Buy Pile - upto and including 17th December

Adventure Comics #5 Blackest Night
Rebels #11 Blackest Night
Justice League Of America #40 Blackest Night
Outsiders #25 Blackest Night
Superman Batman #67 Blackest Night
Azrael #3
Batman #694
Batman 80 Page Giant #1 (maybe)
Batman Streets Of Gotham #7
Daredevil #503
Dark Avengers #12
Green Lantern Corps #43 Blackest Night
Captain America Reborn #5 (Of 6)

Legend

New Ideas

I am looking for some new ideas to post up. Any particular programmes that people would like to read about? - reviews that is. Is there too much comic stuff? (Actually, I don't think there is enough) - oh - a few movie reviews coming soon!

Google Wave

Finally, I got an invite from Google to trial 'Google Wave'. I got it earleir this week and have managed to have a brief play. Functionality wise, it looks pretty good - kinda like an enhanced, medium-combined email system. Problem is that as it is currently in Beta, you have no one to converse with. I know one person who has access. So, if you read this, check out Google Wave and request an invite - see you there.

Blackest Night

I have been faithfully reading all issues that fall within the Blackest Night arc. For the most part I have enjoyed what I read (I think!). The thing is, it dawned on me as I spent some time filing some comics, that I have a huge pile of Blackest Night comics which I have read, but I don't really remember that much. Terrible!

Firstly there is the order of events. They haven't come out as advertised in the checklist. So you never quite know what to read first. Then, for someone like me who reads select characters but doesn't want to miss anything, I am reading about characters I don't know. In some ways that is fine, but it does add to the confusion. Ultimately, I don't think any of the issues have been as good as Blackest Night #0. The bar was set high and that was free.

Due 10th & 17th December

Adventure Comics #5 Blackest Night
Batgirl #5
Black Widow Deadly Origin #2 (Of 4)
Booster Gold #27 Blackest Night
Captain America Reborn #5 (Of 6)
Doom Patrol #5 Blackest Night
Rebels #11 Blackest Night
Red Robin #7

Azrael #3
Batman #694
Batman 80 Page Giant #1 (maybe)
Batman Streets Of Gotham #7
Daredevil #503
Dark Avengers #12
Green Lantern Corps #43 Blackest Night
Justice League Of America #40 Blackest Night
Outsiders #25 Blackest Night
Superman Batman #67 Blackest Night

Sooo cool!

Due 3 December

Batman The Unseen #5 (Of 5)
Blackest Night The Flash #1 (Of 3)
Blackest Night Wonder Woman #1 (Of 3)
Dark Avengers Annual #1 (maybe)
Fall Of Hulks Alpha One-Shot (maybe)
Haunt #3
Marvels Project #4 (Of 8)
Supergod #2 (Of 5)

Due 26th

Arkham Reborn #2 (Of 3)
Detective Comics #859
Blackest Night #5 (Of 8)
Creepy Comics #2 (check out)
Gotham City Sirens #6
Green Lantern #48 Blackest Night
Justice League Cry For Justice #5 (Of 7)
Justice League Of America #39 Blackest Night
Ultimate Comics Avengers #4

Missing:

Batman Unseen #4
Daredevil #502
Image United #1

Latest titles

Adventure Comics #4 Blackest Night
Adventure Comics #507 Blackest Night
Azrael #2
Batman Streets Of Gotham #6
Batman The Unseen #4 (Of 5)
Dark Avengers #11
Flash Rebirth #5 (Of 6)
Outsiders #24 Blackest Night
Spider-Woman #3
Superman Batman #66 Blackest Night

Blackest Night Checklist - for reference

Green Lantern #43 (Prologue)
Blackest Night #1
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #1
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #2
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #3
Green Lantern #44

August 2009
Blackest Night #2
Green Lantern #45
Green Lantern Corps #39
Blackest Night: Batman #1 of 3
Blackest Night: Superman #1 of 3
Blackest Night: Titans #1 of 3

September 2009
Blackest Night #3
Green Lantern #46
Green Lantern Corps #40
Blackest Night: Batman #2 of 3
Blackest Night: Superman #2 of 3
Blackest Night: Titans #2 of 3

October 2009
Blackest Night #4
Green Lantern #47
Green Lantern Corps #41
Blackest Night: Batman #3 of 3
Blackest Night: Superman #3 of 3
Blackest Night: Titans #3 of 3

November 2009
Blackest Night #5
Green Lantern #48 (This issue is ALL JOHN STEWART)
Green Lantern Corps #42
Kyle Rayner: Blue Lantern #1 of 2
Blackest Night: Lady Styx
Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1 of 3

December 2009
Blackest Night #6
Green Lantern #49
Green Lantern Corps #43
Kyle Rayner: Blue Lantern #2 of 2
Blackest Night: Doomsday’s Rage
Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #2 of 3

January 2010
Blackest Night #7
Green Lantern #50
Green Lantern Corps #44
Blackest Night: Superman Blue #1 of 2
Blackest Night: Nekron
Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #3 of 3

February 2010
Green Lantern Corps #45
Blackest Night: Krona
Blackest Night: Superman Blue #2 of 2
Blackest Night #8
Green Lantern #51 (Epilogue)
Blackest Night: Alan Scott Memorial

Due 12th November

Batgirl #4
Batman #693
Batman And Robin #6
Booster Gold #26 Blackest Night (maybe)
Daredevil #502
Green Lantern Corps #42 Blackest Night
Rebels #10 Blackest Night (maybe)
Red Robin #6
Supergod #1 (Of 5) (maybe)

KEEN

IMAGE UNITED #1 - November 25th, 2009.

