Hi guys, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope you are all had a very happy and safe holidays. The past three week have been a real roller coaster so I apologize for not posting in a while.
Peter David Recovering From a Stroke.
Last week writer Peter David revealed that he was recovering from a stroke he suffered on Sunday while vacationing in Florida. David will undergo in-patient rehabilitation after he is released from the hospital. David’s wife Kathleen offered an update on Thursday,
“Peter is doing better every day,…“Yesterday he was able to lift up his right arm by himself and the fingers are coming back a little more every day. He can stand up but still can’t walk and the standing only lasts for so long. His face is even more normal than the day before. And he sat up in a chair for the first time since Saturday which he was very happy about and I was thrilled. The more he can get up, the sooner he gets out and onto the next step of the journey. … Keep those good thoughts coming. Peter says it is both gratifying and humbling about the number of people who are praying for them and keeping him in their thoughts and he appreciates and is thankful to each and every one of you.”
Everyone at Comic Impact wishes Peter David a swift recovery.
Gail Simone Fired From Batgirl. Gail Simone Rehired on Batgirl.
Three weeks ago Bleeding Cool posted a story that Gail Simone was no longer writing Batgirl. Simone confirmed the story that afternoon on Twitter.
This is my Yes-the-news-is-true-and-it-sucks super sad dance. Oddly, it’s square dancing.
On Wednesday of last week, new Batgirl editor Brian Cunningham informed me by email that I was no longer the writer of Batgirl.
But I want to give huge, huge thanks to the other creators in the bat-offices, and editors Bobbie Chase and @yourpallsmitty, champions
all.
And the biggest thank you of all to you guys for supporting this book so hugely and making it a commercial and critical success.
I honestly don’t have the words right now to thank you all. I’m pretty choked up and it’s all gratitude, not bitterness.
I am very proud of what we accomplished with Batgirl and it was anhonor to get to write Barbara Gordon again. Love that dame.
At the time there was been no official reason given for Simone’s dismissal, Batgirl is selling well, better than other books in the Bat-family.
Simone hinted at some “creative differences” which seems to becoming a trend amongst DC and their former staff members.
Then in an awesome yet strange turn of events two weeks later Gail Simone announced the new Batgirl writer would be…. Gail Simone. That’s right after being let go Simone was rehired by DC. It was a comic Christmas Miracle!!!
Next up from Simone is Leaving Megaopolis which she Kickstarted with Secret Six collaborator Jim Califore.
DC Promotes Bob Harras and Shelly Bond.
We learned that Shelly Bond has been promoted to Executive Editor at Vertigo, replacing Karen Berger. Editor Bob Harras has now been promoted to Vice President. DC released a press release elaborating on the promotion.
“DC Entertainment announced today the promotion and expansion of duties for two of its key executives and a new reporting structure created to enhance and strengthen the company’s three imprints: DC Comics, Vertigo and Mad Magazine.
“Bob Harras has been promoted to Senior Vice President – Editor-in-Chief, DC Comics, and will continue to oversee editorial for DC Comics. In over two years at the helm, Harras has helped guide DC Comics to unprecedented heights with the launch of DC’s The New 52 initiative and September’s ZERO MONTH event. The string of successes rolls on, as the Batman books continue to surprise and enthrall readers with the BATMAN: DEATH OF THE FAMILY crossover, Superman and his family of books encounter H’EL ON EARTH and the entire New 52 line heads toward the top-secret TRINITY WAR.
“’Bob is a respected and talented editor, manager and leader with a keen eye for talent,’ said DC Comics Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. ‘He’s been integral to making DC – The New 52 the amazing success it is today. 2013 is going to build upon 2012’s huge successes and we continue to be committed to providing fans with the best comics on the stands. Bob and his team have set the bar high for themselves, and we are all excited about what’s next for DC Comics.’
“DC Entertainment veteran Hank Kanalz has been named Senior Vice President of Vertigo and Integrated Publishing. In his new role, Kanalz will oversee Vertigo’s publishing efforts. In addition, Kanalz will continue to manage the company’s growing digital business seeking innovative and integrated publishing opportunities. Under Kanalz’s leadership DC Entertainment became the first comic publisher to offer its entire line on the same day in digital and print formats. Kanalz has also forged innovative industry partnerships including the recently announced deals to offer DCE graphic novels and monthly comic books Amazon’s Kindle Store, Apple’s iBookstore and Barnes & Noble’s Nook Store.
Kanalz’s oversight of Vertigo will further support newly promoted Vertigo Executive Editor Shelly Bond’s vision for the imprint and bring increased awareness to Vertigo’s ever-growing library of characters and properties cross-divisionally.
“’Hank’s strong leadership has resulted in triple digit growth among our digital comics business,’ stated DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. ‘In this new role he is poised to continue DC Entertainment’s digital momentum, while working even more closely with the print publishing teams, specifically Vertigo.’
“Harras, Kanalz and MAD Magazine Vice President and Executive Editor John Ficarra will report to DC Comics Co-Publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio, representing DC Entertainment’s three imprints.”
