In the Spotlight: Gil Kane

Gil Kane was probably one of the first comic book artists whose style I recognized as unique when I was a kid. He was such a huge figure in comics in my first years reading them, that it's hard to believe he's been gone for so long. Gil Kane died in Florida January 31st, 2000 at the age of 74.

His amazingly fluid, dynamic figure work stood out brilliantly from other artists of the 70s, when I began reading comics. Later, of course, I would easily distinguish Curt Swan as being different from, say, Ross Andru -- but Kane's style was so singular, so -- visionary -- that it's hard to imagine a comics reader of any age wouldn't be able to pick up on him pretty quickly.

Kane's work on Spider-Man and Daredevil for Marvel Comics was what first caught my attention. His depictions of these characters was perfect -- not a line was wasted. That was true of most of Kane's work.

Later I sought out his earlier work, the work I was born too late to buy off the racks. Green Lantern, The Atom, the extraordinary His Name Is Savage -- Kane always had it, it seemed -- that ability to illustrate the human form at a state of perfection. And then to cast those perfect superbeings into the chaos of violence.

Unlike many of the greatest artists of the artform, a company in which Kane certainly belongs, he was recognized as a master. I don't know if he received the financial reward his work deserved (probably not, I'd guess; few comics artists born before the mid-'60s ever got what they deserved from the companies that profited off them) -- but he received many accolades over the years, and one hopes he knew how much his work was loved.

A great example of that is the story Alan Moore wrote for him that was published as Judgment Day: Aftermath, originally published by Rob Liefeld's Awesome Comics and later reprinted in trade paperback form by Checker Books. Moore created a story that celebrated Kane's imagination and skill, and best of all we got to see the story drawn by Kane himself. If you haven't read this story, seek it out; it's a treat for the eyes and Moore's ending is touching.

It's ironic that Rob Liefeld's Awesome published that story, because I've often said I'd give my left arm if I could draw like Kane. I've also said I'd gladly give both arms to not be able to "draw" like Liefeld. It seems even the rightly-ridiculed, talentless Liefeld recognized what a great comics artist Kane was.

Kane's talent was best served when he inked himself, as he usually did in the latter part of his career. I still remember the crushing disappointment I felt after discovering Danny Bulanadi had been hired to embellish Kane on Marvel's Micronauts series. I never much cared for the stories in that comic, but the artwork was nothing short of amazing when the title was introduced with penciler Michael Golden. When Kane took over, I was thrilled at the news, but Bulanadi's heavy-handed inking was wholly inappropriate to the task at hand, and Kane reportedly preferred his own inking in most cases anyway.

Kane completed a two-part Atom/Green Lantern story for the DC anthology series Legends of the DC Universe, which was released soon after his passing. Kane's pencil work was inked by Klaus Janson, always one of Kane's better collaborators, and wrioter Steven Grant tailored the story to Kane's storytelling strengths. It was a fine story to go out on, and one worth looking for.

Another wonderful example of Kane's powerful, latter-day work is The Last Heroes, a hardcover collection of Kane's 1990s series (also with writer Steven Grant). You won't find a more visually powerful superhero story.

A lot of Kane's best work remains in print, but one thing I would like to see is a collection of his 1970s Marvel covers. Kane was Marvel's main cover illustrator for quite a stretch in the '70s. A hardcover collection of the best of those covers would look great on any collector's bookshelf, and if any penciled versions of those covers could be included for comparison, the book would truly be a valuable historical document of the artform.

Kane did some wonderful, Pre-Crisis Superman work, which I would love to see collected in a hardcover with perhaps some of the production sketches he did for the 1980s Superman cartoon.

There is a generally recognized elite of comics artists of the 20th Century: Kirby, Kurtzman, and Kane are now gone, but their work lives on. Make sure, as you explore the wonders of the comics artform, that you take the time to see why they are so well respected long after their passing. You won't regret it a bit.

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Click here to see a list of comics and graphic novels I have available for sale.