Looks awesome

Pinocchio Vampire Slayer

Gonna check this out.

Shopping list

Batgirl #4
Batman #693
Batman And Robin #6
Green Lantern Corps #42 Blackest Night
Locke & Key Crown Of Shadows #1 (maybe)
Rebels #10 Blackest Night (maybe)
Red Robin #6
Supergod #1 (Of 5) (maybe)
Dark Avengers #10
Batman Streets Of Gotham #5
Batman The Unseen #2 (Of 5)
Blackest Night Superman #3 (Of 3)
Dark Reign List Hulk One-Shot (maybe)
Spider-Woman #2
Arkham Reborn #1 (Of 3) (maybe)
Batman #692
Blackest Night #4 (Of 8)
Blackest Night Titans #3 (Of 3)
Detective Comics #858
Gotham City Sirens #5
Green Lantern #47 Blackest Night
Justice Society Of America #32 (maybe)
Last Days Of Animal Man #6 (Of 6)
Ultimate Comics Avengers #3
Batman The Unseen #3 (Of 5)
Batman Widening Gyre #3 (Of 6)
Black Widow Deadly Origin #1 (Of 4) (maybe)
Captain America Reborn #4 (Of 6)
Haunt #2

File Sharing

I was interested today to read about the proposed actions that will be taken regarding those who 'persistently' file share. It seems that a leaf out of the french's book means a three strikes and your out policy. Will this work? when I am not so tired, I will post my thoughts.

Due on the 5th

Batman The Unseen #3 (Of 5)
Batman Widening Gyre #3 (Of 6)
Black Widow Deadly Origin #1 (Of 4) (maybe)
Captain America Reborn #4 (Of 6)
Haunt #2

Cool upcoming films

Wolfman
2012
Avatar

Google Wave

I gotta get my hands on this for a little play!

Due 29th October 2009

Arkham Reborn #1 (Of 3) (maybe)
Batman #692
Blackest Night #4 (Of 8)
Blackest Night Titans #3 (Of 3)
Detective Comics #858
Gotham City Sirens #5
Green Lantern #47 Blackest Night
Justice Society Of America #32 (maybe)
Last Days Of Animal Man #6 (Of 6)
Ultimate Comics Avengers #3

Views from the train

I've been a bit pants recently - so busy!

Smallville Season 6 rocks (I am playing serious catch up).

Cool bananas that there are going to be fewer villains in the next Spiderman movie.

Watched the Thomas Jane Punisher film version - not bad actually.

Shatner should definitely be in the next Star Trek.

Next Shopping List

Dark Avengers #10
Batman Streets Of Gotham #5
Batman The Unseen #2 (Of 5)
Blackest Night Superman #3 (Of 3)
Dark Reign List Hulk One-Shot (maybe)
Spider-Woman #2

To pick up

Detective Comics #857
Blackest Night Superman #2 (Of 3)
Spider-Woman #1
Wednesday Comics #12 (Of 12)
Batman Widening Gyre #2 (Of 6)
Blackest Night Titans #2 (Of 3)
Green Lantern #46 Blackest Night
Last Days Of Animal Man #5 (Of 6)
Haunt #1
Batman: The Unseen #1
Batman And Robin #5
Justice League Cry For Justice #4 (Of 7)
Batgirl #3
Batman #691
Blackest Night Batman #3 (Of 3)
Green Lantern Corps #41 Blackest Night
Marvels Project #3 (Of 8)
Red Robin #5
Web Of Spider-Man #1 (maybe)

Oasis

Have been listening to Oasis's latest album (I know - seriously late to the party). I kinda dismissed it in 2008 when it came out, thinking they were past it. But I have to agree with Alan McGhee "Maybe it is their [Oasis'] lucky seventh album?". "The Beatles and the (Rolling) Stones released 'Revolver' and 'Beggar's Banquet' respectively, both were album number seven, and 'Dig Out Your Soul' is on a par of with both in terms of classic songwriting." I dunno if it is on a par re the writing but it is def a 'good' seventh album.

2 new titles!

Haunt #1 (McFarlane - excited)
Batman: The Unseen #1 (an untold Bruce Wayne story - looks neat)

Hopefully pick them up tomorrow

Some comics to film -my thoughts.

[haven't been arsed to spell check etc - sorry!]

Captain America – July 2011

I have grown to like this character more over the last few years (due to the 'Death of' story arc-lol). I don't think any stars have been cast at the time of writing, although I think that Matthew McC is perfect in looks for the part – whether he can act is another matter. Apparently the setting will be WWII and as such it is likely to be an origin story of sorts. Personally I would prefer a contempary storyline with the back story written in over a number of films (possibly even including the Avengers movie). More to follow on this.

