Comic News for 2/5/10: SIEGE #1 rules Jan. Sales; WATCHMEN Sequel Comic & More Marvel Movie News!

SIEGE #1; dethroning BLACKEST NIGHT in sales!

SNEAK PEAK AT JAN. 2010'S SALES FIGURES FROM DIAMOND - MARVEL RULES ONCE AGAIN!

After several months of DC domination of the Top 5-10 selling comic books to end 2009 (with only CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN to combat the DC sales juggernaut that is BLACKEST NIGHT), the start of Marvel's latest "event" storyline brought them back into total sales dominance (even in months when DC claimed the top selling spot, Marvel still outsold them overall). Diamond has released initial sales listings and while exact amounts to retailers are not available, Comics Continuum has posted the Top 100 selling comics as well as the top publishers of the month - www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1002/04/index.htm. Newsarama also covered this story here - www.newsarama.com/comics/diamond-january-2010-sales-100214.html. In 1/2010, Marvel dominated DC in unite share 42.56% versus 34.89% (with Dark Horse still the third biggest at 4.20%, with Image at 3.37%, with IDW nipping at Image's heels with 3% even - it could be argued that the complete domination of the market by the "big two", Marvel and DC, in the 21st century has come at the expense of Image, which was about 13% of the market back in 1998). Basically, out of every 100 comics, 42 will be Marvel, 34 will be DC, and the rest will be everyone else, on average. In dollar share, Marvel dominated DC by almost 10 points, 38.77% to 29.59%. SIEGE #1 was the top seller of Jan. 2010, and Marvel owned 6 comics within the Top 10. DC had the #2 seller, GREEN LANTERN #50, and had the other 3 comics in the Top 10 sellers; Marvel had 12 books within the Top 20 as well. BATMAN AND ROBIN #7, however, outsold CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #6. Dark Horse's BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #35 was the top "non big two" seller at #25 of the Top 25. HAUNT #4 is Image's top seller at #75 of the Top 75, outselling WALKING DEAD #69 (which sold at #84 of the Top 85). Marvel's two space ongoings, NOVA and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, held within the Top 100 at #91 and #94 of the Top 95 sellers. Expect ICV2 to post a better listing with actual sales numbers within the next two weeks or so. Expect some more concrete sales tallies then, although it could be estimated that SIEGE #1 sold over 100,000 copies.

"Hurm...never surrender...even in the face of integrity?"

DC NEWS: HINTS OF "WATCHMEN" COMIC SEQUEL; DC ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES THEY ARE CLOSE TO AN ACTUAL ANNOUNCEMENT (LOL); "YOUNG JUSTICE" CARTOON RUMORED IN PRODUCTION; PALEY CENTER PREMIRES "JUSTICE LEAGUE" ANIMATED FILM IN NYC & LA; DINI DOES ZATANNA (COMIC); "GREEN LANTERN" AND MORE MOVIES!

* Bleeding Cool has released an exclusive stating that with Paul Levitz stepping down as President and Publisher of DC Comics, the odds of DC actually trying to do a comic book sequel to the classic 1986-1987 masterwork from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, "WATCHMEN", become higher. Levitz had personally defrayed any attempts to try to convince Moore and Gibbons to either return to do a sequel (Moore would almost certainly decline) or to give permission for another creative team to craft one. While the movie for "WATCHMEN" last year was not the blockbuster hit that Warner Brothers wanted, the hype for the movie caused the hardcover and trade paperback for the original comic story to become the best selling graphic novel of 2008-2009; even without the movie, it always sold well in comic shops and bookstores despite it being over 25 years old. It is worth noting after well over twenty years, Frank Millar was eventually hired for $1 million dollars to write/draw a sequel to his masterwork "THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS" (which fans of the original rarely speak well of, or wish to speak of at all). Read the entire article here - www.bleedingcool.com/2010/02/03/get-ready-for-watchmen-2/. Deadline Hollywood got word from an "insider" who stated there is "not a chance" of Warner Brothers studios or Fox wanting to do a sequel to the movie version, even though Fox has a clause that allows one - www.deadline.com/hollywood/not-a-chance-of-watchmen-film-sequel/. Levitz, meanwhile, will soon be writing a LEGION OF SUPERHEROES relaunch - www.comicbookresources.com/

