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YouTube and IMDB.com have pulled the trailer and the only thing I can find it now is the official site. They have a promo video that shows some of the trailer footage. So go check that out and come back for my comments.

Meh…That’s about all I can say. I was really looking forward to this. After seeing this, I’m not that excited. I’ll still check it out, but won’t be expecting much.

When DC Comics announced they were going to produce animated Direct-To-DVD features of several of their properties, it sounded like a win-win idea. More cartoons based on great stories, what’s not to like? If this first trailer is any indication, I’m not so sure.

First, what’s with the saying it’s based on a “graphic novel” instead of a comic book? Does that make it more acceptable. Come on, it’s Superman. Everyone knows Superman is a comic book character. The original story was spread out over many of DC’s Superman related titles for over a year. It just bothers me. Why pretend to be something you’re not?

Second, the animation looks too much like the Superman Animated series. This is just me being a fanboy, but why not have it part of that canon? Why go to the trouble to produce something that’s supposed to be different. Link it to the animated series, but provide enough information that new viewers won’t be lost. I understand they’re aiming this at a more “adult” audience, but I guarantee Carter will want to watch this the minute he see the DVD case or preview.

Oh well, I’ve vented and now I feel better. Just watch the trailer and form your own opinion.

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Spider-Man 3 is almost here and we know that Sandman and Venom will be the villains of the film. The first two films in the franchise featured the Green Goblin and Doc Ock. With four classis Spidey villains out of the way, just who does that leave for Spider-Man 4 and beyond? Let’s take a look at the Top 10 Possible Spider-Man 4 Villains:

  1. Lizard

    The Lizard seems to be the logical choice for the next film. We’ve seen Kurt Connors (the Lizard’s alter ego) in the other films and from the previews for Spider-Man 3, he has at least a few lines. Having said that, he would be a very problematic character to bring to the screen. The original incarnation of the character as a semi-smart, man-lizard isn’t as threatening as the late 90’s portrayal, where he was more dinosaur like. Regardless, the visual appeal of the character and his continued presence in the films means he’s a likely choice.

  2. Electro

    Don’t let the cheesy costume fool you. Electro is a powerfl villain and would that would be a cool addition to the Spider-Man film universe. I know you can’t have the lightning bolts coming out of your head in a movie, so look for the blue-electrical version of Electro from the Ultimate line of Spider-Man comics to make his way to theaters.

  3. Mysterio

    It was rumored that Bruce Campbell would make a cameo in Spider-Man 3 as Mysterio alter-ego Quentin Beck, but I’ve not heard anything else to confirm this. Play him right and Mysterio could be a cool villain. Use his failed movie effects background and really play up the “virtual” creations that he can create. Not sure if he’s ready for prime time or not. He would be a great team player.

  4. Rhino

    Even more of a thung than Sandman, the Rhino is Spider-Man’s equivalent to the Juggernaut. The character would have to be huge and completely dwarf Spider-Man to work. Anything less, would be silly. Look to Ultimate Spider-Man and the recent Rhino toy from the Spider-Man 3 line for a visual that might work better in the film universe.

  5. Scorpion

    This character has a lot of potential. Mac Gargan was bonded to the Scorpion suit and sent to kill Spider-Man when J. Jonah Jameson paid him to test the process, after Gargan had unsuccessfully tried to investigate how Peter Parker managed to take so many excellent photos of Spider-Man. Go ahead and add Spencer Smythe and the Spider-Slayer robots (also funded by Jameson) and you’ve got a set of villains for the entire film, all stemming from Jameson’s hatred of Spider-Man.

  6. Vulture

    Another second-rate villain that deserves a starring role. I doubt the geriatric version would be used, but instead the rejuvinated and younger Adriam Toombs would make it to the silver-screen. Having said that, I think the older version would be more interesting, character wise. I’m not sure how much mileage you could get from a character that lists flying as his only power.

  7. Black Cat

    Felicia Hardy would be a great addition to the Spider-Man film series. This cat-burglar reforms her villainous ways after falling in love with Spider-Man. With the addition of Gwen Stacy to Spider-Man 3, it seems like the film series is adding some romantic tension. If both Mary Jane and Gwen make it out of Spider-Man 3 alive, then the Black Cat would be unnecessary. Even though she’s technically not a villain, there’s no denying the potential this character has.

  8. Hobgoblin

    Why is one of my all time favorite Spider-Man villains this low on the list? It’s simple, the character’s already been done. With the horrible Mighty Morphin’ Green Goblin from the first film and the Harry Osbourne “New Goblin” in Spider-Man 3, it would be a retread concept and visaully, wouldn’t look anywhere as cool as the comic book counter-part does.