Green Lantern – June 2011

Massively keen on this. Huge GL fan and of course big Hal Jordan fan. I have to say I was surprised that Ryan Reynolds was cast as Hal. For me he would be better fitted as Kyle Raynor, but I guess if it is going to be an origins story (and therefore a young hal), then it does makes sense that you have a young actor. As a general premise for a movie it could be awesome. Personally I would like to see Hal go bad (Parallex) and again have a back story run in the, well background. However not sure non-comic audiences are ready for that yet. So instead audiences will learn about an alien that fell to earth and bestowed a powerful ring unto a human. The said ring allows the weilder to command the ring to his willpower. Awesome stuff (yes my mental age is close to 8).

Blade Prequel

Cool. A film or films surrounding Deacon Frost from the first movie. Could work? will Wesley make an appearance? Proabably won't happen though.

The Boys

One of the few non Marvel or DC comics I really like. It is not for everyone and certainly some of the antics of the 'Boys' and indeed the heroes that they are regulating are beyond ridiculous – but it is good fun. If they do make a film, you hope Simon Pegg is in it as the character 'wee hughie' is famously based on him (although another film for him to do a scottish accent?) . If he were to appear in it, it would definitely add some curiousity to the release.

The Flash

Another character that I am really into at the moment. I am loving Geoff Johns' Flash: Rebirth, which sees the return of Barry Allen. He is of course playing a central role alongside Hal Jordan in Blackest Night currently (which is also awesome, if not a little complicated). Anyway if a Flash film is made, there are plenty of options on which direction to go. Geoff Johns, I understand has been hired by Warner Bros and baring in mind his understanding of the subject matter -and his passion -a film could be well receivd.



Thor.

Honestly? Not sure what to think about this one. I have never been a massive fan of Thor although I have always thought there was potential. A Norse God who wanders earth? The god of Thunder who fights alongside the Avengers? It is going to be a tough one to write. Similarly to Captain America I would love to see this set in the contemporary world as opposed to some parallel universe. Don't get me wrong, some back story showing Valhala or equivalent. Kenneth Brannagh has signed up for directing duties which may be or may not be a bad thing – it could be amazing – shakespearian and operatic. Or it could be pants. Time will tell. Some dude called Chris Hemsworth is playing the main man. Then you have Natalie Portman playing the love interest and Brian Blessed as Odin (inspired). I will be keeping a watchful eye over this.



Avengers – May 2012

Very....very.....very excited about the prospects of this film. In theory (it hasn't been made yet) this will do for Marvel what the prspect of a Justice League Movie would have done for DC – revolutionise the movie/character/comic industry. I make no excuses for the fact that I prefer DC to Marvel, but there are some great Marvel characters and story arcs out there. More recently, my Marvel reading has involved the Avengers or the Ultimates. For many, the prospect of putting a number of 'key' characters in a movie has attracted some serious interest. I have always loved cross-overs – whether it was movies, music, tv or comics (hasselhoff turning up in the new Knight Rider for instance !) But can a film that potentially contains – Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the Hulk really be something special. Firstly, if you can get the same actors who played the characters in the original movies, that is a cool start. Ed Norton is thus far the only concern there. Second, it would be awesome if some secondary charcaters made appearances (again with actors who can play that character in an original film if deemed appropriate or indeed who made appearances in the respective warm up movies – Black Widow and War Machine being two characters that come to mind). Thirdly, if they take the Ultimates story material and work with that then I think we could be onto a winner. With Samuel L Jackson playing Nick Fury and signing up for a 12 movie deal or something ridiculous, it would suggest that there are elemenst of the Ultimates that will be incoprorated (in the avnegers Nick Fury is white. In the Ultimates, he is black, based on Samuel L Jackson originally). In the Ultimates, the characters are more hardcore – they seem to take more enjoyment in their work -i.e. kicking some ass. Captain America can sometimes be a bit of a pussy – rarely in the Ultimates – although he did get his ass handed to him in the latest Ultimates run – which is very cool by the way. Personally I wuld like to see a very cool Ultimates Hawkeye in the Avengers and Hank Pym for comedy. This is definitely a space to watch.

Due 01/10/09

Batman Widening Gyre #2 (Of 6)
Blackest Night Titans #2 (Of 3)
Green Lantern #46 Blackest Night
Last Days Of Animal Man #5 (Of 6)

Batman Giant

sweet.

Standing Order 24th September

Quiet this week:

Detective Comics #857
Blackest Night Superman #2 (Of 3)
Spider-Woman #1
Wednesday Comics #12 (Of 12)

Outstanding Standing Order!

3rd September(4th due to Bank Holiday)

Batman #690
Justice League Cry For Justice #3 (Of 7)
Wednesday Comics #9 (Of 12)


10th September

Blackest Night Batman #2 (Of 3)
Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men Exodus DAX
Green Lantern Corps #40 (Blackest Night)
Marvels Project #2 (Of 8)
Red Robin #4
Ultimate Comics Avengers #2
Wednesday Comics #10 (Of 12)


17th September

Dark Avengers #9
Batgirl #2
Batman And Robin #4
Batman Streets Of Gotham #4
Blackest Night #3 (Of 8)
Captain America Reborn #3 (Of 5)
Wednesday Comics #11 (Of 12)

Apple - Yawn!

I have been meaning to write about this for some time and following a number of recent conversations with friends, I think I am good to go.

Apple products are undoubtedly wonderful to look at. They have been for some time and with the advent of the ipod, Apple have really launched themselves as a technology developer worthy of battling Microsoft. Before I go any further, I want it to be clear that apart from a short stint as a journalist after leaving University, I have never worked on a Mac. Yes I have played on them in store and mucked about with them, but I have never owned one. I have always been a PC man and still am.

