Just in time for the WatchMen DVD? Check out the trailer for Watchmen: The End Is Nigh Part 2:
From Wired.com:
Comics industry giant Marvel has teamed with virtually unknown gaming firm Gazillion Entertainment to create a host of online games, reports VentureBeat.
First on the docket is a family-friendly online title based on Super Hero Squad, a cartoon set to debut on Cartoon Network this fall featuring Marvel’s characters. The game should land “sometime in 2010.”
Perhaps more interesting to Marvel fans is news that the long-dead Marvel Universe MMO isn’t quite as dead as we’d all thought. Gargantuan, a California-based development arm of Gazillion, is currently working on a PC and console version of the game, according to VB.
This agreement seemingly has no bearing on Marvel’s agreement with other game publishers (Activision, for instance) that allows for the creation of console games based on Marvel properties.
Teen-friendly and mortal combat do not seem like words that should go together, but according to the new Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe they do.
The new game, that is expected out in November, adds superheroes, and eschews the game’s traditional Mature branding. Designer Paulo Garcia said, in a recent interview with Gamastura, that the new Mortal Kombat has had to make some changes for the sake of the teen rating.
“DC’s comics are geared toward all ages, after all — can’t have the younger generation seeing their favorite characters doing anything unseemly. That means nixing dismemberment, deleting hallmark fatalities and making sure classic DC heroes like Batman can’t kill at all.”
(PRWEB) October 31, 2007 — In Our Gods Wear Spandex, Knowles traces the histories of both American comic books and the superheroes who came to define them. It reveals the deep and abiding religious, occult and magical roots of legendary characters like Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Wolverine. Ultimately, this work argues that these fantastic characters are not mere entertainment, but also serve as de facto deities for our modern technological society.
“This book will explain how superheroes have come to fill the role in our modern society that the gods and demi-gods provided to the ancients. It will catalog the movements and magicians who played a crucial part in the development of social phenomena like the Batman or X-Men films, or of TV shows like Heroes or Smallville.”
* from the Prologue to Our Gods Wear Spandex (Weiser Books, November 2007)
“You think superheroes are something new? Wait’ll you read the exciting spin that Knowles and Linsner put on them!” - Stan Lee
This book will explain how superheroes have come to fill the role in our modern society that the gods and demi-gods provided to the ancients. It will catalog the movements and magicians who played a crucial part in the development of social phenomena like the Batman or X-Men films, or of TV shows like Heroes or Smallville.
Was Superman’s arch nemesis Lex Luthor based on Aleister Crowley? Can Captain Marvel be linked to the Norse god Thor?
In Our Gods Wear Spandex, Christopher Knowles answers these questions as he traces the histories of both American comic books and the superheroes who came to define them. It reveals the deep and abiding religious, occult and magical roots of legendary characters like Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and Wolverine. Ultimately, this work argues that these fantastic characters are not mere entertainment, but also serve as de facto deities for our modern technological society.
Our Gods Wear Spandex also explores everything from the occult and esoteric origins of these characters to the controversy they have often inspired. The book also focuses on some of the medium’s most important creators, and the strange and powerful attraction that Magic and the Occult has held over them all.
With the popularity of occult comics writers like Invisibles creator and Spider Man writer, Grant Morrison, and V for Vendetta creator Alan Moore, the vast comic audience is just waiting for someone to introduce them to the esoteric mysteries. No other book addresses the mystic roots of some of our most popular superheroes as Our Gods Wear Spandex. Chapters include: Ancient of Days, Ascended Masters, God and Gangsters, Mad Scientists and Modern Sorcerers, and more.
From the ghettos of Prague to the halls of Valhalla to the Fortress of solitude and the aisles of Book Expo and ComiCon, this is the first book to show the inextricable link between superheroes and the enchanted world of esoterica.
For additional title information, please visit: www.weiserbooks.com.
Christopher Knowles has worked in the comics industry for over 20 years, as both an artist and writer. Presently associate editor and contributing writer for the five-time Eisner Award-winning magazine Comic Book Artist and pop culture writer for Classic Rock Magazine. He worked with Robert Smigel on The X Presidents graphic novel based on the popular Saturday Night Live cartoon, and has created designs and artwork for many of the world’s top superheroes and fantasy characters. He lives with his wife and three children in New Jersey.