  9. Chameleon

    This disguise wearing, espionage master would be an interesting villain in a Captain America movie or as part of a group of villains. He’s just not visually appealing or powerful enough to warrant a star turn in a film. While his “powers” would be a great story device, they don’t pack enough punch to out-do Doc Ock, Sandman, or Venom. Interestingly enough, early rumors had Topher Grace playing the Chameleon and integrating himself into Mary Jane’s life as Peter Parker.

  10. Jackal

    I know, most of you will be thinking “who is this mook” and you’d be right. Professor Miles Warren isn’t a popular Spider-Man villain. After the horribly bad Clone Saga storyline from the comics in the late 90’s, most fans would rather not hear his name again. However, if you were to take this character and blend it with the Clone Saga storyline that writer Brian Michael Bendis recently wrapped up in the Ultimate Spider-Man title, you’d have a great, great story. There were several great characters intoduced and lasting changes to the Spider-Man mythos were introduced.

Everyone may have a favorite that I left out. I almost put Kraven the Hunter on the list, but passed. He’s just too one-dimensional for me, although “Kraven’s Last Hunt” from the 80’s is one of the best Spidey stories you’ll ever read.

I would personally love to see the Sinister Six in the next film. This group of Spider-Man villains has (on occasion) been comprised of many of the villains listed above. Several of my picks aren’t really a huge challenge for Spider-Man on their own, but as a group, it’s a different story. Get a good writer to connect a few of these characters and have him face them one at a time in the Spider-Man 4.

Heck, start the film off with him battling Electro. This far into the franchise, the audience could believe that other villains have menaced Spidey, not every one needs a per
sonal theme or connection to him. Heck, if Venom or Sandman make it out of Spider-Man 3 alive, have them gather up the group and go looking for revenge.

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You’ll have to be careful now that Spider-Man 3 has premiered in Tokyo, Japan.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Even superheroes get the blues, as “Spider-Man” discovers in this latest sequel during which he confronts a mutant made of sand, a vengeful former friend and, ultimately, himself.

“Spider-Man 3” is packed with stunning special effects such as the crumbling, morphing Sandman and an evil black suit with a life of its own that brings out a person’s dark side, but the characters also show a complexity rarely seen in action movies.

One screening equals lots of spoilers floating around the ‘net. For me, having the story spoiled doesn’t detract from my enjoyment of the film. It’s watching the visuals come to life that makes the movie worthwhile. Having said that, I don’t want to know everything before going off the see the film for myself.

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It looks like another one of my favorite cartoons is finally making its way to DVD this August 7th. Super Friends: The Legendary Super Powers Show was the first new format SuperFriends series since 1979’s The World’s Greatest Super Friends.

When sinister forces like Darkseid, Lex Luther, Brainiac and Mr. Mxyzptlk scheme to dominate the galaxy, it’s up to the Super Friends to show them the light! Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Superman and new hero Firestorm risk it all to defeat evil and preserve peace throughout the cosmos. Featuring the voices of Adam West as Batman and Casey Kasem as Robin, this sensational TV series produced by Hanna-Barbera showcases favorite DC Comics heroes in adventures that meld galactic dangers, insidious villains and larger-than-life predicaments in a must-own two-disc collector’s compilation!

Over 80 short Super Friends episodes were produced by Hanna-Barbera from 1980-1983 and aired as part of the other Superfriends shows at the time. The Legendary Super Powers show continued the short story format. Each episode had two stories per half hour (11 minutes each). Also, in spite of appearing in the opening credits, Aquaman does not make an appearance in any single episode of this series.

This was the first DC series produced as a toy line tie-in (which was just becoming a very popular practice at the time). The toys were produced by Kenner. It was also the first series since 1978’s Challenge of the Super Friends to feature actual DC villains, instead of generic ones created for the show. The following 16 episodes should be included on the set.

  1. The Bride of Darkseid

  2. The Wrath of Braniac / Reflections in Crime

  3. No Honor Among Thieves / Mr. Mxyzptlk and the Magic Lamp

  4. Case of the Shrinking Super Friends / The Mask Of Mystery

  5. Darkseid’s Golden Trap

  6. The Case of the Dreadful Dolls / The Royal Ruse

  7. The Village of Lost Souls / The Curator

  8. Island of the Dinasoids / Uncle Mxyzptlk

DC has done a great job or releasing their old animated shows. They take the time to produce excellent menus and interesting bonus features. I do hope they keep the commercial break bumpers and intros intact when they release this set. Each episode always began with Wonder Woman saying, “Wonder Woman here, on today’s show…”