer. During his search viewers discover whether Rorschach is really insane or if he’s uncovered a plot to murder super-heroes and, even worse, millions of innocent civilians. On the run from the law, Rorschach reunites with his former teammates in a desperate attempt to save the world and their lives. But what they uncover will shock them to their very core and change the face of the planet. Following two generations of masked superheroes from the close of World War II to the icy shadow of the Cold War comes this groundbreaking comic story — the story of the Watchmen.
Batman: Black & White
A new addition to the Warner Premiere Motion Comics slate, “Batman: Black & White” is taken from three award-winning volumes of short stories starring the Caped Crusader. The Motion Comics will reflect the original and diverse visions of various artists and writers as they tell stories in the now-infamous world of Gotham City.
The “Batman: Black & White” stories are told from the perspective of Batman and range in theme from the unsettling drama of solving a brutal murder to the light comedy of fighting bad guys with a broken nose. These short episodes also touch on elements of romance, mystery and even the supernatural. And like any exciting Batman story, classic villains such as The Joker, Harley Quinn and Two-Face make heralded appearances. It’s Batman as seen through the prism of some of today’s most eloquent graphic artists and writers.
Superman: Red Son
Warner Premiere Motion Comics is proud to bring “Superman: Red Son” to its Motion Comics slate. Based on the Eisner Award-winning graphic novel written by Mark Milar and drawn by Dave Johnson, “Superman: Red Son” will take viewers back in time to the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union where Superman is fighting for the Communists. Raised in Russia, Superman grows to become the Soviet Union‘s greatest weapon as the world is transformed into a communist state opposed only by a crumbling capitalistic America and its President Lex Luthor. Now as Superman stands on the brink of ultimate power, three heroes, Batman, WonderWoman, and GreenLantern, each make a valiant stand to destroy the reign of the Man of Steel.-
Release dates for “Batman: Black and White” and “Superman: Red Son” will be announced in the coming months, as well as the next assortment of titles coming to the Warner Premiere Motion Comics slate.
LOS ANGELES (October 7, 2008) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, is now offering the FINAL FANTASY® XI 14-Day Free Trial. Requiring no credit card to register, players can visit the world of Vana’diel® for up to 14 days and experience this evolving online universe. Only a valid e-mail address and a simple age-verification process are required to complete the FINAL FANTASY XI 14-Day Free Trial registration. Simply go to http://www.finalfantasyxi.com/ and click on “Free Trial” to proceed to the download page. From there, follow the instructions on the page to download the software and obtain your free trial registration code.
Designed specifically for the Windows® version of FINAL FANTASY XI, the 14-Day Free Trial features the content package from the original release and remains cross-platform compatible. After the 14-Day Free Trial expires, players have up to 90 days to upgrade to a full version account and continue playing with the characters they have created during the Free Trial.
Originally released in 2002, FINAL FANTASY XI, the first online game in the award-winning FINAL FANTASY series, introduced the mystical, ever-changing world of Vana’diel to legions of fans. In November of 2007, Square Enix released the game’s fourth expansion pack, WINGS OF THE GODDESS®, to a community that has more than 500,000 active subscribers and over 1.7 million active characters from around the world.
FINAL FANTASY XI is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) web site at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. The official FINAL FANTASY XI web site can be found at www.finalfantasyxi.com.
DST’s next Battlestar Galactica Minimates release will be the New Caprica Minimates Box Set! This set was recently announced at the newly relaunched Art Asylum website.
The next release in the line will be the aforementioned New Caprica box set – featuring the highly-requested civilian versions of both Colonel Tigh and Starbuck as well as two all-new characters making their Minimate debut. Of course I’m referring to the lovely Ellen Tigh and the sneaky Cylon Leoben. I love this set because it gets me one step closer to completing my Cylon army… Now if they would just reveal the Final Cylon it would be complete!!!
From iTunes to streaming video and exclusive, online content, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS not only premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network, but also paves the way for the most extensive digital distribution effort in the history of Lucasfilm Ltd..
