Marvel Entertainment, one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, has announced it will exclusively distribute single issue and collected edition foreign language digital comics worldwide with iVerse, an innovator and unique voice in the mobile publishing field.

This multi-year agreement reinforces both Marvel’s position as one of the leading global entertainment brands and the number one comic book publisher in the world, while also bringing its unparalleled library of popular characters and acclaimed stories to the widest possible global audience. This foreign language content will launch in late 2012 with staggered releases worldwide.

“Marvel and iVerse both recognize the opportunity global publishing content expansion brings to Marvel fans worldwide,” explained Peter Phillips, SVP & General Manager, Marvel Digital Media Group. “This partnership with iVerse allows us to introduce Marvel’s rich history of exciting, action packed stories to new audiences who want to know more about the Avengers, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more in their native languages.”

Marvel and iVerse first partnered to distribute single–issue, English language digital comics in 2009. The ComicsPlus app, available through the App Store and Google Play, currently offers a robust selection of Marvel Digital Graphic Novels.

“At iVerse we believe that there is an unprecedented opportunity to expand readership by providing content in readers’ native languages,” said Michael Murphey, CEO, iVerse. “We are lifelong fans of Marvel – their characters and their content. It’s truly an honor to be able to partner with them to bring this spectacular content to the world on as many platforms as possible.”

Soon you can experience the greatest comic books, featuring the Avengers, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more worldwide in foreign languages for the first time ever in the digital realm.

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Kelowna, U.S.A. – Marvel mania has reached all the way to Club Penguin Island, the number one virtual world for kids, as penguins assemble for the Marvel Super Hero Takeover, an epic online event starting soon.

A meteor has hit the island of Club Penguin, powering up the dangerous Destructobot. Players can choose to suit up as one of 14 Marvel Super Heroes or Super-Villains, including Avengers characters such as Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Thor, as well as the mischievous Super-Villain Loki.

“Everyone wants to feel special and believe that they can do something that no one else can do. That optimism is what drives both Club Penguin and the Marvel story lines and characters,” said Lane Merrifield, co-founder of Club Penguin and executive vice president of Disney Interactive Worlds. “Club Penguin and Marvel characters are the perfect match, and I’m sure our players will love it!”

“Bringing our worlds together marks a major milestone for both Marvel and Club Penguin,” said Rob Steffens, Executive Vice President of Marvel Entertainment. “Reactions from the fans are already tremendous, and we’re thrilled that we’re able to bring Marvel and Club Penguin together for such an epic event.”

As part of The Marvel Super Hero Takeover event, players can:

• Choose to dress up as Marvel Super Heroes, Super-Villains or civilians
• Explore the island, which has been transformed to include new destinations such as a bank, jail, and a superhero headquarters
• Join teams to decide whether to defend or defeat the evil Destructobot
• Meet Aunt Arctic, the news reporter and editor-in-chief for the Penguin Times, the Club Penguin Island newspaper. She’ll be keeping a close eye on the battle of Super Heroes and Super-Villains around the island

About Club Penguin

Club Penguin is the number one virtual world for children. Club Penguin works to maintain a fun and safe online entertainment experience by using filtering technology and live moderators. The award-winning virtual world of Club Penguin contains no third-party advertising and is free to use and enjoy, however a subscription membership provides access to additional features that enhance the play experience. Club Penguin, headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, is enjoyed by children around the world, and can be played in English, German, Portuguese, French and Spanish.

Image Courtesy of  The Avengers

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The American gay community and its supporters have had a lot of political and social spotlight in the last two weeks. First, President Obama publicly supported gay marriage. That was followed a week later with an official endorsement and support from the NAACP for gay marriage. Then a day after this, DC Comics jumped into the fray with the announcement that one of their core characters would be outed. That’s right, one of the company’s iconic characters; Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Robin, Green Lantern, or Green Arrow, will come out of the closet and reveal to be gay.

President Obama’s approval of gay marriage is no surprise as he was for it back in 1996 and is the most liberal person to be President in decades. As an organization, the NAACP has been moving steadily down the liberal path for some time and will do a lot to support President Obama. DC’s decision, however, is more puzzling. It is one thing to add a gay super hero to their character roster. However, to decide to out one of the iconic characters in American pop culture is a more bold move, and will in my opinion backfire.

