'Kick-Ass 2' Preview, Mark Millar Says Production On Movie Sequel Is 'Nine Months Away'

If you’ve been eagerly anticipating the sequel to Mark Millar’s hit comic book series Kick-Ass, this is your lucky day... and week, for that matter. Why? Because I have an exclusive sneak peek at Kick-Ass 2 (the comic), courtesy of Millar's new monthly magazine debuting this week, CLiNT. Not only that, I got the scoop on the movie sequel as well.

All of this (and more!) came from an interview I conducted with Millar earlier this week. Head over to MTV Splash Page to read Part 1!

Comic Review - MYTHOI Book I: Birth

When you pick up a book with completely unfamiliar characters, read it straight through without stopping and put it down wanting to know more about everyone and everything involved, I think it's safe to say you've got a winner. That's what happened when I read MYTHOI Book I: Birth from SemantInk Publishing recently.

MYTHOI Book I: Birth is just that. The birth of a vast universe primed to grow into something epic. Here, writer James Ninness and artist Jed Soriano are embarking on a journey set for a full 60-issue run and from the six tales that begin in MYTHOI: Birth, they'll have no problem filling them. The book is hard to explain, yet easy to explain at the same time. After reading writer Michael Fountain's introduction (an epic saga of it's own), I was left in an almost philosophical state of mind as I pondered myth, religion and science. He says mythoi is the plural of mythos, which are the beliefs of a specific cultural group, but in MYTHOI: Birth, MYTHOI are something more specific. The closest comparison I can make is that they are to their specific people as the Titans were to the Greek Gods.

In fact, one of the best parts of MYTHOI: Birth is that even though the characters are unknown, there is still a familiarity in each of their stories that will help you navigate the uncharted territory. For instance, the first MYTHOI we are introduced to, Wiglaf, has ties with not only Cain and Abel but Grendel as well. The second, young Vito, has a reason to hate one Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Harker. The sixth tale, a bonus for this trade paperback by Ninness and artist Yanglyn Ou, will have you looking at Little Red Riding Hood in a whole new light. You get the idea. It's like myths themselves, where civilizations borrow from other civilizations and thousands of years down the road you've got something entirely new.

Jump onto the ground floor of MYTHOI: Birth now, it's gonna be huge. After reading Ninness' afterward I can almost guarantee you that. His stories speak for themselves but his overall intelligence and talent are clear. He's got his finger on the pulse of comic readers everywhere, utilizing just about everything they're after these days - vampires, werewolves, ghosts, gods and even the future.

His choice of artists doubles his efforts. Soriano does an incredible job making each MYTHOI character flow into the next while still managing to give them their own visual identities. In addition, his colors are used to great effect and his action scenes are well choreographed. Yanglyn Ou's work couldn't be more different from Soriano's but her fairy tale look for the sixth story is beyond beautiful and dramatic. The first two issues of the 60-issue run following the TPB are now available for digital download at SemantInk.com, for $0.99 each but pick MYTHOI: Birth up now and find out how this baby came screaming into existence.

Besides the five main stories, the MYTHOI Book I: Birth TPB includes script to page progressions, sketch pieces by Soriano, sketch pieces by the TPB cover artist Kevin Warwick, introduction by Fountain and afterward by Ninness and the previously unreleased MYTHOI Birth tale by Ninness and Ou. It's being sold exclusively at SemantInk.com for $19.99 but there is a $2 discount for pre-orders until Friday, September 10th when the book is officially released.

Ever read comics in public?

Some people feel weird about reading comics in public, possibly because most of the general public thinks they're for children. Whatever the case may be, there's nothing to be ashamed of, unless you're reading Marvel. Just kidding! Do the world a favor today and join lots of others for International Read Comics in Public Day!!

The folks from the Daily Cross Hatch came up with the idea and I have to say, it's simple yet brilliant. Here's the gist:

The concept is fairly simple: we’re asking that everyone take an hour or two out of their day on August 28th (also the birthday of Jack “King” Kirby, incidentally) to read a comic book in a public setting—a park bench, a beach, a bus, the front steps of your local library (we do ask, however, that you be mindful of local loitering laws). Let strangers see you reading a piece of sequential art.

Take to the streets. Be proud. If someone asks what you’re reading, say, “a comic book” (the phrase “graphic novel is also acceptable, but let’s face it, it sort of defeats the whole purpose). Heck, lend them a book, if you’ve got an extra—what better way to make a new friend and convert a new reader?

I told you it was simple! The blog DC Women Kicking Ass (I totally approve of that name.) has taken the concept a bit further with "Women Read Comics In Public." It's nothing different than the event as a whole, they're just encouraging the ladies to get out there in force since, you know, girls don't read comics. ;)

Both sites suggest you having someone take a picture of you in the act as well and sending it to them. The addresses are readcomicsinpublic [at] gmail [dot] com and dcwomenkickingass [at] yahoo [dot] com I say send it to both. You know that's what I'll be doing.

Arkham City Ass

I've expressed my undying affection for Batman before, haven't I? Well it's always fun when my devotion gets kicked up a notch. This time it's thanks to Official Playstation Magazine of the UK. Their September cover gives us a look at the Batman: Arkham Asylum video game sequel, Batman: Arkham City. And they don't call it a teaser image for nothing...