Have a comics-related question for Alan? Send it to alandaviddoane AT gmail.com and he will answer it in a future post.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Phoenix Comicon

Geeks unite Jan. 25-27 at Phoenix Comicon, a convention bringing together comics collectors, actors, comic book artists, anime voice actors and authors. Convention director Matt Solberg said 'comicon' is a catchall term to the comic book community. This year's comicon features a zombie beauty pageant, Jedi light saber training for kids, a fashion show of Japan's extreme street wear, an art auction, a costume contest and anime dodge ball. Attendees also can meet their favorite authors, actors and artists, participate in how-to sessions with professors from Collins College and the Art Institute of Phoenix, sit in on question-and-answer panels and compete in gaming and art tournaments.
The favorite attractions vary among fans, Solberg said, but generally, meeting the film and TV stars of programs such as Star Wars and Star Trek is the most popular. It's really about "being able to hang out with friends and others who share similar interests," he said.
The first comicon Solberg put together was in June 2002. It was a one-day event that lasted about six hours, a far cry from the three-day event held now. Last year, 3,200 comics enthusiasts showed up for the convention.
Lou Ferrigno of TV's Incredible Hulk will meet with fans and talk about the upcoming Hulk movie, in which he makes an appearance. "Greeting the fans is something I really enjoy doing," he said. "The fans helped make me who I am today." Ferrigno, 56, has been active in conventions for years and will attend one in Arizona for the first time. He's been to the state before but only for a short time. "I'm looking forward to coming to the show, spending time in Phoenix and meeting my fans," he said.
For more of the original article, as well as convention information and prices, click here.

Spider-Man And Mary Jane Call It Quits

I've only been on vacation one week, in Hollywood no less, and celebrities have been having babies, a predicted favorite football team of mine lost, and divorces are always in the headlines, but Spider-Man splitting with Mary Jane? I did not see this one coming, and I am not sure how to react to it, but this article from FOXNews helps clarify some details.
Joe Quesada, editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics, believes it is time to shake things up in the life of Peter Parker, the nerdy New Yorker who upon being bitten by a radioactive spider attained the ability to transform himself into a web-spinning world savior. And it was easier to do that, he said, if Parker wasn't married.
Still, as the writer and artist who created the story that transformed Spider-Man into Single-Man earlier this month, Quesada has made himself about as popular with some of his readers as the villainous Green Goblin. "When we first did it, the reaction was, 'How could you do this? This is a terrible thing to do," he recalled. "But with the first issue of 'Brand New Day' [in which Spider-Man returns to single life], our letters very quickly changed to people saying, 'This is fantastic. This is the Spider-Man we remembered. We didn't know what we'd been missing."
To briefly recap Spider-Man's trials and tribulations, his beloved Aunt May was recently wounded by an assassin. To save her life he and Mary Jane struck a deal with the devil-like Mephisto in which she would be restored to good health if they allowed Mephisto to erase every memory of their time as a married couple.
Reaction from the critics was swift.
"Considering I have been reading Spider-Man for exactly 20 years now, and that seems to be the amount of time Joe Q. has decided to rip from Spider-Man continuity, can I simply return all of my Spider-Man comics for a full refund?" asked one of the more polite postings on Marvel's Internet message boards. "It's heresy for some people," laughed Dave Pifer, who runs the Secret Headquarters comic book store in Los Angeles. Others, however, have been more quick to adapt. "The ones who are new to superheroes like Spider-Man, they're excited about it," Pifer said. "They feel like they're starting at the beginning." One message poster even joked that the beautiful Mary Jane, who remains in the Spider-Man cast, is free now to pursue Brad Pitt.
But what of the man who created Spider-Man? What does he think? "I think it's a very creative idea. It should stimulate a lot of interest in the characters and the books, and I'm eager to see what happens next," said Stan Lee, who wasn't involved in the current story.
It was Lee who married Spider-Man and Mary Jane in a mock ceremony at New York's Shea Stadium in 1987.
"Amazing that they're not even middle-aged yet," Lee quipped.
So how do our comics collectors feel? You tell us!

