Hey guys, Matt here. After a wonderful week in Florida I’m back from vacation. I’m rested and ready to talk about all the news that broke this week in this week’s all-new installment of The Impact.

DC Artist Scott Clark Passes Away at 43

On Thursday the comic world was shocked and saddened to learn the news that Justice League: Cry For Justice, Stormwatch and Brightest Day artist Scott Clark had suddenly passed away at the age of 43. Clark originally got his start in the 1990’s at Wildstorm and has worked steadily ever since. On Friday DC released the following statement.

The entire DC Entertainment family is saddened by the news of artist Scott Clark’s passing. Scott was an extremely talented creator and an important part of The New 52. From the beginning of his career working at WildStorm through his most recent output on titles like Grifter, Batman, Inc. and Manhunter, Clark earned a reputation as an extremely talented and professional artist. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans.

“I’ve known Scott since the earliest days of WildStorm – he was one of the very first artists I brought into the studio back in 1993,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “I’m stunned and saddened by this news and at a loss for words. Scott was a great talent, a terrific guy, and a friend.  He was one of the regular crew of artists who worked well into the night (every night), took dinner at Denny’s at 2am and played ping pong in between drawing pages.  We will all miss him dearly. Our thoughts are with his family during this time.”

He is survived by wife Kim and his son Andrew. Everyone at Comic Impact sends their condolences.

Greg Pak and Jae Lee Launch Batman/Superman This June.

Courtesy of USA TODAY.  Greg Pak and Jae Lee will be launching a new world’s finest book this June. The new ongoing series opening arc will show us the pair’s first meeting in the “New 52” (which apparently happened BEFORE  Justice League #1). Pak talked about the hesitation both characters feel towards one another.

“What would your reaction be if you saw a guy running around in a bat costume in the dead of night attacking people for the first time? And what would your reaction be if you met an alien who could crush steel in his bare hands for the first time?” the writer says. “These guys are going to have very different immediate impressions of each other than we’re used to seeing with these characters.

“There’s an element of danger to the book that I think is very real and very exciting.”

I am a big fan of Pak and am very excited to see him make his DC debut. With Jae Lee on art the book will be absolutely gorgeous but I do wonder how many issues we will get before we get a fill-in artist…one who I hope is the same quality as Lee. Either way I will definitely be picking this book up. How about you guys?

DC Announces New Green Lantern Creative Teams

Last week we learned Geoff Johns would be leaving Green Lantern a book in which there is no real way to truly quantify  his impact on.

• Green Lantern: Writer Robert Venditti and artist Billy Tan.
• Green Lantern Corps: Writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Bernard Chang.
• Green Lantern: New Guardians: Writer Justin Jordan and artist Brad Walker.
• Red Lanterns: Writer Joshua Hale Fialkov and artist Alessandro Vitti.
• We will also be getting a brand new title based on our favorite greedy lantern.
• Larfleeze: Writer Keith Giffen and artist Scott Kolins.

I am really happy to see Josh Fialkov on not one but two Green Lantern book and I can’t wait to see what he will bring to the Red Lanterns. How about you guys, are you excited for the new creative teams?

Marvel…Of the Dead????

This week at ComicsPRO, a retailer event held in Atlanta Georgia. Marvel released this very cryptic teaser. One of the rumors making its way around the internet it could have something to do with George Romero working on a project for Marvel.

Adrian Alphona Joins Uncanny X-Force

According to Comics Alliance, Runaways artist Adrian Alphona will be joining Sam Humphries on Uncanny X-Force starting with issue five. This is the first multi-issue work for Alphona since he left Runaways in 2007.

Matthew Vaughn Will Produce Fantastic Four Reboot.

Deadline is reporting that X-Men: First Class Director Matthew Vaughn has joined the Fantastic Four reboot. Vaughn will produce the film which will be directed by Josh Trank (Chronicle) and scripted by Jeremy Slater. With Vaughn now involved I hope that the film’s script can get at least one pass by Vaughn’s writing partner Jane Goldman. Fantastic Four hits theaters March 6th 2015.

X-Men: Days of the Future Past Update

While out promoting Jack the Giant Slayer director Bryan Singer has been talking a lot about X-Men: Days of Future Past. Last week Singer announced on Twitter that  Games of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage had joined the cast. Speaking with IGN Singer spoke a little about Dinklage’s casting,

“He’s not going to be a CGI character,” Singer corrected. “He’ll be himself. Not that he’ll be playing Peter Dinklage, he’ll be playing this character. It’s not a shy character. He’s just such a phenomenal actor; I’m a huge fan of Peter’s and Game of Thrones. He was my first choice and I was really happy [about the casting]. It’s so funny to talk to him because he does that impeccable accent [on Game of Thrones] and then you talk to him and he’s this guy from New Jersey.”

IGN asked him if he could their were things in X-Men: The Last Stand he hoped to change with this movie.

You mean, what you’re politely saying is, “fix s**t.” Is that what you’re saying? That’s what I’m hearing. [Laughing]

Last but not least Singer tweeted an image of  Professor X’s past and present wheelchairs. Since returning to the X-Men franchise Singer has really embraced Twitter, tweeting out casting announcements and preproduction images.  X-Men: Days of Future Past will be a loose adaptation of  Chris Claremont and John Byrne’s Uncanny X-Men #141-142 and hit theaters July 17, 2014.

New Iron Man 3  Character Poster Showcases The Mandarin and Pepper Potts.

Empire debuted two new Iron Man 3 character poster showcasing Ben Kingsley as the Mandarin and Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts. Their cover featuring Iron Man himself is also pretty cool as well. I am loving these character poster and the marketing in general for this film it is so much stronger than the previous films.  Iron Man 3 hits theaters May 3rd 2013.

Check Out The New Spider-Man Costume for Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Comingsoon.net scored the exclusive first look at Peter Parker’s new costume from Amazing Spider-Man 2. With the larger lenses and slightly brighter color palette it looks like Mark Bagley’s Ultimate Spider-Man has literally wall crawled off the page. The Marc Webb directed sequel hits theaters May 2, 2014.

Well there you have it guys that wraps up this installment of The Impact. I will see you all here this time next week.

Matt Todd

matthew@comicimpact.com