X-Men Arcade Coming to PSN & XBLA

I think everyone of us pumped quarters into the awesome 6 player Konami's X-Men Arcade game back in the 1990's.  Now the game is coming to the Playstation Network and X-Box Live Arcade.  At New York Comic-Con Marvel Games' T.Q. Jefferson revealed that the title will be ported by its original developer to the two platforms "soon," and will retain its six-player cap, achieveable through an online co-op mode.  Awesome!

Comicpalooza Review With Andrew

Comicpalooza's new video feature Comicpalooza With Andrew is here!!  It's big, it's bold, it's awesome and you need to watch it now! In the first episode Andrew talks up Ultimate Comics Thor #1, Uncanny X-Force #1, Chaos War #1, SHIELD #4, Brightest Day #11 and Artifacts #2.  you can't miss it!! It's right here at the official site, right here at you tube, and embedded down below!

Tron Day 2010 Announced!

A new viral puzzle has just launched as part of the promotion for TRON: Legacy. A tweet from the Flynn Lives movement has provided the mysterious URL, www.http://xdqlrpgmqivgca9tfjcqddnbxt.com/ with the message, "How fast can you figure this one out?"

The site had three downloadable .ZIP files, each containing a number of mysterious documents which have been solved to reveal a URL, www.tronnight2010.com This all-new site that reveals that more than 20 minutes of footage from TRON: Legacy will be screened on October 28th. Tickets will be available online beginning Tuesday, October 12th at 1pm EST.

The V.G.F. Report

It's video game Friday but honestly it's been a slow week for everything.  Zach Snyder stole most of the thunder this week with the announcement that he would be directing Superman and after that, not much has happened!  Even in the world of video games!  However, many people don't know but a major update is coming to X-Box Live on November 1st as the Kinect gets ready to launch.

Microsoft will issue a new update for Xbox Live. ESPN, Zune Music, and additional features such as Netflix search and updates to the Zune video interface will be a part of this new version. Here are some other features of the new X-Box Live Dashboard:

1. Improved voice quality – the audio codec is being updated to improve Xbox Live Party chat audio quality. So grab your friends and jump into a multiplayer game, catch a big sports event, watch a movie or do all three.

2. Improved experience for changing your Gamertag – choosing a new Gamertag? If the Gamertag you're looking for is already taken, your Avatar will spin a wheel and we will provide five other Gamertag suggestions at a time for you to choose from.

3. Streamlined in-dashboard virtual keyboard – we've taken the existing QWERTY keyboard in-dash and made it easier to use for scenarios that involve repeated text entry, for example when signing up for Live within the dashboard.

4. Improved Xbox Live Marketplace UI and browse experience – the Games Marketplace has been re-organized to provide streamlined access to the games and content you want, reducing the number of steps it takes to get to a download.

5. Avatar changes – we've made your Avatars slightly more proportional so you can better play Kinect games

6. Easier to get on a wireless network – trying to connect to a wireless network? With the next update, you'll see a list of all the wireless networks within range when you go into network settings. From there, you'll be able to select a new network or further configure the network you're connected to.

7. Ability to sign-out other controllers in the sign-in UI – we're adding the ability to sign-out profiles on other controllers in the sign-in UI within the Guide. This is especially useful when playing games like Rock Band.

8. New browse experience for 100% completed games – you spent a lot of time and effort earning those Achievements, so instead of only being able to view your first dozen completed games, we're giving you a new and better way to browse all of them.

Lastly I've got the trailer for Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare.  The new DLC due in the next month or so.  Check it out!

This Trailer Is Your Destiny

Video Game Friday is tomorrow but this trailer is pretty cool so I'm posting it on it's own.  Activision announced a new X-Men game called X-Men: Destiny and here is the first teaser trailer for it.  According to the publisher, X-Men: Destiny will include "a rich, branching storyline that features a deep element of choice." This storyline will have players taking on the role of new mutant recruits who will have "ultimate control of their destiny."

SWAGAPALOOZA! Comics Of The Week (New Comicpalooza Feature Teaser!)

Here's the latest comic picks you will find in stores this week and scroll down for news on Comicpalooza's new feature!

