It’s being reported that Warner Bros. is in close talks with DC Comics and some of its creators on the direction the movie adaptations of DC characters should take.

“While we are not going to go into the specifics of the meetings, we’re constantly looking at how best to exploit the DC Comics characters and properties. DC is an incredibly valuable asset to Warner Bros. and plays an important role across the entire studio by providing development and franchise opportunities for all media, including films, television, home entertainment, animation, consumer products, video games and digital platforms.”

Well, duh…

The success of Iron Man from Marvel and the less than stellar performance from Superman Returns appears to have finally gotten the company to stop mucking around with franchises that could net them billions of dollars if handled correctly. Batman and Robin anyone?

Even though DC Comics brings in a nice chunk of change to Warner Bros. bottom line, it is nothing more than a drop in the bucket. So I’m really hopeful Warner execs listen to DC instead of forcing DC to conform to some wild hair idea of a screenwriter looking to make a name for himself.

What could this mean in the long run?  For one, it could mean a delay in the release of new DC based movies as the studios retool to combat the success of the House of Ideas, and perhaps - just perhaps, Warner will finally get that Justice League movie off the ground.

Of course the success of The Dark Knight in a few weeks could have the Warner execs thinking they know what is best, thus screwing up all talks.

via THR

DC Comics has released its lineup of staff and freelancers that will be appearing at the San Diego Comic-Con.  The list is long, so take the jump for the complete rundown.  We’ll post the panel schedule and giveaways at the show when it becomes available.

(more…)

The Vertigo comic Exterminators is heading to the small screen.  Showtime and Dexter executive producer Sara Colleton plans to bring the title to the cable network.  But don’t expect the series to be a perfect adaptation.

In its Showtime incarnation, “Exterminators” will revolve around the Bug-Be-Gone crew, an extended dysfunctional family of exterminators whose greatest enemies aren’t the insects and rodents they meet and kill on a daily basis but rather their own self doubts, vices and inner demons.

Is Exterminators something that can be easily adaptated, or are the themes and special effects too much for subscriber cable?

via THR

Check out this poster for the upcoming Wonder Woman animated direct to DVD movie.  The flick stars Keri Russell (Wonder Woman) and Nathan Fillion (Steve Rogers Trevor) and will be an origin story.

(more…)

As one of the stars of the ABC hit series “Ugly Betty,” Ana Ortiz has enchanted the primetime audience playing Hilda Suarez, big sister to the title character. Today, Ortiz offers fans a 180-degree acting pivot from her most noteworthy role by voicing gritty detective Anna Ramirez in the DC Universe original animated film “Batman Gotham Knight.” The film is available today, July 8, on DVD, Blu-Ray and OnDemand.

Ortiz initially auditioned for the same part in “The Dark Knight,” but lost out to Monique Curnen. Her disappointment didn’t last long as casting/dialogue director Andrea Romano took one look at the animated Ramirez and – without prior knowledge of her live-action audition – immediately sought to cast Ortiz in the voice role.

(more…)

And here’s part two.

Starring:
Dan Johnson - GL John Stewart
Lex Randleman - Mister Terrific
Chris Cowan - Cyborg
Lauren Parkinson - Donna Troy
Brittany Jones - Raven

Shot by:
Steve Murray
Chris Cowan

Directed by:
Chris Cowan

Written by:
Lex Randleman

Edited/FX by:
Chris Cowan

The first installment of Grant Morrison’s Batman: R.I.P. series sold out, and now DC has announced the second installment found in Batman #677 has sold out as well.  The issue is going back to print with a recolored version of the Tony Daniel and Sandu Florea cover.

(more…)

Let’s see how long this video will stay up before Warner Bros. takes it down.

If your name happens to be Russell, and/or you don’t want to see some spoilers, FOR JEEBUS SAKE, DON’T WATCH!

Can not wait until movie day!

This Dark Knight poster is freakin’ sweet!  Take the jump for the spooky imagery using all those Joker cards as “someone” attempts to paint a smile on that dour mug.

(more…)

DC Comics has announced that the story originally solicited for Titans #5 is getting a story bump, with a new tale appearing instead.

In this issue, written by Judd Winick, with art by Julian Lopez & Prentis Rollins and a cover by Joe Benitez, Raven’s half-brothers return to claim her and unite Trigon’s bloodline, forcing her to choose which ties are stronger: the family she was born to, or the new family she has made.

The second issue of Titans didn’t do too bad, coming in at #30 in the Top 300 Comics for May.  Did fan reaction to more recent issues cause the change, or did issue #5 get solicited before it was written?

via DC Comics

Or - “Haven’t We Seen This Before?”

When Brad Meltzer relaunched the Justice League just a couple of years ago, he was brimming with ideas, from returning an all-star multi-era Justice League, to the return of Despero, to the Red Arrow (ugh) and Hawkgirl relationship, to Red Tornado ending up in a human body, there were a ton of fascinating story hooks to that first dozen issues of JLA.  Sadly, Brad didn’t end up hanging very much ON those hooks, but the basics were there.  After a long and drawn out crossover with Salvation Run that didn’t make a whole lot of narrative sense, we’ve returned to Earth, and the plight of John Smith, the “man” called Red Tornado.  But is this just Red Tornado II: Electric Boogaloo? (more…)

Since today’s podcast is all about Ultimate-izing comics and television shows, here’s a look at the original Ultimate line - DC’s Elseworlds.

This is a fan film a few friends and I shot about a year ago. We were planning on shooting a series of 2-4 minute original story webisodes dealing with characters in the DC Universe. This is the first webisode in the series.

Or - “Some Are Born To A Legacy, Some Have Their Legacy Thrust Upon Them…”

Last time ’round, we looked at a hero who was a literal younger brother of one of the founding Legionnaires.  This week, we look at a metaphorical brother of one of the earliest Legionnaires.  Lyle Norg’s death stands among the Legion’s greatest tragedies, and for many years the LSH was without an invisible member.  It took the return of one of the team’s greatest nemeses to create a situation where Lyle’s serum could once again save the day, with a little boost of courage, some tenacity, and a heap of filial affection.  This, then, is your Major Spoilers Hero History of Jacques Foccart of Earth…  Invisible Kid!

(more…)

More of the same isn’t always a good thing

We are now officially month into DC’s year long Trinity event.  Issue 4 proves Superman is the saviour, Wonder Woman wants victims to save themselves, and Batman can still scare the crap out of people.

(more…)

The Secret Origin storyline being run within the Green Lantern issues reached its fourth part this month. Being written by Geoff Johns, you can pretty much expect a good story, and so far, he’s been really hitting the mark. It was interesting to see, what essentially is a “Year One” storyline done within the pages of Green Lantern. Add on to that the total ret-conning that he is doing for the upcoming Blackest Night storyline in GL, and you have a gem of a series.

Or so you would think.

(more…)