‘NUFF SAID: THE LEGENDARY STAN LEE ON ANT-MAN, BOSTON, AND CAMEOS AT DIGBOSTON (EARTH PRIME TIME)

‘NUFF SAID: THE LEGENDARY STAN LEE ON ANT-MAN, BOSTON, AND CAMEOS

July 26, 2015 By CLAY FERNALD

92 years young, Stanley Martin Lieber never did quite get to write that Great American Novel.

He did something far more impactful to generations of people: After changing his name to Stan Lee, he created the Marvel Universe. All praise its name.

Before I could make out the letters, I could understand fantastic cars whizzing through the sky in the comic books he’s been behind since the Marvel Universe big-banged its way into my life and the lives of countless other fans.

The Generalissimo himself continues to reign supreme in Hollywood thanks to the blockbusters emerging from his canon of work, and he still teaches online courses, writes and creates brand new comic characters, maintains his role as chairman and chief creative officer of POW! Entertainment, Inc, and of course remains chairman emeritus of Marvel Comics. On top of that, he is a certified movie star (just don’t call them cameos anymore).

Since the man behind Spider-Man and Thor and all the rest is coming to Boston Comic Con 2015, I had roughly 10 minutes to keep a tidal wave of geek freak out in check and chat with him over the phone.

So, how are you doing?

I guess that depends on how you treat me! I’m feeling fine and looking forward to coming to Boston and meeting my friend Ken. [Ed note: Ken Bold is Guinness World Records title holder of the world’s oldest comic artist, born Aug 1, 1920, and is celebrating a birthday at Comic Con].

What, if any, are some of your memories of Boston?

When were we in Boston last? Two years ago. I have great memories of it; we went to a convention and had a wonderful time. People were terrific.

How did you feel Ant-Man went? Was it great to see it come alive on the screen?

Ant-Man was terrific: The critics loved it, the fans loved it.

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NOTE: Thanks for all of your support & kind words!

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

THOR: THE DARK WORLD (review) at FORCES OF GEEK

The sequel to Thor and the eighth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,Thor: The Dark World converges on the Nine Realms with Chris Helmsworth once again starring as the title character opposite a returning ensemble cast which includes Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and Natalie Portman as Earthly love interest and scientist Jane Foster.

Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, Jaimie Alexander return as Marvel favorites The Warriors Three: Volstagg, Hogan and The Lady Sif (joining them in this installment is Zachary Levi as warrior Fandral).

Also returning is Stellan Skarsgård, as scientist Erik Selvig, now somewhat damaged from his participation in the events from The Avengers.

The stellar cast mixed with the fantastical elements of Asgard, the technological advances of the evil Dark Elves makes for a terrific sci-fi fantasy film. Fans of epic space battles as well as swords and hammer swinging are in for a raucous good time.

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]

EARTH PRIME TIME: AVENGERS ASSEMBLE FIRST LOOK

Marvel’s Avengers Assemble on Disney XD debuts this Sunday, May 26th. Marvel Television has released the first half of the one hour premier on exclusively on iTunesfor free for fans to get a first look at the show. The cancellation of Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes last November made some fans upset, but Jeph Loeb and the Man of Action Team have set us up for another smash hit. We’re guessing the 2009 Disney buyout of Marvel is finally flexing that animation muscle.

 
Marvel TV has released an early preview for Avengers Assemble. This version of The Avengers is more in line with the look and feel Marvel NOW! comics and the Ultimate Spider-Man television series. Costumes are updated to match Marvel’s The Avengers movie as well.

The last episode of Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes was a practical Secret War of guest stars including The Fantastic Four, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Ant-Man and Wasp. The Avengers defeatGalactus and the Earth was saved at the last minute as Iron Man and Thor knocked the planet eater into the Negative Zone.

IRON MAN - Avengers Assemble

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes aligned itself with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in a way, based on the Robert Downey Jr. voice clone Eric Loomis as Iron Man, the movie responsible for kicking off the franchise.

CAPTAIN AMERICA - Avengers Assemble

The first season had guest stars and the introduction of deep cut Marvel/Jack Kirby creation Black Panther, and Marvel/Roy Thomas Avengers The Vision and Ms. Marvel.

The show was good, not great. Certainly this is a step up from the young generation Muppet Baby versions of The Avengers in Super Hero Squad.

