10 Comic Book Characters Inspired by Real People
There are so many comic book characters that have been created over the years that it’s hard not to think that some of them are based on real people. The thought has crossed my mind during my years of reading comics, but I’ve never actually done the research to figure it out.
Thanks to Youtubers Matthew Santoro and VSauce3, who did do the research, we have a great video breakdown that lists off 10 comic book characters whose creation was inspired by real people. Check out the video. I’ve listed them off in text form below.
#1 – The Joker – Conrad Viedt (1928)
#2 – John Constantine – Sting
#3 – Tintin – Danish Boy Scout Palle Huld
#4 – The Hellfire Club – Various actors who Jack Kirby and Stan Lee were familiar with
#5 – Magneto and Professor X – Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
#6 – Iron Man – Howard Hughes
#7 – Lucifer Morningstar – David Bowie
#8 – Harley Quinn – Arleen Sorkin (Days of Our Lives)
#9 – J. Jonah Jameson – Stan Lee
#10 – Darkseid – Adolf Hitler
Who will star in the upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ spinoff?
HARTFORD – After the movie version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released in 2001, author J.K. Rowling also released a book called Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
It was a different kind of book, penned under the name Newt Scamander, a “magiczoologist”, and purporting to be Harry Potter’s exact copy from the series, a required textbook from his first year at Hogwarts. It was a fun book to write, according to Rowling, who thought the topic of magical creatures would have widespread interest, and provide further information on beings touched upon in the previous seven-part book series.
On September 12, 2013, Warner Bros., who produced the eight-part Harry Potter film series, and Rowling announced that a new Pottermore trilogy would be produced, beginning with a film inspired by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The film, featuring Rowling herself as the screenwriter, will feature Newt Scamander as the main character, set in New York 70 years before Harry’s story starts, and following his many escapades with a variety of magical creatures.
“Although it will be set in the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy for 17 years, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the ‘Harry Potter’ series but an extension of the wizarding world,” Rowling explained of the trilogy.
New information has been released that British actor Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) is the studio’s first choice for Newt Scamander. Director David Yates, who also directed the last four of the previous Harry Potter movies, is said to be considering a few other actors for the part, such as Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies) but Redmayne, according to sources, is the frontrunner.
Besides Scamander, there are four other main roles — two American girls and two American boys — that the studio is currently looking to cast.
The first of this new Pottermore trilogy is expected to be released in theaters on November 18, 2016.
DANIEL RADCLIFFE: Harry Potter star is guest presenter on Have I Got News For You on BBC One
J.K. Rowling Discusses Potential Eighth ‘Harry Potter’ Book; Author Says ‘Never Say Never’
“Harry Potter” fans, brace yourselves. J.K. Rowling appeared Friday on NBC’s “Today” show, where she was asked about the possibility of writing an eighth installment in the “Harry Potter” series. While most viewers expected the answer to be a hard “no” after she had previously announced the series’ end, Rowling’s response shocked fans of the seven-book series.
“I have always said, never say never,” she quipped. “I’ve always said I’m not going to say ‘I definitely won’t’ because I don’t see why I should say that. You know, it’s my world and I might choose to step back into it. I’m stepping back into that world, writing the script for ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.’”
Unfortunately, it seems her comment was nothing more than a joke. She quickly cleared up any confusion, saying Potter fans shouldn’t expect any updates on Harry, Ron or Hermione anytime soon. “I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Rowling admitted. The best-selling author then shared a laugh with host Matt Lauer about the likelihood that her words would be twisted, making it appear like she’d make a major announcement.
“But even as I answer that, I know that someone’s cutting this on YouTube to make it as though I gave you hope,” she noted.
It appears Rowling’s fans will have to hold out to get their magic fix from the English author. As Rowling shared on “Today,” she is currently in the process of writing the script for “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” which will be a trilogy. According to reports, the film will feature creatures from the “Harry Potter” books, though it remains unclear which, if any, well-known wizards will cameo.
The films will follow a character named Newt Scamander on his wild adventures while writing the book on which the film is based. Though some aspects of the film may seem familiar to Potter fans, it has been reported that “Fantastic Beasts” takes place a full 70 years before any of the “Harry Potter” books and films. According to VC Post, David Heyman has signed on to produce the movies. It remains unclear who else will be a part of Rowling’s latest project.
20 Things Only Harry Potter Fans Will Understand
There are some things that are difficult to get over: a bad breakup, when your best friend leaves for a gap year and of course Harry Potter. And to be perfectly frank, most fans have no intention of letting their love for JK Rowling’s universe ever wane: it’s very much a big life shaper.
Chances are, if genies existed you would only need one wish and that would be to give up your muggle tendencies so that when you ran into brick walls at Kings Cross Station, you wouldn’t break your neck and looking like an idiot.
Despite the frustrating tendency of shops to sell boring pots and pans, you would love to be able to cook your meals in a cauldron; you’ve ditched “normal people” pens for a quill and ink and if you’ve probably already requested an owl for your next birthday gift.
You constantly check the news for a glimpse of some new Harry Potter information or secrets, and you know in your heart that you will always belong to the Potter community and share some very particular feelings…
20. The Pain Of Not Being Able To Discover The Series For The First Time Again
You wish that you could steal Hermione’s Time Turner and go back to a time where you didn’t know who had put Harry’s name into the Goblet Of Fire or that Sirius was the good guy all along and you want to fall so madly, deeply in love with it all again that you wish Gilderoy Lockhart was around to wipe your memory.
You’ll still shed a tear whenever you walk into the Great Hall in London at the Warner Brother Studios but it will never be as intense as the first time that you go and you see that curtain rise…
19. You Follow The Cast, Just To See How They’re Doing
You’re completely in love with Emma Watson and the fact that she is playing Belle in the live action film of Disney’s Beauty And the Beast has given you something to look forward to.
Unfortunately for the cast, it doesn’t really matter what roles they take on as they’ll never truly be able to escape their Harry Potter characters in your mind.
Instead of saying “oh Alan Rickman is getting better looking with age” you’ll say “Why is Professor Snape so fit? Is he married? Do you reckon I have a chance?”
Ob…viously.
18. Your Only Argument With Your Boss Is About Your Browsing History
“Listen, I know I’m on company time here but I promise you that I’m having a bad day and spending ten minutes on Pottermore really will make me more productive because it makes me happy and when I’m happy, I work better.”
You also need to look up spells that you’ve forgotten the name of and Harry Potter cocktails you’ll be making over the weekend because Pottermore has sorted you into Hufflepuff house for the third time in a row and you really want to be in Slytherin.
