Whedon Returns With “Dollhouse”
November 2, 2007 | 1 Comment
Oh hell yes! Joss Whedon is returning to TV next fall with a new show titled “Dollhouse” with co-producer and show’s star Eliza Dushku. Unfortunately, it’s Fox that has signed this deal with Whedon, but we’ll ignore that for the moment.
From the Variety article:
“Dollhouse” follows a top-secret world of people programmed with different personalities, abilities and memories depending on their mission.
After each assignment — which can be physical, romantic or even illegal — the characters have their memories wiped clean, and are sent back to a lab (dubbed the “Dollhouse”). Show centers on Dushku’s character, Echo, as she slowly begins to develop some self-awareness, which impacts her missions.
Currently Fox has signed for 7 episodes. They are intended to air in the Fall 2008 season. Unbelievably exciting.
Tags: dollhouse, dushku, eliza dushku, fall 2008, fox, joss whedon, whedon
Never Liked Wonder Woman Anyway…
February 4, 2007 | 5 Comments
Joss Whedon is officially no longer writing the script for the upcoming Wonder Woman movie.
Joss’ statement about parting ways:
We just saw different movies, and at the price range this kind of movie hangs in, that’s never gonna work. Non-sympatico. It happens all the time. I don’t think any of us expected it to this time, but it did. Everybody knows how long I was taking, what a struggle that script was, and though I felt good about what I was coming up with, it was never gonna be a simple slam-dunk.
I have to say, I love Joss, but I’m not a DC comics fan and especially uninterested in Wonder Woman. Don’t get me wrong, I love the female protagonist hero, I just think Wonder Woman is nearly as lame as Aquaman. Again though… if it’s DC, I only really care about Batman, Green Lantern, The Question, and Superman in the right doses. Admittedly… I usually enjoy the Justice League in general, but the individuals are less interesting. Back on topic though, I don’t think it matters who writes this movie, it has a high likelihood of being terrible.
Thanks to Jenny for the heads up on this.
Tags: batman, comics, dc, dc comics, green lantern, joss whedon, justice league, movie, script, superman, the question, Wonder Woman
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season 8!
January 7, 2007 | 4 Comments
OK, so the title may be slightly misleading, but Joss Whedon has decided to realize all his visions for Season 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in comic format.
Here is the marketing summary about the book:
Since the destruction of the Hellmouth, the Slayers — newly legion — have gotten organized and are kicking some serious undead butt. But not everything’s fun and firearms, as an old enemy reappears and Dawn experiences some serious growing pains . . . Buffy creator Joss Whedon brings Buffy back to Dark Horse in this direct follow-up to season seven of the smash-hit TV series.
Quick facts about this exciting project:
- Published by Dark Horse Comics
- Begins in March 2007
- Will run 20-30 issues.
- Will be stretched over 2-3 years, coming out monthly
- All stories will be official series canon (unlike previous licensed Buffy/Angel comics)
- All major characters will be making appearances
- Joss has created an over arching story (big bad) that will guide the series
- Joss will write the first 4 issue, last four issues, and a smattering in between
- Major comic writers have been signed up to write including Brian K Vaughan
- Original series writers will be involved in issues
- 1800 slayers exist, with 500 actively fighting evil as a team with Buffy
- Georges Jeanty is drawing the book, cover art by Jo Chen
- A comic book Season 9 is not ruled out!
In the TVGuide.com interview with Joss, the first five pages of issue 5 were revealed. I have compiled those into a CBZ file here for your enjoyment.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 Issue 1 (Preview).cbr (right click save as)
I preordered my copy today at Discount Comic Book Service (only $0.74) and I just can’t wait!
Tags: buffy, buffy the vampire slayer, cbz, comic, comics, dark horse, dcbs, discount comic book service, joss whedon, season 8
Marvel Podcasts
June 5, 2006 | 3 Comments
I am silly amounts of addicted to the Marvel Universe. As part of that I was pretty excited in January when I first discovered Marvel’s podcasts. Since then I have found myself waiting less than patiently for the semi-monthly or so releases. The insight into the authors, artists, and overall creative teams at Marvel has engrossed me even further into the Marvel Universe and the many exciting events that are currently taking place there.
The first one of these I casually listened to was with Damon Lindelof talking about Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk. Of course I have been rabidly following that series, at least for the first two issues. Where’s issue #3 Lindelof/Marvel?!?
Next, I heard Joss Whedon talk about his Astonishing X-Men series, which I immediately sought out the trades and am now following monthly. In fact, if you want to get in on a modern X-Men title, this is the one to read. The team consists of Cyclops, Emma Frost, Kitty Pryde, Wolverine, Colossus, and Beast. The series has dealt with some fantastic plot twists and events, including a story line about a mutant cure whihc is eerily familiar to X-Men 3’s major plot line. Understanding Whedon’s reasoning for building the team he did and why he is playing with the stories he is made the whole experience that much richer.
Craig Kyle was interviewed about the Ultimate Avengers movie. After listening I of course bought the DVD on launch day. If I hadn’t heard him explain in great detail about why he had changed many of the major story elements, I may have been annoyed at the film. Instead I enjoyed every minute of it and again found insights into the changed characterizations.
