I usually don’t post dumb teasers like this, but hey it’s a slow news week and I’m genuinely curious about what Marvel has planned for Spiderman in 2010. Every since that dumb retcon a couple of years ago, I have to admit Spiderman has been on a roll lately, I still think he should get back together with M.J. Marvel sent along this little teaser but what does it all mean? I found it odd that Spiderman (except for a couple of one shots and the 5 part American Son arc) didn’t have much to do with all the Dark Reign sillyness (which is why the book has remained good), when you consider if anyone should take down Norman Osborn and end his Dark Reign it should be Spiderman and if he does, how would that affect his standing in the Marvel U?

The weather outside isn’t frightful (yet). And there shouldn’t be any delightful fires in your chimney. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about the holidays, when anticipated video games end up on wish lists and – hopefully – in stockings or under trees. Since you are so busy deciding who was naughty or nice this year, Activision made your shopping list easy by teasing seven titles sure to please any hardcore gamer. A few are out. Others are on the horizon. But all seven deserve a peek, and maybe a purchase.

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I feel a little bad, I was really excited for Little Big Planet. I had visions of creating custom levels and costumes and ran out and purchased it on launch day last year and it’s sat unopened in my large pile of shame collecting dust ever since.  Some day I’ll get better about playing everything I purchase – I haven’t even played GTA IV yet (but then, I’m not a big fan of open world games).  At this weekend’s comic-con word leaked that the folks at Marvel are preparing some DLC costumes – Iron Man, Captain America, Wolverine and others. The folks at Kotaku landed some of the first screens. Aw….ain’t they cuuuuuute? 

MOVIE REVIEW: Punisher: War Zone, Michelle Likes It!

I’ve always been pretty ambivalent about the Punisher as a character. I understand him, and I did collect the comics back in the day, but he’s always been a one note kind of guy. He’s obsessed with extracting vengeance – usually in the most brutal, straightforward way possible.  While I liked the last two films, the Producers tried to have it both ways – they wanted the mindless violence, but then they tried to give him a “heart.” The point of the Punisher is, he’s relentless, heartless, and views the world in pure black and white, good and evil and that’s it.

The new Punisher: War Zone is exactly what a Punisher film should be and that’s both good and bad. It’s over the top blood and gore, relentless, humorless (except for a couple of unintentional rolling on the floor moments), and hopeless. I don’t go to a Punisher film expecting a good story, acting, or even good production values.  The first few minutes of the film was hard to get through.

The acting was painful and casting Ray Stevenson to play Frank Castle (The Punisher) was a mistake. He’s wrong for the part, but then at the same time, this isn’t a character that requires a lot of charisma (he’s shadowy) or a lot of speechifying. He just needs to be able to point a gun and fire. Stevenson has no IT factor he’s just blank.  Did I mention how gory this movie is? It was refreshing to watch a Hard R Punisher film. I’m not one who complains when films get sanitized for the PG-13 crowd, but it really does impact the Punisher as a character. Lexi Alexander revels in the violent nature of the character and material. Again, this, is both good and bad because it is who the Punisher is but it will turn off anyone who isn’t part of the small niche that knows anything about The Punisher.

Final Grade B

EM Review by
Michelle Alexandria
Originally Posted 12.06.08

Before he was the Master of Magnetism and the most radical mutant rights activist mankind has ever seen – Magneto was just a boy growing up in Nazi Germany.  In the Marvel Knights tradition of Spider-Man: Reign and Silver Surfer: Requiem comes X-Men: Magneto Testament #1 (of 5)!  Witness the evolution of one of the most popular and controversial X-Men villains of all time!  Superstar writer Greg Pak (World War Hulk, Incredible Hercules) is taking fans back to the year 1935 to show the difficulties and horrors Erik Lensherr faced growing up Jewish in Nazi occupied Germany.  From award-winning artist Carmine Di Giandomenico (Daredevil: Batllin’ Jack Murdock), comes the definitive origin story of the Master of Magnetism!  It all begins with a silver chain, a first crush, and a dictator’s rise to power…

With Iron Man occupied in the Savage Land, the Skrulls may think they’ve eliminated their armored opposition, but War Machine is out to prove them wrong in this must-read Secret Invasion tie-in! Iron Man: Director S.H.I.E.L.D #33, from acclaimed Thunderbolts writer Christos Gage and fan favorite artist Sean Chen (Nova), kicks off “War Machine: Weapon on S.H.I.E.L.D,” which redefines War Machine’s place in the Marvel Universe as a result of Secret Invasion…and setting the stage of his upcoming ongoing series! A major new chapter in Tony and Rhodey’s history begins right here!  With Secret Invasion and related tie-ins selling out quickly at Diamond, and a lead in to the hotly anticipated War Machine series, Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Iron Man: Director S.H.I.E.L.D #33. It’s time for the Skrulls to say hello to Tony’s not-so-little friend!

The folks over at Marvel.com have posted some nice new poster shots and a trailer from the upcoming Punisher: War Zone movie. The trailer looks really cool, if not a little B "Listy." I’m still not sold on Ray Stevenson as the lead. While watching the clip, I kept thinking, that should be Thomas Jane or even Dolph. "Punisher: War Zone" comes to a theater near you on December 5! Check out the trailer and the other photos Here.

Joss Whedon’s final issue on Runaways is here! Runaways #30, the final issue in Whedon’s and superstar artist Michael Ryan’s time traveling epic ties everything up and wraps it in an antique bow. With our heroes trapped in 1907, they continue to try and find a way back to the future they belong in. But once a super-powered war breaks out on the streets of New York, it makes finding a solution that much harder. This is the arc has everyone talking and raving about Runaways! Matthew J. Brady of Comicsbulletin.com says “It’s all rather eventful, and Whedon makes it enjoyable, delivering the trademark Runaways dialogue that Brian K. Vaughan established” and Daniel Crown of IGN.com states “Rough, yet strangely endearing. And most importantly, at least to me, it feels definitively different from the current Marvel Universe, serving its purpose as a nice break from the status quo.” This series has been a smash hit from the beginning of Whedon’s run right up to the very end. Will our heroes find their way back and will someone else be joining them? Find out in Whedon’s monumental conclusion Runaways #30.  You can see a preview of the issue after the jump.

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Three universes collide this year during writer Mark Millar’s run on exciting Marvel titles. Beginning with his newest epic tale, 1985, Millar lays down the foundation for things to come as Marvel: 1985, FANTASTIC FOUR and WOLVERINE all intertwine in a very big way. After his run on Ultimates, and his unforgettable blockbuster Civil War, Millar explores remote and familiar corners of the Marvel Universe in ways that only the man behind such past blockbuster series could. Watch as these stories come to life with the help of long time Ultimates collaborator Bryan Hitch, Civil War’s Steve McNiven, and renowned film and comic artist Tommy Lee Edwards.

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Hey there True Believers, here’s your official list of comic books, collections and posters arriving in comic stores on May 29^th, 2008. For more information on any of these titles, and on upcoming mighty Marvel releases, please visit http://www.marvel.com/catalog/?date=2008-05-29 or contact your local comic book retailer at 1-888-comicbook. Stay tuned each week for a brand new list of Marvel releases so that you’ll never miss your favorite heroes in action!

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