Geek of Oz

The good folks at Marvel have supplied us with a sneak peek at the upcoming Fantastic Four #584 and the second printing variant for the hot sell-out issue #583 which kick started the Three  storyline. Critics and fans have had their blown by Hickman and Epting's run on Marvel's first family. 

The good folks at Paramount have supplied us with a trailer for the upcoming Coen Brothers film "True Grit". Starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and introducing Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit tells the story of a 14-year-old girl who joins an aging U.S. marshal (Bridges) and another lawman (Damon) in tracking her father's killer into hostile Indian territory. The film is an adaptation of Charles Portis’ original novel. Sticking more closely to the source material than the 1969 feature adaptation starring Western icon John Wayne, the Coens' True Grit tells the story from the young girl's perspective, and re-teams the celebrated filmmaking duo with their No Country for Old Men screenwriting partner Scott Rudin.

Check out the trailer for suspense/thriller "The American" starring Academy Award Winner George Clooney, Bruce Altman and Thelka Reuten of "In Bruges" fame. The film will be released in Australia on the 11th of November 2010 and has an MA+ rating for strong sex scenes (ooh la la!)

The good folks at Marvel have supplied us with a sneak peek at Deadpool #28  from writer Daniel Way and artist Carlo Barberi. Deadpool has been recruited into the Secret Avengers by none other than Captain Steve Rogers himself. Problem being, the merc with a mouth has always struggled with the covert side of things.

Marvel have supplied us with a preview of Incredible Hulks #615 by THE Hulk scribe Greg Pak and drawn by Barry Kitson.  The Dark Son saga continues and leaves Hulk with an impossible decision to make, his world or his son.  These decisions will test the mettle of Hulk's ever increasing brood as well as his allegiance to old friends. Check it out when it hits shelves on the 27th of October.

Image Comics have sent through a rather cryptic teaser. Could this really be the end for Robert Kirkman's the Walking Dead? I doubt it but I've been wrong before. It all starts in issue #80 of The Walking Dead in the "No Way Out" arc.

X-23 #1 2nd Printing Marvel have supplied us with a sneak peek at X-23 #2 by the absolutely cracking team of Marjorie M. Liu and Will Conrad. If you've been to GeekOfOz before you will already know how much I enjoyed X-23 so there's no real need to bang on about it again. Check out my interview with writer Marjorie M. Liu  here. Wolverine's soul has been sent to Hell while his body remains on earth, terrorising his nearest and dearest.

The good folks at Marvel have supplied us with a first look at Black Widow #7 by the  creative team of Duane Swierczynski and Manuel Garcia. A man taken hostage and the only thing he knows about his captor: skilled, beautiful and deadly.

The good folks from the house of ideas have supplied us with a first look at  Carnage #1 , from the explosive creative team of Zeb Wells and Clayton Crain. Carnage has returned and he is more powerful and ticked off than ever. But this time it's not just the web-head in his sights, enter the Iron Man!

The good folks at Marvel Comics have supplied us with a sneak peek at Octobers  Incognito: Bad Influences #1 by t he Eisner Award-winning team of Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips and Val Staples. 

Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Wee Man and the rest of the goons are back on the bis screen in Jackass 3D, released in Australia on November 4th. Now, considering how over the top the stunts and pranks were in the first movie, one can only imagine what kind of hijinks they will get up to this time around.  The folks at Paramount Pictures have supplied us with a big "high five" for your viewing pleasure...

In anticipation of the Australian release of Paranormal Activity 2 on October 21st the good folks at Paramount Pictures have released quick 1 minute teaser. A couple of things to note, at around the 45 second mark it appears that the baby is sleeping in the cot although standing in the reflection and I can't really make it out but there looks to be something drawn on the floor in the reflection. Fingers crossed that the sequel will be as creepy as the original.

The folks from the house of ideas have supplied us with a sneak pek at Chaos War #2 (of 5) written by the New York Times best-selling team of Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente and Khoi Pham. All of the big guns will be out in action, Hercules, Thor, Iron Man and Wolverine take on against the Chaos King to try and stop his reality altering assault. Brother draws a mean Galactus!

