Bags and BoardsThe trends, the buzz and the business of the comic book industry. Written by Tom McLean.Artist Michael Turner dies at age 37- June 28, 2008 Heidi MacDonald at The Beat reports that comics artist Michael Turner died Friday night in Santa Monica at the age of 37. Turner, best known for portraying sexy heroines such as Witchblade and Fathom and covers for such high-profile series as Identity Crisis and Civil War, had been battling bone cancer for the past eight years. More details are forthcoming from Aspen Comics, the comics publishing company Turner founded in 2002. More on Turner can be found at Newsarama.http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/artist-michael.html 'Wanted's' success heralds next age of comics pics- June 27, 2008 "Wanted" opens today at 3,175 theaters and looks to defy expectations of being an R-rated action movie thats based on a relatively unknown comicbook from a novice overseas director opening against another sure-fire hit from Pixar. But the power of an all-star cast that includes Angelina Jolie, the most beautiful and popular actress on the planet right now, the always-trustworthy Morgan Freeman, newcomer Common and up-and-coming star James McAvoy has piqued interest in the pic. As...http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/wanteds-success.html 'Spirit' rough cut complete, awaits VFX- June 26, 2008 A few things to catch up on that were impossible to post about last week during a DSL line outage that actually forced me to use dial-up for three days. We recently spoke with "The Spirit" producer Deborah Del Prete, who says a green-screen cut of the film has been completed and has everyone very excited about the results. The production is now waiting as more than 1,800 VFX shots are coming in from San Francisco-based house The Orphanage. ......http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/spirit-rough-cu.html Buyers beware scalped Comic-Con tickets- June 25, 2008 As soon as sellouts became a possibility, it was inevitable that folks would try to sell their tickets to next month's Comic-Con Intl. in San Diego at a profit. Right now, there are about a dozen or so auctions up on eBay for Comic-Con passes. Prices on completed auctions show people willing to pay more than $100 for a sold-out one-day Saturday pass that originally sold for $35. Four-day passes, which originally cost $75 each and have been sold out...http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/comic-con-ticke.html DC Didio ouster rumors prove false, expose fan discontent- June 23, 2008 The just-wrapped Heroes Con in Charlotte, N.C., was dominated by rumors and speculation about a big shakeup at DC Comics. Most of the focus was on exec VP Dan Didio, who is the point man for all things superhero and has born the brunt of criticism regarding the failures, both perceived and real, of the line. But while fans were primed for some kind of major shakeup, the resulting news that John Nee had resigned as DC's senior VP of...http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/dc-didio-ouster.html Summit's 'Red' deal first DC-related project to leave WB- June 17, 2008 Warren Ellis reports that the film rights to "Red," a graphic novella he and artist Cully Hamner did a few years back for for DCWildstorm have been sold to Summit Entertainment. Brothers Erich and Jon Hoeber, who also scripted the upcoming adaptation of Greg Rucka's "Whiteout," have been tapped to write the script. Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian are producing Interestingly, this has been reported as the first time a DC-affiliated project has left Warner Bros.,...http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/summits-red-dea.html 'Hulk' does well, but is it a hit- June 17, 2008 "The Incredible Hulk" smashed its way to the top of the box office last weekend with a domestic gross of $55 million. What's especially interesting is that the film is being hailed as a success all around when compared to the 2003 Ang Lee version, which opened with $62 million. Seems like it may be a bit early to declare victory on the b.o. front, even though the new film is fun, engaging and easy to watch in a way...http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/hulk-does-well.html Revamped Hulk is pretty incredible- June 12, 2008 Perhaps the highest compliment that can be paid to Marvels' "The Incredible Hulk" is that watching the movie is almost exactly like reading a classic Hulk comicbook. And, yes, that is a big compliment. You can check out Variety's official review from Todd McCarthy here; what follows is my take on the film, which I'll try to keep spoiler free. Perhaps even more than "Iron Man" which in retrospect has proven somewhat unsatisfying for being extremely conservative and taking...http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/revamped-hulk-i.html Giant-Size finale fails to Astonish- June 10, 2008 It's been four years, 24 issues, 11 variant covers, and one movie adaptation since Joss Whedon and John Cassaday began their run on Astonishing X-Men, which at last comes to a conclusion in Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men 1 (Marvel, $4.99). Despite all the publishing delays and the extra pages this final issue affords, the conclusion is ultimately a big let down. For those waiting for the trade, be warned: the rest of this review is all SPOILERS:http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/giant-size-fina.html Comic-Con 4-day passes sell out- June 5, 2008 With just under two months to go, Comic-Con Intl. has sold out of four-day passes. One-day passes are still available, but if you want to go and dont yet have your passes, get on it now or risk losing out. Remember, no passes will be sold on-site; they must be bought in advance. So far, no listings on eBay or Stubhub, but as the show gets closer, that might change. COMICS DEAL REPORT: Disney has signed a trio of execs...http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/comic-con-4-day.html |