A number of years ago I was having a conversation with a good friend about technology (we were both technology lawyers at the time), so it did make sense. Anyway I was talking about the wonders of my first mp3 player, a Rio. I loved it. It was 32MB (yes MB). If you wanted you could upgrade it to 64MB (I never did). Well I loved that little machine. It held an album (just). If it was 12 tracks on the album then I had to reduce the quality, otherwise 10 tracks at decent quality would do. I would plug it into my PC in the morning before going to work and select the essential tracks for the day. It was amazing. No carrying around CD's or cassettes (although I did love cassettes). Well back to the conversation with my friend. He started to tell me about his new Apple mp3 player. It was called an ipod. It was 10GB. I laughed and used wholly inappropriate language. He was clearly lying to me. Either that or someone had slipped a dodgy drug into his beer (or mine). No matter he was telling the truth of course. A large white encased hard drive with a grey scale screen. A socket at the top for your headphones and 10GB's worth of your tunes. Sounded amazing. And of course my little Rio was never the same again, although I did continue using it for some time. At that stage I couldn't get an ipod. It only worked with Apple computers and I wasn't going to change just for that.

So my little Rio made do until Apple announced that they were releasing an ipod that could be used with a PC. Shock horror. Hardcore apple fans were not happy. PC fans were wondering what all the fuss was about and then there were people like me who were very exited. By this point they had already moved on considerably from the 10GB 1st generation my friend had. I purchased a white 3rd generation 20GB (they only did them in white). I remember when it first arrived – the excitement. The possibilities. It went everywhere with me. It had buttons on the fascia that back-lit.I still have it. It still works, although it is a bit bashed up. I remember becoming a statesman for ipods. I got strange looks from friends and colleagues. But they were jealous. They had heard rumblings of ipods. Is that an mp3 player? Anyway, Apple attempted to do what Microsoft had with their Windows operating system – an ipod in every home. And most people I know have one now – different colours, shapes, sizes.

But here is the crunch, Apple are considered a future contender to Microsoft for personal computing – not true! It will never happen. Apple know this. They admitted defeat the minute they allowed the ipod to work on a PC. It was a choice. And to be fair it has worked in so far as the mp3 market is wrapped up. Occasionally someone will turn their back on PC's and buy a mac. But the war was lost.

A good friend of mine (tweet davidvonce) has just purchased a new Mac Book Pro (and subsequently an iphone - which is a different story) and is clearly in love with it - the Mac Book Pro (slightly wrong). A big song and dance was made about Boot Camp and how you could run Windows on your Mac. Yet again, Apple seem to be admitting defeat and doing enough to encourage you to convert but still encouraging you to use Windows. Is this because you are limited on a Mac? Is it because you can't play decent games on a Mac? is it because the majority of programmes for Mac are made by Mac and not third parties?

Don't get me wrong, I like the look of the products, but I like the option to change my PC. I can change the hardware to my 'personal' needs. I can change the software to my 'personal' needs. My desktop looks like a Mac, icons and layout – but happily it isn't. If Apple hadn't made ipods available to PC's, I might now be an apple user and wouldn't be writing this on the brilliant ASUS EEE – but that's another blog for another time.

iTunes 'wish list'

I got all excited about the wish list function in iTunes (hadn't noticed it before) and found that for TV series/programmes that are still airing, wish list doesn't work. How annoying is that? rubbish.

iTunes wish list

Very quickly:

Spotify - Has got to be worth having mobile. £10 subscription - pretty much any music you want, there and then. I am going to trial it, if nothing else.

Nuclear O'reilly Album - First album to be made all on the iphone.

Tim Buckley - Live at Folklore Centre NYC - small 1967 live session - enough said.

Tru Blood - I have missed this, but have heard and read rave reviews - £21.99 for season pass - download released episodes, get the new ones automatically - yes please.

Westbang - not dodgy pron - shoot em up game - cool little graphics. I shot the Sheriff!

DC Entertainment created

WARNER BROS. CREATES DC ENTERTAINMENT
September 9, 2009

WARNER BROS. CREATES DC ENTERTAINMENT

Diane Nelson to Serve as President, DC Entertainment

Paul Levitz to Segue from President & Publisher of DC Comics

To Writer, Contributing Editor and Overall Consultant to DC Entertainment

(Dateline - Burbank, CA) Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI) has created DC Entertainment Inc., a new company founded to fully realize the power and value of the DC Comics brand and characters across all media and platforms, to be run by Diane Nelson, it was announced today by Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, and Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros.

DC Entertainment, a separate division of WBEI, will be charged with strategically integrating the DC Comics business, brand and characters deeply into Warner Bros. Entertainment and all its content and distribution businesses.DC Entertainment, which will work with each of the Warner Bros. divisions, will also tap into the tremendous expertise the Studio has in building and sustaining franchises and prioritize DC properties as key titles and growth drivers across all of the Studio, including feature films, television, interactive entertainment, direct-to-consumer platforms and consumer products.The DC Comics publishing business will remain the cornerstone of DC Entertainment, releasing approximately 90 comic books through its various imprints and 30 graphic novels a month and continuing to build on its creative leadership in the comic book industry.

