Joss Whedon Confirmed To Write And Direct "Avengers 2" 

And Also Possibly Develop Marvel TV Series

Today in a Disney investors conference call, it has been confirmed that Joss Whedon has signed on to write and direct the sequel to this summer's highly successful "The Avengers." It was also stated that Whedon is also on board to develop a live action television series featuring Marvel characters set in the same cinematic universe.
While details about "Avengers 2" and the TV series are scarce at the moment, fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the franchise is still in good hands. Stay tuned for more news as it develops.

'The Untold Story' has begun to unfold

I was one of the lucky fans to get a chance to see the premiere of the new Amazing Spiderman 3D trailer and eight minutes of footage at Sony's "The Untold Story Begins" events today. There were special screeenings all over the world connected via satellite featuring stars of the film at several of the events, Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker/Spiderman) in New York, Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy) in Brazil, and Director Marc Webb at the Los Angeles screeening I attended. The screenings were packed! I was not able to get into the first screening, so I missed the free tshirts and satellite feed of the other sites, but I did get to see Marc Webb introduce the footage during a second screening. He talked quickly about his goals for the movie and then introduced the trailer shown in 3D and then 8 minutes of 2D footage.

Go get HAMMERED with THOR this weekend!

Last night, The LA Times Hero Complex hosted a screening of the first superhero movie of the summer, THOR. Afterwards, Geoff Boucher from Hero Complex hosted a Q& A session with star, Chris Hemsworth, and director, Kenneth Branagh. The film was stunning and will hopefully kick off a big summer movie season (I don’t count Fast Five) of superheroes. Branagh and Hemsworth provided some great insight into the making of the film and even a small tease about a sequel. Read on for a SPOILER FREE review.

WonderCon 2011 - Day One

Day one of the 25th Wonder Con is officially over and what a day it was. The con had developed some major hype leading up to it's opening days with news of the presence of the Green Lantern movie cast and several big comic book names making appearances to the promise of never before seen footage, premieres and big comics announcements. WonderCon was in such high demand that 3 day passes were not able to be sold on site and it looks like 1-day, Saturday passes will also be sold out. If you did not have a chance to make it to San Francisco for the big weekend, read on for coverage from Fanboy HQ's first day on site.

As always, the day starts with lines. Lines to get inside, lines to get exclusives, and lines to get in more lines. The big event of the day was the Green Lantern film panel being held in the early evening hours including appearances by the stars Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively and moderated by Green Lantern creative genius, Geoff Johns.

Check out our Green Lantern article here for more details on the panel. And you can see more pictures in our web album here.

Other panels on today's schedule were 2 DC Comics panels, DC Nation and DC Comics: Green Lantern that highlighted some of the details going on with the DC Universe leading up to this Summer's Flashpoint series (because "we can't talk about anything past Flashpoint" they said). There were on the spot polls taken by Dan Didio co-publisher of DC Comics about many topics and a lot of discussion about the War of the Green Lanterns with Geoff Johns and Eddie Berganza. More details from these panels can be found in our DC Nation and DC Comics: Green Lantern posts.

The Exhibit Hall floor was large and full of excitement. Within 2 minutes of entering the floor Fanboy HQ was already directed to a different line for a chance to draw tickets to possibly be able to buy the Graphitti Designs exclusive White Lantern Batman and Flash action figures. Although it was kind of a pain for the whole process, we did succeed at getting to buy these great figures.

Check out the WonderCon exclusives page for pics of the Batman figure too.

There was SWAG from DC Comics being handed out including copies of comics, buttons, and posters. The Marvel booth was hosting cheering contests for random Marvel merchandise including figures and comics. Artist's Alley was large and well populated with big and small name artists displaying great work. I spent time talking with Joel Gomez, Jeph Loeb (didn't have a booth, but was in the area) and J. Scott Campbell. I also bumped into Geoff Johns and Frank Quitely walking around the exhibit hall floor.

And what comic convention would not be complete without costumed folks? Check out some photos below and more online at our web album.

