Now that Smallville has come to an end on the youth-oriented CW network, execs have been scrambling to find a replacement for the hero oriented series. Earlier this year, the CW introduced Arrow, a gritty and darker take on the Green Arrow, who played a major role in Smallville, though the two series are not connected. With that series proving to be successful, the network is looking to add one more DC character in Wonder Woman.

The new series, which has yet to be green lit for a pilot is said to be centered on a younger Diana, currently being called Isis, before she becomes the famed hero. CW President Mark Pedowitz recently stated that Amazon would be  “an origination story in the sense that Smallville was an origination story.” take that for what it’s worth.

Casting for the series has been underway for a few weeks now, despite not having a pilot ordered. But the fact they are moving forward with casting shows they are fairly confident in the project. Today, STV have learned that Amy Manson is being eyed for the lead role in the series. Manson has had roles in several “geek” shows, including Torchwood, Being Human and Misfits.

I think most would agree that this series is fighting an uphill battle with fans of the character and casting will play a major part in whether this show is successful. Is Manson right for the role? Is she enough to keep this series from collapsing like the most recent failed attempt with Adrienne Palicki? Only time will tell.

Josh "ecksmanfan" Johnson, Torchwood’s Amy Manson Up for CW’s Amazon

The Godyssey tells of the Gods of the grand pantheon, including Zeus, Buddha, Ra and Pangu, are forced to join together in a battle against fallen gods to save mankind. While Jesus Christ plays a part in the comics, he apparently will not be included in the film. It is still early in the planning stages, so writers and a director have yet to be signed on to the project.

As mentioned earlier, the Deadpool film is still resting in development hell. Tim Miller is still attached to direct, with Ryan Reynolds still signed to play the Merc with a Mouth. Garner has a history with Liefeld, as the he took part in bidding for Planet Terry pitch while serving as Revolution’s president of production. That project ended up at New Line with LIefeld and Weaver producing.

Josh "ecksmanfan" Johnson, Liefeld’s ‘The Godyssey’ is Headed to the Big Screen

Week three into Before Watchmen, and the high quality of story telling continues.  Brian Azzarello seems to be giving readers more of a character study of the Comedian instead of just delving into what happened before Watchmen.

Azzarello paints a great picture of America when JKF was President in this universe.  But what is more impressive is how quickly he grasps hold of the Comedian.  Eddie was always seen as a cold bastard, but Azzarello quickly cuts to the core of that.  He’s an American who loves his country.  Maybe to much.  Much like the rest of America in that time, people were hopeful and happy about what JFK could do for the country.  It’s nuanced character work that really makes the reader think about his actions and the meanings behind them.  While Minutemen and Silk Spectre were great reads, neither made me put the comic down and think about what I read.

The issue is written well, but it spends a lot of time on the friendship between JFK and Eddie.  The time jump at the beginning is unnecessary, and seems like a waste of a page.  These are small gripes in an otherwise well written issue.  Now that the set up of Eddie’s relationship with JFK out of the way, no doubt the rest of the mini-series will improve in quality.

What leaves the strongest impression on the reader is the last couple of pages.  Where we see hero and villain stop what they are doing, and grieve together.  It’s powerful stuff, considering it only lasts around three pages.  The Kennedy family is written well, especially Jackie Kennedy.  Between the final pages and the Kennedy’s dialogue, Azzarello gives the reader some pertinent background information.  While many of the readers will have read Wathcmen and have a general understanding of this society, it’s great for new readers.  The other series haven’t delved into aspects of society to the degree that they deserve.  Azzarello’s also contrasts the hope of the time with the darkness and corruption of the government.  Much like the final few pages, it’s subtle, but paints a picture of the world these characters live in to the reader.

Comedian, in my opinion, is the first series that feels necessary.  Eddie was a character that we knew well from the other characters describing him, but he could use a deeper backstory.  Comedian #1 seems to rewrite some of Eddie’s history, as he is seen being a close friend and assassin for Richard Nixon.  There are plenty of issues left, so no doubt Azzarello will touch up on this.

Fans of the movie will find the issue confusing.  In the title sequence, the Comedian kills JKF, but he is seen being best friends, and possibly more, with him here.

J.G. Jones artwork has some inconsistencies, but is mostly strong.  The Kennedy’s have some facial issues when the enter the background, with their heads taking some weird shapes.  But he nails the most important scene, the final few pages.  The final panel is drawn perfectly, with just a subtle hand on the shoulder.  It’s marvelous, considering how Moloch and Comedian went from enemies to grieving Americans with the flip of a switch.  The quick action scene flows well.  It’s surprising that Jones doesn’t try and stick to the nine panel formula that the other artists used.  It gives these series a cohesive feel, and connects them to the original.  But it’s a stylistic choice, and one that doesn’t hurt this issue.

The Crimson Corsair back up continues, and I’m loving the art.  While the story is slightly hard to follow, considering only two pages can be read at a time, the art is leaving an impression.

Before Watchmen Comedian #1 gets 4/5.

