Audio: Grant Morrison on Magic!

A lecture on magic given at the Omega Institute in 2005 by comic book writer Grant Morrison.

Video: The Second Trailer for MAN OF STEEL!

This trailer follows in the “Tree of Life” style of the first trailer.  But offers  more images of Superman in his costume.    And more of the epic feel that a Superman film needs.

Video: Zack Snyder’s MAN OF STEEL

Good teaser.  Just enough Supes stuff to tell you it’s a Superman film.  And just enough other stuff to suggest it’s gonna be different.  The flick is a year away.  But this is a good beginning in their marketing efforts.

Action Comics #2 Sells Out!

According to Bleeding Cool, Action Comics #2, one of the hottest comics of DC’s recent relaunch, has “gone to back order”.  This means retailers cannot order any more copies and have any certainty they will receive them by street date.  The comic is written by Grant Morrison with art by Rags Morales.

Photo: First Look at Henry Cavill in SUPERMAN Costume!

We can hear every geek on Internet collectively screech:  “Dump the texture.”  And we have to agree.  It’s a Superman costume, not an imitation alligator bag.

The classic Supes costume is a thing of beauty.  Duplicate it, don’t improve on it.  Because you can’t, Mr. H’wood Costume Designer.  It took decades and hordes of artists to get it to its iconic splendor.  Honor that.  Respect that.  Heck, use it!  It’s sold everything from pajamas to peanut butter.  And, if you honor it,  it will sell your movie too!

ART: Cover Art for Superman #1, Superboy #1 and Supergirl #1! (And Action #1 Promotional Image!)

Here’s the cover for Superman #1 by Georges Perez.  We must say we aren’t crazy about the costume changes.  (Jim Lee was responsible for the redesign.)  Superman’s costume is iconic.  Leave it alone.  Some have suggested these costume changes are a way to get around the court decision in DC’s case with Siegel and Shuster estates.  We don’t think so.  The changes we need to be more significant.

Superboy and Supergirl after the jump …

Superman Hates America?

Superman usually gets in the mainstream press because he’s dying or getting married or changing his costume.   But this week he’s all over the news for his political views.  Yup, you read that right, his political views?!?   Or, to be more precise, a discussed action.    In this case, the notion that he’s going to renounce his American citizenship.  This has caused a furor online and off.   For a good rundown of all that you might want to look at Bleeding Cool’s coverage.

More on this story after the jump …

General Zod Actor Announced for New Supes Film!

It has been announced that Michael Shannon (“Boardwalk Empire“, Pearl Harbor, Vanilla Sky) has been cast as General Zod in Zack Snyder‘s upcoming Superman film.  Zod made his first appearance in a 1961 issue of Adventure Comics.    Zod was previously played by Terrence Stamp in Superman and Superman II, and by Callum Blue in “Smallville”.  We have no strong opinion about this casting either.  We’ve seen Shannon in a bunch of movies.   He’s a solid actor.  And could do quite a good job.  But it will all depend on the script.

Cavill to Play Supes; Stewart Rumored for Lois

So it’s official, British actor Henry Cavill will be Clark Kent/Superman in the upcoming Zack Snyder directed Superman film.  Cavill is best known for appearing as Charles Brandon in “The Tudors” and as “Randy” in the 2009 Woody Allen film Whatever Works.  Fan reaction has been muted.  Probably because most fans have never heard of him.

But now news has leaked out that’s sure to send fans rushing for their keyboards:  Kristen Stewart is being rumored as a potential “Lois Lane”.  We aren’t Twilight or Kristen Stewart bashers.  We think she’s a talented actress and would be fine in the role.  But we can’t help thinking that Anne Hathaway, announced as Catwoman in Dark Knight Rising, seems a more appropriate choice for Lois Lane.  And Stewart seems more appropriate for Catwoman.

Preview: Superman – Earth One!

“Earth One” is a new series of graphic novels from DC Comics,  imagining what the company’s classic heroes would be like if they were introduced for the first time today.  This series of graphic novels begins with Superman: Earth One written by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by Shane Davis.  It hits bookstores on 10/27/10.

A five-page preview follows after the jump …