The Penguins Of Madagascar #1

Written By David Server & Jackson Lanzing

Art By Antonio Campo

The cartoon on nickelodean is hilarious, now a new comic is out! Join the Penguins of Madagascar on an all-new mission! When the Penguins discover that the zoo's new platypus Mia has been separated from her eggs, they put their military minds together to hatch a plan for a Great Escape - back to her native Australia! Goodbye New York, Hello adventure! 

 Brightest Day #11

Written By Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Art By  Ivan Reis, Pat Gleason Ardian Syaf, Scott Clark And Joe Prado

Don't miss the hottest event in comics as the bi-weekly Brightest Day continues with the return of the Black Lanterns! Has time run out for our resurrected heroes? Plus, you must not miss the stunning origin of the new Aqualad, the battle between Aquaman and Black Manta, and the bizarre journey of Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond as they delve into the inner workings of the Firestorm matrix and uncover its secret! This series ahs realyl picked up steam after starting out slow.  Don't miss it as it counts down to it's epic conclusion!

Dethklok #1

Written By Brendon Small

Art By Lucas Marangon

They're the most brutal black--metal band on the planet and the world's seventh--largest economy, five men prophesied to bring about the Metalocalypse. They are DETHKLOK . . . and they are about to enter the food chain. After a series of sponsorship deals goes sour, Dethklok launches a line of frozen meals in hopes of reclaiming their metal throne. Two things stand in their way: the enigmatic tribunal of world leaders sworn to topple the band, and their own incompetence.


Comicpalooza's New Webisode Feature Debuts Friday October 8

 Not sure what to pick up at the comic shop these days? Feeling down because your monthly books aren't as satisfying as they used to be? Fear no longer, for Comicpalooza Review with Andrew is here to relieve you of said uncertainty and dissatisfaction. Coming at you every week - Andrew reviews multiple books highlighting the best of Marvel, DC and Independent to point you to the gems in the stack!  Stay tuned this Friday for more!

Speedy Updates Flash Style

The comic book movie world is swirling the last few days with all kinds of rumors, stories and such all coming out so here's a few quick hits!

-- Transformers 3's rumored title is The Dark Of The Moon, based n domain registration and books listed at Amazon.  What does it mean?  Who knows but let's hope it doesn't suck as bad as Revenge of The Fallen did.

-- Darren Aronosfky is said t be seriously considering helming Wolverine 2 now.  Apparently he was even the studio's first choice for Superman but since the Superman script needs some work, they hired Zach Snyder instead who can move the project quicker than Aronsfky.

-- Emma Stone has been cast as Gwen Stacey int he upcoming Spider-man reboot.  She's a good choice but I almost think she would have made a better Mary Jane.









--  Last but not least the rumored start date for the filming of Batman 3 is April and may shoot in New Orleans.

Green Lantern Has A Website

The official site for the Green Lantern film is now online.  Not much there but some cool brief animation and a logo but check it out here!

The DVD Update

It's a shorten version of The DVD Update as the specs were announced for the upcoming Avatar Special Edition and here they are!

US Artwork

Director James Cameron is unlocking the secrets of Pandora and taking fans on a guided tour of his vision with the highly anticipated release of AVATAR Extended Collector's Edition on Blu-ray and DVD releasing November 16th in North America and rolling out internationally from November 15th. These exclusive Extended Collector's Editions come with iconic, collectible packaging to get fans to experience Pandora like never before. With three versions of the film, AVATAR fans will get an all-new extended cut of the film and hours of never-before seen material including over 45 minutes of amazing deleted scenes!

The three-disc AVATAR Extended Collector's Edition Blu-ray and Theatrical Special Edition Re-Release DVD will both feature the original theatrical release, a special edition re-release, family audio track with all objectionable language removed and new collector's extended cut with sixteen more minutes including an exclusive alternate opening Earth scene. Viewers will journey to the depths of Pandora with filmmakers during "Capturing Avatar" an in-depth feature length documentary covering the 16 year filmmaker journey including all new interviews with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew exploring James Cameron's unique vision for the film seen by more than 310 million people worldwide. The Oscar and Golden Globe winning epic is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. It is also the top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time.