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull Comic Adaptation

Adapting comic books to the big screen is nothing new for the comic industry. When looking at Wikipedia, one can see the recent surge in comics-to-silver screen popularity among comic collectors and movie mavens alike. Marvel has had Blade, X-Men, Spiderman, and Ghost Rider adapted just to name a few. DC's list includes fan favorites Batman Begins, Superman Returns, and V for Vendetta. But in the following case, the reverse has happened. According to the January 2008 issue of The Comic Shop's Catalog, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is set to release a 96 page comic adaptation on May 22.
According to the excerpt “the intrepid Doctor Henry Jones Jr. is back in his biggest adventure yet! This time, the world-renowned archaeologist finds himself caught in a series of events that all point to a discovery unlike any other. But will his rivals in pursuit of this priceless treasure seize his quarry right from under his nose? Not if he, and a few unexpected companions, have anything to say about it! The thrill and the humor, the action and the romance, the hat and the whip—everything you love about Indy is here! This is a tale sure to please longtime fans as well as foster a whole generation of new ones!” Sounds like an interesting read to Indy fans. Be sure to add it to your collection when you pick it up!

Comic Proportions Quotable Top 9 Comics Of 2007

I found a great blog by Carlton Hargro that appeals to any comics collector listing the "Comic Proportions Quotable Top 9 Comics of 2007." I PG'd the wording up a bit, so if you care for more colorful language, click the link above for the original article.

Action Comics (DC Comics): "Let's face it, Superman is a tough character to write. He's been around since the 1930s and there ain't much new stuff you can do to the guy. Johns' way of turning back the clock, at the very least, freshens up the character. I'm all for freshness."

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 (Dark Horse Comics): "If you're a Buffy fan, you should be reading this. And if you're not, pick it up because it's a compelling read with action, humor and pathos."

Doktor Sleepless (Avatar): "The 'hero' of the book -- Doktor Sleepless -- follows in the footsteps of Ellis protagonists like Spider Jerusalem, Richard Fell, Desolation Jones and more ... meaning he's smart, he's a rebel, he's an outcast and a complete ***. I love the brain-numbing amount of off-the-wall science speak ... Here's an example of some of the crazy lines that Doktor Sleepless spouts off in, like, every panel: 'Electricity can only be replenished by whiskey. This is actual physics. Do not argue with me. I am a doktor.' Crazy, eh?"

Fell (Image Comics): "Honestly, I'm usually not a big fan of mystery comics, but Ellis is a master at making a sometimes-boring genre exciting and bizarre. One of the cooler features of the book is the actual page structure; Ellis and Templesmith have created a panel grid that makes reading the 16-page comic seem like you're reading a 32-page comic."

Green Lantern, "Sinestro Corps War"(DC Comics): "Forget all those other DC crossovers and big-time storylines -- "The Sinestro Corps [War]" is the best epic going on at DC. And what makes it so good? The villains. Writer Geoff Johns has assembled the most hardcore crew of villains I've ever seen in the DCU -- and he's given them a common goal. The Sinestro Corps is the type of evil team that makes you wonder how the heroes will actually win. And, really, it's about time. The Green Lantern's ring is the most powerful weapon in the universe and Johns has finally given it an equally powerful opposite number."

Immortal Iron Fist (Marvel Comics): "Matt Fraction and Ed Brubaker understand the appeal and unique qualities of Iron Fist. They've transformed a poor-man's Bruce Lee into a complex, interesting and multi-layered character. In past Iron Fist series, the writers seemed content to take a pretty undeveloped hero and just throw him in stories where he's drop-kicking a bunch of generic bad guys. Fraction and Brubaker, however, have created a rich mythology surrounding the character and his powers."

Mighty Avengers (Marvel Comics): "[Brain Michael Bendis'] approach to Mighty [Avengers] is almost the total opposite of what he does on New [Avengers]. He's loaded the comic with heavyweights like Wonder Man, Sentry, and Ares (the god of war) instead of scrubs like Echo and Ronin -- and he's downplayed the tongue action to play up the fisticuffs and explosions. If you hate Bendis, you'll love Mighty Avengers. Oh, and the art in the first six issues is by Frank Cho, and it's good."

