Making Bad

Tauriq Moosa champions well-crafted bad guys. He notes that its important to understand what motivates super villains like Superman’s archnemesis Lex Luthor:

“Luthor believes himself to be defending his city, his world, from an alien menace. Superman, as always, is portrayed as all-powerful, god-like. Luthor recognises that with no one to hold Superman accountable, what’s to stop Superman from taking over the planet and enslaving humanity? Luthor, as a philanthropic and caring businessman, believes it his duty to do what he must to protect us from that immient danger.”

Part two of Mossa’s essay here.

(Shout-out: The Dish)

(Image: Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor in Smallville, Warner Bros. Television)

Check Your Local Listings

The Walking Dead, based on the Eisner Award-winning comic book series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard, debuted on this date in 2010 on AMC. Developed by Academy Award-nominated director and screenwriter Frank Darabont, who also served as executive producer along with Gale Anne Hurd, the show centers around a group of survivors trying to cope in a world now overun by reanimated corpses (referred to as “walkers”) that prey on the living.

Stitched Together

The theatrical release poster for Ghost World in cross stitch via Eightball-Tumbl-o-Rama.

Behind The Iron Mask

As one might expect, the trailer for director Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 has generated some serious buzz. Newsarama has even spotlighted the comic book characters who will appear on-screen with the Armored Avenger. The film is slated for release in May of next year.

Go Speed Racer Go!!

Annalee Newitz goes under the hood to explain why Andy and Lana Wachowski’s 2008 candy-coated spectacle Speed Racer deserves a winning trophy:

“It’s a cybernetic autopia, and every racing scene makes you feel like you’re experiencing a pure distllation of speed and motion.”

She also notes the film’s appreciation for youngsters:

“Every background landscape looks like a churning, whirling kid’s imagination, colored spastically in crayon. This is a movie that loves kids for what they really are—little maniacs who are hopped up on adrenaline and adventurousness, who inhabit stories fully rather than from a dispassionate, ironic distance.

Previous coverage of the Wachowskis here.

Cupcakes Assemble!

The baking world apparently sees the Avengers as one sweet team of superheroes. Savor these edible efforts from Animated Cupcakes in Garden Grove, California, and Cupcake A La Mode in Kansas City, Missouri. Do-it-yours may want to look here.

(Image: The Hello Kitty/Captain America mashup, Animated Cupcakes)

The Continuity Conundrum

Joey Esposito over at IGN isn’t too worried about film franchises maintaining cohesive timelines:

“I understand that some people like the idea of continuity; that when done right, it can build the experience into something much larger. I get that. But in an era where reboots are stacked into remakes with some odd cases in between, it’s going to be easier to enjoy these projects when we’re not constantly distracted by what fits where and why.”

Straight Shooters

With the debut of Arrow and the appearance of other bowmen in recent films, Nicole Smith decided to take aim at 10 of the best. Our only complaint: only one bad guy made the list.

(Image: Jessica Biel as Abigail Archer in Blade: Trinity comes in at number 8 on the countdown; New Line Cinema)

Holy car show, Batman!

On Saturday, October 27, the Batmobile tour—featuring six cinematic versions of Batman’s trademark ride—returns with a kickoff event in Arlington, Texas. The pack of supercharged wheels made the rounds this past summer and is hitting the road again in anticipation of Blu-Ray and DVD release of the Dark Knight Rises on Decembder 4.

(Image: a handful of Batmobiles, Warner Bros.)

Channel Surfing

The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles salutes nearly six decades of TV pop culture with Television Out of the Box: An Exhibit by Warner Bros. The interactive exhibition, which runs through 2015, features a host of costumes, props, and artwork from dozens of shows including comic book-inspired favorites such as Wonder Woman, Smallville, and Arrow.

(Image: Tom Welling as Clark Kent in Smallville, The CW. Welling’s character was usually dressed in a combination of red, blue, and yellow to foreshadow the colors he would eventually wear as Superman.)

