Disney Completes Marvel Acquisition

image by J Chris CampbellAdvancing its strategy of delivering great branded content to people around the world, Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company announced today that Disney has completed its acquisition of renowned character franchise company, Marvel Entertainment Inc.

“We’re thrilled to welcome to the Disney family the talented team at Marvel,” said Iger. “We believe the creative and business potential of this combination is substantial and can help us grow both our top and bottom line, leading to a significant increase in long-term shareholder value.”

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on Thursday, December 31, Marvel shareholders will receive a total of $30 a share in cash, plus approximately 0.7452 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. Marvel’s assets include a library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over 70 years and businesses, including licensing, movie production and publishing.

Indy Comic Book Week

The Organizers of Indy Comic Book Week see an opportunity this Wednesday for not only an event but for a call to creative action. As you might be aware, Diamond Comic Distributors announced to comic shops that they would not be shipping new comics for the last week of December. While most shops will have DC’s Blackest Night #6 to offer as “the” new comic of the week, most of the main stream portion of the industry will be taking an off-week.

The ICBW is a challenge to writers and artists to self publish new material for this week, and offer it to their local stores. While asking for retailers to take this as an opportunity to showcase local independent talent on the new release shelves they are also encouraging fans to break from their buying habits and try something new.

You can find out more about this event including the creators and shops involved on their production blog and at the official site for Indy Comic Book Week. Even if your local shop is not offering any of the comics mentioned on those sites, you still might find something from one of the creators taking part you can order online. Or this might just inspire you to give something new a chance at your local shop this week.

GI JOE Operation HISS launches in February

This February, IDW explores what follows the dramatic ending of this summer’s smash-hit movie, G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra. Under license by Hasbro, Inc., G.I. JOE: Operation H.I.S.S. focuses on two of the brand’s main characters, SCARLETT and SNAKE EYES, as they combat the latest plot of the evil and menacing COBRA organization.

The war against COBRA has only just begun as writer Brian Reed (G.I. JOE Special: Agent Helix) unveils the return of the wildly popular STORM SHADOW character and introduces a sinister new character, brought to life by the dynamic art team of Augustin Padilla and Alex Cal, from the popular G.I. JOE: Origins series.  G.I. JOE: Operation H.I.S.S., a five-part miniseries, draws readers into a world of danger that threatens to corrupt the heroic G.I. JOE team member, DUKE. Joe Corroney (Star Trek: Mirror Images) provides the variant covers to the hottest title yet to spin out of G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra.

“The G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra publishing program has been one avenue of support for the film’s storyline—until now. With Operation H.I.S.S., we chart new territory and are adding to the strong mythology developed for the film,” said Andy Schmidt, IDW’s G.I. JOE editor. “This series is not about filling in holes and tying up loose ends, it’s about big, over-the-top action while emphasizing what makes these characters great.”

G.I. JOE: Operation H.I.S.S. #1 (of 5) ($3.99, 32 pages) debuts in February. Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.

Reynolds Rap: New Releases Last Minute Christmas Gifts Edition

Where Shawn looks at the New Releases and lets you know which ones would make good Christmas gifts!

1) History of the DCU Series 3 action figures

Figures in this series include Braniac, Ocean Master, Plastic Man and Superman. I have really liked the sculpts on the History of the DCU figures. They are really cool looking! We are also getting in a number of the Eaglemoss lead figurines. So be sure to take a look at those. Toys make perfect stocking stuffers!

2) Supergirl Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade TP

Perfect for your little sister or younger cousin who enjoys superheroes but is tired of reading stories about Batman, Superman or Spider-Man. It is a cute, well-done Supergirl story that portrays her as a believable character.

3) Retro Grey Hulk statue

What do you get the Hulk fan who has everything? Why a Hulk statue of course! Also coming out Wednesday are two Ghost Rider related busts: Johnny Blaze and Danny Ketch.

4) Mini Marvels Ultimate Collection TP

Mini Marvels appeal to comics fans of any age. Chris Giarrusso has a wonderful sense of humor that is greatly underappreciated. I got the image to the left from Acme Comic’s website (please forgive me Jermaine). It was too perfect not to use!

5) Buffy the Vampire Slayer Willow One Shot

Joss Whedon and Karl Moline (who did the art for Fray) explain what Willow did after Sunnydale implodes. Great jumping on point for new readers!

IDW releases for December 23, 2009

Angel #28

Bill Willingham (w) Brian Denham (a) Jenny Frison & David Messina (c)

An all-new adventure begins as Eisner-winning writer Bill Willingham (Fables) takes Angel down some pretty twisted roads as the group’s (and its leader’s) fame starts causing tension and testing loyalties. Starting in December, Willingham and new artist Brian Denham present part one of “The Crown Prince Syndrome!”

Angel Annual #1

Brian Lynch (w) Stephen Mooney (a & c)

When L.A. went to Hell in After the Fall, so did thousands of screenwriters, one of whom wrote a movie based on Angel’s experiences there. The first-ever Angel Annual presents an adaptation of Angel’s travails, Hollywood-style, in Angel: Last Angel in Hell: The Official Movie Adaptation. By Brian Lynch and Stephen Mooney! Mooney presents two movie poster covers, one featuring the real Angel and company, the other with their Hollywood counterparts.

Angel: Only Human #5

Scott Lobdell (w) David Messina & Mirco Pierfederici (a & c).

It’s a triple shot of Angel this week from IDW! From the creative team of Scott Lobell, David Messina and Mirco Pierfederici comes the final issue of this mini-series. How will the series end? You’ll have to buy it to find out!

GI Joe Origins #10

Larry Hama (w) Andrea Mutti (a) Tom Feister (c)

Larry Hama closes out his latest story arc with a bang! The JOES have to retake a U.S. Embassy that is under siege by terrorists, but they have to do it ultra-hush. An unlikely hero emerges to change the outcome and the attitude of the team.

The Original Johnson, Volume 1

Trevor Von Eeden (w & a & c)

At last-The Original Johnson, Trevor Von Eeden’s personal and heartfelt graphic novel biography of Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight champion of the world, international celebrity, and the most controversial American of his time. This is the artistic achievement of Trevor’s career (Batman, Green Arrow), more than four years in the making and worth every moment.

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Ghosts #2

Zander Cannon (w) Javier Aranda & Joe Corroney (a & c)

The negotiations to end the civil war on Allios IV continue while Worf investigates the history of the less advanced of the two civilizations. Meanwhile, Picard is rattled by being identified as one of the phantoms that haunts a seriously wounded researcher they rescued from a marooned orbiter, and Troi, Geordi, and Dr. Crusher investigate the mysteries of what caused the accident.

Transformers: Tales of the Fallen #5

Simon Furman (w) Alex Milne (a) Carlos Magno (c)

It begins here-the momentous event that is Transformers: Nefarious kicks off with the sudden, shocking-and silent-reappearance of stealth agent RAVAGE. Thought destroyed in Revenge of the Fallen, Ravage is back. But who is pulling his strings, and what is his mysterious but crucial mission? 

Winterworld HC

Chuck Dixon (w) Jorge Zaffino (a)

Dixon & Zaffino’s long out-of-print classic is finally collected! In a bleak and desolate future, when our world has been encased in ice from pole to pole, an amoral adventurer and an orphaned girl form an unlikely alliance-and together fight tooth and nail to stay alive. This features the stunning, groundbreaking artwork of Jorge Zaffino. As a special bonus, this hardcover also collects the never-before-published sequel, Wintersea!