17. You Wish There Was Something That You Didn’t Know About The Series
You know everything from Hagrid’s family tree to how old the dragons were in the Triwizard Tournament and you’re desperate to know more and be completely amazed and fall in love with the idea of it all over again.
You’re praying for some sort of spin-off: anything from Neville Longbottom being the Chosen One to Dumbledore’s earlier years that would reveal a lot more about the character’s lives and their pasts.
16. You Honestly Don’t Mind Getting Socks At Christmas Anymore
You used to despise getting the same boring gifts every year and having to fake a smile on your face and get completely excited about another pair of cheesy Christmas socks that always seem to have a naked Santa on.
Now, you embrace those socks as you interpret the gift as an act of true love; the person giving them to you wants you to be a free soul, which makes it entirely appropriate to celebrate them giving you a sock like Dobby.
And then you remember that he is dead and start crying hopelessly into your turkey dinner.
15. You Explore Public Restrooms… Just In Case
There isn’t a bathroom out there creepy enough to keep you away from it because chances are, the one restroom that you ignore will reveal the Chamber of Secrets.
Then you’ll have to live your entire life knowing that you could have been down there taking a selfie with the basilisk skeleton and someone else has beaten you to it because you didn’t want to spend any more time than necessary in the smelly hovel.
14. You Secretly Think That One Day Your Spell Will Work
Wherever you go into a room and turn the lights on you mutter “Lumos” in the hope it was your magical powers that have eliminated the darkness and not you turning the dimmer switch to ‘on’.
Similarly, when you’re having a particularly lazy day and the chocolate that you want is all the way downstairs and you just don’t have the motivation to get out your bed, you’re hoping that shouting “accio chocolate” will actually count for something some day and you won’t even regret all of the weight that you put on.
13. The Bitterness Of Actually Being A Muggle
You really can’t believe someone would create a world so wonderful and fantastic that you long for it to be real and you’re so underwhelmed at your own life because driving to work is never going to be cooler than getting there through the Floo network or flushing yourself down a toilet.
You’ll never get to experience what it’s really like to fly on a broomstick and you want Beaky to be your friend instead of your rubbish, non flying Scottish terrier than won’t even touch the dead ferrets you throw at him. Ungrateful so and so.
12. You Don’t Understand Why Felix Felicis Hasn’t Been Made Yet
J.K.Rowling has presented the world with completely genius ideas and no one has even created them?
Did no-one learn anything from the Half Blood Prince? Ron only played exceptionally well because he thought he had drank it but he didn’t, so the idea of thinking that you’re lucky will in fact give you luck.
Shops would make a fortune, especially if it tasted nice. You could use some luck for that job interview that you have next week or more importantly, for that date that you’re so excited about going on and are hoping that it goes well, screw the job.
11. Knowing Deep Down That Nothing Will Ever Be The “Next Harry Potter”
You grew up with Harry Potter and you remember going to see the Philosopher’s Stone with your parents thinking about what this new movie was going to be like and then you had your mind blown for the full 152 minutes that it was on screen for.
You were so excited when the next book had a release date and staying out until midnight in order to buy it or watch the movie was a liberating and an exciting experience for you and your friends.
Every big movie franchise is now being compared to the ‘next Harry Potter’ and it will just never live up to the high standards that Harry Potter has already set; therefore it needs to receive an Outstanding review if you’re going to skip your usual 9pm bedtime.
10. You Sing The Potter Puppet Pals Song When Sober… And Drunk
“Ron! Ron! Ron WEASLLLLEEEYYYY!”
It was the highlight of your high school existence when that hilarious little musical number came out and it is your go to karaoke song that no one seems to have listed so you go for the acoustic version and you absolutely nail it.
9. You’re Happy With Being Sorted Into Any House Apart From Hufflepuff
Only joking, you adore how loving and sincere Hufflepuffs are and that’s nice for them, and all, but you know in your heart however, that you are not a Hufflepuff. You want to be brave or loyal or intelligent, you don’t want to be yellow.
And no matter how times you take the same quizzes over and over again hoping for a genuine place in Gryffindor house, you’ll always remember the first time that you answered everything honestly and got Hufflepuff.
8. You’ll Never Go To A Bookstore At Midnight Again
You used to get so excited at the thought of queueing up outside your local bookshop with hundreds of other Harry Potter fans counting down until Midnight like it was Hogmanay and just exploding with emotions of happiness, anxiety and tiredness.
You were so happy about staying up all night long to read the book so you could know what happens, regardless of your 9am exam the next day; you needed to sort out your priorities – jokes, Harry Potter was the priority.
It’s going to be a very rare occasion that you ever venture to a midnight opening for a book that doesn’t involve Harry, Ron and Hermione.
7. Being Utterly Disgusted By The IDea Of A Reboot
How could they? With the Harry Potter studios in London and Harry Potter World in Orlando they would need to get rid of the current worlds in order to replace it so it fits with the reboot, surely?
Harry Potter will not be rebooted for a very long time, probably not in your children’s generation or if ever, but the only reboot that will be acceptable to you is if Emma Watson takes on the role of McGonagall, Tom Felton is Lucius Malfoy and Alan Rickman as Snape. No-one will ever be able to replace Rickman.
6. Quidditch Should Be An Olympic Sport
If table tennis is an Olympic sport then Quidditch should be too and oh, how everyone would cheer. If anything muggle Quidditch is harder than wizard Quidditch as you have to still ride a broom but run at the same time. It takes a lot of fitness and accuracy in order to be successful, like most other sports so why not throw it into the Olympics games?
It also integrates both genders, which is something a little different from keeping the sexes divided at the Games because let’s face it, we all want to find ourselves a Keeper.
5. You Live In The Library Hoping To Get Granger Smart
For some reason it just isn’t working despite the long hours that you’re putting in and you hair is getting bushier and bushier just like Hermione’s.
No-one is staring at you from across the bookcases in a romantic way like Krum did and you’re gutted that no libraries have any restricted sections because that would just be too much for a wannabe wizard to handle.
4. You Pretend Your Angry Texts Are Howlers
For real.
Some people really get under your skin and being a muggle, you’re unable to send them a letter which will shout in their faces in front of whoever is around them and then explode in a fit of rage as soon as your ‘angry voice’ has finished everything that you have to say.
So your text is pretty much always written in capital letters and ends with *Your phone starts to explode* and *drops mic* at the end of every message, just so they understand how upset you are and are the universal trademarks of a Howler.
