Marvel News & Views 10.20.03
Posted by Jim Trabold on 10.19.2003
Unlimited & Ultimate Marvel
Welcome again readers. We've got few news pieces of interest. So let's get started.
SPIDER-MAN & X-MEN GET UNLIMITED
This January and February Marvel Comics will be releasing two new bimonthly anthology series featuring some of their best-known characters. UNLIMITED SPIDER-MAN and UNLIMITED X-MEN are a way for Marvel to showcase not just some of their characters, but also some new comics voices. Up first for the US-M are writers Joseph Goodrich and Brian Lynch. Up first for UX-M are writers Tony Lee and J. T. Krul. Teresa Focarile is the editor of both series. She gave THE PULSE a few details about the upcoming debuts.
You know I actually like the idea of using those Epic ideas in an UNLIMITED type style. The title has also been for those stories that just don't fit in with the ongoing stories or special little stories that aren't as big as those in the main book. The Epic work can fit in those fields. Of course not all the Epic work will be used but I can see them using UNLIMITED to give these Epic type writers a field test of sorts. Give the fans something new to read and of course judge to see if the writer or artist deserve a title. It might just work.
TONY LEE
Although a lot of people were scratching their heads going "who?" when THE PULSE posted an interview with Teresa Focarile and she named Tony Lee as being one of the first writers in UNLIMITED X-MEN, the scribe's actually been involved in comics for over a decade. Lee cut his writing teeth in the UK on TWILIGHT ZONE COMICS before getting into TV and Radio work, and then returned to comics with DR WHO MAGAZINE, and WARHAMMER MONTHLY. His girlfriend gave him a trip to New York as a present and he met up with both DC and Marvel while in the big apple.
You know I've never heard to much about this guy either. Although I have read some of his work I suppose. Since I am a DR WHO fan. Yep that's right I'm a DR WHO fan laugh. Kiddingly of course. I think this writer could do pretty well with the title. It's not like he's a no name that's never done anything like it before. He could be good with the X-Men. I wonder if Marvel still holds the rights to do DR WHO. That might be the dream issue I've always wanted to read. DR WHO and the X-MEN. That might be funny. Well let's see how he does with a prime time team.
MARK ROBINSON
Mark Robinson's worked on CODENAME: KNOCKOUT and is currently doing some fill in issues of NEW MUTANTS. He landed the job on NEW MUTANTS through a portfolio review with C. B. Cebulski last May at Wizard World East. Robinson considers himself an 'old school fanboy' and provided THE PULSE with an exclusive look inside his mutant sketchbook.
You know this artist does some pretty good work. I know many fans of the series CODENAME KNOCKOUT know his work. I never really got into the series but this art that is seen here shows he's pretty damn good. I think he's a good fill in when we need him if Marvel keeps him around. Hell I would let him do the series on a perminate basis if he would be willing to do it. I think it would be nice to have some more artist like this one doing Marvel titles.
ULTIMATE MONTH
Exactly one year after thousands of new readers joined the ranks of fans enjoying the best-selling and best-reviewed titles in comics during the successful "ULTIMATE SWEEPS" month, Marvel once again invites current and new readers to comics' best party during this December's "ULTIMATE STARTS" month.
Featuring the start of brand new, new-reader accessible story arcs in both ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN and ULTIMATE X-MEN, "ULTIMATE STARTS" month climaxes on December 31st, 2003, with the long-awaited launch of the fourth cornerstone of the Ultimate Universe foundation - ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR, by the Ultimate All-Star creative team of co-writers Brian Michael Bendis & Mark Millar and artist Adam (ULTIMATE X-MEN) Kubert.
"ULTIMATE STARTS month is exactly what it sounds like," explained Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada. "For fans already enjoying these titles, it's the start of exciting, can't-miss brand new story arcs. For readers who haven't yet given the Ultimate line a try, or for readers currently enjoying just one of the titles, this is their chance to jump on board and to START reading ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN AND ULTIMATE X-MEN to find out why both have become two of the best-selling titles in the direct market, chart-topping trade paperbacks in bookstores, industry award winners and both critical and fan favorites...