Beginning Saturday, Oct. 4, each week’s new episode will be available at the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com) for $1.99 an episode, or $39.99 for a season pass to all 22 episodes. Both "Ambush" and "Rising Malevolence," which air tonight, will be available starting Saturday. This pattern will continue throughout the season, with each new episode available at the iTunes Store the day after its Cartoon Network premiere.
Additionally, a half-hour, behind-the-scenes special about the making of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS will be available on the iTunes store as a free download, beginning today.
At the official Star Wars site, www.starwars.com, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS will be available for online, streamed viewing beginning Friday, Oct. 10. The episodes will also be seen at www.cartoonnetwork.com. Streaming episodes will be available exactly one week after airing on Cartoon Network. At any given time, two episodes will be available for free, online viewing.
And there’s even more original, digital content for CLONE WARS viewers.
Starting with "Rising Malevolence," the series’ second episode, StarWars.com will offer a regular podcast; one that combines news and information with the creativity of Lucasfilm. It will be available both at StarWars.com and at iTunes. At both locations, the podcast will be free for fans who want to learn more about the secrets of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS.
Moreover, StarWars.com will offer an exclusive, entirely new online graphic novel, with new insights into the CLONE WARS galaxy. Written by Star Wars expert Pablo Hidalgo, its weekly installments will feature four different artists, each of whom illustrates a new "chapter." Each of the 23 "chapters" will serve as an introduction to that week’s episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS.
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!! Registration is over! But some states have same day registration (meaning you can register when you actually vote) so go check it out if you didn’t get registered in time.
UPDATE UPDATE!!! You only have 1 more day to register to vote in most states! You must mail your registration form by Oct. 4th to be registered for the upcoming Presidential election!
If you haven’t registered, do it now! Do it now!!!
Update! Ok, so we still really want you to go register if you haven’t already done so.
Now, I’m not sure if this video is actually effective at all, but it is kind of weird AND it’s also odd to see so many celebrities all crammed together. Makes you wonder where the rest of them were this day. Sleeping? Warning: does contain some profanity, so if you’re under 18, don’t watch! (you can’t register anyway, so just go to sleep and dream of the day you’re old enough to vote!)
We here at AFI firmly believe that if you are over 18 and a U.S. citizen that it is your civic duty to vote in the upcoming national elections. Regardless of who you vote for, voting is the best way to let your voice be heard in Washington, and locally.
But you can’t vote if you haven’t registered! Most states’ deadlines are in less than a week (October 4th) so click on the link below and fill out the form and mail it it before the 4th to get registered. It only costs a stamp, but is worth so much more.
And don’t let anyone tell you your vote doesn’t count. Statistically, if you decide to vote them so do 1000s of people. It’s crazy how that works.
Looks like Minimates are about to enter a War Zone of their very own! Based on this year’s Marvel sequel, the Punisher returns to the Marvel Minimates line with this Punisher: War Zone Minimates Box Set!
Due out on December 5, Punisher: War Zone reunites us with Frank Castle – this time played by Rome‘s Ray Stevenson – as he embarks on a war of his own against his new nemesis, Jigsaw. Up against the Punisher is mob boss Jigsaw and a literal army of hired goons, thugs and mercenaries dedicated to wiping out the Punisher once and for all!
This set contains Frank Castle, Jigsaw, Assault Punisher and a Mob Thug as well as a wide array of damage-dealing high-powered weaponry perfect for those pesky Minimate mob wars. Each of the two-inch Minimates were sculpted and designed by Art Asylum and feature 14 points of articulation as well as accessories from the upcoming film.
Look for this set in the October issue of Previews at your local comic book store!
NEW YORK, Oct 01, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) and its Fisher-Price(R) division made headlines today at the Time to Play(TM) press conference held in New York City, announcing Elmo Live, Laugh & Learn(TM) Smart Bounce & Spin Pony(TM) and Hot Wheels(R) Turbo Driver(TM) Controller to be some of this holiday season’s "Most Wanted" toys.