Also, the Marriott Marquis hotel (the Convention hotel) had some tie ins - we were awoken this morning to a knock on the door and a delivery of a message from S.H.I.E.L.D. (yes, that S.H.I.E.L.D.) saying we'd been recruited and to turn the TV on to get a special message. It was talk of the S.H.I.E.L.D. discovery in the New Mexico desert of Mjolnir, Thor's hammer (and a plug for ACURA, marketing partner in the new Marvel Avengers film). It was a really cool way to bring the Con out of the Moscone Center.

Tomorrow is another full day. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates throughout the day and online each night for summaries and photos.

Martin Bright, 4/1/2011

Captain America: Movie UPDATES 3/23/2011

32/23/2011: Marvel officially released the first Captain America movie trailer today! Check it out:

I think it looks great so far and I like that it has serious, action, and comedic tidbits. I'm a little concerned about how fake the skinny Chris Evans looks though, kind of looks like a 12 year old kid with a giant head (hopefully it was just the smaller screen I watching it on, the ratio will look much better at the theater, right?)

Stay tuned to Fanboy Headquarters for more details on the upcoming summer blockbuster!

The Wolverine: Movie UPDATES 3/17/2011

'Black Swan' director Darren Aronofsky is no longer attached to direct 'The Wolverine', the sequel to 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'. Aronofsky released the following statement:

 "As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, it became clear that the production of ‘The Wolverine’ would keep me out of the country for almost a year.  I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time.  I am sad that I won't be able to see the project through, as it is a terrific script and I was very much looking forward to working with my friend, Hugh Jackman, again."

Twentieth Century Fox has stated that "Hugh Jackman and Fox both remain fully committed to making ‘The Wolverine’.  We will regroup and move forward aggressively."

Now that Aronofsky is not attached to the project, stay tuned for any updates and related news.

Tron: Betrayal #1 (of 2) - Marvel

If you are as big a fan of Tron as I am, then you are probably very excited to see the upcoming sequel, Tron Legacy hitting theaters in December. It has been nearly 30 years since Kevin Flynn first entered the grid and I was wondering how they are going to bridge such a large gap in time between the movies. Wonder no more, Marvel Comics released a two part series this month, Tron: Betrayal. The books will tell the story of what happened after Flynn took over Encom up to where the second film will start off in December.



**********SPOILER ALERT**********






The story takes place shortly after Kevin Flynn gains control of Encom (see the movie, Tron, to catch up). The year is 1983 and Flynn is jumping between the real world and a new Grid he has built to test out his programs and ideas. Flynn brings the program, Tron over to the new grid to help him protect the grid. Flynn begins to lose track of time when he is in the Grid, and all the while his girlfriend is back home carrying their child and Encom is becoming unstable. Flynn must be in two places at once, enter Clu. Made in Kevin Flynn's image and based off his original program inside the Grid, Clu will lead the Grid and maintain stability against gridbugs and the evolution of a new breed of beings - self created citizens known as the Isos. With Clu taking over, Flynn visits less often so he stabilize his life in the real world. Clu does not like the Flynn not entering the Grid as often. It seems Clu wants to take over, after all he was made in the Creator's image and could do it just as well. Among the list of issues in the Grid, it is discovered that the new breed of beings, the Isos, draw out gridbugs and attacks have increased, keeping Tron busy. Back in the real world, Kevin Flynn has been working on a device so that his girlfriend can contact him while he's in the Grid. While testing it out and checking on his programs, Flynn's device works and he is called away for the birth of his son. Clu and Tron are surprised that their creator has found a way to make contact with the real world while in the Grid.








**********SPOILER ALERT**********

The writing and artwork is done well. There is much to cover in the 28 years since the original movie and this means the story doesn't have much down time. There are some elements of the original Tron movie that a fan should know in order to understand some of the references. New fans will enjoy the book too because it will help build a back story of the Grid versus the real world. There are also some new aspects of the Tron mythos (see spoilers above) that I do not remember from the original movie, these are great add-ons and I'm sure have something to do with the plot in the new movie.

Check back next month for the conclusion to the comic book chapters of the world of TRON.

I Am An Avenger #1 - Marvel, September 1, 2010

This 5 book series begins with 4 Avengers short stories. Young Avengers, The Books of Iron Fist, Squirrel Girl, and the Pet Avengers are featured. All are quick reads and give a glimpse of several Marvel characters.