"And oh yeah, and to START on the ground floor of ULTIMATE FF along with us all."
The action begins December 3rd with the release of the special double-sized ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #50, by Brian Bendis and Mark Bagley. In addition to celebrating its landmark 50th issue, the winner of six 2003 Wizard Fan Awards (by far this year's most honored title) also begins the new story arc "CLAWS", introducing a new complication to Spider-Man's career as a crime-fighter and Peter Parker's love life, ULTIMATE BLACK CAT.
"Now FIFTY issues in, working on ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN is still this amazing, creatively fulfilling honor," said Bendis. "In a million years I would have never imagined that we would be looking at this book so high on the sales charts and, more importantly, so warmly thought of by readers of all ages and tastes. Mark Bagley and Art Thibert are delivering work that I firmly believe will be remembered for years.
"When I saw the art coming in for #50, I thought to myself that it reads just like a #1 issue for new readers, AND as a celebration of these past four years for current fans of the series! A new chapter of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN - that's the whole point of the Ultimate line! And if we're doing it at issue #50, we'll still be doing it at issue #100!"
On December 10th, ULTIMATE X-MEN #40 begins another new-reader jumping-on-point, by Bendis and regular series artist David Finch. Hot on the heels of Bendis and Finch's successful debut story arc, "Blockbuster", "NEW MUTANTS" finds the U.S. Government enacting contingency plans to deal with the potential threat of Professor Xavier and his X-Men, and will introduce many new mutants to the series' cast, including Ultimate Angel and Dazzler.
Finally, on December 31st, 2003, the heroes that gave birth to the original Marvel Universe finally make their ongoing series debut in the Ultimate Universe in ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR. This new ongoing series is so vast and so important, it took two of comics' most talented, prolific and popular writers to launch it on the proper scale - Bendis AND the ULTIMATES' Mark Millar.
"Do you know what it felt like working on ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #1?" asked Bendis? "Exactly how it felt writing ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1. I had giddy chills followed by the feeling of quiet shock that this was actually happening and I was a part of it. What an honor ... really ... on so many levels. A challenge and an honor.
"Mark and I love what these characters represent and relish the opportunity to help mold them into this new generation of comics."
"You remember those child geniuses you used to see on the news? Those kids who graduated from college when they were eight years old and could do their Rubik's Cubes in thirty-five seconds?" asked Mark Millar, describing his and Bendis' take on the series. "Well, Reed Richards was one of those kids and ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #1 essentially starts on the ground floor and chronicles what happens after he's spotted and taken under the wing of some very interesting people. This is who he is, what he came to be and how he managed to screw up the lives of all his best friends."
"Just as the FANTASTIC FOUR launched the Marvel Universe oh so many years ago, it's only fitting that ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR launch a whole new start in the world of the Ultimate Universe," concluded Quesada. "Readers have expected nothing but the greatest comics' thrills from the Ultimate U, so get ready as 'The World's Greatest Comics Magazine' joins 'The World's Greatest New Comics Universe'!"
Readers, ask your local comic book retailer to reserve your copies of these soon-to-be highly sought after special ULTIMATE STARTS issues!
You know I love the fact that Marvel is having a month dedicated to ULTIMATE titles. I may prefer the main Marvel universe but this is the perfect time to have an ULTIMATE MONTH. With FF on the way and some great stories all coming out at once with some new characters the ULTIMATE way why not do it now. I know though that Ultimate titles don't exactly need the push as say TSUNAMI or MARVEL KNIGHTS. Marvel would be smart to push other group titles as well. We could see a SPIDER-MAN month or X-MEN month if it's something big but remember to push those titles that need the push to. That's what Marvel should do. I don't mind ULTIMATE month because it's smart but don't put all your cookies in one basket.
