Heroic Portraits

Filmsketchr lays out a stellar array of concept art for The Avengers by artist Andy Park.

Previous coverage of the film’s art production here, here, and here.

(Image: Hawkeye, Andy Park, Marvel Studios)

Cattire

Nailbiter111 rounds up some costume designs for Ann Hathaway’s Selena Kyle (a.k.a. Catwoman) in The Dark Knight Rises.

(Image: boot heel concept for Magnus Rex (working title of The Dark Knight Rises), Tully Summers, Warner Bros.)

Developing A Winning Team

ILM delivered a late Christmas present to fans of The Avengers: a peek at what it took to create the film’s epic slugfest in downtown Manhattan. 

A Kung Fu Canine And An Angry Alien

Alex Zamm, director of Inspector Gadget 2 (2003), shares some footage from two recent projects: the as yet unreleased Hong Kong Phooey, based on the 1974 animated series from Hanna-Barbera and featuring the voice of Eddie Murphy, and the holiday short “Yule Be Sorry” that served as test for a Marvin the Martian film, with Mike Myers providing the voice of the Looney Tunes character, which never materialized.

(Shout-out: Cartoon Brew)

(Image: Hong Kong Phooey, Alcon Entertainment)

Putting On Weight

Take a look at what Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc. came up with when developing Fred Dukes (a.k.a. the Blob) for the 2009 Hugh Jackman vehicle X-Men Origins: Wolverine. More on what actor Kevin Durand underwent to become the massive mutant here.

(Shout-out: Nailbiter111)

When Ralphie Met Flash (Almost)

It might surprise you to learn that Red Ryder wasn’t the only comic strip character slated to appear in the 1983 holiday movie A Christmas Story. Little Ralphie Parker encountered space adventurer Flash Gordon (played by Paul Hubbard) and his archnemesis Ming the Merciless (played by Colin Fox) in a dream sequence involving the rescue of Santa Claus from the planet Mongo. The scene never made it into the final cut of the film, but the costumes and other items related to the sequence are now part of the A Christmas Story House & Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

Image: Peter Billingsley and Paul Hubbard in the deleted Flash Gordon scene, MGM)

(Shout-out: io9)

Coming Attractions

American International Pictures released Friday Foster, starring Pam Grier, on this date in 1975. Directed by Arthur Mark and based on the comic strip by Jim Lawrence, the film also featured Yaphet Kotto, Thalmus Rasulala, Carl Weathers, Eartha Kitt, Paul Benjamin, Scatman Crothers, and Ted Lange.

The Future In Quebec

Unless you live in Canada or somehow managed to avoid the media blitz accompanying The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises, you may not have heard of Mars et Avril, which made its U.S. premiere in October at the Mill Valley Film Festival in California. Based on the eponymous graphic novels by Martin Villeneuve (who also directed the film), this futuristic tale from the Great White North stars Jacques Languirard, Paul Ahmarani, Caroline Dhavernas, and Robert Lepage. A brief behind the scenes look at the movie here (English subtitled).

Trailer Analysis: Oblivion

Coming shortly on heels of Brendon Connelly’s review of the Oblivion trailer, director Joseph Kosinski shares his own insights with IGN.

An earlier look at the Man of Steel trailer here.

Coming Attractions

Warner Bros. released the family comedy Richie Rich, based on the eponymous character from Harvey Comics, on this date in 1994. Directed by Donald Petrie, the film stars Macaulay Culkin (Richard “Richie” Rich, Jr.), Jonathan Hyde (Herbert Arthur Runcible Cadbury), Edward Herrmann (Richard Rich, Sr.), Christine Ebersole (Regina Rich), John Larroquette (Laurence Van Dough), Stephi Lineburg (Gloria Pazinski), Joel Robonson (Omar), Jonathan Hilario (Pee Wee), Mike McShane (Professor Keenbean), Chelcie Ross (Feruson), Mariangela Pino (Diane Pazinski), Rory Culkin (Young Richie), Ben Stein (Economics Teacher), Reggie Jackson (Baseball Coach), and Claudia Schiffer (Aerobis Instructor).

Let It Rain

The latest international promotional poster for The Wolverine not only looks all wet and gloomy, it sounds that way too. The film is set release in the U.S. on July 26, 2013.

