PUNISHER: WAR ZONE TRAILER HITS THE NET

The first trailer for the half reboot/half sequel PUNISHER: WAR ZONE is online now, and it looks as though this stripped down new movie is going to hit the Bullseye with fans. Where some/many/all fans were disappointed with the 2004 Tom Jane/JohnTravolta misfire, and I think those fans are going to be pleased with this new flick. Frank Castle needs to look like he’s had a crappy life, and ray Stevenson has the perfect face and voice for it. Looks like we’re going to be in for the definitive Punisher movie at last. The budget and scale of this film may be smaller, but it does seem that it is going to be a much more compelling and gritty film. Take a look:

MARVEL RUNAWAYS MOVIE ON THE WAY

In a rather random move, a movie adaptation of the gritty Marvel superheroes title RUNAWAYS is heading to the big screen. Now, I’m all for superhero movies, and even moreso for Marvel movies, but this has taken me somewhat by surprise. Its going to be interesting to see how the stylized artwork of the comic series is adapted for a live action film. The plot, that of the kids of supervillains who run away and join up as a force for good, has given Marvel Comics some very strong storylines that rely heaviliy on characterization as opposed to action. There’s a great deal of action to be enjoyed, but it is mostly a character piece, which is cool and should make for a great film. Hopefully. I’m not that sure how it will be accepted by a mass audience though. I mean, who’s heard of Runaways outside of comic fandom? Personally I’d rather see a new Generation X movie. I alway7s had a soft spot for the cheap TV movie from 1996 and would love to see a new version with a cast that actually fit the character descriptions this time. The Runaways movie is due for release in 2011, alongside the CAPTAIN AMERICA, IRON MAN 2 and ANT MAN Marvel movies.

SECRET INVASION – MARVEL COMICS UNIVERSE INFILTRATED!

Marvel’s latest universe-spanning crossover is set to be a doozy. The Skrulls have been a presence in the Marvel Universe for decades, and are well integrated into continuity, but they’ve never seemed that much of a threat to me. Granted they can shapeshift and are capable of extremely brutal acts of violence, but for the most part they just came across as a generic alien-of-the-issue bad guiys with bumpy chins and pointy green ears.

It seems that my opinion of them is about to change with this forthcoming crossover. Commencing this month with Secret Invasion 1, Mighty Avengers 12 and New Avengers 40, it looks set to send some considerable chaos out across all of Marveldom, and will do so in a rather exciting and original way. The Marvel Universe has been infiltrated by the shapeshifting aliens, who have worked their way into all the major parts of major characters’ lives and homes. Every superpowered organization has been affected, and it is going to leave the heroes wondering exactly who they can trust in the battle against this secret invasion.

Marvel have released an animated webisode trailer for the crossover, which gives you a taste of the paranoia and action to come…

I must say I’m into the whole idea of alien infiltration like this in comics. Instead of a whacking great battle from the start, there’s going to be some genuine drama and mystery before the chaos kicks off, and that can only be a good thing in an age where many superhero titles are beginning to stagnate again. This is one crossover to get genuinely excited about. Now then DC, when’s your next ‘Crisis’ eh?