Marvel San Diego Comic-Con Recap

BY DAVID BERCK

A lot of things went down at San Diego Comic Con this year. Some people on the floor said it seemed more low key, but there was still plenty of buzz happening. As one of the "big two" in comics, Marvel certainly had a good amount of announcements going on and here's a somewhat brief recap of some of what went on.

For Marvel's cinematic universe, it was announced that Evangeline Lilly will portray Hope Pym, the daughter of Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), in Ant-Man. The movie is starting production this month, which is a little nerve wracking for some of the fandom, but Empire sat down with Marvel movie boss, Kevin Feige, and he reports that everything is fine, pointing to the time table for Iron Man 3 which was much more visually demanding. Corey Stoll was introduced as the villain, Yellowjacket. Interestingly enough, this character had a whole two-issue life span in the comics but is using a hero name that was a popular iteration for Hank Pym as an Avenger.

'Amazing Spider-Man 2' Trailer Reveals New Spidey Suit, Electro, Rhino - Vulture? Doc Ock?

You already knew that "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" trailer was hitting today, but after watching it, you now know a lot more about the villains in this film. Based on what we're seeing, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is still trying to have a "normal" relationship with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), but the more he webslings for justice, the more he attracts the attention of baddies.

But those baddies aren't just limited to Jamie Foxx's Electro. While he has been the main selling point, Paul Giamatti has been rising as the Rhino and a new movie poster that surfaced the other day suggested Dane DeHaan's Harry Osborn might go Goblin in the film. That seems pretty confirmed now, unless the man in the Goblin suit is actually Chris Cooper's Harry Osborn -- though he is only seen in the trailer occupying a hospital bed, not a goblin glider. 

The plot suggested by the trailer is that Osborn is behind all sorts of bad stuff, and more than just the death of Pete's parents. In fact, it looks like OsCorp is building a supervillain team. Perhaps, for me at least, the most crucial scene in the trailer is when we see a mysterious figure walking through the halls of (presumably) an OsCorp facility. What are those in the cases against the wall if not a pair of Vulture wings and Doctor Octopus arms. We actually get a longer peek at those than at Rhino.

All signs are that this movie is a primer to a pretty friggin' big Sinister Six third installment of the rebooted Spidey franchise. Still, why show so much in the first trailer? This unloads a lot with about six months (Six!) before the movie's May 2014 release.

Check it out and let us know what you think. 

-Aaron Sagers

Groovy! 'Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness' Fan Video

Wanna see something really groovy? How about a Marvel/Army of Darkness mash-up created by a fan and put on YouTube for us all to enjoy? In this Brian Rosenthal film, the worlds of Peter Parker, Wolverine, Ash Williams, Gwen Stacy and Iron Man collide, and it ain't pretty. Poor Spider-Man gets lost with Gwen in a parking garage and things go horribly wrong during yet another zombie apocalypse. Leave it to Ash to jump in to save the day!

"Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness" is the perfect mix of romance, gore and humor so check it out and let us know what you think! Remember kids, this is made by a super fan and is not associated with Marvel, Disney or the "Evil Dead' franchise.




-Larissa Mrykalo

Mary Jane cut from 'Amazing Spider-Man 2'

Woodley will not be caught in Spidey's web

Recently, we talked about the likely demise of Gwen Stacy in the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man 2 after some behind the scenes photos were put on the web that showed Emma Stone in an outfit identical to the one worn in the comic when Gwen dies. The introduction of character Mary Jane Watson (portrayed by Shailene Woodley) was also an indicator that we wouldn’t be seeing Gwen Stacy in the third installment.

Well, Spidey fans, it looks like a pumpkin-bomb has been thrown into our web, because director Marc Webb and Sony Pictures have decided that Mary Jane Watson will not be appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but will be making her first appearance in the third installment (which has already been greenlit for 2016, along with a fourth for 2018).

"I made a creative decision to streamline the story and focus on Peter and Gwen and their relationship," Webb said of his choice to put off introducing another love interest at this time.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, actress Shailene Woodley was only on set for a few days and had only filmed a limited number of scenes -- none of which will appear on the big screen. It is also believed that the role will be recast for the next installments of the franchise.

-Nowal Massari

Do 'Amazing Spider-Man' set pics seal Gwen Stacy's fate?