Marvelous Concepts

Charlie Jane Anders takes a visual journey through the “Phase One” production art of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

(Images: Frost giant concept art for Thor (2011), Michael Kutsche; concept art for Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Ryan Meinerding, Marvel Studios)

You Only Die Twice

The fine folks at Teddie Films present a whimsical public service announcement aimed at the roaming corpses of The Walking Dead. (Caution: spoilers and minor gore ahead.)

(Shout-out: The Orange)

Is That All There Is?

As Warner Bros. continues its tepid approach in creating films based on DC Comics and Marvel looks at adapting its lesser known comic book characters (re: Guardians of the Galaxy) for the screen, Dominic Corry considers where it all leaves him:

“Apart from Man of Steel though, I’m struggling to muster much genuine excitement for any impending superhero movies. I’ll see them, sure, and they might even be awesome, but it feels like everything significant in superhero cinema has been ably achieved in the past ten years.”

(Image: Hugh Jackman as Logan in The Wolverine due out July 26, 2013, 20th Century Fox)

Move Over Space Mountain

Anime News Network reports on the developments of theme park in Tokyo focused on the manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump and that will feature areas designed around popular series such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto. The venture is expected to open next summer. We’ll being keeping an eye on this one.

(Image: Goku, Akira Toriyama)

They're Back

Columbia Pictures has unleashed its offical trailer for The Smurfs 2, which is slated for release on July 31, 2013. Director Raja Gosnell returns as do cast members Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Hank Azaria, and Sophía Vergara and the voices of Jonathan Winters (Papa Smurf), Katy Perry (Smurfette), Fred Armisen (Brainy Smurf), Alan Cumming (Gutsy Smurf), George Lopez (Grouchy Smurf), and Anton Yelchin (Clumsy Smurf). New additions include Brendan Gleeson and the voices of Christina Ricci (Vexy) and J.B. Smoove (Hackus).

Recent coverage on developing the wee folk in CGI here.

Revised Conclusions

The Bottleneck Gallery in Brooklyn, New York, examines what would happen if some well-known films had wrapped up differently in its current exhibition Alternate Endings. The show, which includes takes on Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and The Dark Knight Rises, continues through January 4.

(Image: The 8th Evil Ex, Winter-artwork)

Trailer Analysis

Rob Bricken spent some time last week breaking down the latest preview for Man of Steel in the hope of decerning what we’ll see when the film comes out on June 14 of next year.

Coming Attractions

That smarter than the av-er-age bear Yogi and his pal Boo Boo hammed it up for moviegoers in Yogi Bear, which released by Warner Bros. on this date in 2010. Based on characters created by Hanna-Barbera Productions and narrated by Josh Robert Thompson, the CGI/live-action comedy features the voices of Dan Aykroyd (Yogi) and Justin Timberlake (Boo Boo). Other cast members include Tom Cavanagh (Ranger Smith), Anna Faris (Rachel Johnson), T.J. Miller (Ranger Jones), Andrew Daly (Mayor R. Brown), Nate Corddy (Brown’s chief of staff), and Ed Helms (Ranger Barnes).

Tools Of The Trade

Amanda Green gives us a slideshow chronicle of the movie camera while Pagan Kennedy traces the development of 3D glasses.

I Don't Like Spiders and Snakes

One of the more unusual antagonists to appear in a comic book-inspired film was Vermin Man, a human-shaped entity composed of bugs, rats, and snakes featured in Francis Lawrence’s 2005 directorial debut Constantine. Stan Winston Studio shares some images of the V Man and the movie’s other demonic cast members with Nailbitter111 here.

Photo Finish

While doing research for his ongoing series on collectors of film and television vehicles, photographer Douglas Sonders climbed behind the wheel of owner (and Speed Racer fan) Len Mosco’s Mach 5 replica:

“In true movie and TV car fashion, it’s made to represent a cartoon vehicle which isn’t always the most ergonomic design. Speed Racer was not a tall guy, so I don’t know how he could see over that long hood or behind him without the help of a rear camera, which this car actually has (it pops up electronically like a periscope).”

Coverage of cool Mach 5 poster art here.

(Image: the Mach 5 shows how it’s able to cut through traffic, Douglas Sonders)

Colony Of Bats

Designer Cathryn Lavery isn’t the first pay tribute to the Caped Crusader’s trademark emblem, but she has done a swell job of chronicling its appearance over the past seven decades. Details about the limited print (250) here.

"Can I offer you a drink? How about this expensive prostitute?"