The AVATAR Extended Collector's Edition Blu-ray will also have even more bonus material and interactive viewing. Through the unparalleled, interactive technology of Blu-ray, fans can dive further into the world of the Na'vi and experience the #1 international sensation from behind the scenes, with a "master class" on the production of the film. Leveraging the interactivity of Blu-ray, viewers can experience the full film in three stages of production: Performance Capture, Template (1990's video game version) and Final as well as a composite of all stages in "Pandora's Box". This will be supported with interviews by Jim Cameron and the filmmakers and serve as a "master class" on the making of AVATAR.

UK Artwork

AVATAR Extended Collection's Edition: 3-Disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray:

Disc One

· Original Theatrical Version

· Special Edition Re-Release

· Collector's Extended Cut

o 16 more minutes and exclusive alternate opening

Family Audio Track (All Objectionable Language Removed)

· Original Theatrical Release

· Special Edition Re-release

Disc Two

· "Capturing Avatar" An in-depth feature length documentary with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew

· Deleted Scenes – including over 45 minutes of new never-before-seen deleted scenes

· Production Materials

Disc Three

· Open "Pandora's Box" and go deeper into the filmmaker process

· Interactive Scene Deconstruction: Explore the various stages of production through 3 different viewing modes

· Production Shorts: 17 featurettes covering performance capture, scoring the film, 3D fusion camera, stunts and much more

· Avatar Archives including original scriptment, 300 page screenplay and the extensive Pandorapedia

· BD-live Portal with additional bonus materials

AVATAR Collector's Edition: 3-Disc Special Edition DVD:

Disc One

· Original Theatrical Version

· Special Edition Re-release

· Collector’s Extended Cut

o 16 more minutes and exclusive alternate opening

Disc Two

· Original Theatrical Version

· Special Edition Re-release

· Collector's Extended Cut

Disc Three

· "Capturing Avatar" An in-depth feature length documentary with James Cameron, Jon Landau and cast and crew

· Deleted Scenes – including over 45 minutes of new never-before-seen deleted scenes

Zach Snyder To Direct Superman

It seems all but confirmed that that 300 & Watchmen director Zack Snyder,  will helm the return of the last son of Krypton,.  “I feel awesome-I feel super awesome.” Snyder said earlier today. “I can’t say why they came to me other than the fact that they know I have a fondness for the character and a real desire to understand him and present him to a new audience,” Synder said.
     “The challenge is huge but you know with Chris and Emma and Debbie I have a lot of people I can rely on. And Chris and David have given this the shape with a great story. It is a hard character to crack."
      Snyder says he met with Nolan at ShoWest in Las Vegas in March and their conversations about the possibilities of the Superman revival gathered momentum through the months. The film will be produced by Christopher Nolan, the script is written David Goyer, which is rumored to have, like Superman Returns, a Richard Donner connection and a possible villain connection in General Zod. Expect to see Superman fly back into theaters in 2012!

DC Universe Online Delayed

Sony Online Entertainment announced today that DC Universe Online has been delayed until early 2011. Here is the announcement:

"SOE is dedicated to delivering the highest quality game experiences possible," says John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment. "'DC Universe Online is the first game of its kind, and a truly massive undertaking -- the first action MMO set in the DC Universe, the first MMO on the PlayStation 3, and the first time the entire DC Universe will be accessible to the millions of fans who are eagerly anticipating its release. As the game heads into external beta testing, this extra time will allow us to address community feedback in a meaningful way. When we get deeper into external beta, we'll be able to share more information regarding the new launch date."

SOE has also revealed new details regarding the beta program. Players with VIP key cards and those having registered at the DCUO website will receive access on a priority basis starting as early as next week. As an added thank you, everyone that has already pre-ordered the game, and those who do so by November 15, 2010, are assured access to beta by November 30 (North America only).

Anyone pre-ordering the game after November 15 will gain beta access one week prior to the launch date and will be able to participate in the special beta ending event entitled Battle of the Legends with the rest of the beta participants. As an additional bonus, all beta participants will be recognized post release with a special emblem for their character when the game goes live.  Beginning October 7, 2010, instructions on how to qualify and receive your pre-order beta key, visit: www.dcuniverseonline.com/betakey.