Joseph Michael Linsner is creator of popular comic book goddess Dawn and his pained covers for all the major comic book companies. He resides in Atlanta. Visit him at www.linsner.com
Our Gods Wear Spandex by Christopher Knowles, Illustrated by Joseph Michael Linsner; Published by Weiser Books; Publication date: November, 2007; Price: $19.95; Paperback; ISBN: 978-1-57863-406-4; Category: Graphic Novels; Available wherever books are sold or through the publisher at (800) 423-7087, or online at www.weiserbooks.com.
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) July 6, 2007 – 1UP.com and Planetwide Media’s http://HyperComics.com today announced the launch of the “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” Comic Book Creator Contest (http://superhero2-CBC.1up.com). The contest is a direct tie-in to the second season premiere of SCI FI Channel’s hit competition reality series “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” starring legendary comic book creator Stan Lee and premiering Thursday, July 26th at 9:00PM ET/PT. Would-be superheroes and average mortals are invited to participate and create their own user-generated comic celebrating how they “Want to be a Superhero” using Planetwide Media’s Comic Book Creator™ software.
The “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” Comic Book Creator Contest is completely virtual and enables aspiring comic artists who have never laid out a page in their life to do so quickly and easily using Planetwide Media’s Comic Book Creator™ software, which is available as a free trial download at http://superhero2-CBC.1up.com Comic Book Creator software takes the hassle out of users creating their own comic book templates, allowing them to import their video game screenshots, personal artwork and digital photos in just a few clicks. When users feel like they have captured their inner comic superhero, they can create a free account at http://www.HyperComics.com and upload their comic book creation.
The “Who Wants to be a Superhero?” Comic Book Creator Contest begins at 12:00 p.m. (PST) on July 6, 2007 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. (PST) on July 25, 2007. All entries must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. (PST) on July 25, 2007. The Grand Prize winner will receive: Westingtonhouse 42″ HDTV, SCI FI Channel DVD Collection, and Planetwide Media software prize bundle. (Retail Value $1,864.00) First Prize winner will receive: Westingtonhouse 24′ LCD Monitor and a Planetwide Media software prize bundle (Retail Value $720.00).
The contest is open to legal residents of the United States who are at least 13 years of age or older at time of entry. No purchase necessary. VOID WHEREVER PROHIBITED BY LAW. Participants may enter the Contest by visiting http://superhero2-CBC.1up.com and completing all required fields of entry on the online Contest entry form. Submissions will also be accepted via PDF or by attaching your Hypercomic.com url via email to Superhero2 @ planetwidegames.com.
For complete contest rules and regulations, visit http://superhero2-CBC.1up.com
About SCI FI Channel
SCI FI Channel is a television network where “what if” is what’s on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 89 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies.
About “Who Wants to be a Superhero?”
Who Wants To Be A Superhero? is a production of Nash Entertainment, in association with Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, Inc. Bruce Nash, Stan Lee, Andy Scheer, Andrew Jebb and Gill Champion serve as executive producers.
About Ziff Davis Game Group
Ziff Davis Game Group ( gamegroup.ziffdavis.com), a division of Ziff Davis Media Inc., is the largest integrated gaming media publisher in the United States, reaching over 20 million gamers. The Game Group publishes magazines including EGM (Electronic Gaming Monthly) and Games for Windows: The Official Magazine, as well as the 1UP Network, including social networking and editorial hub 1UP.com, file download destination FileFront.com, video site GameVideos.com, community- driven game help site MyCheats.com, news and reviews aggregator GameTab.com, and a set of podcasts including leading videocast The 1UP Show.
