Entertainment Weekly's "The Avengers" Set Photos Featuring Bobblehead ScarJo

We are all excited for the ultimate superhero team up aren't we? Okay. Now, dig on these exclusive set photos from Entertaintment Weekly featuring EVERYBODY.

This looks great, but fuck - what is wrong with Thor's nose (bad photoshopping), Captain America looking awfully confused, ScarJo's bobblehead and Mark Ruffallo with that stare?

 

Okay, that's pretty cool stuff - everyone together in one room, Chris Evans in that perfect man-out-of-time civilian outfit, and finally Samuel L. Jackson gets to fire a weapon (it took him 4 feature films to do that, shit).

But the best part of this tease are these pictures of the oh so fine Scarett Johansson (whose nude photos were leaked for everybody to see a couple of weeks ago):

Damn. Even the buildings can't resist. ScarJo's causing a lot of explosions all over the place by just standing there. Must be the awesome bum.

[via ComicsAlliance, iFanboy]

Threesome Art - 7/12/2011 - "Pinoy Pride"

Many of great Filipino komik artists have worked for big time companies like Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse who brought us the most memorable graphic novels and comic book series in recent memory.  And featured today are three awesome artworks from the best Filipino artists in today's comic book scene : Carlo Pagulayan, Kajo Baldisimo, and Leinil Francis Yu. 

Let's take a look:

Fantastic Four by Carlo Pagulayan

Carlo Pagulayan is known for his works for Marvel Comics, notably Emma Frost (#7-12) and Planet Hulk. And this image is one of his covers for Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four, which is perfectly painted to life. Love the lighting and the shadows he used to capture the team spirit of the FF, and will make you miss The Human Torch the longer you look at it. 

Good times, good times.

The Avengers by Kajo Baldisimo

I wonder why Kajo isn't doing any Avengers-titled comic book, because this poster he made is one for the money. It has the feel of a Stuart Immonen artwork yet it has his own original imprints on it. Notice the lighting he did here, crisp and clean lines, and the dynamic poses for each character that definitely kicks-ass. Not to mention Ms. Marvel's thingy right in your face. Perfect cheesecake. I would love seeing him work on The New Avengers someday.

Kajo is actually the artist for Trese, an all original Pinoy komik written by Budjette Tan that mixes gun-toting action with mystery based on Filipino folklore, that's nothing short but awesome. Go ahead and check it out @ tresekomix.blogspot.com.

Thor by Leinil Francis Yu

You know this guy I'm sure. He's the artist for some of the best graphic novels that I have read like Superior (with Mark Millar), Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk, and Superman: Birthright (with Mark Waid). He also worked on Marvel's Secret Invasion and some issues of The New Avengers vol. 1, and is doing more for the "House of Ideas" with his Mexican-standoffy Ultimate Avengers vs New Ultimates series.

Leinil's "Pseudo-Dynamic" style is on full force in this Thor commission, and his signature use of lines and unique marker effects creates a very realistic version of the Thunder God. But the best part of this image is the hammer. Take a look at the lighting on that Mjolnir, and tell me that isn't something. Marvelous. 

That's all for now folks, but I'm sure to be back with another edition of the Threesome so stay tuned.

Nostalgia Bytes: Remembering Captain America's Final Justice

Back when I was addicted to the first Playstation, one of my favorite games was Marvel vs Capcom 2. The game has it all: you can get to build a team of all your favorite super-heroes and characters and pit it against the AI's (artificial intelligence) team or even better, play it against your friend's own and see who is better. Then you can talk trash everytime you win, which was always the best part (admit it). 

I always used Captain America in every team that I had mainly because he is such a bad-ass character that has three of the best (arguably) moves in the game. There's the Hyper Charging Star (which is basically Cap charging behind a flaming shield), Stars and Stripes (which is a "Shoryuken"-type shield uppercut) and finally, my favorite super move of all: Final Justice - a move which can sometimes cheat a counter-team combo and the only move that can hurt a familiar Kryptonian. Seriously. Watch.

                 Remember Action Comics #900? Captain America didn't like that.