The good folks at Marvel Comics have released a sneak peek at Octobers release of  Loki #1 (of 4) by  writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Sebastian Fiumara. I'm a sucker for Thor at the moment, there's a whole bunch of quality work coming out and Loki looks to hold true to form.

  Read on true believers for this weeks releases from the house of ideas! Looks like a pretty lean week, not that I'm complaining. I like the books it's just the paying for them that kills me!

Comic books have always been good to me. They've never stolen from me or made fun of my multitude of physical flaws. My copy Ultimate Spiderman #1 did up and run away with a friend and I'm still hurting about that... it was fun while it lasted. But comic books don't just explode into being. Contrary to popular belief they are not magical artifacts but pieces of work created by man (and woman). So in saying that comic books have never wronged me what I'm actually saying is that it is the comic book creators who have never done me wrong. They write the books that make me a happy chap. This is why I just don't understand, or tolerate, haters. I'll explain more but only if you choose to read on. It's like a choose your own adventure book except that there's only one outcome... and the choice is to read or not to read... that is the question... whether tis nobler... okay I'll stop now. Many fanboys can be brutal and take great pleasure in voicing their ...

I'm not sure why, but I just keep getting interviews with some of the biggest names in comic books. Some say it's because of my devilishly good looks, to this my wife says 'nay! It's far more likely to be out of pity but either way, I'll take it. Read on for our chat about digital comics, medical opinions on event fatigue and Crocodile Dundee. So here today I present to you the current writer of Avengers, New Avengers, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man and the massive smash hit Scarlet, Mr. Brian Michael Bendis. 

Just a quick update for anyone who was interested in my post on the encyclopedic new release The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force by Daniel Wallace, located here , you should know that Mr Wallace has posted further information and a video on his blog  over here!  He has also informed me that "The Jedi Path" is available at most major outlets worldwide and from Amazon US, UK, France, Germany and Japan (still no Australia, bugger). That being said, Amazon will ship to just about anywhere so not all is lost! Mr Wallace himself has noted that Amazon France could prove the cheapest option for Aussie fans although with the surge in the USD and JPY it would pay to shop around. I know I shouldn't be so excited about this... but I am!

  Welcome back true believers! Marvel have supplied us with a sneak peak at the upcomics Hulk #26 written by  Jeff Parker with art by Gabriel Hardman. Thor VS Red Hulk... plus Galactus... 'nuff said!

Chaos War: Chaos King #1 The good folks at Marvel Comics have provided us with a sneak peak at the first issue of Chaos War: Chaos King #1. Do yourslef a favour and click on the images to enlarge. Here be some incredibly pretty art by William W.M. Kaluta.

Written by Alex Grecian and drawn by Riley Rossmo (COWBOY NINJA VIKING), PROOF was a massive hit over its 28-issue run. PROOF: ENDANGERED is the much anticipated ongoing chapter in cult-hit series.

The good folks from Marvel have provided us with a preview of the upcoming Secret Avengers #6 due to be released on the 27th of October.  Written by Ed Brubaker and with art by Mike Deodato Jr, Secret Avengers tells the story of a black ops team of superheroes, assembled by Steve Rogers in order to undertake all of the operations "unsuitable" for the other Avengers teams.

Dependant on popular demand I'm going to use this space to explain how I became the massively geeky chap that I am today. If the folks at home want to hear it, hear it they shall. This is the story of how I became the geek that I am today.

News from the good folks at Image Comics is that everyones favourite half dragon, half human teenager is hitting shelves on the 1st of December in Firebreather Vol 3: Holmgang #1. What would you call a half human, half dragon? Humon sounds too close to human and Dragman just sounds like a butch Drag Queen...