In her new role, Nelson will report to Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, in order to best capitalize on DC Entertainment's theatrical development and production activities and their importance to drive its overall business with each of the divisions of Warner Bros.

Nelson will bring her expertise and more than 20 years' experience in creative brand management, strategic marketing and content development and production to ensuring DC Entertainment's dual mission of marshalling Warner Bros.' resources to maximize the potential of the DC brand while remaining respectful of and collaborative with creators, talent, fans and source material.Additionally, Nelson will continue to oversee the franchise management of the Harry Potter property, which she has done since 2000, and also continue to represent the Studio's interests with the author of the Harry Potter books, J.K. Rowling. Nelson will segue from her post as President, Warner Premiere but maintain oversight responsibilities of that division.(An executive succession plan for Warner Premiere will be announced shortly.)

Paul Levitz, who has served as President & Publisher of DC Comics since 2002, will segue from that role to return to his roots as a writer for DC and become a contributing editor and overall consultant to DCE.This transition will take place as expeditiously as possible without disrupting DC's business operations.

In his new role, Levitz will be called upon for his deep knowledge and more than three-decade history with DC Comics, both as a comic creator and an executive.Besides serving as a writer on a number of DC Comics titles, he will be a contributing editor and consultant to DC Entertainment on projects in various media.Additionally, he will consult as needed on the transition and integration of the DC Comics organization into DC Entertainment and will utilize his unique experience, knowledge and relationships with the comics industry's creative community to help achieve DC Entertainment's goal of maximizing the value of DC properties.Further, Levitz will advise DC Entertainment on creative and rights-holder relationships, in particular regarding the legacy relationships that have been a part of DC Comics for decades.

Widely recognized and respected for his support of writers, artists and creators in the comics industry, Levitz is best known creatively for his work with DC Comics, having written most of the classic DC characters, including Batman, Wonder Woman and the Superman newspaper strip. At Comicon International in 2008, Levitz was awarded the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award as part of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the only industry executive ever so honored.

"DC Comics and its super hero characters are truly touchstones of popular culture, and the formation of DC Entertainment is a major step in our company's efforts to realize the full potential of this incredible wellspring of creative properties," said Meyer."Diane knows our studio as a creative executive, a marketer and a senior manager, and this varied background will help her effectively and creatively integrate the DC brand and properties across all our businesses. We're also thrilled that Paul will remain involved with DC and we'll be able to tap his expertise to help us reach our goals for this new business."

"It's no secret that DC has myriad rich and untapped possibilities from its deep library of iconic and lesser-known characters," said Horn."While we've had great success in films and television, the formation of DC Entertainment will help us to bring more DC properties across additional platforms to fans around the world, while maintaining brand integrity and authenticity. Diane is a terrific choice to lead DC Entertainment, and with Paul in his new role as a valued consultant and contributing editor, both our company and comic fans win."

"Based on the great success we've had working with DC Comics to create some of the most popular and successful super hero films of all time, I've long believed that there was much more we could do across all of Warner Bros.' businesses with this great body of characters and stories," said Robinov."The prioritization of DC and the creation of DC Entertainment is a great opportunity that reaches far beyond the film group.There are endless creative possibilities to build upon the many significant successes already achieved by my colleagues Kevin Tsujihara and the Home Entertainment Group in the videogame, home video and direct-to-platform arenas and Bruce Rosenblum and the Television Group in live-action, animated and digital series.Collectively, we have the ability to grow a body of properties highlighting the iconic characters and the diversity of the creative output of DC Comics."

"The founding of DC Entertainment fully recognizes our desire to provide both the DC properties and fans the type of content that is only possible through a concerted cross-company, multi-platform effort," said Nelson."DC Entertainment will help us to formally take the great working relationships between DC Comics and various Warner Bros. businesses to the next level in order to maximize every opportunity to bring DC's unrivalled collection of titles and characters to life."

"After so many roles at DC, it's exciting to look forward to focusing on my writing and being able to remain a part of the company I love as it grows into its next stage," said Levitz. "It's a new golden age for comics and DC's great characters, and I hope my new position will allow me to contribute to that magic time."

DC Comics will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2010 (NEW FUN COMICS #1, the first DC comic, began publishing in 1935), at which time more explicit details regarding DC Entertainment's corporate and management structure, film and content release slate, creative roster and business objectives will be unveiled at a multi-faceted anniversary celebration and press conference in the first quarter of the year.

Current DC properties in development and/or production at Warner Bros. Entertainment include:

–"HumanTarget" is being produced by Warner Bros. Television for a mid-season debut on Fox.

– "Midnight Mass" is in series development at Warner Bros. Television for consideration for the 2010-11 season.

– "Jonah Hex," Warner Bros. Pictures' supernatural Western starring Josh Brolin, Megan Fox and John Malkovich, recently wrapped production in Louisiana.

– "The Losers," Dark Castle/Warner Bros. Pictures' action-adventure drama starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans, began principal photography mid-July in Puerto Rico.

– "The Green Lantern," Warner Bros. Pictures' next big superhero tentpole release, recently cast Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. The film has a projected second quarter 2011 release date.

– "Lobo," based on the DC Comics anti-hero, has Guy Ritchie attached as a director; Joel Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Andrew Rona are producing for Silver Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures.

– Warner Premiere's direct-to-platform DVD animated release of "Green Lantern: First Flight" debuted July 28.