Which ever character DC has chosen to out, they will not be the first gay comic book character. Marvel comic books character, Northstar, was the first gay superhero in comicdom but Northstar never became a well-known character, nor prominent outside the Marvel comics sphere. By comparison, everyone knows Wolverine, even if you do not read comic books. In the ensuing years after Northstar, other gay characters have been introduced. Colossus of the Ultimate X-men line from Marvel, Batwoman in DC, as well as two lesbian characters in the DC title “Outsiders.”

Fanboys and girls took these changes in stride. After all, in a world where people can fly, shoot lasers out of their eyes and hands, and a regular man can beat out Superman, writers try to make it as close as possible to reality. Yes, in a world where all this is possible, there would be gay super heroes and villains. Besides, as one Orlando, Florida area comic bookstore manager said, “they are just following the current social trends.” And he is right, comics left the space of silly kid fun a long time ago. Social realism has been injected in the story lines and characters for years. Characters have been made drug addicted, alcoholics, wife beaters, in the 1970′s black characters where introduced, as were stories about racism. So what is so different now, and what is the big deal?

I have a few answers. The first, I believe it is a cardinal sin in writing to change anything about a well-known character for any reason other than storyline. If you violate that rule, you typically lose the audience. An example of this is the change in powers for Superman, following the “Death of Superman” storyline. After the mega sales caused by the death of Superman, it was revealed that he was in fact not really dead, just in a super coma. Once he returned, his powers were energy based, and his hair was long. Calling the fan reaction lukewarm would be charitable as best. Sales for the comic dropped way below expectations, given he was back from the dead. Over the years various characters have been tweaked and changed in effort to stay fresh, or increase sales. Origin stories can change a little, sometimes costumes can alter, and you can change their powers a bit, but you cannot change say, Batman into a black man. If you make too drastic a change, you will lose readers.

Can there be anything more of a blatant pander, than changing Superman into a gay alien? Will we be faced with seeing Wonder Woman, not in love with Steve Trevor, or secretly Superman, but with Supergirl? There is no original storyline which will makes sense, other than “Oh, well they were secretly gay all these decades.” And that is a problem. Millions of people have grown up with these characters, millions more still enjoy them and now they will watch as decades of story, of character meaning, go out the window just to make a point. Here is why this matters.

Wonder Woman is from an island of amazons; no men. So it is really easy to make her a lesbian. If they ever make a movie for Wonder Woman, will the movie version incorporate a possible impending revelation? What do you do with integral characters like Steve Trevor who was the main reason she wanted to leave her cozy little island in the first place. What if it is Batman? What are the implications, justified or not, of a gay Bruce Wayne, living with young boys dressed in tights? Will this affect the millions of kids who would be future audiences — which super heroes are they going to be cheering on?

To me, the issue is not about having a gay super hero. If super heroes existed, there would naturally be a few. Rather, the issue is changing an iconic character for a political or social statement. The racial unrest of the 60′s and 70′s prompted the creation of characters like the Black Panther, Falcon, and Black Lighting. They did not; however, turn Captain America into a black man from the Bronx.

What DC is doing is wrong and stupid. I love comics, but I will not be buying a comic with one of the major heroes turned into a gay character. Neither will many others. I predict many parents will stop buying those comics for their children. If a movie comes out, if they do not hold true to the original characters, I will not see that either. This will be because DC destroyed an iconic character and all its rich history. The hero, whomever it turns out to be, will not be that character of old, any longer. There is no Superman without Lois Lane. There is no Batman without the tension of Catwoman. There is no Wonder Woman without Steve Trevor. There is no Green Arrow without his doggish ways, and love of the Black Canary. I could go on and on. These are icons. You do not change them.

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Marvel has proudly announced that, beginning June 2012, all Marvel super hero comics priced at $3.99 will include codes for free digital copies of those same issues on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices at no extra cost.

That’s right, the most-talked-about comics in the industry—including Avengers, Captain America, Invincible Iron Man, Mighty Thor, Amazing Spider-Man, Wolverine & The X-Men and more—will come packed with a code to ensure fans have the most critically acclaimed stories with them anytime, anywhere.