(Since I will be in Walt Disney World next Wednesday, there won’t be a review for Before Watchmen Nite Owl #1, at least by me)

MrComicBook, Review: Before Watchmen Comedian #1

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

One of the things that Lincoln does best is not lose sight of the fact that people are here to see the 16th President kill the undead.  While not the only focus of the movie, there are plenty of action scene peppered throughout the movie the keep the audience glued to the screen.  Many are shot in slow motion, which just adds to the general bad assery that Lincoln is performing.  It’s the over the top lunacy that makes it fun to watch.  The actors are all serious, and so are Lincoln’s voice overs, but the situations are so insane that the audience can’t help but laugh.  And Lincoln revels in this.  The creators seem to understand that if they made a serious film it wouldn’t be taken…..well seriously.  For a movie that takes Lincoln’s life in a whole new direction, it surprisingly gets a lot of it right.  The general points are there, ones that every person learns in a history 101 class in high school.  Many famous figures from the Civil War period appear, like Stephen A. Douglas and Jefferson Davis.  Audiences should know who they are, but if not, go Google them now.  The entire movie has a B-movie fun to it.  Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is one that people will love to see in a group.

As said before, this film is far from perfect.  The contrast of crazy scenes with actors playing it straight will turn some people off.  While I don’t agree, it’s easy to see why some have this feeling.  There are a couple of huge plot holes.  One deals with Mary Todd, and suddenly not being engaged anymore.  She is stated as being engaged to Stephen Douglas, then suddenly she is going on dates with Lincoln.  Stephen Douglas is also cut short.  He shows the signs of being a vampire, but then is suddenly gone from the movie.  Being a history major, I was hoping for a big Lincoln/Douglas throw down.  There is also a problem with momentum.  About two-thirds of the way through the movie, we jump forward from young Abe, to old Abe.  We then have to sit through Abe getting his determination back and pick up the ax again.  This may have worked in the book, but it doesn’t translate over well.  Lincoln goes through some family issues and such, which destroy the atmosphere that up to that point was a blast to watch.  While the fun mood comes back near the end, it would have been nice to keep the fun ramping up the entire time.

The script is surprisingly decent.  It’s not the best in the world, but there have been a lot worse in movies with higher budgets.  There are a few one-liners, but none that are insanely quotable.  It would have been easy for the screenwriters to phone in the script and just let the audience watch the action.  But the characters do have some good moments.  The script toys with the long standing nickname “Honest Abe” in a humorous way.  The dialogue never goes into any really idioms of the time, keeping the script from being hooky.

The direction should be noted, but only for the action scenes.  The use of slow motion is one that needs to be used well.  Sherlock Holmes used it well, but then Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows didn’t.  This is more on the good side.  Lincoln uses it in every scene, but it’s to show the over the top action that’s going on.  Sometimes, like a huge horse battle, it could have been toned down and just let the chaos reign.

Special effects are a mixed bag.  The vampires look great in close ups, but the huge battle scenes are rough around the edges.  During a big horse battle scene, it’s painfully obvious where the special effects are being edited in and where the real actors are.  Seeing the movie in 3D only exacerbates the problems.  There have been worse 3D conversions, but there is no real reason to see the movie in 3D.  I was forced too.

The actors seem to be having a fun time in each of their roles.  Benjamin Walker plays the 16th President.  His Lincoln is good, and even when the crap hits the fan in huge action scenes, he still seems like Lincoln.  It also helps that he looks almost exactly like Lincoln the second a shadow is thrown on him.  Much like the plot, he seems to have some trouble when the film jumps years in the future and movie is reestablishing him as a hero.  The same can be said of Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who plays Mary Todd.  She does her best, but this collection of scenes clash with the rest of the film, so her acting seems slightly awkward.  She is likable, but isn’t given much to do.  Dominic Cooper does an acceptable job as Henry, Lincoln’s vampire killing trainer.  He’s a likable guy, but keeps his allegiances hidden well.  Even late in the film it’s somewhat uncertain what side he is on.

Movie studios, take note: if you put Alan Tudyk in your movie, it is automatically better.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter almost demands that you go in with the right state of mind.  Don’t expect any Oscar worthy performances.  Go in expecting an over the top good time.  It’s kick-ass, and stupidly awesome.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter gets 4/5.

MrComicBook, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Review

The doll’s author, the irreverent U.S. artist Ron English, explains that “the doll was created to be used as a projection” of his work. There are no plans for the marketing of “Obama Hulk“, but the doll is already gathering huge attention.

Ron English is the author of the puppet

Barack Obama, 50, is in the middle of his U.S. presidential re-election campaign.

wolverinept, Obama Wins Puppet Version Of 'Hulk'

Most of us know the famous poem “The Night Before Christmas” but does anyone truly pay attention to where it came from? It was first posted on December 23rd 1823, but no author had taken credit for it until 1844 when Clement Clarke Moore published it in a book of his poems. Moore comes from a family with deep historcal roots, his father was Benjamin Moore who was the bishop of New York and officiated the inaguartion of George Washington.

This poem is one of my favorites as it obviously pertains to Christmas, but also is something that I have read since I was in grade school. It now resides within the contents of my Kindle and will be read to my nephew. A great poem for an amazing and joyous time of year.

Michael Worthan, 25 Days of Christmas Therapy: Day 20 “T’was the Night Before Christmas”