3. The Constant Need To Know What Your Patronus Would Be
Who are you? You know that you’re only defined based on whatever animal your patronus is and until you know for sure what which animal will be chasing away those dementors, you’re finding it difficult to sleep at night.
You also find it offensive when someone says that your Patronus would be a giraffe. Like, what does a giraffe do?
You’d also like to know what your animagus would be and you’re so upset that none of it is real. Sad times.
2. When People Judge The Theme Of Your Tattoos And Wedding
“Oh let me see your tattoo. ‘I open at the close’. What does that mean? Oh, it’s from Harry Potter? That’s a bit sad isn’t it?” You shut your dirty mouth.
No, it isn’t sad and surely it’s better to get something you love inked onto your body forever than something you got on a whim and now you deeply regret it.
As far as wedding themes go, having a Hogwarts inspired one sounds incredible and at the end of the day, it’s your wedding so why are you trying to keep everyone else happy? If you want to pose on a broomstick holding a quaffle then you pose the hell out of that picture.
1. You Can’t Wait To Introduce Your Children To The Series
Even if you don’t have children just yet, you’re so excited at the thought of sitting down together, watching the first film and then seeing the magic in their eyes for the first time. Bedtime stories will consist of the first four books because you can’t listen to them cry when Sirius falls behind the veil.
However, if they say that they don’t like Harry Potter then feel free to send them away to their aunt’s house or in the cupboard under the stairs.
The Story of What JK Rowling Has Done Since Harry Potter Will Make You Love Her Even More
Seven books and eight films in the Potter franchise later, however, Joanne Rowling remains a cultural force. She’s written new books like The Casual Vacancy and The Cuckoo’s Calling, the latter under a pseudonym, and launched the immersive Potter fan site, Pottermore. Yet perhaps most impressive has been Rowling’s continued work in the worlds of activism and charity.
Harry Potter was a treasure. It’s what’s come afterward that’s truly magical.
She’s promoted LGBTQ visibility. “Dumbledore is gay.” Eight years ago, Rowling stunned fans with three simple words. They suddenly made one of the biggest characters in Harry Potter one of the few queer characters in children’s literature.
It wasn’t just a verbal swish of her wand, either. In the years since, Rowling has continued to promote and support the headmaster’s sexual orientation. When a fan told the author they couldn’t “see him in that way,” her response was simply perfect: “Maybe because gay people just look like… people?”
Albus Dumbledore wasn’t alone at Hogwarts’ GSA meetings, either. Rowling told fans last December that there were LGBTQ students roaming the school of magic’s halls throughout its history.
She gave up her billionaire status through her charitable donations. Rowling became the first female novelist to hit $1 billion thanks to her Harry Potter fortune — and yet she quickly knocked herself out of the coveted bracket. Thanks to giving $160 million to charity (and, it must be noted, taxes), she dropped off the list in 2012.
“You have a moral responsibility when you’ve been given far more than you need, to do wise things with it and give intelligently,” she once said, according to Mother Nature Network. This likely comes from her pre-Harry Potter days of living on state benefits. Now that she has enough to affect change, she’s putting her funds to good use.
She’s worked for orphans worldwide. A huge part of her charity work has focused on eliminating the institutionalization of parentless children in the world. Her organization Lumos, named for an illumination spell in Harry Potter and of which she is lifetime president, aims to end this pandemic by 2050.
In an op-ed she wrote for the Guardian, Rowling explained why orphanages are such an important cause for her:
It was a black-and-white photograph in a newspaper. It showed a small boy, locked in a caged bed in a residential institution. His hands clutched what appeared to be chicken wire containing him, and his expression was agonised.
Lumos exists, Rowling said, because of that photograph. “Part of our work in Lumos is to shed light on the lives of those millions of children separated from their families for reasons of poverty, disability and discrimination,” she wrote. “Cut off from society, institutionalised children return to the world with their chances of a happy, healthy life greatly impaired.”
The organization works in countries like Bulgaria and the Czech Republic to great effect. In the former, institutionalization has decreased by 54% since Lumos began work. There’s more to be done, but Rowling remains committed.
Harry Potter was a treasure, but what came after was truly magical.
That’s what’s truly incredible about Rowling: She didn’t let the end of Harry Potter’s story be the end of her own. She continues to challenge herself by writing new stories, even under new noms de plume. Most importantly, she has never stopped giving back. For a Muggle, she’s truly magical.
‘Furious 7′ Premieres at SXSW to Cheers for Paul Walker
“Furious 7” premiered at a secret midnight screening at SXSW on Sunday night to a packed crowd that broke into spontaneous applause throughout the movie.
Fans had started lining up outside fours hours before “Furious 7″ was scheduled to start, but that didn’t mute their enthusiasm. The audience response was unanimously positive. The loudest cheers were during a climatic action sequence set in Abu Dhabi, and the first time Paul Walker appears on screen about five minute into the film, driving a van to pick up his son from school.
“I know Paul Walker would be smiling down on us,” said the film’s producer Neal Moritz as he introduced the film. “We lost a dear friend, brother and comrade when we were making this movie. When we decided to continue this movie, we were determined to honor his legacy.”
Walker, who plays Brian O’Conner in the “Fast and Furious” series, died in the middle of the shoot in November 2013 in a car crash, forcing Universal Pictures to shut down production as it figured out how to finish the movie without one of its stars. But his passing has also increased interest in the seventh film in Universal’s most successful franchise to date.
Before the movie began, Moritz invited some of the creative team onstage — including the film’s director James Wan, screenwriter Chris Morgan and actor Tyrese Gibson. Vin Diesel, who plays Dominic Toretto, didn’t make the trek to Austin.
“I finished the movie last week,” Wan said. “It’s hot off the presses.”
Gibson thanked the audience for their continued devotion to the franchise. “We don’t look at y’all as fans of the movie,” Gibson said. “Most of you grew up with us. The reason we kept the movie going is on behalf of our brother Paul Walker.”
The film closes with a touching tribute to Walker, which left many in the theater holding back tears. “I would have cried if I didn’t have my friends around,” said A.J. Johnson, 23, a collection agent from San Antonio. He gave the film a glowing review. “It was awesome. They were driving cars off things without a care. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Stan Ross, 28, who works for a liquor company in Austin, said it was the best film in the franchise. “It was dope, man,” he said. “It is my favorite on so far. I’m glad they dedicated it to him [Walker] at the end.”