Thor (Marvel Comics): "Looking back on the history of the character, Thor has always done best when he's done big. Big allies. Big adversaries. Big scenery. (I mean, the dude is a god.) And in this brand new No. 1, writer Straczynski succeeds at capturing Thor's big scale and scope. I love it. Every. Page."

Walking Dead, hardcover No. 1 (Image Comics): "I thoroughly enjoyed reading this comic, about a world overrun by zombies, from the beginning. Truthfully, I now think this series is best enjoyed from the beginning. Read it from issue No. 1 and you get to see how all these relationships started and the underlying emotional conflicts that have come to define the characters -- making this hardcover required reading for anyone interested in jumping on the book."

Headlocked: Work of Art

Since its release on October 31, Headlocked: Work of Art has garnered near unanimous praise from both the wrestling and the comic book world. The book was hailed as "one of the year's best comics" in a 5 star review from Silver Bullet Comics and as "a non-condescending and realistic view of the world of rasslin’" from the Encyclopedia of Wrestling Comics.
Kingston's myspace page features pictures and quotes from a variety of wrestlers endorsing the book including Samoa Joe, Greg Valentine, Shawn Daivari, Chris Hero, Justin Credible, Dawn Marie, Blue Meanie, and Sara Del Rey. Based on the initial response, a new mini-series has been greenlit by publisher AAM/Markosia and is currently in production.
So while the book has been very well received it has become very difficult to find on the shelves. If you are a comics collector, and missed out on the initial offering of Headlocked: Work of Art for whatever reason, it is still possible to obtain a first printing of the book.
With a bright future and a low initial print run, Headlocked:Work of Art seems primed to become a collector's item. Kingston already has some big surprises lined up for the next series so he advises people to get their re-orders in for Headlocked: Work of Art before they're all gone.
If you have this book, add it into your iTaggit collection and let us know what you think about it! For more of Michael Kingston's article, click here.

New Degrees Available For Graphic Novelists

This article may be of some interest to those interested in comics and their rise in popularity. Carol Tyler is a professional cartoonist and graphic novelist, and she began teaching a comics art class last year at the University of Cincinnati. Hers is one of several such classes that have been added to fine arts curriculums as academic respect has grown for the graphic novelist community. “Schools are now recognizing the creative and commercial value of comic books,” Tyler said. “An interest in comics and cartooning doesn't have to be a secret any more.” Demand is growing for entry into the already established courses, and some schools are having to implement waiting lists to take classes. For example, The Savannah College of Art and Design offered comics art in 1992 as an elective to a handful of students. The school now has nearly 300 undergraduates and 50 graduate students pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees in sequential art, also known as comics art. Now as a young comics collector, the opportunity to pursue a career in their field of interest is becoming more attainable. Check out the rest of the article here for more information.

Time To Organize Holiday Gifts

Hello iTaggit friends,

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season! I was very pleased when some of my items from my iTaggit wish list appeared under the tree this year. I especially look forward to setting up my new green iPod mini! I hope all of you comic collectors out there received some great collectible additions, all of you antique and art aficionados acquired new pieces to be displayed in your homes, and of course all of you entertainment enthusiasts added new games, music, and dvds to your shelves, but all of you must be sure and add them to your iTaggit collection and share them with the rest of our community! There's no time like the present to get started on your birthday wish lists, and our Gallery is a great place to find ideas. I look forward to seeing what you all add, ask us if you need your collections valued, and I hope you have a happy new year!