– Warner Bros. Animation currently produces "Batman: The Brave and the Bold," which airs on Cartoon Network.

– Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released "Batman: Arkham Asylum" on August 25, a dark, action packed videogame adventure for Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows.

Prior to being named President, DC Entertainment, Nelson most recently served as President, Warner Premiere since its founding in 2006.Warner Premiere is a Studio-based production company which develops and produces high-quality, direct-to-DVD and short-form digital content, including the highly successful line of DC Universe animated DVD titles, and also pioneered the development of the motion comics category.Under Nelson's leadership, Warner Premiere functions as a full-service production entity with its own resources and release schedule, furthering the Studio's mandate of being a destination for both established and up-and-coming talent to create stand-alone properties as well as experiment in new media.

Before that, Nelson served as Executive Vice President, Global Brand Management, Warner Bros. Entertainment, with the primary responsibility of working cross-divisionally and throughout Time Warner to maximize and optimize all the various windows and outlets available to the Studio's signature franchises, brands and event properties on a global basis.In this post, Nelson's primary focus was the management of the Harry Potter brand, which she has overseen since the brand's launch at the Studio in 1999. These efforts have helped drive the success of the brand to become the most successful film franchise of all time, as well as a respected consumer property that has generated billions of dollars for the Studio.

At Global Brand Management, Nelson and her team of more than 15 employees worked in all media and platforms to support a number of other key franchise properties, including "The Matrix Reloaded," "The Matrix Revolutions," "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight," "Happy Feet," "Polar Express" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," among others.

Prior to overseeing Global Brand Management, Nelson had served as Executive Vice President, Domestic Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures. Nelson rose quickly through the ranks, having also served as Senior Vice President, Domestic Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures and prior to that, Senior Vice President, Family Entertainment, Warner Bros. Corporate Worldwide Marketing and Planning. She was also Vice President, Worldwide Corporate Promotions, a post to which she was promoted in March 1998, after joining the Studio in September 1996 as Director of Worldwide Corporate Promotions.

Nelson came to theStudiofrom Walt Disney Records, where she served as Director of National Promotions. She is a graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications.

Scotland rant!

I'm just going to come out and say it - Burley must go! absolute sh*te! Salmond should make an executive decision for the greater good of Scotland and fire that muppet.

itunes 9

A few updates on itunes following the return of Steve Jobs yesterday. One in particular has got me quite excited - itunes LP. It adds a handful of digital pack-ins to purchased albums such as liner notes, photos, videos, lyrics, and links to online resources. One thing I do miss the information often provided when you used to buy vinyl (showing my age) and CD's. You don't really get that with digital purchases and yes you can google the particular album and get all the info you need, but it isn't quite the same. Hopefully this new feature will give a little extra.

Google and World Domination

I was reading an interesting article yesterday by Bill Thompson on the BBC website regarding Google's plans to get hold of as many hard copy books as possible and scan them and 'digitise' them. All these books would then be made available in some form of database to customers like you and me. Would they be free? Unlikely. How would authors and publishers be remunerated? That is unclear. What is clear is that some people are convinced it is anti-competitive and some see it as breach of various copyrights. The US courts will decide and it is more than likely that we will see Google take the mantle of the worlds librarian.

Google have done a great job of creating sites and applications that harness other peoples content (yours and mine). We load up 'our' documents to GoogleDocuments. We can't save them with passwords. Interesting. This blog I am writing is all linked to Google. Gmail is packed full of documents sent by and to the user. Google Calendar lists where the user is going and where they have been. GoogleFriends? I haven't used this yet, but I will be shortly to link everyone to this blog. If you start to think about it, Google have access to a HUGE amount of user content and it goes so much further – private data. Do you trust them? Will they use the content wrongly? What would constitute wrongful use? I am drafting my thoughts.

Will this be a good run?

Not a bad start. Some people are expecting a lot from this title. Others are less convinced. I am not sure which camp I fell into. After the Oracle mini, I was open to suggestions. Anyway, I enjoyed it, but felt a little let down by Cassandra making an appearance that lasted one page. The art was good, not brilliant. The story could be pants. This might be one that comes to a close after a short run. Who knows.

Watchmen - The movie

I finally got around to watching Watchman and I have to say, 'awesome'. It got a lot of stick when it came out, fom both hardcore fans of the original graphic novel ('novel') and indeed those who were simply watching the film having never read the source material. I had intended to watch it when it was on at the cinema but various things prevented it, much to the jokes of my work colleagues 'uh, call yourself a comic fan?' etc etc. Anyway I found a suitable free period to watch it and I had my well read copy of the novel to hand – I wanted to compare and contrast. Now, I don't think that it was perfect, but then I didn't think the novel was either. But, overall, I loved it. I need to gather my thoughts and probably watch it again, so that I can do a full review. Should be done within a few weeks.

Widening Gyre!

Read this last night and am a bit undecided whether I liked it or not - strange! I was disappointed with Kevin Smith's previous effort (Cacophony) and wrote a review on it on Comicvine (I will transfer over to here at some point), but there were flickers of Smith's Green Arrow run 'genius' in Cacophony and I hoped that maybe said 'genius' would appear in Widening Gyre. Walter Flanagan is on art duties and for the most part I like his work (accompanied by the two Arts). It does seem to work with Smiths lengthy script.

