Disney has announced plans to purchase Marvel Comics for a reported 4 billion dollars.
I don't read many Marvel Comics aside from "The Dark Tower", which is an adaptation of the Stephen King novels. I don't know how this is going to affect the stories and characters in the Marvel Universe, but I can guess one thing.
Look for a huge bidding war between Disney and Time Warner for the rights to the Superman character when the copyright reverts back to the family of Jerry Siegal in 2013.
Showing posts with label Superman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Superman. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
2012, Doomsday for Superman
2012 will be the year Superman meets his maker.
Superman, who is arguably the first ever superhero burst into the public consciousness in Action Comics number one back in 1938. His creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster sold the character to Detective Comics (DC) for a hundred dollars and a contract for work. In the late forties, they became unhappy with the amount of money they were making compared to the amount of money the company was making, and they tried to renegotiate their contract. DC Comics then fired them, and removed their byline.
The pair fought for years for the rights to the character, and in 1975 they were awarded 20k per year, as well as having their byline restored. This was not a court order; it was due to negative publicity.
After the pair had passed away, Jerry Siegel’s widow and daughter sued DC Comics in 1999, and the case was settled recently in the Siegel’s favor. Warner Brothers must reimburse the Siegel’s for any money they made on the character since 1999, and in 2013 full rights to the character will revert back to the Siegel’s. They could then lease the character back to Time Warner, but due to the fact that Jerry Siegel fought his whole life to get the rights to the character he created, I don’t see that happening. Superman as we know him will not make it past 2012. By that time, he will be 74 years old. Elements of the Superman story will still be owned by DC Comics, such as the Characters Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen, but Clark and Lois are going to meet their makers.
As much as a like the character, I’m glad the family of the creators are going to get the copyright back. Let’s face it, 20 k a year is nothing compared to the Amount of dough Superman has generated over the years. They could lease the character to another company like Marvel, but DC Comics owns Superman’s flying ability, heat vision, and kryptonite. Any story published by another company won’t be the same. So, in the year 2012 Superman will die.
Superman, who is arguably the first ever superhero burst into the public consciousness in Action Comics number one back in 1938. His creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster sold the character to Detective Comics (DC) for a hundred dollars and a contract for work. In the late forties, they became unhappy with the amount of money they were making compared to the amount of money the company was making, and they tried to renegotiate their contract. DC Comics then fired them, and removed their byline.
The pair fought for years for the rights to the character, and in 1975 they were awarded 20k per year, as well as having their byline restored. This was not a court order; it was due to negative publicity.
After the pair had passed away, Jerry Siegel’s widow and daughter sued DC Comics in 1999, and the case was settled recently in the Siegel’s favor. Warner Brothers must reimburse the Siegel’s for any money they made on the character since 1999, and in 2013 full rights to the character will revert back to the Siegel’s. They could then lease the character back to Time Warner, but due to the fact that Jerry Siegel fought his whole life to get the rights to the character he created, I don’t see that happening. Superman as we know him will not make it past 2012. By that time, he will be 74 years old. Elements of the Superman story will still be owned by DC Comics, such as the Characters Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen, but Clark and Lois are going to meet their makers.
As much as a like the character, I’m glad the family of the creators are going to get the copyright back. Let’s face it, 20 k a year is nothing compared to the Amount of dough Superman has generated over the years. They could lease the character to another company like Marvel, but DC Comics owns Superman’s flying ability, heat vision, and kryptonite. Any story published by another company won’t be the same. So, in the year 2012 Superman will die.
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Fool Cuts the Strings
While I can't speak for the blogosphere, lately I just haven't been finding or seeing any syncs. That seems to have changed as of this morning, things are starting to reveal themselves to me once more.
In the 1970's and early eighties, Marvel Comics published a magazine called "crazy", which was of the same vein of Mad Magazine.