About Planetwide Media
Planetwide Media (www.myplanetwide.com), a division of Planetwide Games, Inc., provides a unique and patent pending, interactive, self-publishing personalized media platform for a wide audience of emerging consumers in the digital media space. The company provides web enabled tools, software applications and video games that create personal interactivity. The company’s signature product, Comic Book Creator™, is a best-of-breed digital media platform that embraces User Generated Content (UGC) and enables users to blend their creations into their social networks, their blogs and across the web. Comic Book Creator is an easy to use platform that provides the consumer with a richly enhanced interactive digital experience. Planetwide Media is currently combining the Comic Book Creator with technology through licenses with world-class entertainment, video game, sports, music and lifestyle brands worldwide. For licensing and brand partners, Comic Book Creator is a platform to extend their digital footprint into an interactive digital experience.
Visit http://www.HyperComics.com , http://www.MyComicbookCreator.com and http://www.MyPlanetwide.com for more information.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — (MARKET WIRE) — May 31, 2007 — Zaldiva™, Inc., a specialty and online retailer of new and vintage Pop Culture collectibles, comic books and memorabilia, was recently awarded “Best Comic Book Shop” in the New Times Broward Palm Beach Best of 2007 Readership poll. The Readership Poll is the most honorable prize awarded by the New Times because the winner is decided by their most valuable asset… their readership.
“We couldn’t be more excited to receive this award,” commented Nicole Leigh-van Coller, President of Zaldiva, Inc. “The store was just opened in November and already we have been chosen as the local favorite, beating out older, more established shops in the area. Our customer service, selection and pricing have contributed to making the store a success, and we have exceeded even our own expectations for the success of our first retail outlet.” She added, “We will continue to provide the kind of service and dedication to our customers that enabled us to gain market share so rapidly, and we will look to expand upon our success by continuing to look for synergistic acquisitions that will add shareholder value.”
Zaldiva’s online store and the new retail location are prepared for the onslaught of new comic-related movies heading to the theaters this summer. “Popular series, including ‘Fantastic Four,’ ‘Transformers’ and ‘The Simpsons,’ will all be released over the next month or so and we are ready to handle the inquiries and purchases of the collectible merchandise related to these movies,” stated Leigh-van Coller.
Visit Zaldiva.com, or take a ride over to our new location at 331 E. Commercial Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334, and see for yourself why Zaldiva.com was chosen as the best of the best by their hometown, Broward County.
Visit our web site for links to regular updates, information about comic books, and lists of participating publishers (and their comics) www.zaldiva.com.
GIG HARBOR, WA — (MARKET WIRE) — May 06, 2007 — Gottaplay Interactive, Inc. (OTCBB: GTAP), the only full-service destination site for videogamers, today announced that the highly anticipated video game Spider-Man 3 has shot to the top of its charts as the number one most requested game. The new game offers players the unprecedented freedom to explore Manhattan as the new, darker character of Black-Suited Spider-Man. The single-player action game, which pits the web-slinging hero against ten of his most infamous enemies, allows users to roam more than twenty miles of sewer and subway lines. Spider-Man 3 is rated Teen. Gottaplay is now offering members Spider-Man 3 for Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance.
Gottaplay CEO John Gorst said, “Our members have been waiting for months for this game. The activity we’ve seen during the past few days shows that fans are looking to immediately extend their movie experience on their consoles at home.”
Spider-Man 3, the third installment in the Spider-Man trilogy, topped U.S. charts this weekend. Lines formed late Thursday night in New York as theaters premiered the film at midnight. Earlier in the week, Spider-Man 3 smashed box-office records in eight different Asian markets, surpassing the previous two movies’ openings.
About Gottaplay Interactive, Inc.
Gottaplay Interactive is a leading online gaming rental company. It features free home delivery and unlimited access to an extensive gaming library for a flat monthly fee. No due dates, No late fees — it is simple, economical and convenient. Game titles are delivered via mail from multiple distribution centers established throughout the continental U.S. Gottaplay is also a premier online peer-to-peer (P2P) destination for trading video games. The service offers an alternative way to play all of the video games a gamer wants through an interactive trading platform. Members can legally trade and swap video games in the most cost-effective way with no limits or rental subscription. For more information, please visit Gottaplay at www.gottaplay.com
SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 18 /PRNewswire/ — Xenon Pictures announces the theatrical release of the rap-infused horror anthology, SNOOP DOGG’S HOOD OF HORROR. The film, which features Snoop Dogg as the “Crib Keeper,” presents three grisly morality tales that blend horror, anime, live action and a strong dose of gallows humor, partially inspired by the classic comic-book series TALES FROM THE CRYPT. The Xenon Pictures release, produced by Social Capital, BloodWorks, and Snoopadelic Films, will open nationally on Friday, May 4, 2007.