1. The Young Avengers in Homecoming.

·      The Young Avengers are on a path to emulate their famous elders must learn a valuable lesson from Hawkeye before entering the halls of the Avengers Mansion.

2. The Books of The Iron Fist

·      Iron Fist and Misty Knight are separating their belongings, more specifically books, since Iron Fist has decided to move closer to the mansion. This makes things “complicated” in their relationship, are they or aren’t they? All that’s left to pack up are the books and that sends the two down memory lane.

3. Welcome Home, Squirrel Girl

·      The girl who talks to squirrels is back home, in New York City. She is happy to back home in the park with her squirrels where they can see the Avengers like Iron Man flying around.

4. Pet Avengers: Gnu Recruit

·      The little animal Avengers are debating the induction of a new member. He looks like them and smells like them but he’s missing one important animal characteristic to be included in the animal team, a tail – he is Wovlerine. This is good fun involving the Adamantium One.

This was a good quick read for the Marvel fans. I liked the story of the Young Avengers and the trial they face. I look forward to reading that series more. And I am eager to read the next issue of I Am An Avenger featuring Steve Rogers, Firestar & Justice, and even an Avengers Pie-Eating contest!

Wolverine: Road to Hell - Marvel, September 1, 2010

A one shot comic piecing together the stories leading to Wolverine’s soul being sent to purgatory. Wolverine’s body is inhabited on Earth by a demon, Daken and X-23 are hunting a bio-engineer involved with the Weapon X experiments that happens to be in possession of Wolverine’s blood and the start of a new series the Uncanny X-Force. This book also featured previews of Namor, the First Mutant and Generation Hope.

We start with FALLING as Wolverine descends into Hell to face “all those he has killed.” There is even a small cameo by Sabertooth. This leads into the start of the new book Wolverine that is on sale now.

Next we have Daken following Detlef Metzger, a scientist with a specialty in bio-enhancement. Metzger happens to be in possession of journals of the Weapon X Program and a vial containing Wolverine’s blood. X-23 is seeking Metzger too for what seem like the same reasons as  Daken, to keep him safe from those that would harm. Unfortunately, Metzger has another seeker, Malcolm Colcord, who is with the military, and unfortunately gets to Metzger first. Daken and X-23 will likely have to work together to track down their target now. The story continues in Daken: Dark Wolverine and X-23 on sale September 8^th and 15^th, respectively.

Finally, We get the story of an unlikely team, the Uncanny X-force that put Wolverine and Deadpool back on the same team. This X-force is more of a club that sits around waiting for something to happen and it looks like they are about to get their first mission in Uncanny X-force #1  on October 6^th.

For a sneak peek at the new Namor story, check out the preview featured in this issue, showing the Sub-Mariner in an all new adventure. Also check out a new generation of heroes in Generation Hope as they kick off a new series with one hell-of-a monster fight!

And check out Brightboy Adventures’ coverage of Wolverine as we follow our favorite mutant to hell.

Wolverine #1 - Marvel, September 1, 2010

Wolverine: Road to Hell shows the hero falling into Hell’s great hole to face those he has killed. Hell has come for Wolverine and those he cares most about, but why? What will Satan have in store for Wolverine? 

The story starts with Wolverine and Priest Wraith (yes, I said Priest) discussing Hell and whether they’re good deeds will save their souls. The following Sunday, Wraith notices Wolverine is missing from Sunday services. Next thing he knows, Wraith is facing off with Wolverine in the woods outside the church. Cut to an office building where Wolverine’s lady friend, Melita, works as a bunch of evil looking characters bust out of the elevator. With Wolverine MIA, an unlikely person comes to Melita’s rescue, Mystique. The group out to capture Melita has a list of targets to acquire in Wolverine’s absence. Are they behind clawed mutant’s disappearance and how did he end up in Hell? Wolverine has fallen to the end of a dark hole and into the clutches of the Devil. The Devil monologues about how he’s enjoyed his job of torturing souls and that he looks forward to “enjoying myself” with Wolverine.

How will Wolverine get out of this one? Grab a copy and follow this new Marvel series.