“We’re committed to bringing fans the best value in comics. By including codes for free digital copies in all our $3.99 super hero comics, we’re doing just that” said David Gabriel, SVP of Sales, Marvel Entertainment. “We’ve seen a tremendous response to the digital codes in Avenging Spider-Man, our Season One graphic novels and the Ultimate Comics line. The positive reactions from both retailers and fans make it clear that including these codes with our books drives customers into comic stores on a repeated basis.”

Marvel made comic book history in 2011 by announcing  all titles in the Ultimate Comics line would include codes for free digital copies on the Marvel Comics app, with unrivaled incentives for comic shop retailers. Then, in 2012, Marvel announced the acclaimed Season One graphic novels would also include similar codes making them the first graphic novels to ever include codes for free digital copies at no extra cost.

“At Marvel, we’re always looking for ways to bring the worlds of print and digital media together to deliver the best comics experience for our fans,” said Peter Phillips, SVP & GM, Marvel Digital Media. “With this next step, fans will soon be able to buy their comics from their favorite retailers but also enjoy them on their mobile devices and tablets, all at no extra charge. Welcome to the Revolution.”

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Marvel Entertainment and Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) has announced that the first social game based on Marvel’s iconic characters, Marvel: Avengers Alliance, is now live on Facebook.

Developed by Playdom, Marvel: Avengers Alliancefeatures a tactical turn-based combat experience with dozens of familiar Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains, setting a new standard of production value and interactivity in a social game.

“Marvel: Avengers Alliance combines epic Marvel characters with Playdom’s industry-leading game mechanics to deliver a game that is sure to attract casual gamers and Super Hero fans alike,” said John Spinale, Senior Vice President of Social Games, Disney Interactive Media Group. “With this game, Disney is bringing one of the world’s largest entertainment brands to the largest social network, giving millions of fans an entirely new opportunity to engage with the characters they love.”

“We are thrilled to break new ground here, working with Playdom to create the first ever Facebook game to feature Marvel’s Super Heroes,” said TQ Jefferson, Vice President of Games Production for Marvel.

“With both a compelling story and Marvel’s premier super team, The Avengers, leading the rest of our heroes in epic turn-based battles, Marvel: Avengers Alliance allows us to engage fans and gamers in a way that we never have before. The future of Marvel games begins now.”

With dozens of the most iconic Marvel characters available at launch, Marvel: Avengers Alliance offers players a tactical turn-based combat experience unlike any other social game. Players will have the opportunity to recruit some of Marvel’s most notable characters, including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow and many others. Players can train their heroes to unlock unique abilities, and further customize abilities.

Players can also square off against each other in player-versus-player combat, challenging their social graph to super-powered showdowns.

Marvel: Avengers Alliance takes place in the wake of a galaxy-wide disaster, known as the Pulse, which exposes Manhattan to attacks by Marvel’s most deadly Super Villains.

Players are recruited as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., the secret espionage and peace-keeping organization of the Marvel Universe, to assemble and lead teams of Super Heroes with a mission to keep New York City safe from the clutches of such enemies as Loki, Doctor Doom and Magneto, as well as sinister criminal organizations like Hydra and AIM.

In the coming months, Marvel: Avengers Alliance will continue to expand with ongoing content releases.  Players can look forward to new missions and storylines, additional Super Heroes, and upgraded abilities, plus new equipment, weapons, powers and costumes for unlock and purchase.

Social gamers and Marvel fans can join S.H.I.E.L.D and begin the adventure immediately: http://www.facebook.com/avengersalliance.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/avengersalliance

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This April, The Avengers and the X-Men — the two most popular franchises in comics history — go to war. Marvel has announced the Avengers VS X-Men, a landmark twelve-issue pop culture event bringing together the world’s greatest super heroes — Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Magneto and more — for an unforgettable battle beginning in April 2012.

Avengers VS X-Men is written by a team of the top-selling authors in the comic book industry today: Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man); Jason Aaron (Wolverine & The X-Men, Wolverine); Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four, Ultimate Comics Ultimates); Ed Brubaker (Captain America, Winter Soldier); Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man, The Mighty Thor).

This unprecedented assembly of acclaimed writers is joined by a trio of the industry’s superstar artists: John Romita Jr (Avengers); Olivier Coipel (The Mighty Thor); Adam Kubert (X-Men: Schism).

