Comics

Over the weekend, we learned that the one and only Wonder Woman would be spinning her way back to live-action television for the first time since Lynda Carter's version made her a cultural trademark. (Paradoxically, as a feminist icon and an objectified sex symbol.) With big-name producer David E. Kelly (The Practice, Boston Legal, Ally McBeal) on board for the revival, it seems likely that the show will have a campy, irreverent undertone -- and will probably involve a law firm with kooky characters. Kidding aside, while certainly no one is in a position to review the show before it even...exists, the vehicle does raise questions about exactly where the Wonder Woman character is heading. With a recent attempt to reinvent her costume, with a retconned "edgier" comic origin, it seems that different forces are pulling Princess Diana of Themyscira in different directions. Will "Ally McAmazon" help or hurt the issue?

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It seems that the previous rumors about Sony's pursuit of buzz-laden actress Emma Stone have been proven true. According to Deadline, the coveted role of Spidey's most famous significant other Mary Jane Watson*(See updated info below,) played in the last series of films by Kirsten Dunst, will be "imminently" offered to Stone. Known from acclaimed projects like Superbad, Zombieland, and the current low-key hit Easy A, the landing of this part, in addition to a rumored lead in the 21 Jump Street reboot film, will seemingly set her stock to rise dramatically. However, unlike her predecessor MJ, reports indicate that she won't have the amorous affections of the new Spider-Man Andrew Garfield all to herself, as the casting process is still in motion to fill the role of other iconic Spidey love interest Gwen Stacy. So, what kind of Spidey movie is this anyway?

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In spite of rumors to the contrary that circulated at this year's show, the annual Comic-Con entertainment convention will continue to be held in San Diego for at least the next five years. Comic-Con officials announced Thursday that San Diego had beat out Los Angeles and Anaheim as home to the convention through at least 2015.

"San Diego has been home to Comic-Con for over 40 years and it's an honor to continue hosting this important event, which is now so much a part of the fabric of our community," Mayor Jerry Sanders said.

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Judging by the barrage of set snapshots that recently popped up on the web (which Fox are promptly having taken down,) X-Men: First Class is clearly up and running. Yet, there still remains a lingering question about this new entry in the X-Men film franchise which is primarily set in the swinging 60's: Is it a prequel or reboot? For a time, it seemed like the casting of January Jones as Emma Frost (played by younger actress Tahyna Tozzi in X-Men Origins: Wolverine at a point supposedly later in time,) was the official stamp indicating First Class' reboot status. Well, the latest news tidbit has certainly raised that question once again. According to a report from BleedingCool, director Matthew Vaughn has pulled-off what is allegedly a shot-for-shot remake of the opening scene of Bryan Singer's first X-Men film. -- At least, "up to a point." So, what's going on here?

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It’s a veritable cornucopia of comic goodness son this week’s Fresh Ink Online as host Blair Butler rockets through a slew of floppies, including Mademoiselle Marie, Pilot Season: @sset, Powers, Wonder Woman, and Secret Warriors. Plus, there are not one, but two rad new issues of G.I. Joe, Cobra and Hearts and Minds. Which one will you choose? Hey, who says you can only choose one. Go buy comics. And watch. Thank you.

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For a guy that claims that he never really was "a comic book kid," director Darren Aronofsky may have just been given a choice that any fan would love to be in the position to make. You see, having been recently named a possible candidate take the director's chair of the upcoming reboot Superman: Man of Steel (a rumor that Aronofsky has not exactly denied when asked,) it seems that a second choice may be lining up for him with the long-discussed movie adaptation of DC-Vertigo title Preacher. As an unidentified source tells Newsarama, Columbia Pictures is seeking Aronofsky, a director now riding a wave of buzz from The Wrestler and the upcoming "dark side of ballet" drama Black Swan. However, with Superman on the fast track by Warner/DC, it's looking increasingly likely that he will have to chose between the projects. On top of that, his name has also been in the mix to direct the sequel to Wolverine! What's a director to do?!

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Some good news has hit for fans longing for a return of their favorite gruffly-voiced Caped Crusader. In an interview with Empire, director Christopher Nolan has officially confirmed that he will return for his third outing at the helm of the Batman series. While this may seem like expected, somewhat procedural news, Nolan's commitment to the upcoming project has actually been somewhat ambivalent over the past few years. Giving no clear indications about his plans, speculation was starting to mount that, not unlike past Bat-directors Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, he was ready to jump ship from the franchise after just two outings. (Although with Schumacher, it was probably under threat of violent fan insurrection with torches and pitchforks.) For all the phenomenal success of The Dark Knight in 2008, talk of its follow-up has since been restricted to loose rumors, tabloid concoctions, and vague language. Now, for the first time -- maybe ever, we have a substantive commitment on the creative end for this film.