Shameless Plug of the Day

Our pal Dan Cooney has launched a Kickstarter campaign in support of his latest graphic novel The Atomic Yeti. The story centers around a journalist determined to undercover the truth behind a number of strange deaths in the Ural Mountains of Russia during the Cold War. Fans of science fiction mysteries such as The Thing and The X-Files are encouraged to check it out.

(Image: cover for The Atomic Yeti #1, Dan Cooney)

The Wachowski Chronicles

Nick Greene looks for trademarks in the films of Andy and Lana Wachowski. He praises the siblings’ ability to make action “balletic and slowed down with losing any intensity,” which is hardly the norm in most of today’s hyperactive epics:

“Compare this with Christopher Nolan—perhaps the most celebrated director of the moment—who can’t film a one-on-one fight scene without leaving me totally and completely confused as to what the hell is going on.”

We hardily concur.

(Image: Emile Hirsch in Speed Racer (2008), Warner Bros. Pictures. The Wachowskis’ hit a bump in the road in 2008 when their live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime series failed to recoup its $120 million budget.)

Say Uncle

“My name is Fester. It means “to rot.” – Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester, a role he played in both The Addams Family (1991) and Addams Family Values (1993). The Emmy Award-winning actor celebrates his 74th birthday today.

(Image: Christopher Lloyd in Addams Family Values, Paramount Pictures)

Shamelss Plug Of The Day

Women of Wonder Day, aimed at raising awareness and support for domestic violence programs, returns on Sunday, October 21, with special events at Excalibur Comics in Portland, Oregon, and Heroes & Fantasies in San Antonio, Texas. Both all-ages benefits will feature appearances by comic creators, costumed characters, and a host of original art and autographed memorabilia up for auction. You can also bid online for select items here.

(Image: Wonder Woman from the animated series Justice League, Cartoon Network)

May We Quote You?

“I think I’ve done my dash with that sort of film. It was good to do it and try it out, but to be honest, it’s not the sort of film I seek out and really am excited by.” – actor Hugo Weaving on whether he would ever reprise the role of Captain America’s arch nemesis the Red Skull.

(Image: Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger, Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures)

Film Fashion Fête

What may be the most impressive showcase of iconic movie attire ever assembled opens on October 20 at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Curated by Academy Award-nominated designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis, Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, and Keith Lodwick Hollywood Costume brings together more than 100 garments worn by a host well-known characters such as Scarlett O’Hara, Jason Bourne, and Harry Potter as well as Batman, Spider-Man, and the Addams Family. More behind-the-scenes highlights here. The exhibition continues through January 27, 2013.

One side note: we’ve seen the original cane used by Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp on display at the main house of George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch, so we’re curious if the one appearing in this exhibition was kept by Chaplin as a backup. If anyone finds out, please let us know.

On This Date: October 19

1936 Universal Pictures released the first episode of its 13-chapter serial Ace Drummond. Based on the comic strip by famed aviator Eddie Rickenbacker and artist Clayton Knight, the cliffhanger featured John King, Jean Rogers, Noah Beery, Jr. Guy Bates Post, and Lon Chaney, Jr.

1941 Simon Ward was born in Beckenham, Kent, England. He portrayed Zor-El, father of the title character in the 1984 movie Supergirl.

1966 Jon Favreau was born in Flushing, Queens, New York. The actor-turned-director has appeared in several comic book-inspired movies including Batman Forever, Daredevil, and both Iron Man films (which he also directed). His resume also includes directing Cowboys & Aliens and serving as an executive producer on The Avengers.

1970 Chris Kattan was born in Sherman Oaks, California. Best known his comedic work on Saturday Night Live, he also appeared as Organ Donor Stu in director Henry Selick’s 2001 outing Monkeybone, based the graphic novel Dark Town by Kaja Blackley.

2001 From Hell, a mystery based on the comic book series by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell and set around the Jack the Ripper murders of 1888, was released by 20th Century Fox. Directed by the Hughes brothers, the film’s cast included Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Ian Richardson, Robbie Coltrane, Jason Flemying, and Mark Dexter.