Those wishing to register for beta without pre-ordering have until 11:59pm PST tonight. This is a general queue and does not assure access.

Lastly, due to overwhelming demand from the community, SOE is pleased to announce that a Collector's Edition for the PlayStation 3 will also be released (North America only), which includes the same items contained in the PC version announced earlier this year - the DCUO Batman statue, the limited edition Art of DC Universe Online art book, the DCUO Legends Issue #0 comic book with a Jim Lee variant cover, the DCUO Prestige comic presentation of the DCUO back-story and the limited edition Jim Lee-drawn poster Version of the Issue #0 comic book variant cover.

Images From The Thing

There is a prequel to The Thing coming out in April 2011 and it has the same name as the original, The Thing. It stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and a bunch of other people no one has heard of.  IMDB has the plot as this, at an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson. While Dr. Halvorson keeps to his research, Kate partners with Sam Carter, a helicopter pilot, to pursue the alien life form.The first official still images have been released and here are a few.

Wonder Woman To Television?

DC Comics and Warner Brothers have been devleoping several film projects after the sucess of the Batman films, Superman Returns, and the highly anticipated Green Lantern.  They also have another Superman film in the works, Batman 3, The Flash, Green Lantern 2, and more in the works.  Wonder Woman is a character that has been rumored to be coming tot he big screen for a few years now with Joss Whedon almost getting the project going.  Now it seems she is going to be returning tot he small screen.  The Hollywood Reporter's Live Feed Blog says TV uber-producer David E. Kelley of Ally McBeal, Boston Legal and Boston Public fame is on board to write and produce a TV series based on DC Comics' Amazonian warrior.  At present there is no timeline for the production of the show. Warner Bros has declined to comment on the report.

Comicpalooza Update

Have you heard about the latest guests added to Comicpalooza!  The convention will be held May 27, 28, and 29, 2011 at the George R Brown convention Center in Houston, Texas and the lineup continues to get better.  Here are the latest additions!  Don't forget you can also find the most up to date Comicpalooza guest lists at the official site comicpalooza.com!

Linnea Quigley

Linnea is best known for her role as “Trash” in the film The Return of the Living Dead. She has also starred in dozens of other horror films including Nightmare Sisters, Creepozoids, Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, Night of the Demons (the 1988 original and the 2010 remake), and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. Quigley is the author of two books about her career as a B-movie actress, The Linnea Quigley Bio and Chainsaw Book and I’m Screaming as Fast as I Can, as well as the horror pictorial book Skin.

Joe Jusko

In the field of fantasy illustration, Joe Jusko is at the top of the heap. Over the years, he’s worked for most every leading comic book publisher, producing hundreds of comics and cover images, as well as art for trading cards, calendars, T-shirts, toy packaging, paperback book covers and posters. After apprenticing with the legendary Howard Chaykin, Jusko began creating cover art for the fantasy magazine Heavy Metal before beginning a long run at Marvel Comics. While he’s illustrated most major comics super heroes, he’s probably best known for producing what are considered definitive interpretations of the characters of author Edgar Rice Burroughs as well as his personal favorite, Vampirella.

Bruce Cordell

Bruce enjoyed six years of biotech research while pursuing his biology degree, and for three years after achieving it. But realms of the fantastic were never far from him. Bruce’s freelance game design for various online multiuser text games ultimately landed him a design position at TSR. However instead of coding online multiuser D&D games, he found himself designing traditional roleplaying adventures and supplements, which is work he’s enjoyed ever since.

Also just a reminder: Corresponding with Comicpalooza's 2011 theme, "Year of the Zombie" the convention has partnered with Zombie Walk Houston. This year's zombie walk will take place October 23, 2010, and will benefit Tilman Troops, a Houston based charity that provides support and assistance to our troops overseas.

The first annual Zombie Walk Houston in 2008 was attended by 100+zombies and 237 meals were created through non-perishable donations for the Houston Food Bank. In 2009, the event tripled in size, as 300 people showed up. Comicpalooza and Zombie Walk Houston look to make the 2010 event the most successful one yet.

For more information on Zombie Walk Houston, visit: http://www.zombiewalkhouston.com.