In short, Cap doesn't give a fuck. He doesn't play cute and he will kick your butt and ram your head to the floor until it explodes like a grenade. Plus, he always WINS the war for his team in the with the ultimate swag using Final Justice. Iron Man and Thor don't even come close. Here's an example:

                                                  Final Justice FTW!!!

Joseph Senior Grants My Super Kitty, Takes On Wonder Woman, TMNT, and Thor In Latest Hello Kitty Crossover Set

At last, a Superkitty!

Photoshop extraordinaire Joseph Senior continues his dreams of a world where customizable Hello Kitties will rule the world one day with his gorgeous new designs based on comic book and pop culture icons. 

Last time he visited by blog, he promised to create a Supergirl-inspired Kitty and guess what - he delivered! So big thanks to Joseph for granting my request. 

I have selected a few new favorites straight from his flickr account, so make sure you take a look at them after the jump - and most importantly, show some love for his work by liking or commenting on his gallery.

Michael Bay will be proud.

First time I laid my eyes on TMNT, i knew right away that Raph is my favorite.

Why won't try a Sanrio Wonder Woman cartoon?

His Frost Giant parents will be surprised to know that he could also turn into an adorable cat.

"Whoever wields this hairclip, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of... KITTY THOR!

"

Know More About 'Thor' In Just 8 Fun WebComic Panels

Since this whole week was all about the buzz on Marvel Studio's latest superhero film Thor, why not spend a couple of minutes of your precious time learning more on the history of the hammer-wielding Thunder God of Asgard with a cool original comic by artist Chris Haley and Curt Franklin of the webcomic site Let's Be Friends Again , featured on Comics Alliance's "Comics Everybody!" segment. 

I honestly don't know anything about Thor before I watched the movie except that he has a fucking magical hammer that he throws around, and this web comic helped me more ways than one on knowing more about his illustrious comic book career, even giving me a clear answers on questions like:  why is there a gigantic frog that exactly look like him in some of his stories?   Is he still a virgin?  Those kinds of questions. 

Want answers? Head over to the whole thing by clicking on the link above. 

'The Avengers 12.1' Preview Covers Doesn't Entice Me At All

Marvel has another  Avengers comic book available on the shelves right now, especially made for newbies who are just starting to delve into the Marvel Universe and unsure on where to start on reading about their all-time favorite characters like Iron Man, Thor, Spider-Man and Captain America to name a few.

The Avengers 12.1,  written by one of my favorite Marvel writer-artist tandems in  Brian Michael Bendis and  Bryan Hitch, with the latter being memorable for doing such a splendid job on his run on the Ultimates vol 1 and 2. He's the guy with the "photo-realistic art" that made reading the Ultimates like watching/reading a film. And with the influx of comic book film adaptations lately, this looks like a good move by Marvel in getting new readers joining the bandwagon. 

But let me focus on something entirely different here:  I cannot help but wonder what happened to Mr. Hitch while illustrating these covers for his latest project? Take a look:

Wolverine with a beak-like nose? Thor's hammer looking clumsy? Inconsistent and shitty facial expressions? And what's up with their poses? Honestly, this is not enticing me to get this series at all. It doesn't seem like Hitch is on his game here,  but I'll give it a shot and see if Bendis' story could turn it around.

Still... Fuck Wolverine in that 2nd cover. He's like Penguin with the claws. 

[see the full preview on Comics Alliance]

Movie Review: Thor

Marvel Studios' THOR

Directed by Kenneth Branagh

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman,

Anthony Hopkins and Tom Hiddleton

Based on the Marvel Comics characters by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Larry Leiber

Distributed by Paramount Pictures

This movie has been hyped for a long time now, and I finally got to watch it yesterday. 

Was courage really immortal as the tag-line said?

Did it live up to the hype-machine that Marvel Studio's created? 

I'm not gonna lie. 

It met and even exceeded expectations. One of those rare summer blockbuster hits that GOT ME SMASHING FOR MORE. 

Kenneth Branagh's Thor is a big eye-candy that showcases stunning visual effects which bends the line between reality and fantasy, and one that is also emotionally deep and entertaining to boot.