Here we see Superman, flying from a New York that is not only in flames, but is being held up by a Green Skinned god. (They might have meant for it to be the Hulk, but it resonates Osiris.) Only, this isn't just any Superman, it's the Christopher Reeve Superman (RIP). The Fool is about to cut his strings.
The clown is known as the fool in the tarot deck. It is the fool that takes a leap into the abyss, which means the unknown. It is believed by some that the fool is a soul in the afterlife that leaps from heaven to the Earth, and is reborn once again. In ancient Greek belief, people had an invisible string attached to them that reached into heaven, and when the Fates cut the string, that meant your ass.
A few years after the Superman movies, Christopher Reeve was in a horse riding accident that eventually led to his death. The accident left him paralyzed for a number of years, and he fought to walk again through stem cell research up until the day of his death.
In the 1970's and early eighties, Marvel Comics published a magazine called "crazy", which was of the same vein of Mad Magazine.
Here we see Superman, flying from a New York that is not only in flames, but is being held up by a Green Skinned god. (They might have meant for it to be the Hulk, but it resonates Osiris.) Only, this isn't just any Superman, it's the Christopher Reeve Superman (RIP). The Fool is about to cut his strings.
The clown is known as the fool in the tarot deck. It is the fool that takes a leap into the abyss, which means the unknown. It is believed by some that the fool is a soul in the afterlife that leaps from heaven to the Earth, and is reborn once again. In ancient Greek belief, people had an invisible string attached to them that reached into heaven, and when the Fates cut the string, that meant your ass.
A few years after the Superman movies, Christopher Reeve was in a horse riding accident that eventually led to his death. The accident left him paralyzed for a number of years, and he fought to walk again through stem cell research up until the day of his death.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The 10 Greatest Superman Covers of All Time II
5. Superman #233
In the seventies there was a storyline where all the kryptonite on Earth was rendered inert. The cover of Superman breaking the kryptonite chain was used in many promotional ads by DC Comics. To me, this symbolizes people breaking free from whatever their kryptonite is, be it self doubt, drug addiction, or whatever.
4. Action Comics #1
Imagine its 1938. In a time before most people owned a television, the image of a man in brightly colored clothes lifting a car over his head captured the imagination of kids everywhere. This is the first appearance of Superman. In fact, it is the first appearance of a superhero anywhere.
3. Superman Vs. Muhammed Ali
Ali was in such a class, he had to turn to fiction to find someone with a chance of beating him. You would think if a human fought a superhero he would be pounded to goo, but the story had Superman depowered. Superman fought bravely, but he was beaten to bloody pulp.
2. Heroes Against Hunger
Superman and Batman recruit a reluctant Lex Luthor to use his scientific know how to stop starvation in Africa. When Luthor sees the suffering there, he breaks into tears and asks god how he could let the children suffer. To see a villain show a purely human side was something that I hadn't seen before, and it was very emotional. This is one of the most powerful covers in the history of comics.
1. Crisis on Infinite Earths #7
Superman and a group of other heroes went to the anti-matter universe to stop a villain that wanted to destroy all of creation. Superman was beaten badly, and just as the Anti-Monitor was about to strike the killing blow, Supergirl hit him with everything she had. She did not survive, but she saved Superman's life. On this cover you can see the pain and grief on Superman's face as he carries Supergirl out of the battle zone. This is perhaps the most memorable and the most copied comic book cover ever.
In the seventies there was a storyline where all the kryptonite on Earth was rendered inert. The cover of Superman breaking the kryptonite chain was used in many promotional ads by DC Comics. To me, this symbolizes people breaking free from whatever their kryptonite is, be it self doubt, drug addiction, or whatever.
4. Action Comics #1
Imagine its 1938. In a time before most people owned a television, the image of a man in brightly colored clothes lifting a car over his head captured the imagination of kids everywhere. This is the first appearance of Superman. In fact, it is the first appearance of a superhero anywhere.
