First Images from "The Goon" Animated Movie

Geeks of Doom has posted pics from the upcoming Goon animated movie, a.k.a. The Best Movie of All Time. It looks as if they're staying very true to the comic and Eric Powell's art. Man, these whet my appetite something fierce:

Robot Sweatshop - Episode 18: The Barry Ludtnik Interview

In this special Friday edition of Robot Sweatshop, Dan gives a one-on-one interview with forgotten comics legend Barry Ludtnik. Ludtnik tells the story behind the creation of some of his better known characters, his pitch for Superman, his time with other comic greats, including Will Eisner, Stan Lee, and more.

Be sure to tune back in Monday for yet another new episode. ROBOT SWEATSHOP IS BACK!

Download this episode


Discuss this episode


Subscribe at iTunes

Grant Morrison on "Batman and Robin"

In an update to yesterday's story, it has indeed been confirmed that Grant Morrison is writing the upcoming Batman and Robin, with long-time collaborator Frank Quitely handling the pencils. IGN caught up with Morrison and picked up some details on the story, including the fact that this Batman is not Bruce Wayne, and this Robin is not Time Drake. My guess: Dick Grayson is Batman, and brat-child Damien is Robin. Anyways:

IGN Comics: The most obvious question is perhaps the most routine – what can you tell us about your plans for the new Batman & Robin series? How would you describe the tone and feel of the book compared to your previous Batman arcs like "Batman & Son" or "R.I.P"?

Grant Morrison: 'Batman and Robin', which opens with the 3-part 'Batman Reborn' arc, is maybe more poppy, and more colourful, but it's also creepier. It's like David Lynch doing the Batman TV show. The story arcs are 4 short 3-part 'events', which combine to tell a longer, 12 part mystery.

IGN Comics: With the June relaunch of the Batman franchise comes a new Batman and a new Robin. DC will kill us for revealing their identities, but can you describe, as much as you can, the new relationship/chemistry between this Batman and Robin and how it would relate to previous Dynamic Duos?

Morrison: It's much more…contentious. This is a very different Batman and Robin team from any that we've seen before. It's almost a reverse of the traditional dynamic, with a more light-hearted and spontaneous Batman and a scowling, badass Robin. Expect fireworks and violence.

IGN Comics: We've chatted at length with you in the past about your plans for Batman and how you view your work on the series as a long novel. Despite this being a new series, do you view this as a direct continuation of the previous work or would you consider this the beginning of a new novel?

Morrison: This is the next book in what will be a 5-volume series beginning 'Batman & Son' but it can be read on its own too. 'Batman and Robin' welcomes new readers!

IGN Comics: Do you consider Batman & Robin, despite featuring new people under the mask, yet another lens on the life of Bruce Wayne?

Morrison: No, this isn't about Bruce Wayne at all, except in as much as it deals with his absence.

IGN: Wii's "MadWorld" is 'Outstanding'

Wii owners rejoice!

It looks like Nintendo's system is finally starting to get its share of must-have 3rd party games, and it's Sega, of all companies, that's leading the pack. First came last month's House of the Dead: Overkill, a lightgun shooter with a clever grindhouse movie presentation and solid gameplay; now comes the ultra-violent, Sin City-looking MadWorld.

IGN has just released its review of the innovative title, giving it a 9.0, and it sounds as if the hype surrounding MadWorld has been warranted:

I realize that not everybody will find MadWorld's unique visual and aural presentation appealing, but to me, the game is an instant collector's item and a Wii showpiece, not just for its amazing style, but for its label-busting content. Anybody who says Nintendo's console is just for kids will see things very differently after a few chainsaw- induced mutilations. More importantly, though, MadWorld does not place emphasis on style over gameplay, so there's plenty of fun, smart mechanics to back up the overwhelmingly slick look and sound of the title. You'll be floored by some of the scenarios that await you in the fast-moving beat-'em-up, surprised by the unexpectedly well-made storyline, and simultaneously grossed out and cracked up by all of the completely over-the-top gore. Even with some camera issues, some repetition, and a decidedly short single-player mode (if you play it on normal difficulty), SEGA and Platinum Games have still created Wii's first truly excellent game of the year.

I'm begging you, buy this game so that we'll see more like it.

No need to beg. I will be buying this! The good guys won.

And check out IGN's video review here. The game looks amazing.

Robot Sweatshop - Episode 17: Watching the Watchmen

Dan, Chris and special guest Jen sit down for a discussion on Watchmen, the film and the comic, minutes after seeing the movie for the first time. Dan has read the comic twice; Chris finished reading it literally just before seeing the film; and Jen has never seen or read even a panel of it.

Three points of view. But are there three different verdicts on the film? Listen and find out.

Download this episode


Discuss this episode


Subscribe at iTunes