The Avengers and X-Men have learned that the all-powerful embodiment of both death and rebirth known as the Phoenix Force is on a crash course for Earth – and it needs a new host to unleash its immeasurable power. But what is the shocking decision tied to the Phoenix’s return that will pit the Avengers against the X-Men? And when good friends become bitter enemies, what does this mean for the future of the Marvel Universe?

Shipping twice monthly, this epic twelve-issue limited series will be available in comic stores and on the Marvel Comics app on the same day — additionally, each print issue of Avengers VS X-Men includes a code for a free digital copy of the issue on the Marvel Comics app at no additional cost to fans or retailers.

“Avengers VS X-Men brings together the most powerful forces in comics for a super hero war like you’ve never seen before and will never see again. We all want to see the best of the best go against each other — Lakers & Celtics; Ali & Frazier; Yankees & Red Sox; and in comics it’s the Avengers fighting the X-Men,” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Entertainment.

“We’ve brought together the biggest writers, biggest artists and biggest characters for the biggest story we’ve ever told. This is the kind of high-octane action-packed story that fans demand while also having a profound effect on every character involved—and reshaping the Marvel Universe in its wake.”

Plus, for the first time ever, fans can watch and take part in the groundbreaking Avengers VS X-Men live Kickoff beginning at 3:00pm ET today on Marvel.com and http://new.livestream.com/marveluniverse. A unique event produced in collaboration with Livestream.com’s cutting edge streaming services and the Hangout functionality provided by Google+, they will be bringing the writers and editors of AVX directly to the fans.

Make sure to follow Marvel on Google+ as five lucky True Believers will be chosen to join in on the AVX hangout with their favorite writers and editors. Even if you’re not part of the Hangout, your questions can still be answered via Facebook and Twitter using hashtag #AvX—just make sure to send in your questions before the press conference ends.

For more on Avengers VS X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.com

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Marvel fans can celebrate the New Year with the biggest change to the world of digital comics in 2012. Beginning with January’s Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #6, all Ultimate Comics Universe titles will be polybagged with a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices at no extra cost.

This comes after the incredible success of the digital copy so far. In February, these codes (redeemable for the same print issue as purchased) expand to the rest of the Ultimate Comics Universe, as new arcs begin with Ultimate Comics X-Men #7 and Ultimate Comics Ultimates #7.

“The groundbreaking stories told each month in the Ultimate Comics Universe are some of the best comics being published today,” said David Gabriel, Senior Vice-President of Sales, Marvel Entertainment. “Looking at the tremendous response to our digital copy code offer with Avenging Spider-Man #1, it’s clear that this is something fans want to see more of and we’re delivering it on a scale never seen before, with no extra cost to retailers or fans—and historic benefits for our retail partners.”

The Ultimate Comics line made history in 2010 with the first line of comics to be offered digitally on the same day print editions hit stores, beginning with Ultimate Comics Thor #1. With its inception in 2000, the Ultimate Comics Universe re-imagined the world’s most popular super heroes, including Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Wolverine and more, for a new generation.

It continues to be one of the most acclaimed and best-selling comics initiatives of the last decade, with the 2011 introduction of an all-new Spider-Man heralded as one of the most important moves in pop culture history.

In 2012, no fan can miss Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, Ultimate Comics Ultimates and Ultimate Comics X-Men, as they begin red-hot new storylines and each issue includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app.

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Next year, critically acclaimed creators Rick Remender (Uncanny X-Force) & Gabriel Hardman (Hulk) take readers deep under cover in Secret Avengers. Captain America has tasked Hawkeye with putting together a brand new team, ushering in a new era for the Secret Avengers. When the call is put out for heroes to save the Marvel Universe from its most dangerous foes, the biggest powerhouses will answer.

America’s Secret Soldier — Venom, The UK’s premiere super hero — Captain Britain, Founding Avenger — Giant-Man and more will join ranks to create a team that will have fans everywhere demanding more. Packed to the brim with action, intrigue, insurmountable odds and covers by legendary artist Arthur Adams — no fan can miss this!

“Our opening arc will have a big secret war, a big secret new world, a big secret new race, a big team death, a big secret team betrayal, and begin a secret affair. High stakes, intrigue, and tons of character drama as we unearth the mystery surrounding familiar automaton villains reimagined as members of a new species — The Descendants!” exclaimed Remender.