2007 Columbia Pictures released 30 Days of Night, based on the horror comic book series by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith. Directed by David Slade, the film starred Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Manu Bennett, Ben Foster, Mark Rendall, and Mark Boone Junior.

”An Aerodynamic Look With A Saturated, Fluffy Quality”

Alexandria Lippin examines how costume designer Kym Barrett, who’s credits include From Hell and Speed Racer, and her colleagues gave an iconic outfit an updated spin for The Amazing Spider-Man.

(Image: Spider-Man’s gloves designed by Kym Barrett and developed by Stacia Lang, Marvel Entertainment)

Trainspotting — 1938-Style

Universal Pictures released “Millions for Defense,” the first of 13 chapters in its Red Barry movie serial, on this date in 1938. Co-directed by Ford Beebe and Alan James and based on the eponymous comic strip detective created by Will Gould, the action cliffhanger featured Buster Crabbe, Edna Sedgewick, Frances Robinson, Cyril Delevanti, Frank Lackteen, and Wade Boteler.

The Greatest Heroes Of The Ottoman Empire

Turkish-born artist Berk Senturk provides us with a look at how Green Lantern (above) and other Justice Leaguers might have appeared if they had been based in homeland in, say, the 15th or 16th century.

May We Quote You?

“I’m not a big superhero fan. In terms of the movie-going experience for me, I love the realistic stuff because it’s just that much less formulaic. – Academy Award-winning cinematographer Wally Pfister, whose credits include director Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. 

(Shout-out: Superherohype.com)

(Image: Gary Oldman as James Gordon and Christian Bale as Batman in Batman Begins, Warner Bros. Pictures)

Check Your Local Listings

Smallville, the longest-running television series based on a comic book, debuted on this date in 2001. The show centered around a young Clark Kent (Tom Welling) and, over the course of its 10 seasons, chronicled his life from high school to the start of his career at the Daily Planet as well as laying the foundation for him becoming Superman. In addition to Welling, key cast members included Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang), Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), Erica Durance (Lois Lane), Justin Hartley (Oliver Queen/Green Arrow), Cassidy Freeman (Tess Mercer), John Glover (Lionel Luthor), Annette O’Toole (Martha Kent), John Schneider (Jonathan Kent), and Terence Stamp (voice of Jor-El).

While the series introduced several new faces to the Superman mythos over its 218 episodes, it also showcased a number of well-known DC Comics characters, some of which appeared for the first time in a live-action production. Among the heroes and villains that made the cut are Linda Danvers (Kara, Clark’s Kryptonian cousin), Brainiac, John Jones (Martian Manhunter), Zod, Doomsday, Arthur Curry (Aquaman), Mera, Victor Stone (Cyborg), Dinah Lance (Black Canary), Zatanna Zatara, Carter Hall (Hawkman), Courtney Whitmore (Stargirl), Doctor Fate, Isis, Jayne and Zan (the Wonder Twins), Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Lightening Lad, Booster Gold, John Corben (Metallo), Slade Wilson, Winslow Schott (Toy Man), Bizarro, Silver Banshee, Roulette, Persuader, Black Manta, Solomon Grundy, Captain Cold, Ultraman, Plastique, Amanda Waller, Rick Flag, Bruno Mannheim, Granny Goodness, Mad Harriet, Desaad, and Darkseid.

May We Quote You?

“I’m not sure they’re creating an adult audience with Batman and The Avengers parts seven, eight, nine, and 10.” – David Denby, New Yorker film critic and author of Do the Movies Have a Future?, on what he sees as a slippy slope for both Hollywood studios and movie goers. He recent interview on NPR may be heard here.

Prepping For Halloween

It seems as good a time as any to consider some facial wear options for All Hallow’s Eve, courtesy of Adrian Pavic.