* Coming Soon.net announced that Time Warner Inc. CEO and Chairman Jeff Bewkes announced via a business conference call on Tuesday that DC Entertainment is "weeks away" from making a major announcement about their projects of the near future. Bewkes said: "We are going to have a fairly interesting set of announcements and presentations pretty soon like in a matter of weeks, I think, about our plans for DC. And basically if you look across the title of the whole band of hits whether its Batman, The Dark Knight, Green Lantern coming up, Superman, there have been a huge number of franchised films that have been part of the Warner [tent pole] strategy that's been the reason for Warner's unparallel high and consistent earnings advantage over the other studios and DC has already been a part of that and we are now going to outline an even more expansive plan for that in the coming months." Bewkes also said that, "[you will] hear more about our plans to mine more aggressively the deep catalogue of DC Comics characters across Warner Brothers' theatrical, home video, TV and games divisions and across our other divisions as well." The interesting thing is that "THE DARK KNIGHT" apparently did so well as a movie (scoring over a billion in box office sales) that it was mentioned separately from the rest of Batman, as well as mention of Superman, who last year was stated to be D.O.A. in terms of new movie projects. Of course, it is past time that DC sought to broaden their horizons with mining other characters, such as Wonder Woman. So, in effect, an announcement that a REAL announcement is coming - www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php

* Bleeding Cool has sparked a rumor that DC is seeking to add to their TV animation ranks right now besides "BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD", which has begun a second season on Cartoon Network. The website found a blog posting from voice actress Stephanie Lemelin (from "CAVEMEN" and "KUNG FU PANDA"), which has since been removed, that she was playing the heroine Arrowette in a cartoon called "Young Justice", complete with a character design. In her former blog post (which is reprinted by Bleeding Cool), she claimed to be "excited" about being "in a Saturday Morning Cartoon" (www.bleedingcool.com/2010/02/02/new-dc-animated-series-young-justice-league/). To collaborate this rumor, actor Tequan Richmond (best known as Drew Rock in "EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS") posted a pic on Twitter claiming that he read for the part of Aqualad for this series, complete with a shot of the character design for Aqualad - twitpic.com/q7p4e. For some history, YOUNG JUSTICE was a teenage DC team franchise launched in 1998 that began as some one-shots and wrapped up in 2003 with the team disbanding, and whose ongoing series lasted at least 40 issues. It was written by Todd DeZago in the beginning and Peter David for the rest, with most art done by Todd Nauck, and featured Superboy, Robin, and Impulse as the major leads alongside Arrowette, Secret, Wonder Girl, and other newer generation teenage heroes of the time. While it was well received and enjoyed by fans, only one trade of it exists from DC. One Twitter reply to Tequan claimed that "it looks like they combined Aqualad with Lagoon Boy", another character from the comic. The Bleeding Cool link claimed the roster would consist of Arrowette, Aqualad, Impulse, Nightwing, Martian Girl, and Conner Kent/Superboy. Nightwing in theory should be the eldest, as he was the original Robin, which hints this could be the realization of an old Kid's WB pitch to Bruce Timm while he was developing "BATMAN BEYOND" in the late 90's that wished to see a show where Batman mentored teenage Justice League members. Having Nightwing possibly do the same is a different fix. Considering that Marvel has begun to dominate DC on the small screen as well as the big screen again (four cartoon shows now airing on three networks, including Cartoon Network), it does make sense that DC doesn't just wish to rely on "BRAVE AND THE BOLD" or the live action "SMALLVILLE". Their last teenage superhero show, "LEGION OF SUPER HEROES", lasted for two seasons towards the end run of the Kid's WB network (before it became THE CW 4Kids). If this is in fact in production, DC Entertainment might announce it soon, and it may air next year.

* The L.A. Times has a story that producer Joel Silver is still interested in doing a movie based on DC's SGT. ROCK character, although it no longer will be a period piece set in World War II (where the character is from). Instead it will be a fictional war "in the not too distant future". It is possible that Silver does not want this film to be compared to "INGLORIOUS BASTARDS", or Marvel's upcoming "FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA". Of course, Silver also believes that DC movie audiences are craving a new "SWAMP THING" movie - latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/02/sgt-rock-reloads-as-movie-project-but-not-as-a-wwii-story-.html. The character was co-created by Joe Kubert soon to be 51 years ago.

* MTV caught up with director Martin Campbell during a junket for Mel Gibson's "EDGE OF DARKNESS" to discuss his next major project, "GREEN LANTERN". He stated that while filming hasn't begin, that Green Lantern's energy based powers are called "constructs" and that they are being planned out in advance as well as are imaginative - splashpage.mtv.com/2010/02/03/green-lantern-director-describes-the-constructs-created-by-hal-jordan/. This movie will come out next year and will be DC's big competition against "THOR" and "CAPTAIN AMERICA".