UN Joins Forces With Marvel Comics

Any comics collector might find this an interesting idea for modern times. In a move reminiscent of story-lines developed during the second world war, the UN is joining forces with Marvel Comics, creators of Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk, to create a comic book showing the international body working with superheroes to solve bloody conflicts and rid the world of disease. The comic, initially to be distributed free to US schoolchildren, will be set in a war-torn fictional country and feature superheroes such as Spider-Man working with UN agencies such as Unicef and the “blue hats”, the UN peace-keepers. Camilla Schippa, chief of office at the UN Office for Partnerships, told the Financial Times the script was being written now and the final storyline was due to be approved in February. The cartoonists are working for free. After publication in the US, the UN hopes to translate the comics into French and other languages and distribute them elsewhere, Ms Schippa said. Although the UN did not come up with the initiative, the measure could help revive the body’s troubled image in the US, where relations have been strained.
The latest UN initiative is not the first time US comics have been used for political purposes. During the second world war, superheroes were shown taking on Germany’s Nazi regime. Marvel’s Captain America, together with other characters such as Superman, were shown beating up Adolf Hitler.
The UN’s goals are somewhat different: according to its website, it hopes the comics will teach children the value of international co-operation and sensitize them to the problems faced in other parts of the world. Click here to read the rest of the original article.

SPLASTK - First Web Syndicated Comic Book Fueled Video Network

Platinum Studios, Inc., an entertainment company that controls an independent library of comic book characters from all over the world, and Comflix Studios, Inc., a Los Angeles and New York based multi-media company, have created "Splastk," the first web syndicated on-demand video network featuring free comic book-inspired animated content powered by the Splastk player and anchored by http://www.Splastk.com.
"Adding a dynamic element to the static print comic is the specialty of Comflix Studios," said Platinum Studios President, Brian Altounian. The partnership supplies targeted premium content while enhancing the overall experience for the comics collector looking to find something new. The customized Java-based player, compatible with any web browser, will host original material as well as aggregate content from multiple sources to deliver video simultaneously to a growing network of pop culture sites. Splastk animated videos are free to site users and are sponsored by brief, pre-roll targeted advertisements.
The network is currently anchored by a number of sites centered around the web-comics community including http://www.DrunkDuck.com, http://www.comflix.net, http://www.comics2film.com, http://www.topwebcomics.com, http://www.keentoons.com, and http://www.smackjeeves.com. The wide range of titles and themes in the Platinum Studios Comics library are coupled with the production capabilities of Comflix. Current available video titles on the Splastk player include Dracula vs. King Arthur and The Last Sin of Mark Grimm from Comflix Studios, as well as Dylan Dog and Sidekicks from Platinum Studios. Upcoming planned productions include adaptations of Platinum's Hero By Night series and Cowboys & Aliens. For more information, click here for the original press release in it's entirety.

The Marvel Comics Summit

Did you know that all of the creative minds behind the Marvel Universe are meeting up this very minute (if you are reading this between 9:00am and 4:00pm EST) to discuss the fate of your favorite comics' characters? Well I didn't until this morning, so I found these updates through out the day very helpful in keeping up. Here's their example of what happens in the Hulk Room:

"What exactly happens at a Creative Summit? Here's the setting: A huge room with tables arranged in a giant square. In the front of the room, a giant chart hangs – broken up by Marvel publishing groups (Marvel Universe Heroes, Ultimate Universe, X-Men and Spider-Man) and then by months (January 2008 – July 2009). Editor-in-Chief, Joe Quesada, and President/Publisher Dan Buckley sit side by side. To their left moving around the circle (ok, square) is Matt Fraction, Ed Brubaker, C.B. Cebulski, Dan Slott, Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, Brian Michael Bendis, a slew of Marvel editors, Greg Pak, more Marvel editorial staff – hello Ralph Macchio – and then Jeph Loeb, Allan Heinberg and more editors and staff than you can shake a Donald Blake walking stick at! So, you can imagine the ideas whirling around the room – and whirl they did…"

Click here for a direct link to the constantly updating page and don't forget to manage your collectibles with iTaggit. Enjoy Marvel fans!

The Bag Lady's Collection

They say one person's trash is another's treasure, but check out the level to which this "bag lady" has taken collecting to in THIS VIDEO.

Its going to take me a few times to try to catch all of the things she has compiled in her house. I did not see any memorabilia, antiques, or comics which are usually included in some form or another in an avid collectors keepings, but that's not to say they aren't there. See what all you can spot.