Packed with a lot of epic action sequences, the movie had a lot memorable moments that would go down as the best, not only in comic book film adaptations, but also in cinematic history. Like the hammer-smashing, Earth-shattering epic battle between the Thor's 6-man Asgardian gang with  the Frost Giants of Jotunheim from the beginning of the movie, to that awe-inspiring kick-ass transformation by the hero after his trusty hammer - Mjolnir - comes back to him after being separated with it as part of his father's (Odin) punishment. That one got me literally wide-eyed giddy like a child going like: "WOOOOW".

The casting couldn't have been any better too. Chris Hemsworth was perfect for the role and I think it showed that he could be a bona-fide leading actor in the years to come. And with his performance as the arrogant hammer-wielding Thunder God - who was banished to Earth by his father in order for him to learn some humility - he has accomplished something big with this film and definitely etched his own name in Hollywood as one of its fastest rising stars. 

Natalie Portman, who plays Thor's love interest - astrophysicist Jane Foster - did a really good job as well in providing the romantic angle the movie needs as a counter balancing act to the angst and violent leading character. Her chemistry with Hemsworth is something really nice to see on the screen. Not to mention the nice smooch scene they had. 

Other actors like Anthony Hopkins (Thor's father Odin) did bring justice to his character as well, and provided that no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners attitude that the "King of Asgard" needed. But probably the best actor was Tom Hiddleston who plays Loki - the jealous Norse God of Mischief and is Thor's "brother". His acting was superb which brought a lot of depth and drama to the whole film, and I've got to say, one of the finest memorable performances I have seen in a while. 

I really thought that they did well, especially the fanntastic acting by the supporting cast, namely the comic-relief that is Darcy (Kat Dennings), Heimdall, Asgard's gatekeeper (Idris Elba) up to Thor's bad-ass Asgardian friends Volstagg, Hogun, Fandall, and Sif.  And to think that most these actors/actresses are all "newbies" to mainstream films so to speak, that really says something. Their work on screen was believable and really complimented each other. 

Finally, J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich's  story  under Kenneth Branagh's direction is a formula that truly worked wonders for this film. They concocted a perfect mix of fantasy, well-placed humor, drama, and adventure that leaps through uber-realistic CGI universes and galaxies. Props to those CGI and visual effects people who spent long hours doing the post-production work. 

Add to that the intergalatic family conflict, love, and a humbling life lesson that spans realms and mystical kingdoms millions of light-years away, Thor is an epic popcorn flick that would make you scream for more "Hammer time!" after the credits roll.

'Little Thor' Strikes Down a Car

Here's Marvel's very cute and awesome parody of Volkswagen's 'Little Darth Vader' commercial starring a kid dressed up like the thunder god, Thor. How many kids get to blow up a car with a godlike-hammer firing a bolt of lightning in their lives?

Why can't I get to do this kind of shit? 

Thor is showing in May 6.

[via ComicsAlliance]

New Thor Posters Is As Bloody Red As It Gets

Here are the two new teaser posters for the upcoming Thor movie starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Anthony Hopkins. They're all red.

Thor hits the big screen on April 17, 2011.

2nd 'Thor' Trailer

Here is the 2nd trailer for the upcoming superhero film starring Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman. This one looks more bad-ass than the first one, with more hammer-throwing and Ultraman-like villains on the loose.

Photo Of The Day: Hammer and Shield

Left: Chris Hemsworth (Thor); Right: Chris Evans (Captain America) - sporting the iconic hammer and shield on the recent NYC Toy Fair 2011

[Image via HeroComplex]

Made For Primetime TV: The Art of Corey Smith

Its really bad day for me here at work, and after all the B.S today I'm glad I'm still able to find something to be happy about: ART.

ComicsAlliance has this 'Best Art Ever' feature every week - where they showcase some of the most amazing works of art we can ever find on the internet. And I think that's what separates them from other sites, because they just make me drool and appreciate such works.

Today they have this guy Corey Smith from New Zealand who goes by the handle CS-HOWLER on deviantArt - and if you check out this portfolio here, you will find familiar comic book characters drawn like they are ready for a primetime TV slot. 