“Furious 7” was a last-minute addition to this year’s SXSW lineup. Moritz said that over the weekend, he recalled how warmly SXSW fans responded to another movie he had produced — “21 Jump Street” — and so he asked Universal if “Furious 7” could also open there. “Are you kidding?” execs told him. “These things are planned months in advance.” A day later, he got a text from the studio saying: “It’s happening.”
The arrival of “Furious 7” momentarily gave Austin the kind of star power normally reserved for the Oscars (or at least the MTV Movie Awards). Before “Furious 7,” the Paramount Theater screened the new Judd Apatow comedy “Trainwreck,” starring Amy Schumer, followed by the Paul Feig comedy “Spy,” starring Melissa McCarthy. Audiences who managed to see all three films were treated to a double feature with Jason Stratham, who appears in both “Spy” (as the good guy) and “Furious 7” (as the bad guy).
After “Furious 7″ was over, around 2:30 a.m., director Wan took to Twitter to say: “What an incredible and emotional experience. Paul would be proud.”
Lionsgate Developing ‘The Odyssey’ with ‘Hunger Games’ Team
Lionsgate is developing a movie version of Homer’s “The Odyssey” with “Hunger Games” director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson attached.
Lawrence took over directing duties on Lionsgate’s “Hunger Games” franchise (including the upcoming “Mockingjay — Part 2″) after Gary Ross exited following the first film, and Jacobson has produced all four films through her Color Force producing banner.
Peter Craig, who co-wrote the two “Mockingjay” films, is penning the script for “The Odyssey.”
“The Odyssey” is believed to have been composed by Homer in the 8th century B.C. It centers on Odysseus and his journey home after the fall of Troy while his wife Penelope fights off suitors.
Lawrence’s directing credits include “Water for Elephants,” “I Am Legend” and “Constantine.” Jacobson produced the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” movies.
Motion Picture Group co-president Erik Feig is overseeing “The Odyssey” with Jim Miller and James Myers. Lawrence is represented by CAA and 3 Arts. Craig is repped by CAA and Management 360.
Warner Bros. has been developing “Odysseus” since last summer with Russian filmmaker Fedor Bondarchuk directing from Jeremy Doner’s script. Producers are Hollywood Gang’s Gianni Nunnari, Bernie Goldmann and Shannon Gaulding, alongside Bondarchuk’s partners Michael Schlicht and Paul Heth.
The news about the Lionsgate project was first reported by Deadline.com.
HEROES REBORN – Masi Oka Returns are Hiro Nakamura
As Heroes Reborn prepares to start shooting, we’ve learned that another original cast member will return to the franchise. NBC has announced that Masi Oka will reprise his role as time-traveler and teleporter Hiro Nakamura. He is the second original cast member to jump back in on the fun. Jack Coleman is also set to come back on as Noah Bennet.
Oka was a regular cast member on the original four seasons of the show, and he was a favorite character among fans. But in this limited series he will only have a guest-starring story arc. The actor had this to say about returning to the franchise in a statement:
“I’m excited to return to my Heroes roots. Hiro Nakamura was such an inspirational role to play, and I’m hoping the fans will enjoy seeing him back on TV.”
Series creator/executive producer Tim Kring added:
“We are thrilled to have Masi back in the Heroes family. The character of Hiro Nakamura was such a huge part of the first series’ success, and a gigantic fan favorite. We felt the fans would really love seeing him back in action again.”
It will definitely be fun to see Hiro make an appearance, even if he doesn’t play as big a part in the story as he did the first time around. I’m sure he’ll still have a pivotal role in what happens in the story.
Heroes Reborn also stars Zachary Levi, Ryan Guzman, Robbie Kay, Danika Yarosh, Judith Shekoni, Kiki Sukezane, Henry Zebrowski, and Gatlin Green. Peter Elkoff and James Middleton join Kring as executive producers, and Matt Shakman will direct the first episode.
Specific plot details are being kept under wraps for now, but here’s the official description:
The saga behind the 2006 breakout series Heroes will continue as creator Tim Kring returns to the fold and develops new layers to his original superhero concept. This highly anticipated 13-episode miniseries will reconnect with the basic elements of the show’s first season where ordinary people were waking up to the fact that they had extraordinary abilities.
The series will debut this fall.
Stan Lee Reveals his Least Favorite Marvel Movies
Want to know what Stan Lee‘s least favorite Marvel movies are? In a recent interview at the 2012 Fan Expo in Canada, the comic book legend talked about his characters being adapted for the big screen. He loved The Avengers, but didn’t seem to really care for some of the other films that were made before Marvel started making their own movies.
I would have liked the Hulk to be smaller in the first two movies, and I didn’t like the way Doctor Doom was portrayed in Fantastic Four. Now with Daredevil, they just wrote the whole thing wrong. They made him too tragic. That’s not the way I wrote him. I think they’re working on a new Daredevil movie and it will be better, so hold your judgment until then.
He then goes on to talk about about some of the Marvel superheroes he’d like to see up on the big screen,
Deadpool is such a popular character, I’d be surprised if he wasn’t in his own movie in the near future, or introduced in another movie first. They’re thinking about a Doctor Strange movie, a Black Panther movie, an Ant-Man movie—there’s just so many ideas in the works right now at Marvel!
He obviously isn’t up to date on what’s going on in the Marvel movie world. The Daredevil movie has been scrapped, and Fox is letting the rights revert back to Marvel. Deadpool has been in development for years, but is currently sitting in hell. As for Doctor Strange, Black Panther and Ant-Man, all of them are in development with scripts, but Ant-Man is the closest one to getting the green light.
What are your thoughts on Fantastic Four, the way Doctor Doom was Portrayed, and Daredevil?
Disney Characters Reimagined as Greek Culture Heroes
Beast as The Hulk
Today we have another fantastic set of character art from Isaiah Stephens featuring more Disney characters reimagined as geek culture heroes. He calls the series “Disney Halloween,” and you can see some of the other art from the series here and here. This latest collection of illustrations is more geared toward the male characters in the Disney universe. I only included one new princess as a character from Game of Thrones.
Aladdin and Abu as Ash Ketchum and Pikachu
Aurora as Daenerys Targaryen
John Smith as Johnny Bravo
Li Shang as Mako
Milo Thatch as The Doctor (Tennant)
Prince Naveen as Captain Jack Sparrow
Peter Pan as Link
Prince Philip as Indiana Jones
Prince Charming, Prince Eric, and Prince Florian as Sam, Castiel, and Dean from Supernatural
Port Byron elementary teachers learn to use iPads as instructional tools
PORT BYRON | A. A. Gates Elementary students and teachers will have a new tool in their instructional toolbox come fall when iPads become part of their learning landscape.
