Comics As ‘Top-Level’ Category For New iPad

The new bookstore for the iPad (see “Is iPad a Gamechanger?”) will include comics and graphic novels as one of 20 “top-level” categories, according to the blog on AppSlice, a new tool for browsing and finding apps. Manga will be included as a sub-category within the comics and graphic novel category, along with others. The 20 top-level categories will include around 150 sub-categories over-all.

This represents a significant improvement in the merchandising of digital comics as compared to the current sales through Apple’s app store, which will make comics easier to find for readers using the new device.

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Darkstorm Comics’ “I, Frankenstein” Headed To Big-Screen

The first issue hasn’t hit stores yet, but Darkstorm Comic’s “I, Frankenstein” has been optioned for the big-screen according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The upcoming series brings together classic monster characters, including Frankenstein’s Monster, the Invisible Man, Dracula and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, in a contemporary film noir setting. The Monster has evolved, learned how to control his anger and now acts as a private investigator. Dracula, meanwhile, is a kingpin of crime, and the Invisible Man is a secret operative.

Kevin Grevioux and Patrick Tatopoulos, who have both worked on the “Underworld” movies, will bring the project to the screen for Death Ray Films. Grevioux will adapt the story into a screenplay with Tatapoulos making his directing debut on the film.

“It’s a Raymond Chandler-esque monster mash where the rogues don’t pack pistols, they’ve got claws and fangs,” said Ryan Turek, who is assisting in the development of the movie.

Death Ray hopes to launch a franchise with the property.

Alan Moore’s Bestiary of Fictional Worlds

SPOILER WARNING: The following contains some spoilers for "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century."

This Spring sees the publication of the first part of “The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century,” the first volume of Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill’s ambitious and singular adventure series that unites virtually all the characters from adventure fiction interacting together in a single world.

While the previous volumes were published by Wildstorm — an imprint of DC Comics, with whom Moore has had a contentious relationship for decades — “Century” is published by Top Shelf Productions, who previously released Moore and Melinda Gebbie’s “Lost Girls.” “Century” also comes in a different format than previous editions of “League,” with each installment being 72 pages long and released months apart.

In this first part of an in-depth two-part interview, CBR News talked to Alan Moore about the increasingly elaborate game the book plays with Literature, the intricacies of tracking all fiction in a single continuity, how the fictional world runs in parallel with our world, and the increasingly thin line between them.

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Mark Bomback To Adapt ‘The Umbrella Academy’ For Film

Mark Bomback has been tapped to adapt The Umbrella Academy, the Dark Horse superhero comic created by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way and set up at Universal, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson is producing.

The Umbrella Academy is a group of disbanded superheroes who reunite after the death of their adoptive father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, an alien disguised as a wealthy entrepreneur. Hargreeves collected the members of the group shortly after their birth and trained them to save the world, and, after his death, they carry on his plan.

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"Farscape" #1 Goes Back to Press for a Third Printing

Official Press Release

Just in time for the 10th anniversary of FARSCAPE, BOOM! Studios announced today a third printing of the FARSCAPE #1 comic book.

“We were blown away by the reaction to the first printing of FARSCAPE #1,” said Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid. “So when we went to a second print, we were pretty darn happy. We cannot believe that we have sold completely out of all of that now!”

“Marketing and Sales Director Chip Mosher and I couldn’t believe our eyes,” said BOOM! co-founder Ross Richie. “It’s clear that the FARSCAPE fans have spoken, and the Direct Market retailers have listened!”

Diamond Comics Distributors will make the third printing of FARSCAPE #1 available on April 8th. At that time the third printing’s code will open for orders, and a Diamond Daily article will also run alerting retailers to its availability. The third printing of FARSCAPE #1 has an expected in-store date of April 29th.

The first printing of FARSCAPE #1 was released on Christmas Eve 2008 and sold out in a record five days. The fourth and final issue of the miniseries will be appearing on stands very soon.

The FARSCAPE comic series is written by FARSCAPE television series creator Rockne S. O’Bannon with script by Keith R.A. DeCandido, interior art by Tommy Patterson and cover art by fan-favorites Dennis Calero and Joseph Corroney.

Picking up directly where the television miniseries FARSCAPE: THE PEACEKEEPER WARS left off, fans can look forward to show creator O’Bannon steering their favorite characters into new and original stories, keeping with the existing canon - and then extending it!

Debuting on the SCI-FI Channel in 1998, FARSCAPE follows the adventures of astronaut John Crichton, who has a freak accident during an experimental space mission that catapults him across a thousand galaxies to an alien battlefield. Suddenly, he’s trapped among alien creatures wielding deadly technology - a battle that 20th century sci-fi pop culture never prepared him for. Hunted by a merciless military race, Crichton begins his quest for home from a distant galaxy.

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Exclusive First Look: Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash 2

This just in from slashfilm…DC Comics has provided us with an exclusive first look at the new Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash comic book series from WildStorm. Click on the image above to enlarge to really high resolution. More details on the comic follow after the jump.

FREDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH: THE NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #1
Written by Jeff Katz and James Kuhoric
Art by Jason Craig
Covers by Arthur Suydam

Beneath the bloody waters of Crystal Lake, an immortal evil wakes and begins anew the cycle of grueling violence. Six months after the events of FREDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH, a power-hungry government bureaucrat unleashes the denizens of the Necronomicon ­ including the banished spirit of the Springwood Slasher, Freddy Krueger. But Ash Williams has checked his monster-hunting past at the door. A Chosen One no more, he thinks that a life of domestic bliss and retail tending is his true calling ­ until the ghosts of the past show up to punch his clock again.
The original creative team behind WildStorm and Dynamite Entertainment¹s FREDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH proudly presents the bloody sequel to the sold-out smash horror crossover event! Featuring a triptych cover by Arthur Suydam (Marvel Zombies) to match the triptych cover from the original miniseries. Co-published with Dynamite Entertainment.