Which brings me to a comparison: I featured Marcio Takara's works before here too which almost has the same style - animated TV style with a more cartoonish feel to it, and i can't help but compare that to the works of of this NewZealander guy.

My verdict? CS-HOWLER wins. Just check out this Batman version of his:

Looks bad-ass? Wait till you see some of my favorites from his portfolio after clicking on the jump. Don't forget to visit his page. (link above) 

5 Things To Watch Out For This 2011

We have all been excited last year because of all the teaser trailers of the various comic book movies adaptations, video games, toys, and direct-to-dvd animated movies. So as we enter the first few days of the Year of the Rabbit 2011, I have listed the stuff we have to watch out for in the upcoming months.

5. All-Star Superman DVD 

Fans of this Eisner-award winning graphic novel by mastermind Grant Morisson have been teased long enough as arguably the greatest story of the the greatest superhero of all-time  is finally scheduled to be released on DVD come February 2011. Oh boy, its just a month away and we cannot wait for it and see if it will deliver.


4. DC Universe Online

Yes folks, after almost 3 years of conceptualization, testing, and numerous teasing, DC and Sony Entertainment will finally release their massively-multiplayer-online-roleplaying game (MMORPG) in the first quarter of this year with the monthly subscription costing $14.99. Players will have the chance to create their own hero with their own unique set of  skills and abilities, train them (level up), complete quests, and do battles with other online players in places like Gotham City and Metropolis. Numerous gameplay trailers have surfaced on Youtube so every bit of info you need to know about the biggest superhero based online game is just one click away

3. Batman: Arkham City Video Game

 

The sequel to the award winning Batman: Arkham Asylum video game apparently has a kick-ass trailer that shows Batman trashing a couple of SWAT guys. Its the Dark Knight vs Counter-Strike featuring Batman's newest and most dangerous foe yet - Hugo Strange. Game freaks have been screaming for months now and I guess they got to have a little more patience until late 2011 comes.

2. Thor / Captain America Films

Marvel has been into a hot streak right now with the success of their Incredible Hulk, Iron Man and Spider-Man movies, and are now about to show two of their other popular characters in the big screen: Thor is scheduled to be released on April 27, 2011 to be followed up by Cap on July 22. Then after that, I guess we are about to see the team up of all those heroes in a star-studded film titled The Avengers sometime in 2012. Nice.

1. Green Lantern Movie

 

It seems that DC has been left behind by their rival comic company, Marvel, in terms of successful superhero movies (at least for now). And after the success of The Dark Knight, questions arose as to which comic book hero are they going to produce for a movie. Superman is still in the reboot stage, Wonder Woman  seems far fetched right now, and to be honest, The Flash isn't going to cut it. Fortunately, there's one beloved DC character that might just do it for them - Green Lantern which light up on June 17, 2011. And with Ryan Reynolds looking good on the trailer, this film has already become one of the most anticipated films of the year.

So there are my 5 things to look out for this year, so make sure that you mark those calendars as to not miss all of the comic goodness coming our way. 

More Cool Toys From Hot Toys' Anniversary Blast

I'm not doing anything right now and since this is toy day, then lets get rollin' with more of Hot Toys' new figures featuring Iron Man, Thor, Spidey, and a couple of celebrities like Indiana Jones, the Predator, the Terminator, the zombie killing Alice from the Resident Evil films, and Bruce Lee!  I just can't get enough of these wonderful pieces of art.

Go see 'em all by clicking the link after the jump.

[images courtesy of tomopop.com and Tokyo Hunter. For the gallery, click here]

Iron Man's Mark V Armor as seen in Iron Man 2

"Im your friendly neighborhood!"

Damage has never been this cool.

Thor. Just like in the movie.

Zombie Batman. Isn't it pretty?

The Spirit of Vengeance: Ghost Rider. Oh, Nick Cage's head is there too. Say hi!

Harrison Ford still looks cool as a toy.

Hasta la vista, baby. |

Predator growling: *Gibberish* Its still scary though.

I wish they included some zombies in here.

Bruce Lee in his Enter the Dragon outfits. Purely classic.