3. Superman Vs. Muhammed Ali
Ali was in such a class, he had to turn to fiction to find someone with a chance of beating him. You would think if a human fought a superhero he would be pounded to goo, but the story had Superman depowered. Superman fought bravely, but he was beaten to bloody pulp.
2. Heroes Against Hunger
Superman and Batman recruit a reluctant Lex Luthor to use his scientific know how to stop starvation in Africa. When Luthor sees the suffering there, he breaks into tears and asks god how he could let the children suffer. To see a villain show a purely human side was something that I hadn't seen before, and it was very emotional. This is one of the most powerful covers in the history of comics.
1. Crisis on Infinite Earths #7
Superman and a group of other heroes went to the anti-matter universe to stop a villain that wanted to destroy all of creation. Superman was beaten badly, and just as the Anti-Monitor was about to strike the killing blow, Supergirl hit him with everything she had. She did not survive, but she saved Superman's life. On this cover you can see the pain and grief on Superman's face as he carries Supergirl out of the battle zone. This is perhaps the most memorable and the most copied comic book cover ever.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The Ten Greatest Superman Covers of all Time Part I
Superman, who was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster 71 years ago, continues to capture the imagination of people everywhere. The following are the ten greatest Superman covers of all time, judged solely by my own opinion.
10. DC Comics Presents #51
I own this one. It wasn't a memorable story, but the cover (which had little to do with the story) was worth the 60 cents that I paid. The image of DC's smallest hero raging at a pink sky and promising vengeance is an image that has stayed with me as long as I have collected comics.
9. World's Finest #302
Any kid who has collected comics has wondered who would win a fight between Superman and Batman. Superman has godlike powers, and Batman is just a man, but Batman always seems to be able to find a way to win. With Kryptonite gloves, I imagine he would give Superman a good ass kicking.
8. Superman #317
A green Kryptonite poisoned Superman vowing to kill the reader is an image that just doesn't go away. This one was drawn by one of the greatest comic book artists of all time, Neal Adams. The cover just grabs your attention, and keeps it.
7. Superman #400
This one is a beautifully painted cover. Superman's Rocket ship flies past the twin towers, and even the Earth itself to the backdrop of an American flag. Jor-el is looking straight ahead, while Superman's mother looks sad. Truly an unforgettable cover.
6. Superman #422
Comics legend Brian Bolland gives us a view of a Superman bitten by a vampire. This cover being in black and white except for the red eyes makes it even more menacing. An awesome cover.
Pat two should be coming shortly. Superman is owned by DC Comics, and is used here for historical and educational purposes.
10. DC Comics Presents #51
I own this one. It wasn't a memorable story, but the cover (which had little to do with the story) was worth the 60 cents that I paid. The image of DC's smallest hero raging at a pink sky and promising vengeance is an image that has stayed with me as long as I have collected comics.
9. World's Finest #302
Any kid who has collected comics has wondered who would win a fight between Superman and Batman. Superman has godlike powers, and Batman is just a man, but Batman always seems to be able to find a way to win. With Kryptonite gloves, I imagine he would give Superman a good ass kicking.
8. Superman #317
A green Kryptonite poisoned Superman vowing to kill the reader is an image that just doesn't go away. This one was drawn by one of the greatest comic book artists of all time, Neal Adams. The cover just grabs your attention, and keeps it.
7. Superman #400
This one is a beautifully painted cover. Superman's Rocket ship flies past the twin towers, and even the Earth itself to the backdrop of an American flag. Jor-el is looking straight ahead, while Superman's mother looks sad. Truly an unforgettable cover.
6. Superman #422
Comics legend Brian Bolland gives us a view of a Superman bitten by a vampire. This cover being in black and white except for the red eyes makes it even more menacing. An awesome cover.
Pat two should be coming shortly. Superman is owned by DC Comics, and is used here for historical and educational purposes.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The President in Comic Books 4
This is the final section I am doing on the presidents in comic books. Before I move on to the modern comics, I want to take some time to post a couple of covers I overlooked earlier.