Coming Attractions

Summit Entertainment released the RED, based on the comic book series by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner and directed by Robert Schwentke, on this date in 2010. The comedy film, which centers around a group of retired CIA operatives, stars Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, Karl Urban, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, James Remar, Ernest Borgnine, Brian Cox, Richard Dreyfuss, Rebecca Pidgeon, and Julian McMahon.

On A Role

Brendan Foley finds five offbeat casting choices that paid off, including Mickey Rourke, who’s star power had essentially fizzled out prior to his appearance as Marv in the 2005 neo-noir thriller Sin City:

“As Marv, he brings all his own real-world suffering to bear, giving the character a gravitas that Frank Miller’s hyper-stylized plotting and dialogue can’t summon. Even under what looks like fifty pounds of make-up, Rourke communicates the unbreakable dignity of the big lug.”

Of Michael Keaton’s Batman, Foley notes:

“Keaton was the first person to grasp that Batman is insane and that the audience should, at least in part, be freaked out by the guy.”

(Image: Mickey Rourke as Marv in Sin City, Dimension Films)

A City In Disguise

Jon Thum, VFX supervisor on Dredd 3D, shows us how Johannesburgh, South Africa, served as the foundation for the film’s overcrowded urban setting Mega-City One.

Local Boys Honored

Today, the city of Cleveland, Ohio, celebrates Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster with the unveiling of a permanent $50,000 Superman exhibit located at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The two men met while growing up in Cleveland and went on to create the Man of Steel who debuted in Action Comics #1 in 1938.

(Image: DC Comics)

Toughing It Out On TV

As fans wait to see if the new series Arrow will hold its own or be cancelled, Michael Edwards wonders why live-action superheroes have such a hard time making it on the small screen:

“Television hasn’t seen the comic book boom that the movies have seen, even though television with its serialization seem like the perfect medium for comic book adaptations.”

He thinks cautious television producers have too few good models to follow:

“Just as shows like The Sopranos, 24, Battlestar Galactica, and Lost set the tone for genre television in the early ‘00s, The Walking Dead and Smallville are really the only success stories in the last decade that network and cable executives have to go by for developing future television adaptations.”

(Image: Stephen Amell as Green Arrow in Arrow, The CW)

Coming Attractions

Director Roger Vadim’s trippy science fiction adventure Barbarella, based on the French comic book character created by Jean-Claude Forest, debuted in the United States on this date in 1968. (It's official premiere took place in Rome on October 18 that same year.) The film starred Jane Fonda, Milo O’Shea, John Philip Law, Anita Pallenberg, Marcel Marceau, David Hemmings, and Ugo Tognazzi.

Fun fact: the British pop group Duran Duran took its name from one of the movie’s main characters.

Superhero Absurdity

To comic book purists who look down on tongue-in-cheek shows such as Batman and Lois Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Joey Esposito says lighten up:

“At a certain point, we need to relinquish our sense of ownership and enjoy these different perspectives on our favorite characters. We’re lucky enough to live in an era where we have movies like The Avengers to satisfy the inner child in all of us, so why not head back and consider your favorite heroes from a slightly more absurd angle? You might be surprised at how much enjoyment you find.”

Check Your Local Listings

Yesterday, we inadvertently failed to mention the 10th anniversary of the series Birds of Prey which premiered on The WB network (now The CW) on October 9, 2002. Based on characters appearing in DC Comics, the cast included Dina Meyer as Barbara Gordon (a.k.a. Oracle), Ashley Scott as Helena Kyle (a.k.a. Huntress), Rachel Skarsten as Dinah Redmond (a.k.a. Black Canary), Mia Sara as Dr. Harleen Quinzel (Harley Quinn), Shermar Moore as Detective Jesse Reese, and Ian Abercrombie as Alfred Pennyworth. Though it only lasted for 13 episodes, the show did manage to feature a few surprise villains such as Lady Shiva (portrayed by Sung-Hi Lee) and Clayface (portrayed by Kirk Baltz).