The school plans a September roll-out of 220 units that will help third- through sixth-graders with English language arts and math instruction in the rural district.
“We want to expand it to others grades,” said Principal Julie Podolak. “We want all students to be engaged and we want them to be reading on, or near, their grade level.”
Earlier this month, the Port Byron school board considered extending the school day for fifth- and sixth-grade students, with the goal of reversing a negative trend in reading growth scores.
In a Feb. 27 e-newsletter to district stakeholders, Superintendent Neil O’Brien said “…we work on the assumption that the state will provide resources and we have to continue to move expeditiously forward to meet the challenges of expanding the program for a September start date.”
The recently approved state budget netted the district $1,037,000 in school aid, approximately $87,000 more than anticipated. These resources may help the district work through the companion elements needed to expand the iPad initiative – technical capacity and expanding bandwidth.
In a pilot program earlier in the school year, Port Byron fourth-graders began using the tablets to introduce LightSail, a web-based literacy system, into the classroom.
On March 23, teacher Doreen McCarthy guided her fourth-graders through an interactive reading assignment while third-grade teachers observed how the computer tablet technology is integrated into lessons.
All students’ eyes were on the tablets either in-hand or situated on desks as the observers watched them complete a math quiz using Socrative, a web-based math program.
Student scores are tabulated immediately once tests are completed and there’s no waiting time before results become known. LightSail offers similar immediacy with reading modules and assessments. Teachers and administrators can monitor compiled daily, weekly, monthly student data to pinpoint individual student progress and needs.
The programs’ graphic organization facilitate lessons by eliminating time taken to ready paper and pencils and locate relevant materials.
“So, there’s no more rushing through writing projects at the expense of classroom discussion time,” McCarthy said.
But from a student perspective, using an iPad is just plain fun.
“They’re always out,” McCarthy said. “They love it, they love reading on them.”
In less than a minute, students shifted from math to English. LightSail’s 80,000-volume digital library allows student access to almost any fiction or non-fiction book of interest. As the children read, they’re able to click on words to learn definitions and also answer multiple choice questions to emphasize close reading practice.
“The novelty has never worn off, but they know that it’s not a toy,” the teacher said. Students are responsible for their iPads care and safety and are expected to charge them overnight. Two extra units in the classroom are always charged and ready for use.
LightSail keeps track of the amount of time students read, too, which acts as a student incentive to keep their eyes on the prize.
On his iPad, Sean Sincebaugh pulled up the book “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney.
“It has a lot of good books on it,” the 10-year-old said. “Today I read for 20 minutes.”
Guardians of the Bookworms
Under the brick-roofed gazebo on the far end of the park sits a wooden box of books, which Vinita Kamat set up on March 29. “A friend of mine in the US introduced me to the concept of Little Free Library, which started in Husdon, Wisconsin, in 2009. The idea is to set up a library in a public space, which makes it accessible to all. The policy is to take a book, return a book,” says the French teacher, who also helps run Mcubed Library across the street.
Her daughter, Surabhi, opens the library and we browse the books together. The top rack, she tells me is dedicated to the adult’s section. I spot Kiran Desai’s Inheritance of Loss, The Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda and even John Irving’s The Hotel New Hampshire. The children’s section on the bottom shelf is replete with The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Little Prince, Stories for Boys and even the Harry Potter series.
The Little Free Library by Vinita Kamat
As we chat, I spot an unabridged version of Pinocchio and even Yann Martel’s Life of Pi. “I notice that people have dropped by and exchanged books,” Kamat smiles triumphantly, explaining that she has even placed a notebook for people to leave their requests behind.
“It is a great initiative as many people are looking beyond spending time with the small and large screen. Reading is important for one’s imagination. It helps build a relationship with the power of words,” says Kamat who calls it a ‘virtual exchange of a real kind’. “While returning a book, the reader must leave a note for the next person,” says Kamat who leaves us to browse, as she has a flight to catch.
I chat with Vinita Ramchandani, editor of a publishing house and a resident of Carter Road, who has dropped by with her children. She begins to stick Little Free Library stickers on each of the books. “I have volunteered to be ‘steward’, and visit once a day to dust the library and ensure it is not misused,” she says.
Just then, Bandra ALM member Marie Paul walks in with a tumbler of compost for the saplings of pumpkin, chillies and tomatoes that she has planted in the garden. She points out to a mulberry tree and invites the children to pluck some ands taste. “We want this park to be a place for children to play and be close to nature. The library will be a great way to attract more people to sit in the shade and read, too,” says Paul.
As I get up to leave, a line by Garrison Keiller painted on the little library catches my eye: A book is a gift you can open again and again.
I couldn’t agree more.
MumbaiâÃÂÃÂs first
Daughter of Rohit and Manasi Joshi Roy, Kiara, set up Mumbai’s first Little Free Library (LFL), on March 19. You can find the 12-and-a-half-year-old’s setup on Juhu-Versova Link Road at the entrance of her building Tahiti near Rajiv Gandhi College. “Once you register with LFL, they give your library a charter number and you become a ‘steward’ or caretaker of that library,” says the Class 7 student.
Manasi, Kiara and Rohit Roy at the launch of their little free library at Juhu-Versova Link Road
While she has taken charge of the upkeep of the children’s collection, her mother mans the adult section, which has an eclectic collection of books by John Grisham, Ayan Rand, Ruskin Bond and Khalid Hosseini. “We have three ranges in children’s books — baby books, titles for five-10 year olds and fiction for teenagers, which include authors such as Enid Blyton, Jacqueline Wilson and Meg Cabot,” adds Manasi.
Impressed by the initiative, the local MLA has even promised to set up a few more in the constituency. “A bank has showed interest in setting up libraries outside their branches and we also got a call from someone in Indore who wanted to start one,” she adds. “Not many people read today, and prefer watching television or play on their phones. This is an attempt to make people pick up a book,” says Kiara.
– See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/guardian-of-the-bookworms/16116164#sthash.EERvCt3C.dpuf
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Due in November
Good news for fans of quality children’s fiction: a tenth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is slated to hit bookstores on November 3.
Author Jeff Kinney’s charming series follows Greg, a “wimpy kid,” as he deals with the everyday stresses of childhood and life. The new book will apparently focus on a field trip to a local farm. The conflict will stem from, among other things, the generation gap between the children and their chaperones.