There seems to be some sort of fascination among comic book writers concerning Lincoln. It is interesting to note that the Lincoln Memorial is in a Greek Temple, and the Lincoln statue contained inside is something of a copy of the statue of Zeus.
There are a couple of imaginary tales where Superman is the president. YOu would think they would craft the story around one man having too much power, but it usually ends up a better world when Superman is comander in cheif. Since he was born on Krypton, I wonder how he dealt with the natural born citizen issue?
There have'nt been to many covers showing GWB, but I think this one suits him best. But isn't a hundred years just passing along the problem to someone else?
I don't have this issue, but I did thumb through it in the comic book store. GW was actually an alien in disguise, so that is why the Dragon is hitting him. This cover and the next one are sure to drive some mad with it's symbolism.
Does the Savage Dragon represent the galactic center of the Milky Way, or is he symbolic of an alien lizard race? I don't know.
Obama is fast becoming a comic book celebrity. I'm a bit wary of giving anyone a free pass just because the last guy was horrible.
Funny cover here. I feel like that as I try to find a way to pay my bills and keep my wife happy, all the while raising the kids. Maybe if I can get through some of my problems, it will help the world out just a little bit. Or maybe the world is out to get me. I just don't know, and I won't till I am able to wade through this mess.
There seems to be some sort of fascination among comic book writers concerning Lincoln. It is interesting to note that the Lincoln Memorial is in a Greek Temple, and the Lincoln statue contained inside is something of a copy of the statue of Zeus.
There are a couple of imaginary tales where Superman is the president. YOu would think they would craft the story around one man having too much power, but it usually ends up a better world when Superman is comander in cheif. Since he was born on Krypton, I wonder how he dealt with the natural born citizen issue?
There have'nt been to many covers showing GWB, but I think this one suits him best. But isn't a hundred years just passing along the problem to someone else?
I don't have this issue, but I did thumb through it in the comic book store. GW was actually an alien in disguise, so that is why the Dragon is hitting him. This cover and the next one are sure to drive some mad with it's symbolism.
Does the Savage Dragon represent the galactic center of the Milky Way, or is he symbolic of an alien lizard race? I don't know.
Obama is fast becoming a comic book celebrity. I'm a bit wary of giving anyone a free pass just because the last guy was horrible.
Funny cover here. I feel like that as I try to find a way to pay my bills and keep my wife happy, all the while raising the kids. Maybe if I can get through some of my problems, it will help the world out just a little bit. Or maybe the world is out to get me. I just don't know, and I won't till I am able to wade through this mess.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The President in Comic Books Part 2
The forties and fifties were fairly straight laced as far as presidential appearances go, in the sixties things started to get a bit strange. DC Comics had Superman reveal his secret identity to JFK, and before the comic is published JFK is assassinated. DC Pulled the comic, but LBJ asked them to print it in full.
IMO, JFK was the last great American president. May he rest in peace.
After this, comic books get really weird with Abraham Lincoln.
Abe gets in an arm wrestling match with "Scalphunter".
Suppose some future generation invents the means of which to travel through time. Would they go back and try to save president Lincoln?
If such a feat were accomplished, time itself would be out of whack, causing news robots of the future to get a bit confused.
Robby the Robot is about 1107 years slow on the news. Of course, if I was flashed by an elongated man, I would probably be out of sorts too. Anyway, if such a cataclysm happened, I suppose we could send an actor back in time to take Lincoln's place.
So, what do we do with Lincoln in the future? I think we should just throw a space helmet on him and make him an ambassador to the United Federation of Planets or something.
In part three, we will take a look at fictional comic book presidents, as well as some leftover goodies from the seventies. Stay cool.
IMO, JFK was the last great American president. May he rest in peace.
After this, comic books get really weird with Abraham Lincoln.