* Newsarama has announced that they are co-hosting the premiere of "JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS", the next WB/DC animated DVD release, on 2/16/10 at the Paley Center in New York City (as well as in L.A.), although have given shorter notice than for their "PLANET HULK" premiere (with no in-store promotion, which was how this Examiner landed tickets). Fans can email for free tickets on a first come, first serve basis - www.newsarama.com/comics/justice-league-crisis-premiere-100205.html. The disc goes on sale 2/23/10 on DVD and blu-ray.

* To end on some actual DC comics news, DC's main blog "The Source" has announced that writer Paul Dini will be launching an ongoing ZATANNA series alongside artist Stephane Roux which naturally stars Dini's favorite backwards-speaking magician. Featured often during his run in DETECTIVE COMICS (as well as several Dini written episodes of BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES and JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED), Dini has been long known to be a big fan of Zatanna and some sort of series by him about her has been rumored for years. It is due out in May. Click here for DC's announcement and inked preview artwork - dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/02/04/zatanna-strikes-out-on-her-own/

The new and improved Thor; now with washing gloves?

MARVEL NEWS: NEW "AVENGERS" COMIC RELAUNCH ROSTER REVEALED; SPIDER-MAN CARTOON NOT DEAD; SPIDER-MAN MOVIE CASTING RUMOR DEBUNKED; SFX FOR "THOR" ANNOUNCED; "CAPTAIN AMERICA" FILMING SOON; FOX TO REBOOT "DAREDEVIL" & MORE!

* This week Marvel has been releasing teaser images to their May relaunch of AVENGERS, to take over for NEW AVENGERS with art by John Romita Jr. The roster has been officially confirmed as Thor, Hawkeye, Iron Man, the James Barnes Captain America, and Spider-Woman. Given as most Avengers line-ups have at least seven members, expect another two next week to follow. When Joe Quesada desired for Brian M. Bendis to launch NEW AVENGERS in 2004, his major demand was that Spider-Man and Wolverine will be on the roster, so they could be next; on the other hand, writer Brian Bendis, who will also be writing AVENGERS in May, has a fondness for Luke Cage as well. Comic Book Resources (CBR) has a collection of these promotional images here - www.comicbookresources.com/. It is worth noting that it has been about five or six years since Thor was an Avenger (especially as he spent three of those years being dead). CBR also released this promotional image by artist Bryan Hitch about Marvel's "Heroic Age", what they are calling their line of comics as of spring 2010 - www.comicbookresources.com/. Featured are other Avengers characters such as Hank Pym, Mockingbird, Luke Cage and Hawkeye, as well as Gorilla Man from AGENTS OF ATLAS. Meanwhile, Bleeding Cool (they get around this week) has claimed that Christos Gage's Avengers title, called AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE, will be relaunched in or around May as "AVENGERS ACADEMY" and he will be teamed with artist Mike McKone - www.bleedingcool.com/2009/10/18/avengers-academy-by-christos-gage-and-mike-mckone-term-starts-next-year/. Considering the highly consistent quality of Gage's Avengers title, this is excellent news.

* The TV cartoon series "SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN", which started on Kid's WB and now airs on DISNEY XD, with Greg Wiesman (of GARGOYLES fame) as producer/story editor, has been in limbo for a year. Production on the show ended in Jan. 2009 and with Sony seeming to lose interest while Disney bought out Marvel, the fate of the show was unknown. Last month, as reported by Marvel Animation Age, Marvel Animation President Eric Rollman stated that Marvel and Sony are still working out the details over ownership and rights of the show, so while no news of a third season can be made, the show is not cancelled, either (marvel.toonzone.net/news.php). In another sign of life for the show, Burger King is doing a toy promotion based on the TV show - www.clubbk.com/. Spectacular Spider-Man teams up with Polly Pocket - img535.imageshack.us/i/71905243.png/. Hopefully she stays out of Green Goblin's crosshairs.