FF #583 Second Printing News from Marvel is showing that Fantastic Four #583 which kicks off the anticipated "Three" storyline has sold out before it actually went on sale! Including variants! This is further proof to the fact that at present Jonathan Hickman can do no wrong. I've been reading S.H.I.E.L.D and loving it, I don't actually know what's going on but I know I like it... But never fear true believers, as always, second printing variants are on their way to fill the void.

This December will see the release of an all-new series telling the story of a new oceanic hero, MARINEMAN, written and illustrated by Mr Ian Churchill (Elephantmen, Hulk, Supergirl, Uncanny X-Men). The folks at Image have been so kind as to supply us with the cover art for the upcoming first issue.

The folks at the House of Ideas have sent through this preview of Captain America: Patriot #3 by was of a little electronic homing pigeon named Herbert. I have to say, Breitweiser's art is a great match for the setting of this series. If I were taking an IQ test I would state "Breitweiser is to Captain America: Patriot what Cooke was to Justice League: The New Frontier". First of all, a couple of quotes which I've CUT AND PASTED from the press release, much to the chagrin of Mr Bendis. I'm sorry Mr. Bendis, please don't judge me!

Before anyone from the North Shore of Sydney gets excited, the title of this entry was stating that Disney's Beauty and the Beast is being performed live, in person, by the Berowra Musical Society. I'd hate for anyone to think that Belle and Sebastian had moved into a townhouse around Wahroonga.

Ratatoullie was cool and everyone loved Danger Mouse but I think we all know that the Mice Templar could wipe the floor with all of them. This December the award winning series is back!

Shadowland #4 The good folks at the House of Ideas have released this preview at the upcoming Shadowland #4 by Andy Diggle and Billy Tan. I have one small question... does Wolverine have super speed? Because he's absolutely everywhere at the moment. Not complaining, just saying...

Avengers vs Pet Avengers Issue #1 Now people may think that the Pet Avengers is silly and childish and for the most part you'd be true. But the truth is, these are some incredibly fun books with some of the prettiest art going around. I loved the first two minis and I'll definitely be picking up this book up. Thanks to Marvel for supplying this preview which at 8 pages long is nearly half the book!

Image Comics have released this somewhat depressing teaser image for what is presumably the beginning of a new story arc in Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead. I guess we'll have to wait and find out in issue #80, hitting shelves in December.

Good news from the folks at Marvel Animation with the premiere of The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes on Disney XD as well as a whole swathe of micro-episodes being available online! Which is good news for us in Australia, who knows when we're going to get it? We only started getting The Brady Bunch last year!

Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #7 on sale 27 October The superstars just keep coming here at The Geek Of Oz! This time I had the opportunity to speak with one of my favourite writers out there at the moment, Mr Paul Tobin. The scribe of the current Marvel Adventures Super Heroes and Spider-Man books and upcoming relaunch of Spider-Girl.

Gadzooks! Image Comics Morning Glories issue #1 has hit the trifectaby selling out once again from the distribution level. To keep up with demand a fourth printing variant will be released with an all new cover featuring the work of interior artist Joe Eisma. I have to say, after report on the sell out last week I went out and bought issue number #1 of Morning Glories. It really is a phenomenon... it is officially on my WIFE's pull list! 

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at  Ultimate Comics New Ultimates #4 , from the superstar creative team of writer Jeph Loeb and artist Frank Cho! IT’S THOR VS. THE ULTIMATES!  Thor’s returned from the underworld, but that’s not good news—he’s on a rampage!

Issue #2 Cover The House of Ideas have graced us with a preview of the highly anticipated second issue of Daken: Dark Wolverine. Love him or hate him there's no denying... Daken is one smooth so and so! Also note the sultry return of the shape changing sex bomb Mystique. NO DON'T DO IT DAKEN, SHE AND YOUR DAD... you know...

The House of Ideas have been so kind as to supply us with a preview of New Avengers #5 due for release on the 13th of October. I personally have really been enjoying this series so far. It has introduced me to a small handful of characters that I've never really been exposed to. Also, Immomen's art is as sharp as ever!