HAWKEYE - Avengers Assemble

DC took a chance of it’s own on investing in a darker-tone teenage superhero team adventure with Young Justice, existing in a universe all it’s own.

The chance was all too risky, and Warner decided not to renew Young Justice for a third season. Fanboys cried when they also cancelled the strangely CGI animated Green Lantern: The Animated Series Saturday morning show on the same day. From DC, we’re promised a CGI version of Beware The Batman starring Bruce with Katana as his sidekick facing off against villains like Professor Pygand Magpie. Fans of the ’90s Bruce Timm Animated series may have problems adjusting to the look of the show.

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

EARTH PRIME TIME: WILL EISNER WEEK 2013

Today we get to celebrate comics by remembering the birthday of the father of the graphic novel, Will Eisner (March 6, 1917 – January 3, 2005). Known for creating The Spirit and longer stories such as A Contract With God, Eisner continues to be a reigning influence on comics and graphic storytelling. The high school friend of Bob Kane started his comics career at an early age and continued working until his death. Tufts University screens the 2007 film Will Eisner: Portrait of a Sequential Artist on Thursday as we celebrate Will Eisner Week at Earth Prime Time.

Sure, we’ve gushed about Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, but a man important to comic books has escaped the public’s consciousness over the years. Will Eisner’s cinematic visions of the comic book page alongside a kinetic lettering style continues to define the look of the comic book page as professional artists continue to learn from his masterful storytelling techniques.

The Spirit is perhaps Eisner’s most notable work. The presumed dead police detective Denny Colt establishes a hideout in Central City’s Wildwood Cemetery.

The Spirit was a dashing vigilante, hunting down his arch enemy, The Octopus, and solving crimes with sidekick Ebony White. The stories ran the gamut of crime and detective noir to romance and horror.

Many great comic artists have had their hands on the domino-masked hero, from launching the career of Wally Wood in 1952 to modern day vintage illustrators Darwyn Cooke (New Frontier) and J. Bone (Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror). Sin City’s Frank Miller made the jump to full time director and filmmaker, only to release a vacant and vapid adaptation of the character on screen in 2008′s The Spirit.

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for January 30, 2013

 



COMICS

Ming Doyle (Womanthology, FF# 600) and Brian Wood (Star Wars, DMZ) have teamed up for the story of Mara Prince-a super athlete in the future in a society where the only heroes are sports heroes. Issue #2 of the Image series is out today, and so is our interview with Ming about the book at EARTH PRIME TIME: MARA INTERVIEW WITH MING DOYLE. There wouldn’t be DailyDig Comic picks if it were not for Larry Hama’s G.I.Joe #21, The Silent Issue (1984). IDW caps off their run with Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow #21 by Chuck Dixon and Cobra Commander artist Robert Atkins. Both creators were mum about the issue for after interview requests, so quietly pick this one up! … Classic Eisner Award winning Silver Surfer tale Parable is reprinted this week, written by Stan “The Man” Lee and drawn by the late great Mœbius featuring an alternate Norrin Radd facing a ravenous Galactus … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

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Captain America by Jack Kirby, Vol. 1: Madbomb

Captain America by Jack Kirby, Vol. 1: Madbomb by Jack Kirby

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow! The Bicentennial run of Jack ‘King’ Kirby on Captain America (with Falcon): MADBOMB has some completely off-the wall bonkers patriotism and comic book fun!

Great extras from Marvel in this book. A/B Kirby’s pencils with fully produced art for most of the covers! John Romita inks the cover of ish #193.

Jim (my good pal lending me all of this bat-koo-koo Kirby stuff) left me a note, “Here is Vol. 1 of Kirby Cap from the 70s - it is insane”.

Hmmm..let me count the ways…

A powdered wig aristocrat plotting to bring back nobility to power (what?), small machines with mind control capability, a BIG-ASS version of those machines, Falcon using the word ‘dude’ every other panel…and a 200 year old ancestral grudge over a pistol duel!

To say I enjoyed this book after trying to make sense of the Fourth World stuff is an understatement. I can connect with Kirby’s Marvel work a bit easier, and this was one story arc with two main heroes.

The production of the coloring in this book and the two Kirby Black Panther books are really nice ‘remasters’ of the original plates and the Kirby crackle pops on the glossy pages.

Thanks, Cap! Make my Kirby Marvel!

Clay N. Ferno on Goodreads