There’s no word yet on the title of the new book – Kinney’s publisher, Amulet, has only released a teaser poster so far. Check it out below:
Kinney has had incredible success with the series so far. The first tale in the series was originally published online, but it was quickly repackaged as a book and went spawned a full series. Wimpy Kid books have sold more than 115 copies, and Kinney has reached number 1 on USA Today’s Best-Selling Books list with seven of the nine volumes released so far. Here at The Reading Room, we put the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series on our “10 Great Series for Pre-Teens (9-12)” Bookshelf.
Is Universal planning to open Wizarding World in time for spring break 2016?
A pair of subtle but significant changes to how Universal Studios Hollywood issues annual passes may signal just when the movie theme park plans to open the highly anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2016.
In recent days, Universal has quietly announced that new and renewed annual passes will be good only through March 18, 2016, and that the most expensive passes will no longer offer a parking option – meaning annual passholders must pay to park every time they visit.
Universal officials say they have not yet announced an official opening date for Wizarding World and note that the new season passes culminate at the close of its current 50th anniversary celebration.
Industry watchers have been waiting to see when Universal would drop its Buy a Day, Get a Year promotional offer in advance of Wizarding World’s debut. With Easter 2016 falling on March 27, many theme park observers have circled the week of March 21-25 on their calendars for the grand opening of Wizarding World in California.
Meanwhile, work continues on Wizarding World at a steady rate with many of the asymmetrical rooftops and tilting chimneys visible beyond the construction walls that dominate the theme park’s upper lot. The new land is expected to feature shops and restaurants made famous by the movie series as well as two attractions, the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey dark ride and the Flight of the Hippogriff roller coaster.
10 questions about Wizarding World at Universal Studios Hollywood
10 questions about Wizarding World at Universal Studios Hollywood
In anticipation of the crowds expected to descend on Wizarding World, Universal is also building two new parking structures to handle the additional traffic.
A spring break opening for Universal Studios Hollywood’s Potterverse would be a break from tradition.
The original Wizarding World at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure theme park opened in June 2010 to massive crowds with lines that stretched for 10 hours just to get into the new themed land. The Diagon Alley expansion of Wizarding World at Universal Studios Florida opened in July 2014 right around the same time that a replica of Hogsmeade debuted at Universal Studios Japan.
See Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson in DEADPOOL Movie Set Photos
Earlier this week it was officially announced in a hilarious April Fools’ Day video that Deadpool will in fact be rated-R, and everyone was just completely thrilled. In case you missed it, make sure to check it out here! It’s one of those videos that you won’t want to miss because Deadpool smashes Mario Lopez over the head with a freakin’ chair and kills him.
The movie is currently shooting, and thanks to Just Jared (via: Imgur) we have a collection of photos from the set giving us our first look at Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson. As you can see, he’s sporting a pretty messed up looking face, which is appropriate for the character. The photos also give us out first look at Morena Baccarin in the film as Vanessa Carlysle, a.k.a. Copycat.
The movie is set to be released on February 12th, 2016.
12 Reasons Why Professor McGonagall is the Absolute Best Harry Potter Professor
There are a vast number of characters in the Harry Potter series that can qualify as heroes. I would say that almost every character – that wasn’t a Death Eater – had a moment of pure heroism in times of trouble.
Dumbledore and Snape certainly get a lot of praise for their dedication to Hogwarts (with good reason, of course), but we sometimes forget to highlight the heroism one of the most important and badass headmasters in Hogwarts history: Minerva McGonagall.
Imgur user by729464 recently posted a series of GIFs that illustrate just why Professor McGonagall should be everyone’s favorite teacher. I’ve taken the already awesome list and expanded upon it a bit.
So here’s just a handful of the many reasons that prove that Professor McGonagall was one of the most important characters in Harry Potter’s life:
1. She always told it like it was
Why beat around the bush? It was sheer dumb luck that the trio survived that troll!
2. And because she was so honest, she fit the leadership role perfectly
Because she was such an honest person, it was easy for her to earn the trust of her students and peers.
3. She was strict, but always looking out for the wellbeing of her students
Best Head of House at Hogwarts for sure. Who else looked out for their students like McGonagall?
4. And she wasn’t afraid to call them out
Weasley twins, that means you!
5. But she always showed compassion when it was needed
Even if it was towards someone that she isn’t particularly close to, she was basically a big softie on the inside.
6. She took care of Harry
Sure, Molly Weasley and Sirius definitely played their roles in Harry’s life. But when Harry was at Hogwarts (a majority of the year) McGonagall kept an eye out for Harry and his made sure that he felt safe and cared for. Basically Harry’s school mother.
7. And got him interested in Quidditch!
Quidditch, probably one of the most important things to Harry as he was growing up, might not have been introduced to him had McGonagall not spotted his potential during his first year.
8. She was the best dance instructor
Would Neville have had such a good time at the Yule Ball had it not been for McGonagall’s instruction?
9. She’s an Animagus
Not that that’s really indicative of her being a great person or anything, but it’s pretty damn cool. Plus, she was the head of the Transfiguration department, so it’s safe to say she was pretty brilliant.
10. She put herself in harms way to protect Hogwarts without a second thought
I think that the entire theater erupted into applause at this point during Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
11. She’s played by Maggie Smith
Let’s have a quick shoutout to the actress who brought Professor McGonagall from off the pages of our favorite books, Maggie Smith.
In 2007, Dame Maggie Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer, but continued to work through her chemotherapy and finish Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in 2008. And during the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, she had shingles, but still managed to film the final installment of the series.
I couldn’t even imagine any other actor playing McGonagall. Not only is Maggie Smith an absolute gem of a woman, but in my mind she is Professor McGonagall.
12. In short, she’s a total badass.
Just some of her many accomplishments include being on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Gryffindor Head Girl, an employee for the Ministry of Magic, Head of the Transfiguration department, Headmistress of Hogwarts.
Brilliant Quiddich Player, Head Girl, Former Ministry of Magic employee, Animagus, Silent Caretaker of HP, Head of Transfiguration Dept at Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor House, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Head Mistress of Hogwarts, dueled with the dark lord, & is truly the personification of badass.
Cheers to you, Professor McGonagall!
Which HP Professor is your favorite?
J.K. Rowling’s “The Casual Vacancy” miniseries unveils trailer (video)
PanARMENIAN.Net – The first full trailer for HBO’s upcoming miniseries “The Casual Vacancy” based on Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling’s book of the same name, has hit the Web — and Potter fans shouldn’t expect anything to be like Hogwarts, Variety reports.The book and three-part miniseries follows a small town after a community leader dies without an obvious replacement for his seat on the committee. Plenty of drama follows, including town fights, murder and even a possible ghost.
