The Adventures of Apocalypse Al Comes to Comics and TV

October 19th, 2011

Do you remember The Adventures of Apocalypse Al, the Straczynski radio serial produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation but never broadcast? MTV Comics will now publish the story as a graphic novel. It will appear digitally online and on tablets and mobile devices in the Spring of 2012 and will be followed by the hard copy version published by MTV Books. Straczynski describes the story as “Monty Python meets the Maltese Falcon en route to the end of the world.”

Straczynski and co-developer Patricia Tallman will follow up the comic with a sequel produced as a  live-action webisode series on MTV Geek in the Fall of 2012.

Video coverage of the announcement at the 2011 New York Comic Con can be viewed on MTV.

Pat Tallman’s Babylon 5 Multimedia Memoir released 20 September 2011

September 20th, 2011

Pat Tallman’s Babylon 5 Multimedia Memoir was released today, Tuesday 20 September 2011. Published by Publishing 180, the same company behind the Babylon 5 Script Books, this offering includes both Patricia Tallman’s new book, Pleasure Thresholds, and a bonus CD-ROM. The 362-page softcover book is a collection of 330 photographs, documents, and anecdotes by Patricia Tallman relating to her time playing Lyta Alexander on Babylon 5. It includes an introduction by J. Michael Straczynski and is autographed by both Patricia Tallman and Joe Straczynski. The CD-ROM contains nine video clips and two audio features – an interview with Patrica Tallman conducted by Joe Straczynski and an uncensored “renegade” audio commentary for “Secrets of the Soul” by Pat Tallman and Joe Straczynski that can be synced up with program if you have the DVD. A collectible postcard with Lyta’s “pleasure threshold” quote is also included.

Priced at $69.00, the multimedia package is on sale for $49.00 through Tuesday 27 September 2011. It can be ordered here.

 

Wonder Woman #614 released 24 August 2011

August 25th, 2011

Issue 614 of Wonder Woman was released on Wednesday 24 August 2011. Co-written by Phil Hester, it is titled “Odyssey Part Fourteen: The Return”. From the DC Comics description:

“The all-new Wonder Woman reaches the end of her epic ‘Odyssey’ and comes face-to-face with the malevolent force behind it all! But the only way to defeat her nemesis may be to become her – giving her own powers over to an all-consuming hatred for life on Earth! Is Diana strong enough to control a force that seeks vengeance on all mankind, or will the warrior within her condemn her to a life of eternal bloodshed?”

Superman #714 released 03 August 2011

August 3rd, 2011

Issue 714 of Superman was released today, Wednesday 03 August 2011. Co-written by Chris Roberson, it is titled “Grounded, Finale”. From the DC Comics description:

“Superman hits Seattle for his last stop on his ‘Grounded’ walk across the country, and it is in that city where everything will come to a head! The mysterious woman who has been following Superman all year makes a desperate final move, one that may cost the Man of Steel that which he holds most dear!”

Wonder Woman #613 released 27 July 2011

August 3rd, 2011

Issue 613 of Wonder Woman was released on Wednesday 27 July 2011. Co-written by Phil Hester, it is titled “Odyssey Part Thirteen: Nemesis”. From the DC Comics description:

“The mega-opus ‘Odyssey’ proved too big, it needed two extra issues to tell J. Michael Straczynski and Phil Hester’s full story! It’s classic Wonder Woman versus the new one! Even if she wins, she loses! This issue will ship with two covers.”

Brain Movies: The Original Teleplays of Harlan Ellison, Volume One Limited Babylonian Edition released 22 July 2011

July 22nd, 2011

Harlan Ellison, the acclaimed writer who also served as the Conceptual Consultant for Babylon 5, has begun releasing a series of books containing his scripts, stories, and essays in a format similar to that of J. Michael Straczynski’s Babylon 5 script books. Volume 1 will be released in the Fall, but today, Friday 22 July 2011, Brain Movies: The Original Teleplays of Harlan Ellison, Volume One – Limited Babylonian Edition was released. This edition contains the same material as the unlimited edition plus a few bonus extras related to Babylon 5.

The scripts published in this volume are:

  • “Memos from Purgatory” from The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
  • “Soldier” from The Outer Limits
  • “Demon with a Glass Hand” from The Outer Limits
  • “Paladin of the Lost Hour” from the 1985 Twilight Zone
  • “Crazy as Soup Sandwich” from the 1985 Twilight Zone
  • “The Face of Helene Bournouw” from The Hunger

The scripts are all scanned originals complete with handwritten annotations and changes by Ellison.

The above materials will also be available in the unlimited edition in the Fall for $39.95. The Limited Babylonian Edition will contain seventeen additional pages containing:

  • Ellison’s detailed manifesto – commissioned by Straczynski at the start of Babylon 5 – explaining to potential writers for the series what not to do in science fiction television
  • The unabridged version of the opening narration for Babylon 5 Season One
  • Thirteen humorous voice overs written but never used over the Warner Bros. logo at the end of each episode
  • An introduction written by J. Michael Straczynski titled “Touching Magic”

In addition, the Limited Babylonian Edition will be signed by both Harlan Ellison and J. Michael Straczynski – only the second time they have ever signed something together.

Brain Movies: The Original Teleplays of Harlan Ellison, Volume One – Limited Babylonian Edition is priced at $75.00 but will be on sale for $55.00 through 31 July 2011. It can be ordered through HarlanBooks.com.

Superman #713 released 13 July 2011

July 22nd, 2011

Issue 713 of Superman was released on Wednesday 13 July 2011. Co-written by Chris Roberson, it is titled “Grounded, Part Eleven”. From the DC Comics description:

“What could possibly make The Man of Steel decide to stop being Superman? Superboy and Supergirl catch up with him in Portland, Oregon, and they want answers!”

Note that the Straczynski / Roberson story, “Grounded, Part Ten” was pulled from Issue 712 at the last minute and replaced with a previously unpublished story from several years ago. The “Grounded” story was to have featured a Muslim superhero, leading to intense speculation about DC’s move.

Wonder Woman #612 released 29 June 2011

June 29th, 2011

Issue 612 of Wonder Woman was released today, Wednesday 29 June 2011. Co-written by Phil Hester, it is titled “Odyssey Part Twelve: Ghosts of the Gods”. From the DC Comics description:

“This is the one you’ve waited for! The year-long ‘Odyssey’ storyline comes to an earth-shattering conclusion! Can Diana defeat the powerful forces that destroyed her entire reality? And even if she wins, she could still lose everything!”

This issue is available with two different covers.

Straczynski Launches Never Surrender Dreams Official Website

June 1st, 2011

J. Michael Straczynski has launched an official website, Never Surrender Dreams. This follows quickly on the heels of his recently opened official Twitter account, @straczynski.

Wonder Woman #611 released 01 June 2011

June 1st, 2011

Issue 611 of Wonder Woman was released today, Wednesday 01 June 2011. Co-written by Phil Hester, it is titled “Odyssey Part Eleven: Siege”. From the DC Comics description:

“The penultimate chapter of ‘Odyssey’! Who is behind Diana’s altered reality? Who made the world forget that she is Wonder Woman? Who wants the Amazons dead? And, most importantly, why? The answers start to come right here!”