Shellhead's lookin' good

A couple of days ago, CBR posted the first screenshots from the upcoming video game tie-in to next year's Iron Man. The game is being developed by SEGA, and according to the article, it "represents the first step in a strategic partnership between Marvel and SEGA."

A couple of shots from the report, all courtesy of CBR:

I'm not sure if those are in-game screens or not (they could be from cinema cutscenes), but either way it looks absolutely gorgeous. If SEGA can get the gameplay down, then this has the potential to be a great game (and a great tie-in, at that).

Needless to say, I'll be watching this one closely.

-M

Live from Washington, it's Saturday afternoon

Just a quick, non-comics-related update from our nation's capitol.

Strangely enough, I've been in D.C. for roughly four days, and I've yet to see any buildings of real importance. Sure, a couple of the other editors and I trekked out to the Scientology center a couple blocks from the hotel (supposedly the "founding" center) for an amusing tour (remember that time I wrote that I like researching religion?), I haven't seen any of the Washington staples - which, with any luck, will be rectified by the end of today.

Despite that fact, I'm having a great time. I've explored the five or so blocks directly north of the Washington Hilton, and what little I've seen of the city is absolutely beautiful.

The trip has been ridiculously educational, as well. I'm getting to know my editorial board better than ever, we're learning a hundred different ways to improve the Valley Forge, and we're just getting pumped about journalism in general (as always seems to happen at these things). It's pretty surreal, because we'll all just be sitting around, knocking back a beer or two, and suddenly erupting into an impromptu brainstorming session for our next issue, and every single one of us is totally pumped. It's very, very cool, and we're coming home equipped with some great ideas for everything from web design to layout to photography to blogging.

So, yeah, I'm having a pretty good time. I've got to jet, but I'll post a bigger write-up (probably with photos) once I return home. I've also got some ideas for some honest-to-goodness comics-related material, too.

I'll catch you all later. Stay classy.

-M

Insert witty title relating to our nation's capitol here

I'm headed up towards D.C. for the National College Media Convention. I'll be back around Sunday, although I'll probably have some kind of post (albeit not comic related in the slightest) up sometime this week.

Hope all you folks have a good week, and I'll catch you all when I get back.

-M

Random thoughts - 9/15/07

Random thought -

Wouldn't it be wild if Rob Liefield was totally right?

Hm.

-M

Guess who's back?

Today, Marvel released an image of the new Captain America's costume, set to debut in Captain America #34, the bearer of which has yet to be revealed.



The costume itself looks pretty cool, I suppose, and I'm interested to see how it works out.

I have to say, though, I can't say I'm overjoyed that the Living Legend of World War II (Mark 2) is packin' heat. Don't get me wrong - it's fine for guys like the Punisher, but I've always thought the fact that Cap's only weapon is defensive in nature, not something intended to injure or kill. As renowned comic guru Scott Tipton put it:

Aside from the obvious notion of a man wrapped in the flag, it's important to note that Captain America has no offensive weapons: no gun nor sword. Instead, Captain America has a shield, which is purely a defensive weapon, just as the U.S was moving in to protect the peoples of Europe from fascism. And the shield is unbreakable, representing the strength of America's intentions. Even when Cap throws the shield offensively, the analogy holds, as Cap is extending the strength and protection of the United States to defend the weak and helpless.

I'll wait and see how it turns out, but so far, it seems like attempt from the big dogs at Marvel to replace "old, stodgy Steve Rogers" with a slightly grittier model, which is very uncool (no, I'm not cynical - why do you ask?).

As for who's wearing the costume? I'm with the Occasional Superheroine - it's Clint "Hawkeye" Bartoon, for sure.

...but Steve'll be back sooner rather than later.

-M

The Legend lives on.

A while back, Square Enix completely retooled Final Fantasy III, the only game in the series never to be released in North America, and released it for the Nintendo DS.

The game was a hit, and not long afterwards, the company announced that they would be giving Final Fantasy IV a similar treatment.

The first in-game footage was shown at this year's Tokyo Game Show, and courtesy of File Front I bring it to you in the form of the above video.

I am ridiculously excited for this game. Final Fantasy IV was the first game in the series to feature the epic, sprawling storylines that the series has become known for. The first three installments were little more than "four archetypes search for crystals and fight evil," but with number four, we were introduced to a story with far more layers than that, and protagonists who were far more interesting and nuanced. This is, of course, not to mention that the remake of Final Fantasy III was done extremely well.

I'll be watching this very closely, hoping with baited breath that SquareEnix does this one justice, because to be honest, I'm sort of hoping for similar remakes of Final Fantasy V and VI as well.

-M

An announcement, of sorts.

Attention, one and all.

I have discovered something glorious.

I want this--

--to be my wedding cake.

That is all.

Shamelessly stolen from Kotaku

-M