"Parents are looking for brands they trust and with play value. We deliver on both, in addition to designing toys that truly will create magical childhood memories this holiday. These toys, as well as many of our other must-have toys in our portfolio offer remarkable innovation that’s pure magic and fun for kids," said Neil Friedman, President, Mattel Brands.
Elmo Live
In this truly life-like and engaging creation, Elmo seems to actually be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like the real Muppet, Elmo, from Sesame Street. His mannerisms are right on target for life-like animation as his head moves back and forth as he speaks. He also waves his arms, sits and stands, even crosses his legs, all the while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. Children can activate the magic with a tickle or a squeeze of Elmo’s foot, tummy, back or nose.
Laugh & Learn(TM) Smart Bounce & Spin Pony(TM)
This classic playground-themed ride offers an animated, active way for infants to learn right in the living room. Parents simply connect the Pony to the TV via a wireless IR device and select one of three levels of play and five learning scenes. Baby can hop in the saddle and giddy-up to enjoy bouncing up and down, spinning around and rolling the roller ball on the handle bars. The more baby interacts, the more sound effects, sung songs and animations come to life, teaching baby letters, numbers, shapes, colors, opposites and more. Baby can also enjoy songs and sound effects right from the Pony itself when it is not connected to the TV.
Hot Wheels(R) Turbo Driver(TM) Controller
Turbo Driver(TM) from Hot Wheels(R) combines everything boys love about Hot Wheels(R) — competition, racing and vehicle play — with a controller that connects to your computer, allowing boys to access exclusive 3D racing games on HotWheels.com. Boys load one of eight different Car-tridge(TM) vehicles into the controller, allowing them to race online with the specific style and race attributes of the Car-tridge(TM). Each Car-tridge(TM) is a different car with its own style of racing and content, encouraging kids to find the car that works best in each racing environment.
Some of the most ground-breaking and innovative comic book characters in history will be coming to Diamond Select Toys in 2009! Based on the immortal works of Will Eisner, we are very excited to announce a new line of Minimates featuring none other than Denny Colt – more famously known as The Spirit!
Beginning in 1940, The Spirit introduced the world to the gritty noir adventures of a policeman turned vigilante, determined to fight for justice no matter the cost. Along the way he encounters fellow crusaders, duplicitous paramours and ruthless villains capable of terrifying even the heroes of today. Possessing no super powers per se, the Spirit instead relies on his athleticism and fighting style to punish the wicked and save the day.
Soon to be a major motion picture written and directed by comic book legend Frank Miller, Diamond Select Toys will release Minimates based on both the Eisner-penned comic and the modern retelling. The debut release will feature core characters as they appear in the big-screen Spirit feature opening this Christmas Day – including the Spirit (Gabriel Macht), former sweetheart Sand Saref (Eva Mendes), the twisted Silken Floss (Scarlett Johansson) and the maniacal Octopus (Samuel L Jackson)! A special Diamond Previews exclusive Minimates two-pack featuring the Spirit and Sand Saref will showcase some of the duo’s alternate looks.
Comic-based Minimates are currently in development and will showcase The Spirit’s rich 68 year history while more film-centric Minimates could also see release as the line continues. Look for the first Spirit Minimates sets in comic book and specialty stores in early January – just after The Spirit’s film premiere! Click on either image below to pre-order these fantastic sets!
Q1) Why was the Holiday Hal Jordan figure included in Mattel’s JLU showcase at SDCC? If he’s such a no-no(from DC/WB’s point of view), then why put him in there? Was this to determine fan interest? Was this to drum up fan support?
A1) To confess, we thought that the Mattel booth would act as a sort of “toy museum” and by displaying the figure in the booth it would give fans who can’t own this figure at least a chance to see him in person. Obviously from fan reaction we misjudged this and we won’t ever display him again. We are well aware of demand for this character and displaying Hal was meant to be fun for fans, not mud in your face. We are sorry if fans were upset by this.
Q2) Could you please give us the lowdown on the JLU Galatea head sculpt mix-up? Where is the near-perfect head sculpt that we were all told would be the version seen at retail.