“I’m a tremendous fan of Gabe’s work; he’s one of the best storytellers in the business, always puts clarity first, while still managing engaging and dynamic action. I’m beyond excited to have him joining me on Secret Avengers. And having Art Adams on covers is truly a dream come true.”

Kicking off this January in Secret Avengers #21.1 by Remender and red-hot artist Patrick Zircher, fans can get a taste of what we’ve got planned before Gabriel Hardman jumps on board as the ongoing artist with Secret Avengers #22.

“Secret Avengers gives me the opportunity to draw an exciting group of heroes who I’ve never drawn before as well as design new villains and new worlds. Hawkeye, Beast and Valkyrie have been favorites of mine since I was a kid. That combined that with the crazy big, black ops tinged action/adventure makes this a book I had to draw,” explained Hardman.

“Rick is known for his wildly inventive scripts and he really delivers with Secret Avengers. This is an epic story that will have big repercussions. That’s the kind of storytelling I like to be involved with.”

With Hawkeye at the helm, Captain America’s strike force team must dodge Adaptoids, Descendants and the biggest threats to the Marvel Universe — without anyone knowing, in Secret Avengers.

Finally, while the Secret Avengers takes exciting new leaps, the Dark Angel saga is coming to an end. Don’t miss the shocking conclusion to the critically acclaimed Dark Angel Saga from the blockbuster creative team of Rick Remender, Jerome Opeña & Dean White, this December in the polybagged Uncanny X-Force #18.

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Cut off one of its heads, and two more take its place — An all-new Hydra has risen and they have their sights set on the Sentinel of Liberty in your first look at Captain America #6.

Critically acclaimed writer Ed Brubaker is joined by legendary artist Alan Davis for an important new chapter in the life of Steve Rogers. Throughout Fear Itself, Rogers has been harboring a dark secret and its one that may leave the leader of Earth’s Mightiest — powerless. Can Cap and his closest allies take on the revitalized Hydra and stop them before it’s too late?

Meanwhile, Norman Osborn’s new Dark Avengers are put to the test next month in New Avengers #19, courtesy of the blockbuster creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato.

The new and improved H.A.M.M.E.R., led by Osborn, is out for revenge and failure is not an option for his new Dark Avengers. And when the New Avengers find out who their doppelgangers are, it will send shockwaves throughout the team. Get your front row ticket to the action in New Avengers #19.

Finally, for X-Men fans, Stryker’s rampage against all of mutant kind escalates in your first look at Ultimate Comics X-Men #4 from the creative team of Nick Spencer and Paco Medina.

With the number of mutants still on the run dwindling down, the new X-Men must act quickly if there is any hope of survival. Except when tensions rise amongst the group – a traitor may be in their midst.

Can Stryker be stopped and can the X-Men hold it together in time to save their race? Find out in Ultimate Comics X-Men #4.

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It’s Daredevil vs. the Bruiser: Round One, as Marvel presents a first look at Daredevil #6 From the critically acclaimed creative team of Mark Waid and Marcos Martin, Daredevil must go head to head against a contract fighter who can’t be put down and making Matt’s life a living nightmare.

How Daredevil survives, you’ll have to read to find out — but the result makes him the most dangerous man in the Marvel Universe. Fans can get in on the action this November.

Also coming this winter, prepare for a whole new brand of terror as the critically acclaimed creative team of Zeb Wells and Clayton Crain let Cletus Kasady loose on America’s heartland in Carnage U.S.A. #1.

Leaving a wake of bloodshed, no one is safe from Carnage’s lunacy — not even the Avengers!

Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man and more of Earth’s Mightiest must go on a brutal hunt to capture Cletus Kasady before the American heartland falls under his mass-murdering spell. Buckle in for the most mind-blowing cross country tour fans have ever taken in Carnage U.S.A. #1, this December.

Finally, experience the explosive finale to Jason Aaron & Marc Silvestri’s first arc of Incredible Hulk as Marvel also present the Incredible Hulk #3 for the holidays.

It’s all come down to this — Banner’s genetically altered, gamma irradiated beasts vs. the Jade Giant. Three monsters enter, and only one side can emerge victorious. With a powerhouse army at Banner’s disposal, Hulk must seek out Amanda Von Doom for help.

But in doing so – his destiny will be forever changed. No fan can miss out on the Earth shattering conclusion of Asunder in Incredible Hulk #3.