What I liked (4 things):

1. I know that some hardcore fans will disagree, but I mostly enjoyed the dialogue between Batman and Nightwing. At first I wasn't convinced as Batman, specifically Bruce Wayne, is painted as someone with the character of a Gnat. However, after some nice writing, the 'disappearing move' that Nightwing pulls is sweet and you feel Batman becoming more comfortable between the pages.

2. The range of characters. Smith does seem to bring past characters into his stories or certainly makes reference to them and in some cases parodies past styles (i.e. the opening Batman and Robin scenes smack of classic 60's style comics). You get Poison Ivy, Demon, Killer Croc, the Joker and a few others. It works, bringing these faces into the backdrop.

3. Poison Ivy- not a character I am massively keen on, (although I did enjoy the two opening issues of Gotham City Sirens) is drawn with a fair bit of seduction and attraction. The character definitely intrigues. The question is, what her part will be going forward - you get the feeling there is more of her to come.

4. The mix of fantasy and horror. There are a couple of scenes that would definitely fall into the horror/violent category and you are not really expecting them, which I liked. I hope this remains a theme throughout. It gave the story a matter of importance.


What I didn't like:

1. The ending. I know it runs for 6 parts, but you need that hook at the end to make you want to read the next issue, and issue one had a hook of sorts, but I felt a little cheated I guess.

2. The name. Just don't like it. What is a Gyre? A round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals) or a spiral oceanic surface current driven primarily by the global wind system?

So more in favour than not. I think however, Smith has a fair bit left to do to prove himself. I hope he nails it.

New TV

The decision has been made, it is time for a new tv. I have been deliberately holding off, thinking I can make do with the existing set up. I was wrong. I need a fuckoff flatscreen. And so the search shall begin.

Before MP3, I was really into my Hi-fi equipment. It was all about separates and although I now have a set up I am very happy with, I don't spend the same time devoted to getting the perfect sound. Instead an iPod is plugged into the hi-fi and Robert is your fathers brother. Anyway I digress. The point I am trying to get to (this blog is being written in the pub on my phone - go me!) is that a lot of research would have been employed back in the day re hi-fi separates. I would start with the magazines and then spend a few days in the specialist stores listening to the various combinations of separates. Usually I would completely disregard all the research and buy something entirely different (I did this twice).

So. What research is required for the tv and can I be arsed doing it?

I spent 30 mins trying to work out which magazine to get. Vision this, LCD that, What blah blah. Eventually I found the 'dedicated' tv magazine and turned straight to the buyer guide. Look for 5 stars and a good price. It was 60 bloody pages long. This was going to take some time. I ditched the magazines and headed back to the office. Google would provide all th answers and soothe my aching head. Well this wasn't any better. Too many things going on. Too many questions. Returning home I re-measured the space to see if I could fit a larger screen. Ok it was getting a little silly. So where have I got too? I need to make a trip to a store and actually play with the tv's. I will report back once I have done that.

Year 2 - part 2

Finsihed it and to my surprise was not as impressed as first time round. In fact, really disappointed. I completely forgot about the whole Joe Chill episode. Bruce Wayne was really wet and the only good thing was the fight scenes between him and the Reaper. Not how I remembered it at all. Year 1 stands the test of time. Unfortunately this doesn't.

Web 2

I am still looking for the perfect browser that will allow me the opportunity to do all of the following: post up my own thoughts, link to ALL external sites I want to, access my personal email account, keep in touch with friends and allow others to comment on my thoughts or posts. It would also allow me secure areas and public areas and provide the benefits of social networking sites but allow me to customise as I see fit Does this already exist? Is it free? Well it would combine facebook with igoogle, with some Twitter and blogger thrown in for good measure.

I think the problem we now have is the fact that content is so easily found and so easily created. I can blog on the phone or Twitter on my laptop. As long as I have Internet I am good to go. But, right now I have to go to various sites to update everything I want to. I have to go to Twitter, facebook, blogger, igogle, comicvine, cbr, gmail and hotmail to make sure they are all up to date (and I don't use myspace or bebo). So you get my point!

So I'd like one site that would do all this for me. I'd like it to be one URL and all content is managed by me. I want a mobile version so I can do it on my phone. Am I asking to much?

Igoogle is probably the closest thing in so far as you can link things so it is all displayed in one page. But you can't update everything in one go. I'm sure google is already there. They just haven't made it avaiable yet. In the meantime I will keep hunting.

Lists

Great things lists. I write them, but I never score sh*t off them. Kinda makes them redundant!

Batman: Year 2

Was thinking about how Year 2 doesn't really get the credit that maybe it deserves? I was on CBR the other day reading in their forums a list of the best Batman trades and there was some debate on Year 2. As I understand it, it was written in line with Year 1 and at one point DC were going to release them simultaneously, with one in Detective and the other in Batman. It was deemed that actually this wasn't the best idea and that it made sense for them to be released apart.

The team for Year 2 was pretty sweet with Muke Barr and Alan Davies. I originally read this about 15 years ago and I remember really liking it. I think I found it gritty and fast moving. Well I pulled it free of it's restraints yesterday and am intending on re-reading it. Will I find it as enjoyable as I did the first time? Does it live upto Year 1? I'll let you know.