The V.G.F. Report

Video game Friday.....and here we go!

Gears Of War 3 has been delayed.  In a statement this morning, Microsoft Game Studios announced that Gears of War 3 is being pushed back into fall 2011 to serve as one of the publishing label's Q4 anchor titles. Indeed, Microsoft is already predicting it will be the "biggest entertainment launch of 2011."
      "The teams at Microsoft Game Studios and Epic Games have done great work thus far readying the title for release in the spring of 2011," the company said in a statement.      "However, we've elected to move the launch of Gears of War 3 until fall 2011 to make it the marquee title for the holiday season."
      Gears of War 3 will offer an apocalyptic finale to the series, which has sold 12 million copies to date. According to Microsoft, the last human city has been obliterated, with Marcus Fenix trying to protect the remaining humans from the Locust horde and from newer, deadlier foes, the mutating Lambeth.

Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare

After three DLC packs of multiplayer add on's, Red Dead Redemption is offering a new single player add on but it's not what you would think.  It doesn't add to the story or give new content in the continuity of the game.  Instead it's an alternate reality story where you fight zombies!  Zombies are extremely popular right now so why not!!  And it's the theme for Comicpalooza this year so it's appropriate! 

     The Undead Nightmare pack includes an entirely new and lengthy single-player campaign in addition to new multiplayer modes, weapons, zombie animals, mythical creatures, and a new secret location.
      Rockstar has not announced a release date for the Undead Nightmare pack. It's priced at 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live or $9.99 on PlayStation Network.

 

Medal Of Honor - Taliban Get A New Name

Electronic Arts announced it is renaming the opposing side in the game's multiplayer to "Opposing Force" in response to the media controversy that erupted last month when it was discovered players could pit Taliban forces against U.S. soldiers. 

     Greg Goodrich, Executive Producer on Medal of Honor, said "There was lots of debate back and forth about this. The fundamental game hasn't changed, it's still the same. We made this change while maintaining the integrity of the game.
     "We made the change after a long consideration."
     Goodrich said there was no pressure to make the change at the team level and stressed that renaming the Taliban in multiplayer will not affect the single-player campaign. All of the selectable character models and imagery will remain the same.
     He also said the name change is permanent as it was hard-coded into the game before retail copies were printed and shipped out.

Professor X Walks Down A Street!

X-men: First Class is filming now for a June 2011 release.  Set photos have been popping up everywhere online and here are a couple of stars James McAvoy as Professor X and Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, plus a chair with the apparent logo.  I'm still not sure how I feel about this film.  I love the X-men and want to see a really good film but can a good product be put on screen in less than a year.  Not that Bryan Singer's films were spectacular but they were still pretty darned good.  Let's hope this turns out awesome. Also, rumor has it that there will be a scene of Emma Frost in lingerie. Start drooling now X-nerds.

Look! It's New Sci-Fi Flicks In Theaters!

New original sci-fi in theaters is rare these days it seems.  Here's a couple of movies that look promising.  Not that alien invasion is totally original but Skyline looks very cool.  Skyline comes from The Brothers Strause.  The other trailer is for I Am Number Four which looks pretty neat also and is produced by Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay.

Tron Legacy Concept Art

I found these Tron Legacy concept art pieces on some site on the internet but I can't remember which one to credit them to.  So whoever I took them from I'm sorry but I'm posting them anyways because theya re awesome!

Nolan Confirms He Is Directing Batman 3

Christopher Nolan sat down with Empire Magazine and finally confirmed what was expected ending the months of speculation:

"I don’t know if it’s announced or if it’s not announced," said Nolan. "It’s becoming inevitable, I’ll put it that way. I feel myself falling into it, I guess. And getting it all figured out and I’m pretty excited about what we’re doing so… If I haven’t announced it, I think that people probably all know at this point that I’m doing it."
 
Hang on, that's not 100% clear: so we can safely assume you're directing?   

"I think you can at this point,   yes."

Yogi Bear Trailer Anyone

We may not admit it, but a lot of us watched Yogi Bear growing up.  Now granted most of these cartoons turned into movies have all been horribly bad but they make money at theatrs so studios are going to continue to make them.  Here's the latest trailer for Yogi Bear.