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It’s a brand new direction for Flash Thompson as artist Lan Medina (Castle: Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm) joins Rick Remender (Uncanny X-Force) in your first look at Venom #10.

The identity of Venom is in the hands of the villainous Crime-Master and Flash will do anything to keep it from getting out – even if it means going rogue. That’s right, Venom has broken the rules and not only is he on the top of the Americas Most Wanted list, but Captain America’s out to get him. This December, America’s Secret Soldier goes against America’s Super Soldier in Venom #10.

Dark Horse Comics has also teamed up with dark fantasy author Caitlin R. Kiernan for a brand new project; details have not been released yet but the folks at Dark Horse have let out a teaser image that comic blog sites have described as “wicked cool.”

According to ComicBookResources.com, the crouching figure is the fantasy author’s character Dancy Flammarion, a “monster-hunting albino from the Florida backwoods” who was first introduced in Threshold from 2001. Dancy later appeared in the short story collection Alabaster from 2006. ComicBookResource.com could furthermore report that the  “excited but relatively tight-lipped” author told fans on her Livejournal that the official announcement on the new comic will be ready on Wednesday.

Kiernan has worked with comics before as she did The Sandman spinoff The Dreaming and the miniseries The Girl Who Would Be Death.

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Marvel has brought their comic book characters to the big screen for a long time. Marvel has brought out one film every year since 2002, starting with “Spider-man.” Since then, we have seen many Marvel character adaptations, including Daredevil, the Punisher, the Hulk, Elektra, Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America.

Future releases include “The Amazing Spiderman” and its sequel. Both “Thor” and “Iron Man” will also have sequels. The Avengers is the latest Marvel comic book to see the big screen. It is part of the Marvel cinematic universe that crosses over several Marvel superhero films including “Iron Man” (2008), “The Incredible Hulk” (2008), “Iron Man 2″ (2010), “Thor” (2011), and “Captain America: The First Avenger” ( 2011).

The movie is directed by Josh Whedon, and stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson. The Avengers comic book made its debut in September 1963. The original lineup consisted of Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor.

Captain America did not appear alongside until the fourth issue when the original team found him. The other two characters, Ant-Man and Wasp, are not featured in the film. Even though many Marvel characters have been in the Avengers lineup, one thing has always remained consistent: they fight.

As with most Marvel films, the movie version of the Avengers does not exactly remain totally faithful to the comic book. Now this may not upset many moviegoers who seem to love these comic book action heroes. Diehard Marvel fans do not like these stories being tampered with.

On a Marvel fan site, I found that a majority of Marvel fans do not like many of the films that have been produced, except the first two Spider-man and X-men movies. Being a Marvel fan myself, I can remember the days when there were no Marvel movies whatsoever. Waiting for a Marvel movie looked like something that was never going to happen.

Spider-man was something that was rumored to happen since 1992, with many people promising a Spidey film, including James Cameron, which never saw light of day. Finally, when these films did come out, fans expecting something great only felt disappointed time and again.

All Marvel fans agree the action in the movies has been great, but the stories is where they feel let down. They don’t understand why Marvel cannot make the same quality movies as D.C. Comics, which D.C. Comics has done with Superman and Batman, movies that have brilliant stories.

One of the great examples of a Marvel picture that had a storyline that was tampered with was “The Hulk”starring Eric Bana. They came up with a side story about Bruce Banner’s father, which was the reason why he was affected by gamma rays. This totally diverts from the original vision and should have been left out of the picture.

It should have just stuck to the facts. Although the recent Iron Man films have been viewed by the fans as brilliant, ” The Avengers” also looks to be another film fans are eagerly awaiting for.

Image Courtesy of  http://marvel.com/ 

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Marvel’s newest film, Captain America, released on July 22, joins the list of great movies that Marvel has produced these last two decades.  With action, and a balance of humor, sadness, and romance, director Joe Johnston delivers the goods straight to the door.

Amidst all the fun, the first 30 minutes is most memorable not for Captain America’s feats of strength but rather feats of bravery and physical weakness.  That’s right, Captain America had to start somewhere.  The effects teams came up with a unique and long process of creating “skinny Steve” Rodgers out of the buff and massive Chris Evans.

