NYCC 2011: Hasbro's 2012 Preview, Part 1

Kicking off the convention weekend right with a "Preview Night Party," prolific toymaker Hasbro offered journalists a sneak peek of their 2011 and 2012 product lineups from iconic brands like Transformers, Marvel, G.I. Joe, and Star Wars.

OTF was graciously invited to attend the party, and the little kids in all of us are actually pretty excited!

First up: the robots in diguise!  Hasbro introduced us to the upcoming Transformers lineup in classic action figure scale. Scheduled for a release scheduled sometime in 2012, these figures are based on the recent Transformers Prime television show on The Hub network.

Hit the jump for more Transformers, G.I. Joe, and The Avengers! Also, stay tuned for Part 2 for details of their newest Star Wars products!

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Community's Donald Glover Inspired New Ultimate Spider-Man

If you've been paying attention to the comic world, you've probably heard that long-time hero Peter Parker is dead (in the "Ultimate" universe, anyway.)  While we were, uh, not terribly interested in the news (death, after all, means pretty much nothing in comics), it is intriguing to see a newcomer take the role.

And that newcomer is Miles Morales: a biracial (African-American/Latino) teenager that seeks to fill the void left by Peter Parker's death.

His design, according to legendary writer Brian Michael Bendis, is based partly on comedian, rapper, and Community star Donald Glover.

Bendis, in an interview with USA Today, gives Glover "mucho credit" for inspiring the character design of the new Spidey, after seeing the actor wearing Spider-Man pajamas in an episode of NBC's Community (which was itself an inside joke stemming from the actor's campaign to play the webhead in the upcoming movie - a role that eventually went to Andrew Garfield.)

We're certainly not complaining that there's a little more color in a predominantly white superhero universe, but let's see how this news plays out - especially in light of the announcement that Laurence Fishburne is the new Perry White.

'Spider-Man: Edge of Time' Revealed

Following their well-received Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, Activision-owned Beenox is once again putting you in the boots of the Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099 to prevent the untimely death of Peter Parker himself!

Spider-Man: Edge of Time, as can be inferred from the image above (click for full-size), will bounce you back and forth between present day Spider-Man and the futuristic world of Spider-Man 2099.  Marvel veteran and co-creator of Spider-Man 2099, Peter David, will craft the storyline, and the game will feature "cause-and-effect" consequences, where actions in the past timeline can directly and unexpectedly change the future.

“At Beenox, we are constantly listening to the fans and looking for new and creative ways to innovate the gameplay experience for them,” said Dee Brown, Studio Head, Beenox. “We want to create a totally distinct experience in Spider-Man: Edge of Time by working with Peter David on the story and creating this urgent, high-stakes experience where time is working against you and the fate of Spider-Man hangs in the balance.”

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions was truly a worthwhile game, despite the camera being the sole reason you died in most boss battles.  It was tightly-crafted and easy to jump into (and out of, which is important for a guy with a day job) at any time, but most importantly, it did the Web-Slinger fair justice as a character.

With the Spider-Man: Edge of Time's focus on present and future timelines of Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099, I admit I'll miss the cool collectedness of the 1920s Spider-Man Noir.  Still, if it the game turns out anything like its predecessor, it'll be worth it in the end.

Spider-Man: Edge of Time is currently slated for release this fall, but no platforms have been announced.

A closer look at the new Spider-Man

MTV has revealed a new photo of the new Spider-Man costume for the reboot.  Check it out below!

The previously released photo of Andrew Garfield sans mask gave us an indication that the suit would be different for the new film.  The photo, however, shows just how drastic some of the changes are.  For example. we can now get a better look at the web shooters sticking out of his gloves.  They have also added some odd silver coloring to the boots.  Not a fan of that one, personally.  But I am pleased to no longer see the raised webbing pattern on the suit.  That always bothered me about the Maguire suit.