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is based on the Batman comics, but most of its influences come from Batman: The Long Halloween, according to screenwriter David S. Goyer. It is set to hit theaters in Summer 2008, but the anticipation over the first full-length preview release is already building. The preview is expected to debut when I Am Legend is released this coming Friday. Until then, I will share with you the official movie poster that was released last Tuesday, as well as some trivia I found on IMDb.com about the upcoming sequel to Batman Begins. Don't forget to use our “What's My Item Worth” section for a comic book price guide.

Hugh Jackman, Ryan Phillippe, Liev Schrieber, and Josh Lucas expressed

As a joke, one bat suit was made with nipples. It was presented to Christian Bale as the real bat suit, but he knew instantly it was a joke, having seen a few design pictures during preproduction. He did pose for some publicity photos in the “nipple” suit.

This is the first Batman film not to have “Batman” in the title.

At the time when the Penguin was rumored to be in the movie, Bob Hoskins appeared as a fan favorite. He stated that he would have loved to protray the role and work with Christopher Nolan, calling him a fantastic director. Nolan then stated he had no intention of using the Penguin, calling him a too far-fetched character.

Robin Williams, Lachy Hulme, Paul Bettany, and Adrien Brody all expressed interest for the role of the Joker before Heath Ledger was cast. Sean Penn was the original choice.

When asked, “Why Heath Ledger as the Joker?” Christopher Nolan said, “Because he's fearless.”

Turning down a salary estimated at between $1 million and $2 million – an increase over the roughly $1 million she was believed to have earned for Batman Begins (2005) – Katie Holmes chose not to reprise her role as Rachel Dawes. This was due to what was described as 'scheduling conflicts'.

Jerry Robinson, who is credited as one of the original creators of the Joker, served as a consultant on the film.

Before Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes in the role of Rachel Dawes, both Rachel McAdams and Emily Blunt were rumored for the part.

While filming on the streets of Chicago in April 2007, the filming was carried out under the fake movie title “Rory's First Kiss”. Fliers regarding the filming carried this fake title, complete with a fake “RFK” logo for the movie and an address for the film's production offices.

One of the extra's military uniforms has the name “Philo” on it, after the film's extras casting director, Joan Philo.

Marvel Releases 2,500 Comics Online Today

Comic book readers and collectors have a new medium to look forward to in the Marvel world. Today, Marvel is releasing over 2,500 issues of various origin back-stories on their website. Subsequently, 20 more issues will be released every week following. Although Marvel has decided to release these issues to the online public, they will only be viewable through the site's web viewer and cannot be downloaded to the reader's machine for storage. Check out the original article by Mark “Rizzn” Hopkins from Mashable.com for the rest of the story.

30 Days Of Night Is Not For The Nyctophobic

In the sleepy and secluded town of Barrow, Alaska-the northernmost settlement in North America-its citizens are preparing for the annual coming of the Dark. It's a bitter time when the sun sets for more than thirty consecutive days and nights, and most of its inhabitants head south. But this winter, the Dark will bring a mysterious group of strangers with it. From across the frozen wasteland, a horrifying evil descends upon Barrow, mercilessly besieging its residents with unrelenting terror and swift death. And as the darkness continues and the thirty days of night seemingly have no end in sight, Barrow's only remaining hope lies with Sheriff Eben Oleson (Josh Hartnett) and Deputy Stella Oleson (Melissa George), an estranged husband and wife who are torn between saving the town they love and their own survival.

30 Days of Night author Steve Niles originally conceived of the story in the form of a film, but after meeting a lack of interest in initial pitches to studios, Niles was able to produce it as a three-part comic book mini-series with Ben Templesmith, deciding to collaborate on the project and provide artwork. The film adaptation, released in theaters today, is produced by Columbia Pictures and Ghost House Productions. The screenplay has gone through several versions and writers, including Steve Niles and Stuart Beattie (co-writer for Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl). David Slade is the director, and he casted Josh Hartnett and Melissa George as his leading roles.

(this and more information can be found on the 30 Days of Night Official Site)

You may not have a collection of comic books, baseball cards, or antiques, but you have a home full of valuables that you have spent your life collecting. iTaggit will change the way you collect, organize, and enjoy your things.