At first the plan to create a skinnier Chris Evans was to film a body double and digitally paste Evan’s head on the double’s body.  This technique was primarily used in David Fincher’s films, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button when using Brad Pitt’s head on an older man’s body.  The technique was also used in The Social Network when creating one of the Winklevoss twins.

However, when the time came for the double to re-create Evans’ movements, there was a problem.  He could not seem to mimic Evan’s body movement correctly.

“Chris moves in such a unique way; he doesn’t move like anybody else,” Johnston said. “The body double could not move like him. As hard as he tried to watch Chris and duplicate the movements, it just wasn’t the same.”

This led to a conundrum of what the crew should do to create the skinny Steve Rodgers. Apart from some, Evans liked that the body double would not be used.

“The beginning part of the movie is so crucial to get the audience invested in who Steve is, I didn’t want to share that part of the performance with another actor,” Evans said.  “I talked to Joe about it and thankfully, he agreed.”

With this bump in the road the crew had to figure out a different way to “unenhance” Evans’ body.

The final plan was to digitally shrink Evans’ muscles, jaw line and body to look like the 90-pound Rodgers.  This worked but left the digital effects team with a problem.  After shrinking the body, it left empty space in the background that Evan’s body previously covered.

To fix the problem, the crew had to shoot using green screens and superimpose the background into the picture to cover the empty space.  This turned out to work well but became a long and trying process.  Taking up some of the production time and all of post-production, the effects team had to alter about 250 shots to create “skinny Steve.”  However, sometimes the artists would catch a break in scenes when Evans’ was laying or sitting down because the head replacement became possible.

Captain America: The First Avenger pulled in a lot of attention in the time leading up to its release: Joe Johnston did not disappoint.  With a movie pulling off difficult special effects as well as keeping the characters and the story in mind, Captain America blew audiences away.

Many movies get carried away with special effects but Captain America, even with the overwhelming amount of effects, stayed true to what really makes a movie great, the story and the characters.

Image Courtsey of   http://www.facebook.com/CaptainAmericaMovie

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With a new project in the making for Captain America actress Hayley Atwell, could this mean to new acting gig for Outkast’s Andre 3000?

According to Atwell this likely stand in the realm of possibility; In one reply during the actress’ interview with Esquire magazine the actress notes future plans pertaining to “a Jimi Hendrix biopic- an independent film with Andre 3000 from Outkast playing Jimi Hendrix” (pastemagazine.com).  However, with an added “But I don’t know, really” to the actress’ prior statement, the occurrence of a biopic with Andre 3000 remains vocally unofficial.

Nonetheless, discussion of a movie centered on Hendrix has been floating throughout the conversations of musicians beyond Andre 3000; Lenny Kravitz and Laurence Fishburne are among those who have exhibited an interest in having a biopic produced. And while a handful have campaigned for the biopic’s production, a budding Hendrix movie in 2006 was halted by London’s High Court. This was due to the court’s reported reasoning that filmmakers in the US did not own rights to Hendrix’s music or image (nme.com).

With multiple appearances in shows such as the soap opera Families and drama series The Shield, Andre 3000 owns his fair share of acting experience.  Add on his movie role as Percival in 2006’s Idlewild and the artist, born André Lauren Benjamin, surfaces as an even better match for the legendary Hendrix’s biopic.

Though he has been pushing for a Hendrix biopic since 2004, Andre 3000 is still prepared to release his solo album by the year’s end along with a rumored reunion CD with Big Boi. Being the group that brought us spirited dance songs such as 2003′s “Hey Ya”, “The way you move” and “Roses” (Speakerboxxx/I Love Below), an Outkast album is sure to stll gratify music fans in 2012.

While the future of a music legend’s biopic remains to be seen, music buffs will have to tide themselves over with other means of reaching solid entertainment.

Multiple means of music outlets (youtube.com, Pandora.com, itunes) are sure to semi-pacify music thirsty fans, however, there is little that could match the potential exquisite nature of a Jimi Hendrix Biopic.

In the meantime, a hopefulness that Mrs. Atwell’s “I don’t know” regarding the biopic will transform into certainty shall act as a sustainer for music devotees.

Captain America: The First Avenger: starring Atwell along with Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving premieres everywhere July 22.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/tulanesally/3619554591/sizes/l/in/photostream/

The article Outkast’s Andre 3000: Possible Role in Hendrix Biopic appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.