A new Logo for DCU

In my quest to catch up on stories that I have missed over the last decade or so, I got hold of the four parter 'The Return of Donna Troy' and started reading it the other week. Now due to various things I have only got to part 2 of the story, but what I found really quite interesting wasn't the story (although I am enjoying it), it was the 'Note from the Publisher' on the back page of the first issue. I have been guilty of passing over these in the past but find myself now reading them without a second thought. This particular one was written by Paul Levitz (President and Publisher)- this was published 2005. The opening line was 'Welcome to one of the most exciting times in DC's History.' The ensuing words ultimately listed all things great about DC and actually the list was impressive - Countdown to Infinite Crisis, all-star projects (All Star Batman and Robin, All Star Superman), Justice by Alex Ross and then they got to the movies. Batman Begins was due out out that summer and clearly DC were wetting their pants with excitement (so was I). There was also Constantine and V for Vendetta (both Vertigo) due out too. The former was poor in my opinion, the latter I really enjoyed. But Mr Levitz went on to say '...- and we're staying on the silver screen with a steady stream of surprising and great DC-based films.' For me, I have to think hard about the 'great DC-based films' that have been released. The second Batman was awesome - granted. The Superman film was good, but not great. The spirit? Does that count? It was released by Lions Gate and sucked. Watchmen - I can't comment on this because for all my ramblings that I am a massive comic fan, I haven't seen it. Events conspired against me - but I will be viewing very soon. But my point is that since 2005, other than the two Batman movies, there hasn't been anything exceptional or to use the words of Mr Levitz 'Great'. Going forward, we have another Batman movie, another superman reboot and Green Lantern. Oh and Jonah Hex. Both the Batman and Superman movies have a lot to live upto (for very different reasons). Green Lantern could be very cool if they get it right. Jonah Hex - not really fussed at this stage. Have DC done all that they can to turn such great source material into movie magic? Personally I think they need to take a leaf out of Marvel's book.

I was also interested to read that DC were announcing that there Logo was to change after 25 years of the old one. They really were excited about the future. I have to say, the comics are good, the animated stuff is pretty good, but they are missing a trick on the big screen. Do you think I am being unfair? Are they in fact doing a sterling job?

Wetting my pants with excitement. Part 1

Tron Legacy

Iron Man 2

Is there going to be another Batman film?

The green lantern movie

Going to SDCC 2010...maybe

Finally getting to watch Supernatural Season 2 (I know)

Finally getting to watch Battlestar Gallactica Season 3 (I know)

Reading Blackest Night: Batman

Getting to wear my 'martial arts' retro yellow karate kid tshirt to repeated BBQ's

Watching Aberdeen FC spank Rangers & Celtic (I know)

Discovering Old Milwaukee in the light of it being Steve Mcqueen's favoured beer.

DeadPool

I have just canceled Deadpool from my standing order. Not that it was a series that I was massively into, but I wanted to try it out as many comic based forums had dudes raving about how cool the character was and that the Wolverine movie was going to have a Deadpool spin off etc etc. Well I bought three issues (the Hawkeye/Bullseye) run in and I must say I found the issues good fun. To be fair, Deadpool is quite cool and he does have some pretty awesome lines. BUT, I found that three issues was enough. The story wasn't exactly stuff legends are made of. It had it's moments and the banter between the two main characters is pretty sweet. But I have had my fill for now. Maybe the odd mini or one shot going forward.

Inspector Morse

Just watching re-runs of Inspector Morse. They don't make tv like that anymore. I could watch them over and over. The scripts were top notch, Morse and Lewis interaction genius and the plots keep you guessing. It was a sad day when John Thaw died and the recent Lewis series requires a viewing, as I expect and hope there were be some similar themes running through it.

Heart of Hush

Heart of Hush has been sitting in my 'must read' list for a while now. It is one of those stories where I essentially knew what happened, and had read subsequent stories following on from it and referencing it - but I still wanted to read it. The hardback collects Detective Comics #846-850 and is of course a pre-cursor to Batman RIP, although there is only the odd Black Glove reference. It reads quickly and you do find yourself wanting to plough on. I enjoy Paul Dini's work and I like how in Heart of Hush, it is generally kept to the main characters, with the odd supporting character popping in for a few pages. However, I felt that Catwoman got a slightly raw deal in this story. I felt that she was made out to be quite weak and when the 'incident' happens to her, it passes with little or no comment. For the purposes of that particular issue, a retrospective narrative from Catwoman would have been cool.

I enjoyed the tussles between Batman and Hush, especially the flashbacks, Dustin Nguyen's art is spot on and the scene in the Batcave is great. Overall an excellent read and definitely one for any Bat-geek.

Cry for Justice

Just finished part 2 and I am loving it. I actually re-read part 1 before 2, just because it was an excuse. Both the script and the art are prefect (Robinson and Cascioli) and I love the dynamic between Hal and Ollie - sweet. Those two make me laugh and you just know that the relationship is going to become fraught with tension as the story unveils. The extra's at the end are cool too and the 'origins' stories by Len Wein are sweet. As a 7 part series this could be awesome.

Fresh start

I have decided to start again on the whole blogging front. I have had this open for a while and have intermittently uploaded a comment or two, but never got properly into the habit. From today I am going to try to be a regular blogger. And It is mainly going to be about comics and related geekiness. Who knows, maybe I will become addicted.