With their fourth season slated to kick-off on January 17, the folks behind the animated secret agent satire Archer are hitting the road for a four-city, attention grabbing tour. Archer Live! will journey to Los Angeles (January 3), San Francisco (January 4), Philadelphia (January 11), and New York (January 12), where fans will get to hear from cast members H. Jon Benjamin (Agent Sterling Archer), Jessica Walter (Malory Kane), Aisha Tyler (Agent Lana Kane), Chris Parnell (Cyril Figgis), Amber Nash (Pam Poovey), and Lucky Yates (Doctor Algernop Krieger) as well as creator and executive producer Adam Reed (Ray Gillette) and executive producer Matt Thompson as well as see scenes from the show acted out. More information and tickets here (L.A.) and here (SF, Philly, and NYC).

(Image: promotional art for the first season of Archer, FX)

Coming Attractions

Those furry, little singing sensations Alvin and the Chipmunks appeared in their self-titled big screen release on this date in 2007. Directed by Tim Hill and based on the characters created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., the film features Jason Lee (Dave Seville), Cameron Richardson (Claire Wilson), David Cross (Ian Hawke), and Jane Lynch (Gail) along with Justin Long (voice of Alvin), Matthew Gray Gubler (voice of Simon), and Jesse McCartney (voice of Theodore).

The Fifth Turtle

Nailbitter111 draws our attention to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman’s concept art for an unproduced fourth live-action TMNT movie that would introduced new team member Kirby (above). Follow-up thread here.

Day Of Tragedy

Like so many, we’re shocked and saddened by the horrific events that took place in Newton, Connecticut today. Our thoughts go out the victims and their families. We would also like urge our lawmakers to work at putting an end to these senseless acts through better gun control policies and procedures. Put simply: weapons designed for war should not be on our streets.

Storyboarding Heroes

Artist Jane Wu did some neat work on The Avengers as well as Captain America. You’ll find a couple of her animatics for both films here.

(Image: the Hulk and Thor, Jane Wu)

Wheels Up Against The Wall

Pop culture gearheads will likely dig Moviecarposters.com, a suitable for framing homage to well-known road vehicles (and a few flying craft) from film and television. 

(Images: the Mach V from Speed Racer (1967) and the Ford P.O.S. from Men in Black (1997), Moviecarposters.com)

It Makes A Village

Sony Pictures Imageworks recently shared an overview (above) of its forest setting development for the 2011 comedy The Smurfs. Other behind the scenes insights include the creation of the CGI Smurfs, character building and lighting, and image-based set reconstruction.

Delving Into Deadpool

Right on the heels of yesterday’s look at costume concepts for X-Men: First Class comes a video slideshow from the folks at Amalgamated Dynamics showcasing their design ideas for the villain Deadpool (a.k.a Wade Wilson), portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the 2009 superhero movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

(Shout-out: Superherohype)

Coming Attractions

Robin Williams bulked up (or at least his arms did) to play the spinach-loving sailorman in director Robert Altman’s musical Popeye, which was released on this date in 1980. Based on the characters appearing E.C. Segar’s comic strip Thimble Theatre, the film also stars Shelley Duvall (Olive Oyl), Wesley Ivan Hurt (Swee’Pea), Paul L. Smith (Bluto), Paul Dooley (J. Wellington Wimpy), Ray Walston (Poopdeck Pappy), Bill Irwin (Ham Gravy), Allan Nicholls (Rough House), Linda Hunt (Mrs. Oxheart), Sharon Kinney (Cherry), Dennis Franz (Spike), Alan Autry (Slug), Wayne Robson (Chizzelflint), Klaus Voorman (Von Schnitzel), and Jack Mercer (voice of the animated Popeye).

May We Quote You?

“I would have thought they would have gone with a brunette,” – Cathy Lee Crosby on her being cast as Wonder Woman. The tennis player turned actress portrayed the Amazon Princess in a 1974 television pilot, which the Warner Archive released on DVD today.

(Image: Cathy Lee Crosby as Wonder Woman, Warner Bros.)

On This Date: December 11

1904 Marge (neé Marjorie Buell) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1935, her comic strip Little Lulu debuted in The Saturday Evening Post. The character appeared in two live-action episodes of the ABC Weekend Special: Little Lulu (1978) and The Big Hex of Little Lulu (1979). Buell died in 1993 at age 88.