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Writer and producer Greg Berlanti has certainly gotten a foothold on DC Comics' movie properties. Having produced and co-written the upcoming Green Lantern film, a project which seems to evoke tons of confidence by the folks over at DC, he's now working on the treatment for the emerald crusader's sequel film(s.) However, another project on his radar that may prove the most intriguing of all, is the upcoming film revival of the iconic crimson speedster The Flash. In an interview with SuperHeroHype, Berlanti discusses the direction they wish to take the film, which current projections have hitting around 2013. And just to give you a small indication as to what occupies the creative team's thinking  these days, how do Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs sound as a sources of inspiration?

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Could the already stacked cast of The Avengers soon add Brazilian beauty and everyone's favorite lizard lady Morena Baccarin? Well, that's the rumor, anyway. -- Well, it's more like speculation. Thanks to the surreal moment at Comic-Con last summer when the primary cast of The Avengers took the stage, we already know whose names will grace the marquee of the ambitious 2012 comic epic. However, we were still left with some more than noteworthy vacancies as far as important Avengers team members, specifically co-founders Ant-Man and Wasp. While an Ant-Man solo feature is in the works with Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Shaun of the Dead) at the helm, virtually nothing is known about how the size-altering scientist also known as Hank Pym and his shrinking flight-enabled better-half Janet van Dyne aka The Wasp will fit into the new Avengers film mythos. Casting rumors for the two roles have been hitting for the last few years, with many different names (all pretty big,) but nothing substantive has come from them. Yet, with Baccarin's name being the latest in the mix, it seems to have a ring of truth.

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There’s a new issue of The Walking Dead in town….can there be any doubt as to who the best gunslinger is? Cowboy analogy aside, other comics that get the once over on this week’s Fresh Ink Online include Fantastic Four, Pilot Season: 39 Minutes, Nemesis and Skull Killers. Yes, host Blair Butler has her hands full…and so shall you. Enjoy!

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It seems that there's some major movement in the quest to find a love interest for the new Spider-Man. However, it may be the case that Andrew Garfield's upcoming 2012 turn as the Wall-Crawler may be the luckiest one yet, as he could be in store for not one, but two potential sweethearts in his life. And before you conclude that this is a news item about a porn version of the Spidey saga (where webs aren't the only thing he slings,) then think again. It seems that 'ole Peter Parker may possibly find himself in a love triangle and much like in the last good Indiana Jones film, he might have to "choose wisely." And with that, the names of Emma Stone (Easy A, Zombieland) and Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland) have suddenly surfaced as speculation points to both women being cast successively as Spidey's iconic loves Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacy.

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Considering that 2012's The Avengers is aiming to be the most ambitious superhero project ever put to film, it's certainly no surprise that Marvel's higher-up's are already beginning to brainstorm ideas to expand the franchise. Well, the latest idea making the rounds certainly does not require a brain-trust of the industry's best creative minds. You take Scarlett Johansson, stick her in a black skin-tight leather jumpsuit, and well...you've already got most peoples' attention. That's right, Johansson's character in Iron Man 2 Natasha Romanoff aka Avenger mainstay Black Widow is seemingly already on deck for a solo feature. As a result, the worldwide interwebs is now abuzz with the prospect of Scarlett dispatching and emasculating hordes of witless thugs with whom the audience would ironically still want to trade places. So, obviously, there's plenty of drawing factors to this concept (one of which is displayed prominently in the opening shot of Lost in Translation.) But, have Marvel nevertheless gotten ahead of themselves?

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Nicolas Cage's return to the Ghost Rider film franchise has been known for quite a while, especially after he announced it on a television interview last summer. However, it seems that the t's have been crossed and the i's have been dotted as Sony/Columbia Pictures have officially announced a release date for the sequel in question, titled Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. The film will hit February 17, 2012 and will be presented in -- get ready for it -- 3D! That's right folks, Johnny Blaze may ride his famous flaming motorcycle when he transforms into Ghost Rider, but this time, he's hitched a ride on a giant bandwagon. (Which may or may not have cool flames.) The sequel will actually hit one day after the five-year anniversary of the first film's release. By then, many more (and bigger) comic properties will have hit. Will enough moviegoers remember the demonic hog rider to give him business?

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While he's certain to have plenty opportunities in the future to stand over Ensign Red Shirt # 387 to say "He's dead Jim," actor Karl Urban still maintains a rather low key status, in spite of the fact that he's been oddly ubiquitous in mega film franchises galore for last decade or so. However, with the New Zealander's upcoming starring role in the 3D remake/reboot of Judge Dredd, which will be simply titled Dredd, Urban plans to take this paradox to an entirely new level. You see, despite the fact that his name will be prominently displayed on the marquee, he has no plans whatsoever to show his face in the film. In an interview with Empire, Urban discusses the gritty stoicism of the film, which has been in production for ten weeks over in South Africa. There'll be no orcs to decapitate or giant oliphaunts to spear, but Urban plans to storm the futuristic dystopia that is Mega City One with obscenely large firearms many violent boots to the face.

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This week Fresh Ink Online host Blair Butler reviews Batman and Robin, Daytripper, DV8, G.I. Joe: Cobra, Kodiak and Morning Glories. Which one will nab the coveted Pick of the Week? We'll give you one hint: it’s a comic book. Enjoy!

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