Shameless Plug Of The Day

Over the past several months, our pal Anita Coulter has worked tirelessly to get the new Tr!ckster store up and running in Berkeley, California. This weekend, you can savor the fruits of her labor and even catch writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) while you’re at it. The store, which is devoted to creator-owned art and comics, grew out of the pop-up Tr!ckster shows held in the shadow of San Diego Comic-Con during the past two years. The grand opening is slated for October 26 and 27. Congrats, Anita!

(Image: Stephanie Buscema)

Coming Attractions

St. Trinian’s, based on the cartoons created by British cartoonist Ronald Searle, debuted in the United States on this date in 2009. Co-directed by Oliver Parker and Barnaby Thompson and released two years earlier in the U.K., the comedy center around a boarding school run by oddball headmistress Camilla Dagey Fritton and populated by dozens of unruly girls. The cast features Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Talulah Riley, Gemma Arterton, Russell Brand, Lena Headey, Mischa Barton, Toby Jones, Lucy Punch, Lily Cole, and Stephen Fry.

Panel Discussion

Meredith Woerner has rounded up some iconic comic book images that made the leap off the printed page and into the movies.

(Image: the Yellow Bastard from Frank Miller’s graphic novel series Sin City (Dark Horse Comics) and the live-action version portrayed by Nick Stahl in the eponymous 2005 film (Dimension Films))

Hitchcockian Heroes

Artist Alberto Muriel gives the suspense films of director Alfred Hitchcock a comic book bent.

(Image: Jean Grey and Professor Charles Xavier in Rear Window, Alberto Muriel)

Check Your Local Listings

The syndicated television series Superboy debuted on this date in 1988. Developed by Ilya and Alexander Salkind, executive producers of the first three Superman films starring Christopher Reeve, the show featured John Haymes Newton as Clark Kent/Superboy, Stacy Haiduk as Lana Lang, Jim Calvert as T.J. White, Stuart Whitman as Jonathan Kent, Salome Jens as Martha Kent, and Scott James Wells as Lex Luthor. After the first season, Gerard Christopher took over for Newton and Sherman Howard replaced Wells. The series aired 100 episodes over four seasons before ending in May of 1992.

Earlier coverage of show screenwriter Stan Berkowitz here.

Feel Good Heroes

The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology published a recent study from the University at Buffalo that found men who viewed images of muscular superheroes had an increase in self-esteem and possible improvements in their physical strength as well.

(Shout-out: Stack)

(Image: Spider-Man from the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man, Marvel Animation/Disney XD)

Shameless Plug Of The Day

Here’s a project that caught our eye: a few of our neighbors to the north are putting together an anthology of original Canadian superhero adventures and can use your help. More details about True Patriot here.

(Shout-out: Javier Hernandez)

Remembering Annie

To mark the 30th anniversary Blu-ray release of director John Huston’s 1982 musical Annie, EW spoke with the film’s now grown-up star Aileen Quinn on what she’s been up to.

(Image: Bingo as Sandy and Aileen Quinn as Little Orphan Annie in Annie, Columbia Pictures)

Wardrobe Malfunctions?

Adam Kistler ponders whether Warner Bros. has been trying to modernize its live-action superhero adaptations by downplaying the familiar mask-and-cape attire. He raises an eyebrow to the Superman-inspired series Smallville, where a young Clark Kent forgoes a costume in lieu of street clothes:

“Some argued this presented Clark in a more “realistic” light than he had seen in the past, but by this point, the show featured clones, aliens, shape-shifting artificial intelligences, time travel, parallel universes, and ghosts of witches posssesing modern-day teenagers. Seems like “realistic” was already redefined by that point.”

(Image: Tom Welling as Clark Kent in Smallville, Michael Courtney/The CW)

A Marvelous Makeover

Sean Howe examines how Marvel Comics turned its poor fortunes around to become a darling of Hollywood. A key player was Toy Biz CEO Avi Arad, who became the founder of Marvel Studios:

“While corporate lawyers screamed obscenities at one another, Arad wooed bankers with a stirring speech about the value of Marvel’s characters: “Spider-Man alone is worth a billion dollars,” he pleaded, as recounted in Dan Rviv’s Comic Wars. “But now, at this crazy hour, at this juncture, you’re going to take 380 million for the whole thing? One thing is worth a billion! We have the X-Men. We have the Fantastic Four. They can all be movies.”