Harry Potter fans should be pleased to see Michael Gambon in the trailer; he played Dumbledore in the magical series and serves in a central role in the HBO drama, but that’s where the similarities between Rowling’s works end. “The Casual Vacancy” was published in September 2012, marking first adult fiction novel after completing the six-book Harry Potter series.
“Cuckoo’s Calling,” another post-Potter novel of Rowling’s, will also hit the smallscreen, with the BBC announcing the TV adaptation in December. Rowling is also writing the screenplay for “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” a feature adaptation of her book set in the Harry Potter universe (though without the typical characters) that Warner Bros. will release in 2016.
Parts one and two of “The Casual Vacancy” will air on HBO on April 29. Part three will air April 30.
Fun April Fool’s Day Food Pranks for All
I’m not a fan of most April Fool’s Day jokes, but I can’t resist cute, edible food pranks to “fool” my children. Most of my ideas are from the pages of Family Fun magazine, a publication I can’t recommend enough if you have kids.
Sunny Side Up Egg Food Prank
Serve them this tasty breakfast and see how quickly they spot that the “egg” is made with dairy-free vanilla yogurt and an apricot half! To make this food prank, thoroughly stir the yogurt (for a smooth egg white) and carefully spread it in a circle on a plate. Then place a canned apricot half carefully in the middle. Family Fun recommends a canned peach half for the yolk, but I think a canned apricot half is more proportional. I’ve seen people make pound cake “toast” to go with it, but I stuck with regular dairy-free bread for the side. Allergy Note: Be sure to pick a dairy-free yogurt that is safe for any other allergy needs in your family.
Worm in an Apple Food Prank
Pack an apple with a worm in it for your child’s lunch! This one is more obvious, but tasty and fun nonetheless. With a paring knife or apple corer, make a worm-sized hole in the side of the apple. Brush the exposed apple flesh with lemon juice, and insert a gummy worm. The worm stays in best if secured with a toothpick, but be sure the person eating the apple knows it has a toothpick in it! Otherwise, you can use a broken spaghetti noodle to secure it. Allergy and Vegan Diet Note: Choose allergy-friendly and gelatin-free gummy worms like Surf Sweets and Organic Candy Factory.
Sushi Candy Food Prank
Sushi for dessert? Why not! Make a half batch of dairy-free rice crispy treats but leave them in the saucepan. Lay out four fruit roll ups. Divide the rice crispy mixture among the four roll ups and press it flat, as you would sushi rice. Place one long or several small fruit gummies in the center of the rice crispies and roll up as you would a sushi roll. Slice into rounds and serve. I used all natural fruit twists for the centers of the sushi, but I must admit that traditional fruit roll ups work better for the outer wrap than all-natural ones do. They are thinner and stickier. Allergy and Vegan Diet Note: Use dairy-free, non-hydrogenated margarine to make your crispy treats and choose Dandies marshmallows and Surf Sweets gummy bears for vegan.
Deceptive Drinks Food Pranks
Last but not least, I have three fun drink ideas for a fool’s dinner include “juice” and two types of dairy-free milk.
For the juice (pictured on the left), mix 100% juice (I used a cranberry blend) and gelatin using the directions on the gelatin box. The gelatin needs to be the “jiggler” or “Knox Blox” thickness so that it stays secure in the glass. Pour the “juice” into glasses and let chill until dinner. This makes about 4 glasses of juice, depending on the cup size.
For true blue milk (pictured in the center), just add a few drops of all-natural food coloring to your favorite dairy-free milk beverage.
For undrinkable “milk” (pictured on the right), try this fun idea that was inspired by Catherine Newman (who writes for Family Fun). Dissolve 1 packet of plain gelatin in 1/2 cup boiling water, stirring until it’s really dissolved, then stir in 3/4 cup refrigerated coconut milk beverage (in a carton, not canned), 2 tablespoons cream of coconut, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a dash of salt. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This about two glasses of quick, tasty panna cotta “milk”, depending on the cup size, which they’ll end up enjoying for dessert!
Allergy and Vegan Diet Note: Be sure to pick a milk beverage that is safe for all of your allergen needs. To make these food pranks vegan, use Clear Jel or a vegan gelatin dessert like Jeannie Prebiotics.
20 Upcoming Comics Every Fan Should Be Excited For
The world of comic books is vast and imaginative, even with the overabundance of super heroes and villains striving for attention from the geek market. Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a well thought out hero or villain, but sometimes we need something a little more, too. Thankfully, 2015 is going to be a great year for comic book enthusiasts, collectors, first-time readers, or anyone else who thinks it’s time to enjoy some colorful artwork with their stories.
Superman: Doomed
Superman: Doomed is the perfect way to kick off the upcoming comic book madness this year. The upcoming issue promises 544 intense pages of Superman vs. Doomsday. Doomsday, the iconic villain, will debut new abilities which will ensure he is a vicious match to take on the Man of Steel. This is being considered a super event within the comic world, and it is one that no one is going to want to miss out on.
Superman: Doomed releases on March 31.
Attack on Titan 15
Attack on Titan is the type of series that came out of nowhere and rose to prominence seemingly overnight. The upcoming issue, Attack on Titan 15, will feature 192 colorfully detailed pages in which Hange’s interrogation of a Military Police squad reveals Krista is the true heir to the throne. From there, though, the story unfolds in a way that should prove interesting enough to share with a fellow comic book fan or two.
Attack on Titan 15 releases on March 24.
The Flash: A Celebration of 75 Years
The Flash is another one of those iconic super heroes that almost everyone – young or old – can recognize these days. The bright red suit, yellow boots and lightning bolts, and the super speed have become something of a symbol for speed these days. Thankfully, that symbol is going to continue in The Flash: A Celebration of 75 Years, which will feature 480 pages of everyone’s favorite speedy hero. A wide range of stories will be available within this volume, including some featuring Scarlet Speedster.
The Flash: A Celebration of 75 Years releases on March 31.
Buffy: Season Ten Volume 2 – I Wish
Buffy The Vampire Slayer has always been the type of hero that both men and women could stand behind in shared fandom. The strong, blonde-haired woman managed to take on the forces of darkness with a group of friends and come out victorious. Well, her story is about to continue this year, as Buffy: Season Ten Volume 2 – I Wish will be available. Fans get to check out the entire crew continuing their fight against the forces of evil with new rules to the magic within, too.