On sale June 24 - 1 of 6 - 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US - MATURE READERS

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The Complete Rocketeer by Dave Stevens Coming from IDW

ComicNews.info has an announcement about one of my favorite neo-pulp heroes…The Rocketeer…

IDW Publishing is proud to announce the upcoming release of The Complete Rocketeer by Dave Stevens, collecting the classic series in its entirety for the first time ever.

After more than a decade out of print, The Rocketeer makes a triumphant return to stores this October with a comprehensive hardcover edition featuring artwork digitally re-mastered from Stevens’ own lovingly maintained collection of originals, and all-new coloring by Laura Martin, the Eisner-Award-winning colorist handpicked by Stevens himself.

The Rocketeer, a rollicking tribute to pulp novels and Saturday morning matinee serials, follows the high-flying adventures of stunt pilot Cliff Secord and his girlfriend Betty, after Cliff finds a mysterious jet pack and takes to the sky. The graphic novel went on to become a much-loved major motion picture directed by Joe Johnston.

In addition to the mass-market hardcover, a very special deluxe edition is planned. Presented in a larger format, the deluxe edition will be filled with behind-the-scenes material, a treasure of additional pages featuring previously unpublished Rocketeer designs, preliminaries, and sketches by Dave Stevens, many taken from his personal sketchbooks.

“It is an honor to work on The Rocketeer,” said IDW Special Projects editor Scott Dunbier, “I’ve been a fan of Dave Stevens and The Rocketeer since I first read it in the early 80s. It was a dream of Dave’s to see his creation return to the shelves in a complete collection. We are dedicated to making this the definitive edition, a book Dave would have been proud of.” This October The Rocketeer will fly once more. Read more

DVD Details Released for Animated ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’

ComicNews.info has a ton of information on the new animated Green Lantern: First Flight movie coming this summer to a home theater near you…

The fabric of intergalactic justice is threatened – until Hal Jordan arrives for his initial mission – in the animated Green Lantern: First Flight, the fifth entry in the popular DVD series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies. A co-production of Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the illuminated hero’s first-ever full-length animated film is set for release by Warner Home Video on July 28, 2009. Green Lantern: First Flight will be available as a special edition 2-disc version on DVD and Blu-Ray™ Hi-Def for $29.98 (SRP) and $34.99 (SRP), respectively, as well as single disc DVD for $19.98 (SRP). Order due date for all versions is June 23, 2009.

Acclaimed actor Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) fills the lead voice of Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern. Meloni is joined by fellow Emmy Award nominee Victor Garber (Milk, Titanic) as the villainous Sinestro, Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica) as the voice of Boodikka, and Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs) as Kilowog.

Produced by animation legend Bruce Timm, Green Lantern: First Flight is helmed by heralded director Lauren Montgomery (Wonder Woman, Superman Doomsday) and scripted by four-time Emmy Award-winning writer Alan Burnett (The Batman).

Green Lantern: First Flight finds Hal Jordan recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps and placed under the supervision of respected senior Lantern Sinestro. The earthling soon discovers his mentor is actually the central figure in a secret conspiracy that threatens the philosophies, traditions and hierarchy of the entire Green Lantern Corps. Hal must quickly hone his newfound powers and combat the treasonous Lanterns within the ranks to maintain order in the universe.

Green Lantern: First Flight - 2 Disc Special Edition versions will include incredible bonus features such as: Read more

Release Plans For ‘Wheel Of Time’ Comic & Graphic Novel

Tor and Dabel Brother Publishing have announced their plans for the comic and graphic novel adaptations of the first of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books (see “Dabels To Adapt Wheel of Time”). First up is the final three comic issues of New Spring, the prequel to the Wheel of Time series. Issues #6, #7, and #8 will begin releasing on a monthly basis in April from Dabel Brothers.

The New Spring graphic novel is due out in November from Tor, with bonus material including developmental art, pages from scripts, and correspondence between Jordan and writer Chuck Dixon. It will feature a new cover by Michael Kormarck.

Dabel Brothers will kick off their comic adaptation of The Eye of the World, the first volume in the Wheel of Time series, with Dragonmount #0, a prequel and lead-in comic, in April, and The Eye of the World #1 in May. The series will be written by Chuck Dixon, with art by Chase Conley.

The first Eye of the World graphic novel, which will collect the first six issues of the comic series, will be published by Tor in July 2010, with bonus material and new cover art. Subsequent volumes will be released roughly every nine months.

Universal has acquired movie rights to the series (see “Universal Acquires Wheel of Time”).

Source: icv2.com

‘Zombies of Mass Destruction’ Gets Screenwriter

Like Jello, there’s always room for zombie movies, and when it’s called Zombies of Mass Destruction, all the better.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dirk Blackman and Howard McCain will adapt the comic book ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction for Benderspink. The production company has had great luck with comic book acquisitions recently, with Y: The Last Man headed to New Line and Pet Robots finding a home at Disney.

The writers co-wrote the recent Underworld prequel, and that notwithstanding, have sauntered into the plum job of adapting Kevin Grevioux‘ comic about soldiers on a covert mission in the Middle East who discover that their real task is to stop its own government’s growing zombie army.

Brace Yourself for ‘Zombies of Mass Destruction’

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