By way of Wizard Universe, we’ve got a sneak peak in to two of the projects that will be hitting stores sometime 2008 from Marvel and DC. If you just need more than what the big screen will throw at us with Iron Man, The Hulk and Batman the Dark Knight, then these releases will definitely keep you satisfied.
First up, directed by Gary Hartle and written by Christopher Yost, New Avengers; Heroes of Tomorrow; and it will portray just what it sounds like. Though Hartle has very few credits to his name, Yost is best known as the writer (along with his frequent collaborator Craig Kyle, who is also Executive Producer on New Avengers) of Marvel’s New X-Men.
“This story is about the children of the fallen heroes trying to take back the world from the very forces that killed the age of Marvels,” explains Kyle. “As for the classic Avengers, most were lost long ago, but there are a few who remain.”
Those ‘very forces’ refer to the infamous (and beloved) Ultron, who in the movie returns to eradicate the line of Avengers. The five kids in question will need to follow the stereotypical storyline of dealing with pressures not normally faced until adulthood, probably dealing with lusty thoughts in the process. Three of the kids have been named; James, the son of Captain America and Black Widow; Pym, offspring of Giant Man and the Wasp; and Torunn, the abandoned daughter of Thor who “serves as the heart of the film” and is “one kickass little heroine.” The final two members remain a mystery, for now.
Wondering if there will be any golden heroes about? Better damned well believe it, with an graying Hulk and an aged Tony Stark who, funnily enough, will act as the paternal figure of the film.
“For all the reasons Tony Stark would never choose to be a father, he is the perfect choice to be one in our film,” says Kyle. “We have a man who is thrust into a role he doesn’t want and isn’t ready for, but one, that in time will become everything to him.”
The producers acknowledge that this film is definitely not focused at the same demographic that the previous four animated films were, but they felt it was time to give the kids something.
“We made the first four films specifically with teens and adults in mind, but this time we wanted to create a story that would entertain everyone on the couch,” reasons Kyle. “Rest easy, we’re not forgetting about the older audience. We’re just not ignoring the younger fans this time around.”
Moving on to my favorite, Bats, and Batman: Gotham Knights is, from what I can gather, a filler between Batman Begin and Batman the Dark Knight. Directed by the inimitable Bruce Timms, and written by six pens acclaimed in both comics and Hollywood, this film will be made up of six short stories, exploring facets of Batman not normally covered in animation or film.
enthuses Gregory Noveck, DC Comics’ senior VP of Creative Affairs who helped put the project together,
“both from a storytelling standpoint and a stylistic animation standpoint.”
“The idea is that, just like in the comic books, the DC Universe is full of infinite and varied stories, so we shouldn’t be locked into one animation style,” says Noveck.
“You will definitely get different visual versions of Batman. There will be a range of looks—for Bruce and Batman and the different characters.” The DVD will apparently follow the world that Christopher Nolan is so effortlessly and consummately painting for us, while simultaneously exploring the mythology of Batman, all the while ensuring not to cast a pall over the films continuity and storyline.
“We tried not to set up too much for "The Dark Knight" because it certainly stands on its own, but this is kind of like an added accent to that whole universe,” informs Noveck.
“If you’ve seen "Batman Begins" and you’ve seen "The Dark Knight," this is something that may have happened in between.”
Look for both releases to hit stores sometime in July.