A2) Ah, this one. Yes. Well the head that is shown on the back of package and in the print ads was the prototype. And much like Sinestro in the DCUC line, when the figure went from sculpt to mold it experienced some slight shrinkage of the tool. This is something we try to control as much as possible but in the end it does happen every so often. We wish two “mess ups” had not happened so close together, but with the sheer amount of figures we produce they are bound to happen.
The eye brows however were an honest mistake and we corrected it as quick as possible. We do not have plans to re-do her in the future because this would mean taking tooling away from another original head for a different new character. This will be the Galatea for the line.
Q3) Okay, so we’re getting JLU versions of Ultraman and Superwoman. Is Mattel considering filling out the rest of the Crime Syndicate team? Owlman, Power Ring, and Johnny Quick?
A3) Definitely something we are looking into if the line continues with fan support.
Q4) Speaking of alternate universe characters, we have the JLU Justice Lords Flash, who looks very similar to both the Reverse Flash and Zoom. Might we see a true version of either of these characters?
A4) A good possibility but not in the cards quite yet. Could be down the road.
Q5) I’ve been in contact with Mattel UK who have told me that they are not selling any DC figures. Are there any plans to start selling product through the international divisions? Comic shop prices are extortionate where I am?
A5) Much like any question about distribution, this is not something Mattel controls. It is up to local retailers anywhere in the world to place orders. Mattel will ship product to any retailer who orders it. If you are not seeing your favorite Mattel toy line at your local shops let them know to place orders!
Q6) Does the act of DC buying/licensing the characters of Milestone and Archie allow Mattel to make them, or would a new round of contract talks be required? In short, can you now make Static?
A6) Static we could do because he has appeared in the DC Universe (and on JLU) The other Archie characters are not part of the DC Universe and much like Vertigo characters are not part of our license.
Q7) lots of JLU fans are looking forward to the upcoming re-release of Volcana. What about Big Barda, Deadshot, and Obsidian? Many of us missed these 3 the first time around. Any chance you could re-release these figures in a 3-pack? You’d make some fans very happy! The figures are far too expensive on ebay and need re-releases. So, too, does the Lex Luthor in business suit with snap-on armor. We are going to get re-releases regardless, so it would be nice to have these four be amongst them.
A7) There is a very simple answer to this question. We are well aware of fan demand for these characters to be re-released, but we also want the line to last well into the future. We are purposely spacing out re-releases of hard to find characters to give the line more lifeblood down the road. Not to worry, we’ll get to them sooner then later! Volcana is coming in Spring 2009 as well as at least one other you mentioned.
Q8) With the recent move towards show accurate repaints, could we get a properly colored 5 POA Martian Manhunter? I think the shade of plastic used for Justice Lord Green Lantern’s Torso Would be a pretty accurate match.
A8) Not a bad suggestion. We will pass this on to our designers!
Custom Con 21 is in full swing over at Joe Acevedo’s site. They are already up to the day 4 listings so there’s lots of great stuff to see! 
Burbank
Watchmen
Batman
Superman
LOS ANGELES (October 7, 2008)
From iTunes to streaming video and exclusive, online content, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS not only premieres tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Cartoon Network, but also paves the way for the most extensive digital distribution effort in the history of Lucasfilm Ltd..
NEW YORK, Oct 01, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) and its Fisher-Price(R) division made headlines today at the Time to Play(TM) press conference held in New York City, announcing Elmo Live, Laugh & Learn(TM) Smart Bounce & Spin Pony(TM) and Hot Wheels(R) Turbo Driver(TM) Controller to be some of this holiday season’s "Most Wanted" toys. 
Some of the most ground-breaking and innovative comic book characters in history will be coming to Diamond Select Toys in 2009! Based on the immortal works of Will Eisner, we are very excited to announce a new line of Minimates featuring none other than Denny Colt – more famously known as The Spirit!
Matty from MattyCollector.com and ToyGuru Jr. sent us the answers to our latest round of questions.