KINGPIN ENDS
Writer Bruce Jones has told THE PULSE that his crime driven story KINGPIN is ending with issue seven. The comic series was initially supposed to be a six-part saga, but Marvel changed it from limited to ongoing. The first two issues were ranked #26 and #50 in the Previews Top 100. At Press Time, Marvel was unavailable for comment on why KINGPIN was ending.
You know I actually agree with Brice Jones here. KINGPIN would make a better MAX title then a MARVEL KNIGHTS or TSUNAMI title. You can get away with a lot more and have a more adult feel to the book in MAX. KINGPIN was doing pretty well that Marvel could think of doing that. Hell I would've suggested just moving it to MAX this way the series can continue. I mean Marvel gave it the go ahead for an ongoing so why not ask to move over to MAX line with it. I liked the series and would like to see them move it to MAX and keep it going but I guess we can wait.
AARON LOPRESTI TO DO CAPTAIN MARVEL
While speculation continues about the fate of CrossGen staffers following the publisher's reorganization and mass-cancellation of titles, Marvel has confirmed for Newsarama that Aaron (MYSTIC) Lopresti will pencil a six-part arc on CAPTAIN MARVEL beginning with January's #19
You know CrossGen is having a few problems. Some that may cost them a few writers and artist. If Marvel is smart they take some of those better artist and writers and offer them work with the company. This might be the move towards doing that. I think the better ones would be great to have working with Marvel. I never read much other then Marvel but I know CrossGen has some good artist and writers that I would love Marvel to get working for them. Why have DC take a bunch of them and not do it yourself.
THE PUNISHER FILM WRAPS
Artisan Entertainment and Marvel Studio's THE PUNISHER starring Thomas Jane, John Travolta and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos has wrapped production after an 11-week shoot on location in Tampa, Florida it was announced by Artisan Pictures President of Production Richard Saperstein and Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad. Written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, THE PUNISHER is produced by Avi Arad and producer Gale Anne Hurd. Kevin Feige is the executive producer. Ari Arad is the co-producer along with Germany’s The VIP-Group. Supporting cast members include Roy Scheider, Samantha Mathis, Laura Harring, Will Patton, Ben Foster, James Carpinello, Mark Collie, Eddie Jemison, Russell Andrews, John Pinette and Kevin Nash. The event film will be released in North America by Artisan Entertainment on April 16, 2004.
Marvel's unstoppable vigilante THE PUNISHER hits the screen in a new action thriller that introduces a comic book hero unlike any other. The Punisher brings to the screen one of Marvel's top-selling solo comic books and a marquee character whose popularity parallels that of Marvel stars X-Men, Spider-Man, and the Fantastic Four. The Punisher walks through the world we all know, a world darkened by war, crime, cruelty, and injustice. He has no superpowers to battle the evil he sees - only his fierce intelligence, his years of combat experience and, above all, his iron determination to avenge those wronged by society's villains.
THE PUNISHER marks the directorial debut of Jonathan Hensleigh, renowned screenwriter of genre blockbusters The Rock, Armageddon and Die Hard: With a Vengeance. Thomas Jane (Dreamcatcher, *61, Deep Blue Sea) stars in the title role, squaring off against superstar John Travolta (Pulp Fiction, Face/Off) as the story's formidable villain. Co-starring are Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (X-Men, X-2: X-Men United) as a woman climbing back from a troubled past, Laura Harring (Mulholland Drive) as Travolta's vengeful wife, and Samantha Mathis (American Psycho) as The Punisher's wife.
Thomas Jane is a versatile actor with a wide range of strong performances to his credit. Jane most recently starred in the Warner Bros.' film, Dreamcatcher, alongside Morgan Freeman and can next be seen in the title role of Stander for director Bronwen Hughes. Jane starred opposite Cameron Diaz in Columbia Pictures' The Sweetest Thing. Prior to that, Jane starred as legendary baseball player Mickey Mantle in HBO's acclaimed film 61*. Additional credits for Jane include roles in Lions Gate's Under Suspicion, Warner Brothers' Deep Blue Sea, 20th Century Fox's The Thin Red Line and New Line's Boogie Nights.