I was surprised to find Keith Giffen and editor Andy Schmidt raising my interests for Annihilation and all the cosmic Marvel heroes featured there. I had previously had every intention of being blissfully ignorant of this major event which follows primarily characters I find out of place and uninteresting in Marvel. Instead, Silver Surfer, Drax the Destroyer, and Nova have all captivated me into this major event. In fact I’m trying to find back issues of Drax the Destroyer which are proving to be as elusive as honest politicians… Granted, I still find Ronan and Super Skrull about as boring as anything ever written… but you can’t win them all.
The X-Office episode was an amazing amount of fun to listen to, but I haven’t been able to find much that is too interesting in most the X-Men comics these days. The exception is of course Joss Whedon’s previously mentioned Astonishing X-Men. The banter between the many editors, writers, and artists who participated in this episode made for the occasional laugh out loud moment and definitely made a flight from Orlando to Manchester entirely more tolerable.
The two Civil War episodes added to my already frothing excitement for this event. In fact, I’m not sure anyone has ever felt so giddy about an upcoming set of comics as I do about Civil War. I just wish I could sit down and read the 30+ comics that will make up this massive event in one long binge. Alas, I will have to wait for Mark Millar to layout his tale slowly over the next six months…
I could go on, because there are more great episodes to highlight (Neil Gaiman on Moon Night, Ed Brubaker on Daredevil, Daniel Knauf on Iron Man, etc). However, I just need to say thanks to Marvel and hopefully encourage at least one person to listen to these amazing podcasts. I’m certain they will continue, especially if the marketing team learns how addictive they may prove to be.
I will warn you though, listening to the Marvel podcast will be hazardous to your wallet! You’ve been warned, now go listen and spend money on comics.
RSS feed of the Marvel Podcasts
Tags: "astonishing x-men", "Damon Lindelof", "ultimate avengers", Andy Schmidt, Beast, civil war, colossus, comic books, comics, Cyclops, Daniel Knauf, daredevil, Drax the Destroyer, ed brubaker, emma frost, hulk, iron man, joss whedon, Keith Giffen, Kitty Pryde, mark millar, marvel, marvel universe, moon knight, Neil Gaiman, Nova, podcast, podcasts, ronan, rss, Silver Surfer, super skrull, ultimate hulk, ultimate wolverine, Wolverine, x-men
X-Men 3: The Last Stand Full Trailer
March 7, 2006 | 35 Comments
Tonight the new full length X-Men 3: The Last Stand trailer was released. As with all full length trailers, a lot more of the overall plot was revealed. In the previous trailer, it was clear that a major battle was brewing. Magneto had developed an army and was shown destroying the Golden Gate Bridge. In the new trailer the catalyst for this was revealed.
Much like the premise of Joss Whedon’s run on Astonishing X-Men, a “cure” is found for the gene causing mutations. In reaction to this Magneto is fighting back. We see a lot of conflict even among the good guys. There is so much turmoil and chaos going on, I just can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
More of Angel, Beast, and Juggernaut are shown. For the first time Juggernaut actually looks strong as he goes plowing through walls after Kitty who passes through them cleanly. Additionally various shots of Jean/Phoenix are shown. Her loyalties are obviously in question as she stands against Professor X and in the climactic conclusion of the trailer, begs Wolverine to kill her.
Anyway, go watch the full trailer and hopefully you’ll be as jazzed as I am for May 26th! Come back and comment, I’d love to hear your reactions.
Tags: "astonishing x-men", "The Last Stand", angel, Beast, comic, comic books, Jean Grey, joss whedon, Juggernaut, Kitty Pryde, Magneto, marvel, marvel comics, movie, movies, Phoenix, Professor X, Storm, trailer, whedon, Wolverine, x-men, x-men 3 the last stand, XMen
Firefly Season 2
January 26, 2006 | 8 Comments
An independent group is pushing for a subscription based season 2 of Firefly. Delivered through streaming media or on demand pay per view, whatever. You have to be in support of this.
Go sign the petition right now.
In their own words:
The Firefly Season 2 Project:
Captain Mal and the crew of Serenity need your help to stay flying.We are looking to push the envelope of episodic television by offering Season Two of Firefly in a groundbreaking new format. Each episode (or the entire season) would be made available for purchase in Standard or Hi-Definition.
Do it. Do it nine times.
Tags: firefly, fox, joss, joss whedon, season, serenity, television, whedon
Buffy Completed
November 17, 2005 | 5 Comments
After an entire summer of watching four or more episodes twice a week, we finally completed the entire seven season run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer tonight. This show has has it’s ups and downs, but overall was one of the most entertaining series I’ve ever watched.
For those just getting into it, the show does not truly hit its stride until midway through season 2. Granted, season 1 is only 13 episodes… Anyway, season 2 was when the core characters had all become interesting enough to me that I was drwan into the entire Buffy universe.
From my perspective, Sarah Michelle Geller is by far NOT the key character in this show. Instead it is those that surround her that make Buffy what it is. In no particular order: Alyson Hannigan as Willow, Nicholas Brendon as Xander, Emma Caulfield as Anya, David Boreanaz as Angel, Anthony Head as Giles, Seth Green as Oz, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia, Elisha Dushku as Faith, and James Marsters as Spike. These are characters and experiences that will remain with me long into the future. Joss Whedon is truly the master of character development.
Now to move on to the fifth and final season of Angel. If only Firefly was still on TV…
Tags: angel, buffy, buffy the vampire slayer, David Boreanaz, firefly, joss whedon, Nicholas Brendon, serenity, willow