Turtles Forever, DVD cover art revealed

Turtles Forever is a new animation movie set to rock the world of those who enjoy the mean green fighting machines, or more commonly known as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The direct-to-DVD film will feature the new 2003 drawn Turtles in a world that also brings the original 80's cartoon Turtles! Some Comic Com '09 attendees got a chance to see the flick, but hopefully soon, we can all witness the awesomeness that is new and old Turtles coming together and defeating The Shredder.

Honestly, when Ubisoft first announced TMNT: Smash Up, my first thought was to bring the old art style Turtles as playable characters as well as the new Turtles. I guess they opted out of that idea, but it is great to see that the concept was in someone's mind, as is evident by the upcoming DVD film.

Marvel Anime Coming in 2010

Since I was a wee lad, I've loved comic books and anime. And while I've enjoyed the heck out of both, I've always wanted a direct fusion of western characters and eastern animation. You know, a Spider-Man anime.

Well color me excited as Comic-Con 2009 revealed two trailers from the newly founded Marvel Anime's 2010 slate with Iron-Man and Wolverine titles in the works.

But don't take my word for it, check out the trailers below! (Take note on the Iron Man action sequences Jon Favreau.)

Dead Space Extraction's comic at Comic-Con

Visceral Games, a studio of Electronic Arts and Image Comics today announced the release of an all-new comic based on Dead Space™ Extraction, one of the fall’s most anticipated games for the Wii. The Dead Space Extraction comic reunites renowned illustrator Ben Templesmith and writer Antony Johnston with the game’s cold and terrifying fiction. This one-time special issue comic follows the successful partnership for last year’s Dead Space comic mini-series.

The comic will be on store shelves in September 2009 for SRP $3. A limited edition version of the comic featuring exclusive cover art will be available for the special price of $2 at the EA Comic-con booth (#5123). Ben Templesmith and Antony Johnston will be at the booth signing the special issues on Thursday 3-4 PM and Friday – Sunday 1-2 PM. Fans of Dead Space will also be able to purchase other Dead Space merchandise such an Isaac Clarke Unitology figurine, iPhone skins, and Dead Space art books. Players will also have the chance to play the game at the EA booth. The Dead Space Extraction development team is participating in the “Art of Making a Horror Video Game” panel on Friday, July 24th at 6 PM in Room 2.

“There is so much more to the Dead Space universe than we could ever fit into one game and we’re excited to be working with Image Comics again to extend the story in Dead Space Extraction,” said Steve Papoutsis, executive producer of Dead Space Extraction. “Ben and Antony did such a tremendous job with the original comic, we can’t wait for fans to get their hands on this special issue.”

Dead Space Extraction is the prequel to the award-winning Dead Space action/horror game. The new Wii exclusive game delivers a carefully crafted first-person experience that sets players on a disturbing adventure made especially more visceral by the innovative Wii controller. The Dead Space Extraction comic picks up the videogame narrative halfway through the game, at a critical juncture in the storyline. The story in the comic presents an alternate perspective on the game’s storyline. In the comic, a group of colonists fight through hordes of horrific necromorphs while searching for a cure to stop a raging noxious infection in space. At the comic’s climax, the colonists encounter the desperate survivors from the videogame, only to realize that the only thing that can save them is right in front of them.

-Press Release

Video Games Pwn Hollywood

Recent NPD reports show that more people are playing video games than going to the movies.  The NPD data shows that 63% of Americans have played a video game in the last six months, whereas only 53% have left the house to watch a movie.

What does this mean for the two industries?

Well, it means that both are making tons o' cash.  In a recession period with high unemployment rates, the fact that 53% of the population is going to see movies and 63% are playing video games means that a lot of money is being spent on entertainment.

But what the heck gamers, have a field day!  Tell all your "scriptwriter" and "film maker" friends to get real jobs and stimulate this economy.

Barack Obama: Nerd

To quote Ben Parker, "With great power comes great responsibility." If you were to repeat this trinket of wisdom to president-elect Barack Obama he would not only agree with you, but also appreciate the dork reference.

As it turns out, Obama has a soft spot for comic books, particularly Spidey and Bats.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Obama told reporters: "I was always into the Spider-Man/Batman model. The guys who have too many powers, like Superman, that always made me think they weren’t really earning their superhero status. It’s a little too easy. Whereas Spider-Man and Batman, they have some inner turmoil. They get knocked around a little bit."

Obama's nerd factor is gaining +3 charisma Wednesday as he makes an appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #583. Word on the street is that the Chameleon will attempt to foil Obama's inauguration only to be stopped by Spidey. Spider-Man's heroics are then repaid with what could turn out to be one of the most glorious fist bumps in Marvel Comics history.

While I am excited to see a president who enjoys comic books and Wii in the White House, I do have my concerns. Comic books are like the gateway drug to nerd culture. I'm perfectly fine with the ruler of the free world keeping up with the Cyclops, Jean Grey, White Queen love triangle, it's when he starts having the Senate over for D&D nights that I'll get concerned. Even though C-SPAN's ratings would be through the roof.

Despite not identifying with Superman, Obama spends a suspicious amount of time with the Kryptonian.