Sure, he looks like he's about to put her down but I'd kill to be in Harley Quinn's position right there. Plus, her altered design rocks. Deputy Editor of the magazine, Leon Hurley had this to say:

Got a diary? Turn to Thursday, September 2nd and write down “Official PlayStation Magazine UK out!” You can’t miss it, it’s got that stunning new piece of Batman: Arkham City art on the cover. And a massive feature on the super-sequel inside. Team OPM UK visited Rocksteady to talk to the team, see the game in action, eat their donuts, and all to bring you UK exclusive info, interviews and screens. As you can see, Harley’s had a makeover. That’s all we can say online, though.

If you haven't played the first game, you are definitely missing out. I'm not even that big into games like this but I bought it because of Batman (of course) and was in awe of how good it was. I want to play it again before the sequel is out and I can't wait to see the kind of images that come from inside the magazine.

This is the September cover (and back) of Game Informer here in the U.S. Click to view this one larger because in the background you get a shot of Two-Face in a mock Uncle Sam pose. And well, Catwoman upside-down and in chains. The alternate cover has her tying him up with her whip. What are they trying to do to me??

You might also want to keep an eye out on Game Informer's Arkham City hub where they're hinting at more info to come this Saturday. My hope against hope? That you get to play as Catwoman. What are you looking forward to from the game?

Hey, That's My Cape! - Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Boys Club

The Expendables took the number one spot at the box office for a second time this past weekend. I guess that means people like to see a bunch of old dudes blowing crap up. I’ll be sure to tell my dad. Or maybe it was just a great movie. Either way, it’s only confirmed what we already knew - that male ensemble cast films make money (i.e. Oceans 11, etc). But is that what we want from our superhero teams?

Throughout the years, the name Joss Whedon has become synonymous with powerful female characters, so why on Earth did he confirm this past week that Black Widow would be the only female Avenger in the film he’s directing? Even though Whedon says the story will be pulling from various versions of the Avengers I think purists would agree leaving out key players, especially females, is odd.

Check out this week's Hey, That's My Cape! at Newsarama where I discuss why this bothers me and which ladies I think could have been included.

The Tron Disney doesn't want you to see. NSFW

The internet can be a scary place sometimes. Just today I was considering turning the safe search back on while looking for pictures of comic book characters on Google. It can take you down dark roads indeed. But sometimes the internet provides you with something you'd never have gone looking for in the first place yet can't quite bring yourself to turn away from either. Case in point? A Tron sex instruction video.*

Titled Score, the website WonderHowTo.com brings us a rather unique guide for those geeks out there who might be a little clueless when it comes to sex. You may have gotten a huge boner earlier this year (or been completely disgusted) from Batman XXX: A Porn Parody but don't worry, this isn't anywhere near that graphic. It's just...well, it's two people humping with their clothes on. See for yourself. (And let's not kid ourselves here, you ARE going to watch it.)

It's one of the most uncomfortable things to watch but I couldn't stop thanks to the dialogue: "The Penetrator gently spreads the Receptor's knees and reveals it's USB port. The Penetrator guides it's Dongle into the USB port." and "Step 6: Check stimulation progress bar. Begin transfer when ready." are two of my favorites.

WonderHowTo.com is calling it the "geek version of the Kama Sutra" because not only did they produce that first video featuring the Missionary position, they've also covered such classics as the Wheelbarrow, the Pearly Gates and the Scorpion. Not all of the videos are as detailed though. Here's the story behind the making:

Thirty-three years ago, ILM and Lucas used a ton of mainframe hardware to crunch and render the masterpieces of the Star Wars series. Five years later came Tron. A few years after that, James Cameron and his IBM backed Digital Domain attacked the world of special effects. For SCORE, our nerd boy shot these tutorials with a RED camera, After Effects, a Mac, and a couple crappy bicycle helmets. And it looks sick.

The sound design and music are by Christian Danielson, Kevin Crow, and Braincloud but no other credits are given for this masterpiece of nerd porn. Thanks to the team at large though, you don't have to resort to looking at Teen Titan gang bang porn anymore (yes, I've come upon them in my google searches), you've got Score to help you score!

What do you think? Is this the next wave in sex-ed or will young geeks just think having sex with your clothes on is the way to do it?

*Olivia Wilde not included.

Last day for Lulu Awards nominations!

Get your ballots ready, today is the last day to submit nominations for the 2010 Lulu Awards!

If you're unaware, the Lulu Awards spotlight comic work by and about women and has been taking place since 1997. Past winners include Jill Thompson, Devin Grayson, Abby Denson, Heidi MacDonald and more.

There are 7 categories: Leah Adezio Award for Best Kid-Friendly Work, Best Female Character, Kim Yale Award for Most Talented Newcomer, Lulu of the Year, Woman of Distinction, the Female Cartoonists Hall Of Fame and Volunteer of the Year. You can read in more detail what each category entails here. Email your nominations to the Friends of Lulu at this address: friendsoflulu [at] yahoo [dot] com.

Bear in mind, although these are the 2010 awards, you are nominating work that was published in 2009 only. Voting will be open to the public on September 13th and the awards ceremony will take place at Long Beach Comic Con on October 29th.

Spread the word and get your nominations in by the end of today!