Before Watchmen to be Collected this July
Before Watchmen will be collected this July. Each hardcover will collect two stories and be priced at $29.99. Volume one will collect Minutemen and Silk Spectre and will hit stores July 9th. Volume two collecting Comedian and Rorschach hits stores July 16th. Nite Owl and Dr. Manhattan will be collected in volume three on July 23rd. Last but not least Ozymandias and Curse of the Crimson Corsair will be the fourth volume and hit stores July 30th. Right now I’m definitely going to pick up the first volume Darwyn Cooke and Amanda Conner have done a fantastic job, if you can ignore the “Before Watchmen” on the cover you will be in a for a real treat.
Star Wars Comic Rights to Revert to Marvel
Since Lucasfilm was acquired by Disney a question asked by me and many other comic bloggers was, “will Dark Horse hold onto the Star Wars comic license? Well it looks like we are starting to get whispers of an answer. Renowned Disney blog Blue Sky Disney got word that the contract between Dark Horse and Lucasfilm will NOT be renewed.
The Suits in the know have determined that no new contracts will be given to Dark Horse after the current ones expire. So all new projects after 2013 will be handled internally by Marvel.
It’s not known yet if titles will be worked into the regular line up, or will Marvel create a special branch of the company that deals with Star Wars. It’ll take a couple of years for the old deals to work there course, but the stories that Dark Horse have coming down the pipeline will be the last. And you can expect anything new from Marvel dealing with Star Wars to arrive around 2015.
If this is true I formally request a Matt Fraction Dave Aja Han Solo book. Thank you Marvel.
Jupiter’s Children Now a Legacy.
Mark Millar revealed that his and Frank Quietly new series Jupiter’s Children has undergone a title change, now it will be called Jupiter’s Legacy. Talking with ComicBookMovie Millar elaborated why,
“We just preferred it when we were playing around with finished logos and decided to tweak the title while we still could,” Millar said. “The front cover will now look as below, out in April from Image Comics and priced at a very lovely $2.99. Artist and co-creator Frank Quitely and I are very proud of this little superhero epic and look forward to taking all your money next year.”
New International Poster for The Wolverine. Hugh Jackman Confirmed for X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Courtesy of SuperHeroHype. To celebrate Bryan Singer’s announcement that Hugh Jackman is officially confirmed to return for X-Men: Days of Future Past. Check out the latest international poster for The Wolverine. I love the noirish tone of the poster. This film marks the sixth time Hugh Jackman has appeared as Logan (counting his cameo in X-Men: First Class). The Wolverine is directed by James Mangold and hits theaters July 26, 2013.
Man of Steel Trailer Hits the Web.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVu3gS7iJu4&w=560&h=315]
Well here it is. The first official full length trailer for Man of Steel. It’s symbolic and evocative, setting the tone director Zack Snyder is going for. I was very impressed upon viewing the trailer and was genuinely moved at the moment where we see Superman take to the sky for the first time. It felt incredibly hopeful and it just evoked my love for the character. Superman. Man of Steel hits theaters June 14, 2013.
The Walking Dead Renewed for Season 4. Showrunner Glen Mazzara Exits Series.
After having a half of a season of record setting ratings AMC has renewed The Walking Dead for a fourth season. What was a surprise was the announcement that showrunner Glen Mazzara would be stepping down at the end of the third season. Mazzara was the second showrunner after Frank Darabont was let go at the beginning of the second season. In a statement released by AMC it was acknowledged that the parting was amicable but the two sides did have different ideas for which direction the series should take. Mazzara elaborated
“My time as showrunner on The Walking Dead has been an amazing experience, but after I finish season 3, it’s time to move on,” “I have told the stories I wanted to tell and connected with our fans on a level that I never imagined. It doesn’t get much better than that. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey.”
The second half of season 3 premieres on Sunday, February 10th.
Arrow Casts Roy Harper.
Teen Wolf star Colton Haynes will join Arrow as Roy Harper. Described as “a handsome, street-savvy, teenager from ‘the Glades,’ the harsh, poverty-stricken portion of Starling City.” Harper will be a love interest for Ollie’s sister Thea. While you can definitely see the heavy influence of Chris Nolan Arrow is a show that continues to get better this week’s winter finale was a real highlight. Arrow returns January 16th in a new episode called “Burned” where Ollie will face off against Garfield Lynns a.k.a Firefly. The CW released a picture this week giving us our best look at the pyrotechnic villain. Check it out.
Mattel Announces Adam West Batman Toy Line.
According to Global License sometime in 2013 Mattel will produce a toy line based on The 1960’s Classic Batman TV Series line, the magazine also reported that Mattel will continue to produce the DC Super Friends line and create new lines for Beware the Batman and Man of Steel. Hopefully with a toy line on the way this may open the door to a blu-ray/DVD release of the Batman TV show, which has been tied up in a mire of legal conflicts over rights and actor royalties.
Well there you have it, I hope you all have a great weekend with your friends and family. Happy New Year!!! I have a good feeling 2013 will be a great year for comics.
Matt Todd
matthew@comicimpact.com