A proven megastar with over forty films to his credit, John Travolta has starred in some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters and earned critics' praise for several commanding performances. He has garnered two Academy Award Best Actor nominations -- for his memorable performances as a hit man in Pulp Fiction and white suited disco hustler in Saturday Night Fever - and received multiple Golden Globe Award accolades including winner in the Best Actor, Musical/Comedy for Get Shorty. Additional credits include roles as a free spirited archangel in Michael and as an ordinary man bestowed surreal powers in Phenomenon. He can next be seen opposite Joaquin Phoenix in the upcoming film Ladder 49 for Buena Vista Pictures.
Romijn-Stamos is a talented actress who continues to turn in impressive performances in her films. She recently completed shooting Godsend opposite Robert De Niro and Greg Kinnear. Romijn-Stamos' previous credits include Femme Fatale opposite Antonio Banderas, Rollerball, opposite Chris Klein and LL Cool J, a role opposite Al Pacino in Simone, and the hugely successful films X-Men and X-2: X-Men United.
Writer and Director Jonathan Hensleigh has written some of the genre's most notable action films including The Rock, Armageddon, Jumanji and Die Hard: With a Vengence. Hensleigh also executive produced Armageddon as well as Gone in Sixty Seconds and Con Air.
Avi Arad is President and CEO of Marvel Studios. Following the record-breaking success of the box office smash hit, Spider-Man (Columbia Pictures), and the establishment of two more proven franchises in his first Marvel features - Blade (New Line) and X-Men: The Movie (Twentieth Century Fox) - Arad has numerous film projects based on Marvel super heroes in various stages of development. He has aligned Marvel with several prominent studios to produce full-feature films including: Twentieth Century Fox (X-Men 2, The Silver Surfer, Fantastic Four, Daredevil and Elektra), Sony Pictures (Spider-Man 2, Ghost Rider), Universal Studios (The Hulk, Namor), New Line (Iron Man), Dimension (Werewolf By Night, Dr. Strange), Artisan Entertainment (The Punisher) and Paramount (Deathlok). His reputation has attracted some of Hollywood's most prestigious directors (i.e. Sam Raimi, Ang Lee and Bryan Singer) and writers who are helping translate the ever-popular Marvel super heroes for the big screen.
Gale Anne Hurd recently produced the hit epic fantasy-adventure, The Hulk. Hurd has produced such box office hits as Armageddon, Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Ghost and the Darkness, The Relic and Dante's Peak, and served as an executive producer of this past summer's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Impressively, both Armageddon and Terminator 2: Judgment Day ranked number one in worldwide box office gross in their respective years of release. Her films have earned over $2.5 billion at the box office and have won multiple Academy Awardsâ.
Locations for THE PUNISHER included downtown Tampa, The Tampa Port, Ybor City, Ft. DeSoto State Park, Honeymoon Island State Park, the Old Federal Courthouse and The University of South Florida.
Behind-the-scenes talent includes Cinematographer Conrad W. Hall (Panic Room) Production Designer Michael Hanan (Gods and Generals, Blow,) and Costume Designer Lisa Tomczeszyn.
I'm really looking forward to this one. I know some fans loved the first Punisher movie. Some hated it. I'm more in-between with the first one but I thin with Marvel behind this one more this one should be the best Punisher movie. Face it they know the characters best and this could be very interesting. I like the Punisher character and he's always been one that I thought would be easiest to do in films. You don't need special effects or the like. Just a few guns, a black shirt with a skull and a gritty SOB. He's a great character and I'm hoping he'll have a great movie.
Very busy weekend. I will return with a feature of the week next week. If you have anything you want covered or want to ask my opinion on what's going on with Marvel email me. Don't forget I welcome your opinions as well. Next weeks feature will be From the Comic Shop. I'll cover a Marvel title that you may be missing out on. See you Wednesday for part 3 of the Book of the Dead. Till then Jim Trabold reporting from the Marvel Universe have a great week.
STAY CURRENT