Buffy: Season Ten Volume 2 – I Wish releases on April 21.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth Volume 10
Sometimes super heroes and the traditional monsters we’ve come to expect within comic books can be tiring, and that is why the likes of B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth exist. Demonic forces are finding their way into our world, which means Johann and Liz will have their hands full in the upcoming issue. B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth Volume 10 promises to have a lot of massive occurrences that should prove exciting for the heroes within the comic and the reader.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth Volume 10 releases on March 10.
Halo Volume 2 Escalation
Many who read comic books also play video games, but not always. However, the Halo franchise is one such name that most people understand and know about. 2015 is a big year for the science-fiction franchise, with a new game releasing soon, but also an upcoming comic book launching. Halo Volume 2 Escalation will see the return of Master Chief and a plot from the Office of Naval Intelligence. Fans of the series should prepare themselves for the action of the game with this read.
Halo Volume 2 Escalation releases on April 21.
Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet
A mash-up of characters within a comic book is always an interesting time, as the reader generally gets two stories for the price of one. There are conflicting personalities and combat styles, which proves to be thrilling. Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet is one such mash-up. This upcoming 144-page comic will feature Bruce Way, Dick Grayson, Britt Reid, and Kato teaming up to take on Colonel Gumm, the guru of glue, as he attempts to hijack a train of priceless fossils.
Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet releases on March 24.
A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume 4
It is hard to argue against the popularity of A Game of Thrones. Writer George R.R. Martin has managed to create one of the most captivating, entertaining fantasy stories the world has seen this decade. Thankfully, a graphic novel version is available for those who enjoy pictures with their words, too. The upcoming Volume 4 will see the return of fan favorite characters, including Robb Stark, Lord Walder Frey, and young King Joffrey. Someone will probably die.
A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel: Volume 4 releases on May 5.
Transformers: Primacy
Try to forget the Michael Bay Transformers films for a moment and remember the incredible nature of the comic books and the cartoon series before that. They were incredible, and 2015 is offering a new comic that should bring back some of that nostalgia and enjoyment. Transformers: Primacy will see the Autobots and the Decepticons facing off in dangerous combat once more – a war that will change an entire planet.
Transformers: Primacy releases on March 18.
Conan Volume 17 Shadows Over Kush
Everyone’s favorite barbarian will make a return within the next few months. Conan is back to his antics of drinking, fighting, and taking on the adventure of a life-time. The Cimmerian is on a hunt against demons and a full blown rebellion in this upcoming issue. An entire city is going to rely on the brash barbarian in order to survive the fighting that will ensue. This volume collects issues #1-6 of the Dark Horse Comics series.
Conan Volume 17 Shadows Over Kush releases on March 17.
Tokyo Ghoul, Volume 1
Tokyo Ghoul is relatively new, which means there aren’t many fans out there who know of the upcoming series. This 224-page comic was authored by Sui Ishida, and will tell the tale of Ken Kaneki, who is excited for an upcoming date. Unfortunately, his date is only interested in consuming his body. Kaneki is turned into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid following this date-gone-wrong.
Tokyo Ghoul, Volume 1 releases on March 17.
Prometheus: Fire and Stone
Prometheus was an impressive science fiction movie, though many people were looking for a bit more horror from the Alien prequel. That wasn’t the point of this particular adventure, though. An upcoming comic, entitled Prometheus: Fire and Stone, will tell the story of the famed ship and the questions that surrounded it never returning from the journey to LV-223. This is the first volume in the Prometheus story in the comic world.
Prometheus: Fire and Stone releases on April 21.
Supergirl #55
There aren’t nearly enough women super heroes in the comic world today, though there are plenty who stand out in their own right. Supergirl is one such hero, as the female counterpart to the Man of Steel. The upcoming issue, Supergirl #55, will feature Bizarro Supergirl heading to Earth with mysterious motives. The real Supergirl will need to discover what is going on as fast as possible, otherwise Metropolis is over.
Supergirl #55 releases on March 11.
Murder Book
Comic creator Ed Brisson (Sheltered, The Field, Sons of Anarchy) is releasing an upcoming anthology entitled Murder Book. The stories within are gritty crime tales that tell the tale of immoral and innocent individuals meeting their demise. Artwork will come from the likes of Michael Walsh, Simon Roy, Declan Shalvey, and plenty more.
Murder Book releases on March 31.
Terminator: Enemy of My Enemy
Terminator is another one of those franchises within the science fiction world that everyone can identify. The presence of a massive T-800, John Connor, or even Kyle Reese should bring back memories. In this upcoming comic, Kyle Reese protects Sarah Connor, Skynet targets Elise Fong, and the action takes a step forward. This volume collects issues #1-6 of the comic series.
Terminator: Enemy of My Enemy releases March 17.
The Shaolin Cowboy: Shemp Buffet
Dark Horse Comics is known to have some of the most highly detailed comic books available on the market. An upcoming collection, The Shaolin Cowboy: Shemp Buffet, features the entire series in one ideal package. The action within the story offers the Shaolin Cowboy facing off against legions from hell. Six-guns, chainsaws, and plenty of violence should entice you.
The Shaolin Cowboy: Shemp Buffet releases on March 17.
Dead Rider
Two of the coolest things in the world are the Wild West and the horror genre, which doesn’t get mixed as often as some people may enjoy. Thankfully, author and illustrator Kevin Ferrara will release Dead Rider later this month. The ghostly outlaw will stalk the deserts of Nevada. The law is closing in, but his plan to destroy the evil Bog Witch and regain his soul is firmly in place.
Dead Rider releases on March 18.
Dark Ages
When you have a comic book being released from a New York Times best-selling novelist and graphic novelist, then you know you’re in for a good ride. Dan Abnett turns his attention to 1333, when the world is trapped in a holy war. Mercenary companies, demonic forces, and heathens abound in this extraordinary tale. Abnett is joined by Ian Culbard for this new project.
Dark Ages releases April 7.
Pop
Author Curt Pires and illustrator Jason Copland team up to bring the world Pop, a forthcoming comic book surrounding the world’s most famous pop stars and celebrities. However, these individuals are not just famous, they are products, grown by the wealthiest minds in the world. Unfortunately, one escapes. A technological world will be the backdrop for this thrill ride.
Pop releases on April 7.
New Suicide Squad #8
Suicide Squad is a surprisingly interesting take on the super powered genre of heroes and villains. The story brings together some of the biggest villains within the DC world to wreak havoc upon an unsuspecting world. However, New Suicide Squad #8 will feature both Deadshot and Harley Quinn at the center of a bloody revolt of the human race. The Squad could be finished.
New Suicide Squad #8 releases March 11.