* Despite Sony deciding to restructure their "SPIDER-MAN" movie franchise without Sam Raimi and announcing a new director, rumors about casting have continued at their absurd pace. On Feb. 1st, U.K. based OK! Magazine released a story stating that Zac Efron, of "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL" fame, rumored to be interested in the role, would actually be the next Peter Parker and "would begin filming next year". No Sony rep would confirm this tabloid rumor (www.ok.co.uk/celebnews/view/18263/Zac-Efron-to-be-the-next-Spiderman-/). That could be because this week also saw another untrue casting rumor that had to be debunked. Access Hollywood caught up with Logan Lerman, star of "PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTENING THIEF", who claimed to be in "early talks" with Sony about filling the web-shooters of Spider-Man for the high school set reboot (www.accesshollywood.com/percy-jackson-and-the-olympians-star-logan-lerman-in-talks-for-spider-man-reboot_article_28641). However, barely 24 hours later, Heat Vision spoke with Sony as well as Lerman's representatives, who both flatly denied that any "business talks" have happened, nor that Lerman is a "frontrunner" for the role - www.heatvisionblog.com/2010/02/logan-lerman-as-spiderman-not-so-fast.html. While Lerman would probably be on a Sony short list of young actors, if this latest franchise from the HARRY POTTER director takes off (for Fox), that could tie him up for a few years. Lerman is personally "interested"...but so would any young actor in Hollywood who could breathe.

* Speaking of Fox, Deadline Hollywood has announced that the studio is seeking to officially reboot the movie franchise of the sightless hero Daredevil. This has to be done in order for Fox to keep the license in the wake of last year's "Disney Deal" with Marvel. News Corp Vice President Peter Chernin is said to be up to produce the new film with David Scarpa, of "THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL" (the remake) fame, writing a script. The original "DAREDEVIL" film starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner (before they wed) came out almost seven years ago exactly (2/14/03) and while reportedly butchered by Fox's editing team and receiving mixed critical reviews, grossed $179 million worldwide from a budget of under $80 million - the definition of a "modest hit" for a major comic book action film. A loose sequel/spin-off starring Garner, "ELEKTRA", two years later, was lambasted and barely made any sort of profit (domestically, it did almost as poorly as "HOWARD THE DUCK" in the 80's). There is no sign that either actors would reprise their roles - www.deadline.com/hollywood/exclusive-latest-marvel-hero-to-reboot/.

* There were two small updates about the "CAPTAIN AMERICA " film this week, due out in July 2011. Film Journal spoke with director Joe Johnston (whose remake of "THE WOLFMAN" opens soon), who confirmed that the beginning of the Cap film would take place during World War II, specifically 1942-1943, and that it was "avoiding" some of the stories from the 60's and 70's (www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/esearch/e3i84347827022cc793ce558ba986c2e3b9). Art design work was also being done in Florida. Joe Johnston was also reached by Sci Fi Wire, where he told them that filming was set to begin "at the end of June" and that a casting announcement as to who would play Steve Rogers would be made within "weeks". Johnston noted enjoying the character because "he is a superhero without the powers", the pinnacle of human potential. Johnston would not hint at which actors were being considered for the role, only that several were still being "juggled". The last time Johnston directed a comic book superhero based in World War II, it was "THE ROCKETEER" in the 90's, a major critical if not commercial success - scifiwire.com/2010/02/captain-america-casting-c.php.

* Variety confirms that Paris based Buf Compagnie will be doing the visual effects for the "THOR" film; they also did the effects for "AVATAR", "KNOWING" and "SOLOMAN KANE" (www.variety.com/article/VR1118014554.html). In other "THOR" news, MTV spoke with actor Josh Hutcherson, who acted alongside "THOR" star Chris Hemsworth for "RED DAWN", who claims that Chris has "become a beast" working out to play Thor, and that he was "bulking up" during the entire filming of "RED DAWN". (splashpage.mtv.com/2010/02/04/thor-star-chris-hemsworth-is-becoming-a-beast-for-marvel-movie-role/). Anthony Hopkins, who plays Odin, spoke with Sci Fi Wire about filming, which has begun. He stated he "hopes he looks like god" and that he is enjoying working alongside director Ken Branagh, and appreciates how "big" this film is - scifiwire.com/2010/02/the-thor-actor-who-wants.php.

* Variety reports that there will be no Super Bowl ad for "IRON MAN 2" (www.variety.com/article/VR1118014680.html) this Sunday. However, Empire has stumbled upon an interesting Twitter conversation with director John Favreau that "IRON MAN 2" is supposed to take place before "INCREDIBLE HULK", which starred Edward Norton and was released in 2008, after the original "IRON MAN". Of course, "INCREDIBLE HULK" ended in a cameo appearance by Robert Downy Jr.'s Tony Stark meeting William Hurt's General Ross to discuss the Avengers, and possibly going after the Hulk. This seems to lend some support that the Hulk could appear in 2012's "AVENGERS" film, although whether he would be the main antagonist, or if Norton would reprise his role as Bruce Banner, is unknown - www.empireonline.com/news/feed.asp.