Set in an inner-city landscape where every day is a fight for survival, SNOOP DOGG’S HOOD OF HORROR takes the urban nightmare into the realm of the supernatural and the bizarre. Take, for example, the tagger who’s given the power of life and death by a shamanistic stranger; the bigoted, rich white man who’s in for some nasty surprises from the people he loathes; the rap star whose skeletons come out of the closet — literally.
Hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg stars as Devin, a slain gangster forced to atone for his misdeeds by ushering his fellow sinners to their infernal rewards, accompanied by his posse of scantily-clad sucubi and badass demons.
Described by Variety as “gleefully disgusting,” this darkly comical gorefest boasts a stellar cast from the worlds of film and TV, hip-hop and pro sports, including Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, “Desperate Housewives”), Danny Trejo (The Devil’s Rejects), Lin Shaye (There’s Something About Mary), Anson Mount (In Her Shoes, City by the Sea), Playmate® Brande Roderick (Starsky & Hutch, “Baywatch: Hawaii”), Daniella Alonso (The Hills Have Eyes 2), Pooch Hall (”The Game”), Sydney Tamiia Poitier (Grindhouse), WWF superstar Diamond Dallas Page, Aries Spears (”Mad TV”) and NBA star Tayshaun Prince.
Also featured are Billy Dee Williams, Jason Alexander (”Seinfeld”), rapper Method Man (”The Wire”), NBA star Lamar Odom and NFL stars Teyo Johnson, Justin Fargas and Glenn Cadrez.
The latest outing in Xenon Pictures’ continuing relationship with Snoop Dogg (Tha Eastsidaz, Welcome to Death Row), SNOOP DOGG’S HOOD OF HORROR comes to selected theaters on May 4, 2007, not-so-coincidentally with the release of SPIDER-MAN 3. The anticipated spillover business just may rival the copious amount of spilled blood in the film.
The film was originally scheduled for a narrower release, targeting horror and sci-fi audiences, late last year. However Xenon rescheduled for the May date due to demand from broader audiences, and the opportunity for many additional screens resulting from other studios’ fear of SPIDER-MAN 3.
Directed by Academy Award® nominee Stacy Title, SNOOP DOGG’S HOOD OF HORROR was written by Jonathan McHugh, Tim Sullivan, Chris Kobin and Jacob Hair. Martin Shore of Social Capital and Christopher Tuffin of BloodWorks, as well as Ted Chung, McHugh and Sullivan, served as producers. Gordon Steel and John Baca of The Steel Company served as executive producers, in addition to Snoop Dogg. The anime sequences were produced by Japan’s Madhouse, known for such classics as ANIMATRIX and TOKYO HUNTER, under the Direction of Academy Award®-winner John Gaeta, known for his work on the MATRIX trilogy. This film is rated R for pervasive strong violence and gore, sexuality, nudity and language.
MURRIETA, CA — (MARKET WIRE) — April 03, 2007 — Left Behind Games Inc., a leader in the inspirational video game industry announced that today’s release of the final book in the best-selling LEFT BEHIND series, “Kingdom Come: The Final Victory,” published by Tyndale House Publishers, includes a new game ad representing another joint marketing effort between book publisher Tyndale House Publishers and Left Behind Games. The new book represents the sixteenth in the adult novel series which have sold more than 65 million copies worldwide.Troy Lyndon, Left Behind Games’ CEO states, “We are hopeful to see more lives impacted positively as people read these books and play our games which present matters of eternal importance in fascinating and fictionally entertaining ways.”
For more information, visit www.leftbehindgames.com
ABOUT LEFT BEHIND GAMES
Left Behind Games Inc. was founded in October 2001 for the purpose of developing games based upon the popular LEFT BEHIND book series. The mission of Left Behind Games is to become the world’s leading independent developer and publisher of quality interactive entertainment products that perpetuate positive values and appeal to mainstream and faith-based audiences.
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