People have started making connections to the "Ultimate Spider-Man" comic series, citing Andrew Garfield's slender frame as the catalyst for such comparison.  Personally, this suit seems to take some of its design inspiration from the "Ben Reilly" costume seen in comics in the mid 90s.  It is unclear if that was intentional or not.

The currently untitled Spider-Man reboot is due in theaters on July 3rd, 2012.

New Look for Spidey

The first photo of Andrew Garfield as the new Spider-Man has arrived online!  

First impression: I have to say I liked the original suit better.  It maintains the basic look of the classic costume, but definitely makes some changes.  The gloves jump out as the most noticeable difference.

While I can understand a new look for a new movie/series, are we supposed to believe that he made this one too?  If so, convention cosplayers are apparently missing something big.  I'm curious to see what the mask looks like.  It can't see that being altered too much.  

The currently untitled Spider-Man reboot is directed by Marc Webb and is due in theaters on July 3rd, 2012.

Martin Sheen is Uncle Ben

With great power comes great casting.  

As the web of the Spider-Man reboot continues to be spun, the latest piece of news to come out is the announcement of veteran actor, Martin Sheen as Uncle Ben.  Mr. Sheen joins Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Rhys Ifans in the ever-growing cast.  Additional reports indicate that actress, Sally Field may joining Sheen as the new Aunt May.  More to come on that as it develops.

This is not Martin Sheen's first venture into the comic book movie realm either.  He starred as villain Jason Wynn in the 1997 big-screen adaptation of Spawn.  Also, he recently provided the voice for the Illusive Man in BioWare's Mass Effect 2 earlier this year.

The role of Uncle Ben Parker was previously played by Cliff Robertson in all three of the Sam Raimi-directed Spider-Man films.

The currently untitled Spider-Man reboot is directed by Marc Webb and is due in theaters on July 3rd, 2012.

Rhys Ifans Goes Green

Earlier this week, it was announced that actor Rhys Ifans had joined the cast of the upcoming Spider-Man reboot.  It was stated that he would play the film's villain, but until today, that villain was unnamed.  According to TheWrap, the film's villain is reported to be everyone's favorite mutated scientist, The Lizard!

In the original Spider-Man films, the Lizard's human alter-ego, Dr. Curt Conners, was played by Dylan Baker.  Those films never featured the one-armed geneticist becoming the giant reptile, but it was rumored to be on the docket for Sam Raimi's fourth film.

Official word from Sony is pending, but if it turns out to be true, we shall be seeing a one-armed Rhys Ifans alongside Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone on July 3rd 2012.

The Jackpot's Been Hit

Peter Parker has his new Mary Jane Watson.  The latest piece of news to come out of the Spider-Man reboot is the "imminent" casting of Easy A star, Emma Stone.  

Deadline reports that Sony Pictures Entertainment has immediate plans to offer the role to Stone.  She will star alongside Andrew Garfield (Spider-Man/Peter Parker).

Good choice, Sony.  At first glance, Emma Stone has the MJ look.  Yes, the hair is important, but look at those eyes.  Perfect!  I'm sure John Romita Sr. would approve.

I for one am glad to be rid of Kirsten "Peter, Do You Love Me?" Dunst.  She just never had the MJ fire in her.

Now that Mary Jane has been cast, focus will now shift to the casting of Gwen Stacy, the main love interest for the film.  

The currently untitled Spider-Man reboot is directed my Mark Webb and is due in theaters on July 3rd, 2012.

Update on October 5, 2010 at 8:59 PM by Rob "T3k" Piontek

Scratch that.  Looks like we jumped the gun on that one.  Should've paid more attention to the uncertain "imminent" when referring to the casting of Emma Stone as Mary Jane Watson.

The OFFICIAL news is that Stone has been cast as Gwen Stacy, NOT Mary Jane.

The announcement was made through official channels by Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures.

I'm a bit disappointed.  I thought Stone would have been perfect for MJ.  Oh well.  Now we'll just have to see if Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy makes it through the movie alive...

