Watch Astonishing X-Men: Gifted Motion Comic

Maybe it’s because it’s that time of year, but in my somewhat random web surfing I came across the Astonishing X-Men Motion Comic of *Gifted* on Hulu – I had no idea these were available other than as a paid download on iTunes. I am big fan of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s run on the comic, so much so that I did a set of custom action figures based on them (see X-Men Legends Box Set: Gifted at CustomCon 16.)

Hulu has 4 of 6 issues so far, so I’ll be doing some watching over the holiday break. The next comes out next Tuesday, December 29.

Also, don’t miss out on Hulu’s interview with comics legend Neal Adams, who co-directed the motion comic with John Cassaday.

You’ve been involved with some of the biggest names in comic books — names like Superman, Batman and X-Men. How did you get your start?

I started when people thought that comic books were toilet paper. In America, once we attacked communists, we also then attacked comic books. Comic books, for a long time in America, were considered to be the kind of thing you never wanted to show your kids and you never wanted to read yourself. So there’s been this long climb upward. When I began, everything was pretty much in the doldrums and everyone was telling me, “You don’t want to do comic books because pretty soon — a year or two, maybe three — they’ll be gone.”

via Exclusive Interview: Neal Adams « Hulu Blog.

Watch Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?! Episode 10: MODOK Holiday Special

It wouldn’t be a holiday without a video from MODOK and the gang at MSH: What the–?!

Happy Holidays!

Watch Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?! Episode 10: MODOK Holiday Special

M.O.D.O.K. hosts an all-star holiday special in this episode of ”Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!”

No one celebrates this special time of year like M.O.D.O.K. (Mental Organism Designed Only for Kristmas)! Honestly, NO ONE does.

But somehow M.O.D.O.K. convinced his famous friends and frenemies to take part in his holiday special a.k.a. “Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!” Ep. 10! As the bigheaded blowhard awaits the big bellied man in the red suit, a stream of luminaries including The Punisher, Hulk and Tori Amos (yes, Tori Amos!) stop by for holiday hijinks!

“Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!” Ep. 10 is one holiday special you won’t soon forget!

via M.O.D.O.K. hosts an all-star holiday special in this episode of ”Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!” | Marvel.com News | Marvel.com.

Marvel Select Cyclops Base Prototype Pic

Usually, when someone engages in gratuitous self-promotion, like describing their own custom action figure as “AWESOME L@@K” in their eBay auction title, I take it with a big grain of salt.  But this prototype picture of the base that will come with the Marvel Select Cyclops really is cool.  I had nitpicks about how Cyclops looks, but the idea of interlocking bases that make up a Danger Room is pretty damn compelling – and I don’t even collect the regular-sized Marvel Select figures.

OK, now THIS is COOL

One of the more appealing features of the Marvel Select line has been the elaborate bases that come with the figures. Lately I’ve had to scale back on that due to the extra details (and in some cases, raw size) of some figures, and it has broken my heart (or whatever I have that passes for a heart). Well, now we have come back to where we began. In the true spirit of the line, I present to you the Danger Room base that will come with Cyclops. This thing looks awesome. And, if you look at the sides of the walls and floor you will see that there are grooves just in case we want to do more X-Men (cough, Colossus, cough) with other Danger Room sections. HUGE props to Bill Mancuso for this one. I said I wanted a Danger Room base (actually, I had a different plan originally, but we won’t talk about that – ever) and he took the concept and ran with it. Now all I want to do is focus on building the complete Danger Room (but y’all will have to wait because I can’t do all X-Men all the time). Enjoy…

via Art Asylum Blog » OK, now THIS is COOL.

DC Universe Classics Wave 11 and Retro-Action DC Super Heroes Green Arrow on Sale December 23

Just a quick reminder – you may be wrapped up in your last-minute holiday shopping, but don’t forget that DC Universe Classics Wave 11 box set and the Retro-Action DC Super Heroes Green Arrow go on sale at Noon ET on MattyCollector.com.

Get all the DCU Classics figures from Wave 11 in a single boxed set! This 8-figure set includes all the parts needed to make the Collect and Connect™ Killowog figure. Includes:

  • John Stewart (with constructs)
  • Katma Tui (with constructs)
  • Shark
  • The Question (fan choice figure!)
  • Cyborg Superman in Sinestro Corps outfit
  • Deadman
  • Steppenwolf (Red version)
  • Steppenwolf (Green version)

Please Note: This set does not include the chase clear version of Deadman.

via MattyCollector.com Online Store – DCU Classics Wave 11 Boxed Set.

Who says they don’t make toys like they used to? Inspired by the classic fabric-clothes figures from the ’70s and ’80s, Green Arrow is the first release from the Retro-Action™ DC Super Heroes line!

Green Arrow comes in an 8″ body with removable soft-goods hero outfit, bow, and hat. This preview figure is exclusive to Mattycollector.com, with the rest of the line arriving at Toys “R” Us and select online retailers in spring 2010.

via MattyCollector.com Online Store – Green Arrow.

Pre-Launch Interview with Mattel WWE Team – PJ Lewis and Derek Handy

The wait is nearly over.

It’s been over 22 long months since Mattel announced it had won the master toy license for the WWE from long-time holder JAKKS Pacific, and now we’re just ten days away from the official launch date. Even with the WWE team at Mattel completing their final prep for the launch, they were kind enough to answer our questions about the most anticipated toy line of 2010.

We spoke with PJ Lewis and Derek Handy from Mattel. PJ is the brand manager for the WWE toy lines, and Derek is on the design team.

Q: Hi – thanks for taking the time to speak with us today. PJ, to start, can you introduce yourself?

PJ Lewis: Hello. My name is PJ Lewis and I am a Senior Brand Manager at Mattel. I’ve been at the company 4 years and had the opportunity to work on Speed Racer, DC Universe, Cartoon Network Brands, and more.

Q: WWE is one of the most coveted licenses out there. How long has Mattel been targeting the license, and what were the key points that made acquiring the license possible?

PJ: There are so few brands in the action figure aisle that are true evergreen brands like WWE. Simply, when something like it comes available, you go after it. As for key points, we are a creative, passionate team with global reach unmatched in the industry. I’d like to think these all helped the license come our way.

Q: Let’s talk about the toys, due to hit shelves January 1, 2010. First, can you tell us a bit about each line and who they’re targeted at? We know Flex Force is aimed at kids, but who’s the primary target for the Basic figures, Elite Collection, and Entrance Greats?

Basic Series 1:

WWE TRIPLE H Figure (Series 1).jpgWWE BATISTA Figure (Series 1).jpgWWE JOHN CENA Figure (Series 1).jpgWWE BIG SHOW Figure (Series 1).jpgWWE KOFI KINGSTON Figure (Series 1).jpgWWE EVAN BOURNE Figure (Series 1).jpg

Basic Series 2:

Kane_1.JPGRey Mysterio_1.jpgCM Punk_1.JPGMark Henry_1.JPGVladimir Kozlov_1.JPGJack Swagger 1.jpg

PJ: Basic Figures are the day in and day out replicas of the WWE roster. They average 15 points of articulation and capture the changing decos and new talent additions. The Elite Collection are designed for collectors and fans that want to take it to the next level. These feature 25+ points of articulation, authentic ring attire, and what we hope to be the best deco you have ever seen on a WWE figure.

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