(Image: Howard and Lea Thompson in Howard the Duck, Universal Pictures. The 1986 movie remains one of the most poorly received films, both critically and financially, based on a Marvel Comics character.)

TV Toon Channel Turns 20

Cartoon Network, the first 24-hour cable channel devoted entirely to animated programming, celebrated its 20th anniversary on October 1. The network initially aired classic cartoons such as Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes, but has since introduced dozens of new shows including The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Justice League, Ben 10 (which also spawned two live-action films), Star Wars: Clone Wars, and Adventure Time. The celebration continues through November 4 with special episode broadcasts from throughout the channel’s previous two decades.

Movie Mashup

In a recent art roundup, we forgot to mention Brazil-based creator Luiz Arthuso and his collection of posters that blend classic superheroes with well-known films. 

(Shout-out: Flavorpill)

(Image: Pirates of the Asgard, Luiz Arthuso)

The Freedom To Read

If you haven’t already heard, this is Banned Books Week (September 30–October 6) in the United States. Started in 1982, the annual campaign celebrates the freedom to read and to raise awareness of books and authors that have been targets of censorship.

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which is helping to sponsor this year’s event, lists several comics and graphic novels that frequently come under scrutiny.

(Image: cover from the collected Watchmen series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, DC Comics. Moore’s graphic novels have been some of the most challenged works in comics.)

A Public Service Announcement

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we can’t think of a more appropriate campaign to draw attention to the issue than the one above from Mozambique. Be smart and get yourself examined—and encourage all the women in your life to do the same.

(Image: Breast cancer campaign, Halfy (a.k.a. Maisa Chaves). More related images here.)

Drawing Back The Bow

Executive producers Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg respond to questions from fans regarding the upcoming television show Arrow. A primer for the series premiere on October 10 here.

Shameless Plug Of The Day

Tickets are now on sale for the Cartoon Art Museum’s annual Day at Pixar fundraiser. This year’s event will features a presentation on the making of Find Nemo 3D with fimmakers Steve May, Ronnie Del Carmen, Jim Capobianco, Mark Walsh, Bob Whitehill, and (just added) Academy Award-winning animator Ralph Eggleston. This is CAM’s signature fundraising event, which allows the museum to provide ongoing programs and exhibitions. More details and ticket information here.

Other upcoming CAM/Pixar-related happenings include: a presentation by storyboard artist Sanjay Patel (October 4) and the opening reception for Sketchtravel (October 20).

(Full disclosure: I’m on the museum’s board of trustees.)

Behold, The Mad Titan!

The Marvel Comics villain Thanos made his debut during the closing credits of The Avengers, prompting much speculation as to when and where he may appear again. In the meantime, Comicbookmovie.com samples some of the concept art used to the cosmic baddie to the life on-screen.

More behind-the-scenes production footage (with no sound) from The Avengers here.

(Image: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures)

Gotham City Profiles

Illustrator Adam Waugh pays tribute to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. We assume that the subtle inference to Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy is simply a bonus.

(Shout-out: Tugg)

The Walking Web

As a buildup to the return of The Walking Dead on October 14, AMC today launched the season three webisode Cold Storage.

(Image: zombie, Robert Kirkman, 2012)

Origins Of A Wimpy Kid

Jeff Kinney, whose wildly popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series arose out of the author’s earlier cartooning efforts, recalls his own time in grade school:

“I think that my middle school experience was more scary than Greg Heffley’s middle school experience,” Kinney said. “I felt like we went from the safe confines of the elementary school to the really scary, almost prison yard environment of middle school. So it was terrifying for me.”

(Image: scene from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney, Amulet Books)