A New Face Under Spidey's Mask

The sound of people scratching their heads is deafening.  

Relatively unknown actor, Andrew Garfield has been cast as Spider-Man/Peter Parker in the way-too-soon reboot of the money-printing Marvel Comics film franchise.  The most common question to be asked since the announcement has been, "Who?"  Born in LA and raised in England (yeah, wrap your head around that one), the 26 year-old Garfield will replace Tobey Maguire as the web-slinging hero for the 4th Spider-Man film.

I guess I'm fine with this.  After the debacle that was Spider-Man 3, I was hoping that they would recast and continue the franchise.  Please note, I said recast, not start completely over.  Oh well, as Jagger once said, you can't always get what you want.  However, with a new director and a new cast, I'm hoping the series will shake off the negative memories left by Topher Grace as Venom. -shudder-  

But this new direction for Spidey also has its potential risks.  They plan on sticking him back in high school and having him deal with the typical problems of an American teenager.  LAME!  Sony, please don't make this High School Spider-Musical.  And PLEASE, do not make the audience sit through another origin story.  If anything, do what Louis Leterrier did for The Incredible Hulk.  Backstory behind the opening credits.  Brilliant! Done! Moving on! Also, as stated above, Garfield is 26 (and will be 27 when production begins).  I picture a high school hallway filled with either kids in their late 20s, or Garfield standing a head above everyone else around him.  But, we'll see.  As I've stated plenty of times before, they might surprise us.

As for Garfield as an actor, I can't say much of anything.  To date, the only thing I've seen him in was a two-part episode of Doctor Who back in 2007, and even that I had to look up and say "Oh, he was in that?"  He recently appeared in Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, but I'm sure he was overlooked in favor of the final onscreen appearance of Heath Ledger.  However, he can be seen in David Fincher's The Social Network, due this fall, and I'm sure he will be scrutinized by comic fans who venture to see the Facebook-inspired thriller.

The currently untitled Spider-Man film is directed by Marc Webb and will open in 3D and 2D on July 3, 2012.

Review: Avengers #1

After nearly a decade of turmoil The Avengers are back to normal, mostly.  The big three of Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America are back except Bucky Barnes is now the man behind the shield. Add Spider-Man, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, and Hawkeye and you’ve got a hell of a team. I’m pretty excited about this line-up. Wolverine and Spider-Man are pretty blatant popularity moves but bringing Hawkeye and Spider-Woman back into the mix lends a nice touch. The best part of all of this is that they are under the command of Steve Rogers, the new top cop in the Marvel Universe.  So with this cast of characters, were Bendis and Romita Jr. able to deliver? Avengers Assemble!

When I first heard that John Romita Jr would be penciling this series I was pretty nervous. I’ve always liked his style but I didn’t think it would be a good fit for The Avengers.  I couldn’t have been more wrong. Romita Jr.’s pencils bring with them a classic youthful feel that has been missing from the more recent marvel books. Combine this with Klaus Janson’s inks and Dean White's bright colors and you’ve got an art style that takes you right back to the early days of Marvel.

And speaking of the classic days of Marvel, Bendis reaches deep into the sack-o-villains to bring us our antagonist for this premier issue. Who would be worthy to oppose the Avengers in there grand return? Kang the Conqueror. It’s a genius move on Bendis’ part, really. Kang is as classic a villain as it comes and his entrance is nothing short of Monarch worthy. I loved every second he was on the page. Bendis also ties in the Next Avengers animated film from two years ago. I thought this was a great move on his part. The movie was actually pretty fun, and I always thought that universe needed to be expanded. The best part of Bendis’ script focuses on the lingering awkwardness between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. I’m really glad this didn’t get glossed over. The rift between those two old friends is deep and I can’t wait to see the journey to mend it.

Bendis and Romita Jr. have hit it out of the park with this premier Avengers issue. This is a great time to hop on board with the Marvel Universe so you owe it to yourself, whether a hardcore fan or a casual reader, to pick up this issue.