I don't want anyone out there to think that I'm in any way a technophobe or an old fuddy duddy because that's not the case. I love technology, I could not live without it. Technology boils water for my cups of tea, it cooks my crumpets and it keeps my whites white and my colours bright. The problem is that I just can't imagine getting the same level of satisfaction from reading digital comics and books as I do from the "real" thing. And for some reason I can imagine that many geeks would feel the same. I just realised much "cooks my crumpets" sounds like a sexual metaphor.

The good folks at THQ have sent through a sneak peek reveal at the line up for WWE Smack Down VS Raw 2011 as well as a number of screen shots.

X-23 Issue #2 On Sale October 20th I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Marjorie M. Liu, author of the Hunter Kiss novels and writer of the recently relaunched Daken: Dark Wolverine and X-23 for Marvel Comics.

Marvel is pleased to announce the next series in the New York Times best-selling line of  Dark Tower  adaptations with  Dark Tower: The Gunslinger – The Little Sisters Of Eluria ! Join renowned scribes Robin Furth and Peter David as they welcome acclaimed artist Luke Ross into the ka-tet of creators entrusted by Stephen King himself to bring the adult adventures of his most personal creation to life! 

X-Men #4 Cove r I have really been enjoying the relaunched X-Men series by Victor Gischler and Paco Medina, and luckily enough the good folks at Marvel have supplied us with a sneak peak of issue #4 as well as the 2nd printing variant of X-Men #3. One question remains, when did Jubilee get implants?

Marvel have confirmed our suspicions that Heroes for Hire will return in December. The announcement image shows fan favourite Iron Fist, Moon Knight, Elektra, Punisher and Ghost Rider... At this rate I may have to put it on my pull list! 

Look at all these comic books. It makes me so happy but yet so sad... all my hard earned money just disappears at the same time every week. This week looks like an unofficial Avengers week! Avengers, Academy, Secret GOOD GRAVY! Also, if you haven't jumped on board yet grab yourself a copy of Thor: Double Rainbow, reprinting the first 2 issues of Thor: The Mighty Avenger.

The Jedi Path Faux - Leather Bound Cover Padawans, Sith Lords, Jedi Knights, lend me your ears! We have a preview of the upcoming book Star Wars encyclopedia, The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force by Daniel Wallace. THE JEDI PATH: A MANUAL FOR STUDENTS OF THE FORCE is a handbook, created for students of the Force to help them on their path to becoming a Jedi Master, now that it has been rediscovered, balance in the Force, there will be.

Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #6 COVER BY: Clayton Henry WRITER: Paul Tobin PENCILS:  Ronan Cliquet COLORED BY: Christopher Sotomayor LETTERED BY: David L. Sharpe It's almost a waste of time for me to write this review because I've already spoken about my love of Paul Tobin's writing and these Adventures books. But I will anyway...

The currently out of print Elephantmen Vol. 1 trade paperback will go back to print for a November release. It has been expanded and revised and will include the sold out issue zero, painted by LADRÖNN, and an all-new sketchbook section by Moritat and the ENGLISH & MEDIA STUDIES back matter from the single issues!

The House of Ideas have been teasing up a storm in the last few days! This time in relation to the return of the Illuminati in Avengers #8. 

Marvel have release another 2 images in their "For Hire" teaser campaign, with the assumption that it relates to the December relaunch of Heroes for Hire.

Scarlet #2 Second Print Variant Get your sneak peek at  Scarlet #3 , the latest issue of the wildly successful creator-owned comic from Eisner Award winning team, writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev! So far we've seen Scarlet take on the world in hopes to make it a better place.Unfortunately for Scarlet, there are those who would love to see her fail. Find out who in the upcoming Scarlet #3.

You heard right true believers! Marvel has announced that best-selling author David Liss and artist Francesco Francavilla will be the launch team for the all-new   Black Panther: The Man Without Fear  this December!

Marvel have lovingly supplied a sneak peek at   Invincible Iron Man #31 , the latest issue of the “Stark Resilient” story arc from the Eisner Award winners Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca which hits shelves October 13th.