1927 John Buscema was born in Brooklyn, New York. One of the most prolific artists at Marvel Comics during the 1960s and 70s, his credits include long-running stints on The Avengers and Conan the Barbarian. He died in 2002 at age 75.

1935 Ron Carey was born in Newark, New Jersey. Best known for playing deminutive police officer Carl Levitt on the 1970s sitcom Barney Miller, he also played outlaw Joe Dalton in the 1992 Italian television series Lucky Luke. He died in Los Angeles in 2007 at age 71.

1959 Paramount Pictures released Li’l Abner, adapted from the 1956 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical and based on the comic strip by Al Capp. Directed by Melvin Frank, the moive featured Peter Palmer (Li’l Abner Yokum), Leslie Parrish (Daisy Mae), Stubby Kaye (Marryin’ Sam), Billy Hayes (Mammy Yokum), Joe E. Mark (Pappy Yokum), Howard St. John (General Bullmoose), Ted Thruston (Senator Jack S. Phogbound), Stella Stevens (Appassionata von Climax), Julie Newmar (Stupefyin’ Jones), Donna Doulgas (Lovelie), Valerie Harper (Luke’s wife), and Jerry Lewis (Itchy McRabbit). Nelson Riddle and Joseph J. Lilley received an Academy Award nomination for their musical score, but lost to André Previn and Ken Darby for Porgy and Bess. The soundtrack also netted a Grammy nomination.

1962 Ben Browder was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Well-known to fans of science fiction television for his roles as astronaut John Crichton on Farscape and Lieutentant Colonel Cameron Mitchell on Stargate SG-1, Browder also appeared in Bad Kids Go to Hell (2012).

Mutated Fashion Design

Film Sketchr sizes up some of Matthew Savage’s costume ideas for X-Men: First Class (2011). Savage also worked on Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and Kick-Ass (2010).

Sketchr’s earlier coverage of Julian Caldow’s First Class set illustrations here.

(Image: Mystique, Matthew Savage)

Street Justice

Last month, Star Cars wrapped up its inaugural season with a celebrity vehicle drag race. Among the participants going head-to-head (starting around the two-minute mark) were the Turtle Van and the Mystery Machine. Place you bets, then check it out to see who wins.

We just wonder if either one would stand a chance against any of the Justice League themed cars that recently appeared at this year’s SEMA auto show in Las Vegas.

(Image: The Mystery Machine with Scooby-Doo and the gang, Warner Bros.)

Art Appreciation

We’re jump starting the workweek with a roundup of surprising and creative artistic endeavors from around the Web. First up is Mark Dos Santos with a Gotham City-inspired take on Norman Rockwell’s Saturday Evening Post covers. The Batmobile, the Turtle Van, and a few other familiar vehicles get a cubist makeover from Josh Ln. We also wanted to call attention to Wanderbert’s impressive The Batman Villain Project, which has been around for awhile but is worth a peek if you’ve never seen it. Earlier this year, Costume Discounters, which was hard hit in October by Hurricane Sandy, took a look at how the outfits of the Avengers have changed over the years. Another view of the Avengers comes from J.M. Walter who gave us a Pixar version of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Lastly, Justin Turrentine provides alternate endings to some Disney classics. Hope you enjoy perusing these works.

Previous noteworthy efforts here and here.

(Image: Cruella De Vil from Minimalist Portraits: My Favorite Disney Villains by Chelsea Mitchell. The series also features Captain Hook, Jafar, Maleficent, Hades, and Ursula.)

Waiting For Oblivion

Universal Pictures unveiled the first trailer for its sci-fi mystery Oblivion, based on the eponymous graphic novel by Joseph Kosinski (who also directed the film). The cast includes Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, Andrea Risebourough, Morgan Freeman, Mikolaj Coster-Waldau, Zoë Bell, and Melissa Leo. Concept art via Film Sketchr here. The movie is slated for release in April of next year.

The No Longer Walking Dead

Andrew Barr and Richard Jonhson have charted all of the onscreen zombie send-offs from The Walking Dead up to and including the recent mid-season finale. They’ve also provided a nice overview of who did each take down and what weapons were used. A video version for the first two seasons may found here.