Living with the Dead - new zombie comic

Yes, the comic shelves are flooding with undead / zombie titles thanks to the success of "the walking Dead" and "Marvel Zombies" but here's a new one i found that has a fun twist. Living With the Dead

is funny well drawn with a good plot line - this is from the dark horse desription:

" Two survivors of a global catastrophe disguise themselves as corpses to survive in a land of the walking dead.

From the mind of Mike Richardson ( The Mask; The Secret) comes this hilariously frightening tale of Straw and Whip, two slackers who have lived through a plague that's left the world with seven billion brain-hungry zombies. Life is tough as they try to keep up the appearance of being like the rest of the decomposing masses, and things heat up when a damsel in distress needs their help. Will they blow their cover for a beautiful young girl, or sacrifice her in the name of rock and roll?

* Be sure to catch this three-issue series with art by Ben Stenbeck, and covers by legendary Richard Corben, making zombies fun again.

Two boys, a girl, and seven billion living dead. "

What If Hulk Hadn't Waged World War?

(as originally posted on Comic Book News)
As the summer’s biggest comic book event, World War Hulk, rages on, acclaimed writer behind it now turns his attentions to what could have been in What If? Planet Hulk. From Planet Hulk and World War Hulk author Greg Pak, artists Leonard Kirk, Rafa Sandoval and Fred Hembeck, comes this special extra-sized one-shot showing just how the year’s top selling event could have gone in three different paths! First, what if the Hulk had arrived at the intended destination of the Illuminati? Could this peaceful planet have tamed the savage Hulk? And then, what if Hulk died and his wife instead led the army against Earth? Finally, the one page story you demanded: what if Banner, not the Hulk, landed on Sakaar? That’s three stories, one issue and a stunning cover by Planet Hulk artist Carlo Pagulayan!

“If you thought Hulk was brutal in WWH, you’ve seen nothing like Caiera’s revenge story,” said editor Mark Paniccia. “The Illuminati is lucky she’s not the one who came out of the stone ship. Iron Man will loose his head when he meets her (literally). Plus there are a few other surprising tie-ins to the current mythos. The other two stories are brilliant. Greg went absolutely wild with these tales.”

That’s three different outcomes for the Hulk straight from the man writing some of the most exciting stories in the character’s history! Greg Pak and friends bring you three stories that could—perhaps should—have been featuring the Incredible Hulk as you’ve never seen him before! It’s What If? Planet Hulk and once you’ve finished this special extra-sized one shot, your jaw will be on the floor!

What If? Planet Hulk (AUG072232) will be available in stores on October 24, 2007. If you are curious about your comic's value, upload your comic's information into iTaggit's “What's My Item Worth” section, and our comics price guide can help you with comics appraisals.

New Affiliate Partnership With BCW Supplies Allows Users to Find High Quality Collecting Supplies!

iTaggit is now an affiliate of BCW Supplies! Since 1983, BCW Supplies has been providing high quality, cost-effective supplies designed to store, protect and display your valuable collectibles. BCW Supplies currently serves over 100,000 customers from around the world. Be sure to click on their ad when you see it on iTaggit, and you will be able to find the supplies you need to preserve the value of your collectibles.

I Am Iron Man!

the new trailer for the Iron Man movie is up at apple trailers. and it's awesome! I hope the end product lives up to this.

The Top Ten Moments of Comic-Con '07
(as originally written by Neil Miller)

Being about a week removed from the heart of this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego, I can say that now is the time to look back and reflect on some of the most memorable things that happened. If you were there, you could probably jot down 20-30 great moments in a matter of minutes. It was that much fun. If you weren’t there, here are 10 things that should have you kicking yourself for missing the event:

10. Tony Stark’s Car at the Omni Hotel.It wasn’t enough just to have the man himself, Robert Downey Jr. (aka Tony Stark in 2008’s IRON MAN) in the house, they had to bring his slick ride along as well. On Saturday during the Marvel Studios panel, this hot ride showed up in front of the Omni Hotel directly across from the Convention Center. I bet I could get chicks too with a ride like that…

9. The Heroes Panel . Any time you put Hayden Panettiere in a room you are going to get a reaction. The reaction was extremely positive as Hayden and her castmates gabbed on about the upcoming season of Heroes and the spin-off show, Heroes: Origins. Also exciting was the announcement that Kevin Smith would write and direct at least one episode of Origins. The show had a huge presence at this year’s Con and that’s a good thing — people just can’t seem to get enough of it.