Abe gets in an arm wrestling match with "Scalphunter".
Suppose some future generation invents the means of which to travel through time. Would they go back and try to save president Lincoln?
If such a feat were accomplished, time itself would be out of whack, causing news robots of the future to get a bit confused.
Robby the Robot is about 1107 years slow on the news. Of course, if I was flashed by an elongated man, I would probably be out of sorts too. Anyway, if such a cataclysm happened, I suppose we could send an actor back in time to take Lincoln's place.
So, what do we do with Lincoln in the future? I think we should just throw a space helmet on him and make him an ambassador to the United Federation of Planets or something.
In part three, we will take a look at fictional comic book presidents, as well as some leftover goodies from the seventies. Stay cool.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Halloween Costumes
Tomorrow is May 1, and it’s not too early to start thinking about Halloween. Here is a pretty good site where you can find Halloween Costumes.
Halloween is the one time a year where you can be and dress up as anything you want to be and not worry about it. If I could pick out one costume listed on the site that I could own, I would choose the Superman costume. Truth is, I wouldn’t just wear it for Halloween, and I would wear it under my regular clothes. If I were to happen upon an emergency, I could just go into the nearest phone booth and change.
Department stores don’t always have the coolest costumes. The coolest costumes are found online at places like the one listed above. They have costumes for men and women, and you can find Boys Halloween Costumes as well as Girls Halloween Costumes.
If you want to see something really interesting, check out the Egyptian costumes, as well as the costumes from the 60’s. They accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover. There are a variety of shipping services offered. The have a 100% satisfaction policy and you can choose the shipping service that you would like to use. All in all, this is a very interesting site.
Halloween is the one time a year where you can be and dress up as anything you want to be and not worry about it. If I could pick out one costume listed on the site that I could own, I would choose the Superman costume. Truth is, I wouldn’t just wear it for Halloween, and I would wear it under my regular clothes. If I were to happen upon an emergency, I could just go into the nearest phone booth and change.
Department stores don’t always have the coolest costumes. The coolest costumes are found online at places like the one listed above. They have costumes for men and women, and you can find Boys Halloween Costumes as well as Girls Halloween Costumes.
If you want to see something really interesting, check out the Egyptian costumes, as well as the costumes from the 60’s. They accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover. There are a variety of shipping services offered. The have a 100% satisfaction policy and you can choose the shipping service that you would like to use. All in all, this is a very interesting site.
Monkey Business
Throughout comic book history, there have been a variety of monkeys featured on covers. Some of them are intriguing, and some are just downright hilarious.
But if Titano is a bad guy, shouldn't Bizzaro Titano be a good guy? I guess he is since he is doing Bizzaro Superman a favor, but he's killing him? My head hurts.
Sorry Supes, Titano is imaginary like yourself. Now stop whining about the Kryptonite vision and be happy like Bizzaro Superman.
It wasn't me! A guy broke in here and I was going after him! (Wouldn't a talking gorilla be more valuable than a stolen formula?)
I don't know what's funnier. A gorilla robbing and armored car, or a guy wearing a green turban with matching green pantyhose rushing out to fight it?
Of course, Thunda is not to be confused with Tarzan. Thunda has a bow and arrow, which makes him a completely different character, see?
But if Titano is a bad guy, shouldn't Bizzaro Titano be a good guy? I guess he is since he is doing Bizzaro Superman a favor, but he's killing him? My head hurts.
Sorry Supes, Titano is imaginary like yourself. Now stop whining about the Kryptonite vision and be happy like Bizzaro Superman.
It wasn't me! A guy broke in here and I was going after him! (Wouldn't a talking gorilla be more valuable than a stolen formula?)
I don't know what's funnier. A gorilla robbing and armored car, or a guy wearing a green turban with matching green pantyhose rushing out to fight it?
Of course, Thunda is not to be confused with Tarzan. Thunda has a bow and arrow, which makes him a completely different character, see?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