Coming Attractions

Wesley Snipes returned for a third outing as the Marvel Comics vampire slayer Blade, created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan, in Blade: Trinity. Released on this date in 2004 and directed by David S. Goyer, the film also features Kris Kristofferson (Abraham Whistler), Jessia Biel (Abigail Whistler, Ryan Reynolds (Hannibal King), Dominic Purcell (Drake/Dracula), Parker Posey (Danica Talos), Callum Keith Rennie (Asher Talos), Natasha Lyonne (Sommerfield), Patton Oswald (Hedges), James Remar (FBI agent Ray Cumberland), and Eric Bogosian (Bentley Tittle).

Brick Faces

Copyranter reminds us of clever Lego ad campaign, devised by a German agency, that appeared earlier this year. See how many you can identify here.

Televised Heroics

After noting that The CW’s Arrow continually hits the mark with its audience, Charlie Jane Anders thinks that things may be looking up for superheroes on television:

“Mainstream television is experiencing a pretty soap-operatic moment, thanks to the increase in serialized storytelling and the decrease in episodic “back to square one” stories. So maybe we’re ready for an influx of shows that combine the “trying to help people” ethos of the 1970s with the present-day emphasis on love tetrahedrons and lingering angst.”

Previous coverage of television shows based on comics here. There’s little doubt that the success of The Walking Dead has shown television producers that viewers expect more from these adaptations than simply actors suiting up to appear as if they just stepped out of the page. The new approach requires intelligent plotlines, good character development, and a cast that can make it all seem believable.

(Image: Stephen Amell in Arrow, The CW/Warner Bros. Television)

Marvel Mashup

The Superhero Media Crossover Project by Brazilian graphic artist Butcher Billy literally brings the heroes and villains of print into their cinematic universe.

(Shout-out: /Film)

X-Men And The C-Word

Rob Bricken schools the folks at 20th Century Fox, who recently stated that Marvel’s mutant movie franchise forms one continuity. Among the series’ gaffes and stumbling points, he points to the character of Moira MacTaggart:

“In 2006’s The Last Stand, Moira MacTaggart is a 38-year-old Scottish doctor researching the mutant gene. In the ‘60s-set First Class, Moira MacTaggart is a 32-year-old American CIA agent who has no problem infiltrating dangerous places in her underpants. SPOT THE DIFFERENCE.”

Clowning Around

Illustrator Rob Bliss, whose credits include Watchmen and five Harry Potter films, has generated some buzz lately with his concept art for The Dark Knight. His twisted take on the Joker, Two-Face, and other seedy Gotham City denizens can be found here. 

(Shout-out: Film Sketchr)

(Image: one of the Joker’s masked gunmen, Rob Bliss)

“Didn't Anyone In Gotham Think It Was Weird That Batman And Bruce Wayne Both Died On The Exact Same Day?“

The Screen Junkies finally get around to skewering The Dark Knight Rises.

Coming Attractions

Universal Studios released director Mike Hodges’ glitzy sci-fi spectacle Flash Gordon on this date in 1980. Produced by Dino De Laurentiis and based on the comic strip created by Alex Raymond, the movie stars Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon), Max von Sydow (Ming the Merciless), Melody Anderson (Dale Arden), Topol (Dr. Hans Zarkov), Ornella Muti (Princess Aura), Timothy Dalton (Prince Barin), Brain Blessed (Prince Vultan), and Peter Wyngarde (General Klytus). Ronnie Coltrane, Richard Timothy Smith, William Hootkins, and John Osborne also appear. The rock group Queen composed and performed the film’s soundtrack.

Auto Manufacturing

Academy Award-winning special effects supervisor Chris Corbould shares some insights with Bleeding Cool on the development of the Tumbler for The Dark Knight trilogy.

Shameless Plug Of The Day (Holiday Edition)

The season of giving can be just that: a chance to show support for a worthwhile organization by making a monetary donation, offering in-kind support, or becoming a member (or all three). Here are a few for your consideration.

The Actors Fund – offers social services to those in the performing arts

Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State University

Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco

Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont – offers two-year courses in the art of cartooning

Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund – promotes free speech and advocates against censorship

Child’s Play – provides video games and toys to children in hospitals around the world

The Film Foundation – works to preserve and restore motion pictures

The Hero Initiative – offers financial support to cartoonists and comic book creators

National Film Preservation Foundation

Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles and New York City

Society of Illustrators in New York City

Toonseum in Pittsburgh

Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco

(Image: Rustle the christmas tree meets Yørgøn the gnome in Rustle’s Christmas Adventure. Written by Steve Englehart and illustrated by Joe Staton, the 25-chapter online story follows the curious conifer on a journey to save Santa’s magic silver bell.)