8. The Stars of Balls of Fury.Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon and Dan Fogler were all on hand to promote their upcoming flick BALLS OF FURY. Their panel, which was part of the Focus/Rogue Studios presentation, was one of the most entertaining panels of the entire Con. “Reno 911″ co-star Cedric Yarbrough showed up in the Q&A align along with some interesting characters like Bob Stencil (more on him later). From talking about the gayness of mustaches to Thomas Lennon in spandex, these guys really know how to entertain. If their movie is half as entertaining as their panel, it is going to be one you won’t want to miss.

7. Stan Lee shows up to the Marvel Panel.Comic-Con just wouldn’t be Comic-Con without an appearance from Stan Lee. And as if it wasn’t enough that the crowd that assembled for the Marvel Studios panel was getting bombarded with footage from IRON MAN, the man himself decided to drop by and give his blessings to the flick. Stan was pumped up for IRON MAN. You should be, too.

6. The “Masters of the Web” Party and Panel.Sure there was some controversy over Robert Sanchez at IESB’s comments during the “Masters of the Web” panel on Sunday, but we should not let that overshadow the great time had by all. Saturday night’s party was one of the highlights of the entire week, hands down. Robert and Kelvin Chavez from LatinoReview.com truly know how to throw a bash. Plus the panel the next day, a panel of guys for whom I have immense respect, was both insightful and entertaining.

5. The Joyous Masses.No, I am not referring to the cult-like nature of some comic book factions. I am referring to the 123,000 strong who attended this year’s Con. They are dedicated and often costumed, but they are to be taken seriously. Like die hard sports fans, these folks are honest with themselves and not afraid to just “geek out” — something that is honorable, indeed.

4. Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy.We can’t claim to have scooped the fact that Zach Quinto would be named as Spock in the upcoming STAR TREK flick, but we can say that it makes sense. Not only was the announcement a delightful surprise, but the fact that Leonard Nimoy would be involved was also good to see. Seeing these two on stage side-by-side was eerie. Can’t wait to see the film.

3. Bob Stencil.Bob Stencil was a rather interesting character, constantly popping up to ask questions in Hall H. It turns out that he is a Comic Con veteran and a traveling comedian of sorts. His crowning moment was his discussion with the guys from BALLS OF FURY about the gayness of his mustache. Check out his MySpace page for more… You shan’t be disappointed.

2. Kevin Smith vs. a Heckler. This rather infamous event was twice as funny in person as it was watching it again later on YouTube. A non-believer in fan favorite Kevin Smith grew a pair and attempted to call him out asking, “Are you ever going to make a movie with original characters that doesn’t suck?” He forgot rule #1 of Q&A: Don’t mess with the guy with the microphone. Don’t worry, Kevin Smith reminded him. Check out the video here.

1. Jon Favreau Showing off Iron Man. By and large the best moment of the Con came on Thursday of all days. No one expected Jon Favreau to show up during the Paramount Panel, as IRON MAN had been officially moved to Saturday’s Marvel panel. But he did show up and he did show off IRON MAN. A shockwave of chills flowed through Hall H as the clip displayed Robert Downey Jr. embodying Tony Stark and donning not one, but two suits. Then as if to add the cherry on top, Iron Man was shown flying through the air followed by 2 F-22s. From that moment there was no two words that got more play during the Con than IRON MAN.

So there you have it, my own personal Top 10 Most Memorable Moments from Comic-Con 2007. I guess that closes out our Con coverage for the year. It is a little sad, really. As a Comic-Con virgin, I have to say that I have never seen anything like it. The fans. The spectacle of it all. The great people I met both in and outside of the business. It was all a bit surreal. And I can’t wait to go back next year.

To check out more on Neil Miller and his blog page, click here.