Will they or won't they kill Gwen Stacy off in the upcoming sequel The Amazing Spider-Man 2, is the heated debate today all over the Web (get it?) after new images from the set were released earlier today.

Fans of the comic book and Spideyverse have been anticipating this since the announcement of the sequel, and some fans have been expecting it since the release of The Amazing Spider-Man in 2012.

Minor spoiler but it is pretty common pop culture knowledge that Gwen Stacy

New comics: May 15, 2013

BY DAVID BERCK

This week’s featured releases is a varied lot. We’ve got a new series based on a Cartoon Network hit, a new retro sci-fi series based on classic Battlestar Galactica, which will hopefully satisfy the purists who had problems with the Syfy series and some just really cool sounding new series. It seems like there isn’t much coming out from the HUGE main titles we’re used to seeing from Marvel and DC, but that’s OK. It just means more to look forward to in the near future. Including the newest of X-Men titles next week.

Boom! Studios

Regular Show #1
Eight different covers, including a subscription/pre-order variant and a boxset of each.
Boom! says: “Regular Show ... It's anything but. Cartoon Network’s powerhouse series now has its own comic book series! Hot on the heels of the smash hit adaptation, Adventure Time, KaBOOM! unveils the next all-ages comic phenomenon! Join Mordecai the Bluejay and Rigby the Raccoon, a couple of best bros in their twenties just tryin’ to chill for a bit, man. But when you’re livin’ in as crazy a world as they are, no day can be called...regular! Ask your retailer about the pre-order variant by Chris Houghton (Adventure Time, Reed Gunther) and the incentive variant by Dustin Nguyen (Batman, L'il Gotham)!”

Web of 'Spider-Man' sequel casting grows

Looks like the cast for the Amazing Spider-Man sequel is only growing, and now includes a resurrected dead character.

A few days back director Mark Webb tweeted news that Dane DeHaan (the villain from the really cool found-footage super-hero movie Chronicle) will be playing Harry Osborn against Andrew Garfield’s Pete/Spidey. Will he become the super-villain Green Goblin, Hobgoblin, Demi-Goblin, "New" Goblin? Any Goblin at all? And if Harry will be around, is it a safe bet that megalomaniac daddy Norman Osborn will also appear?

Mary Jane to join 'Amazing Spider-Man' sequel?

Courtesy Sony

Face it, fans of Sony Entertainment's summer blockbuster, The Amazing Spider-Man, you may have just hit the jackpot because a couple reports are suggesting a sequel to the reboot is gaining even more steam.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) will be playing Mary Jane Watson in the franchise's next installment. Woodley has a pretty booked schedule but "the Mary Jane role is proving to be only a very small part in Amazing Spider-Man 2 but blossoms into an integral lead for the planned third movie as the studio seeks to build to the classic 'Death of Gwen Stacy' story."

Meanwhile, ComingSoon.net is also reporting that "Andrew Garfield is confirmed to return for the May 2, 2014 release and Emma Stone is a near-certainty as well."

What are you most looking forward to seeing in The Amazing Spider-Man 2? Were you hoping for a Peter/Gwen?MJ love triangle? Any theories about who the main villain will be? There are a lot of theories out there but no confirmations yet. Will script writers (Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner and James Vanderbilt) stay true to the comics by having Gwen's demise remain at the hands of the Green Goblin? Stay tuned for more developments.

-Larissa Mrykalo

Williams-Sonoma supes up kitchens with Marvel heroes

Luxury cookware retailer Williams-Sonoma announced last week the launch of a collection of Super Hero kitchen products featuring Marvel Universe characters.

Sold exclusively through the retailer, the products include retro character art and graphics of renowned Marvel heroes Spider-Man, Hulk, Captain America and Iron Man. According to the press release by Williams-Sonoma, "the program launches with an array of bakeware and kitchen essentials including Cookie Cutters, Pancake Molds, Adult and Child Aprons, Spatulas and Iced Cookies."

"Building upon our incredibly successful relationship with Williams-Sonoma Inc., we are excited to launch a great new line of merchandise at Williams-Sonoma stores, bringing the Marvel brand to another audience and product segment," said Paul Gitter, President of Consumer Products for North America, Marvel Entertainment. "We are working with Williams-Sonoma on helping kids and adults spend time together in the kitchen."

The products will be available at Williams-Sonoma stores in the U.S. and Canada, and also via catalog and online at www.williams-sonoma.com.