Thor: Tales of Asgard
Netflix | Google Play | SEN | YouTube
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Sam Liu
Starring Matthew Wolf, Rick Gomez, Tara Strong, Cathy Weseluck, Ashleigh Ball
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Originally Released: May 17, 2011

While Marvel’s Thor is better known for coming from Asgard to his excursions on Earth in contemporary media, Tales of Asgard acts as more like a prequel. Set in other realms aside from Earth, the animated movie focuses on Thor as a teen, approaching adulthood, and beginning to learn the hard lessons necessitated as the son of Odin.

Coddled and shielded by Odin from the realms beyond Asgard, young Thor is hungry for adventure – having a high opinion of his own skills than they actually are. Requesting the assistance of his brother Loki, the pair creep onto the ship of the Warriors Three – in quest of the Lost Flaming Sword of Surtur, believed hidden in the realm of the Frost Giants of Jotunheim.

But the perils of the expedition are immense, and while the Frost Giants are caused to seek war against Asgard because of Thor’s actions, another sinister menace threatens the realm of Odin – and it comes from within their own borders…

Batman Year One
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Sam Liu and Lauren Montgomery
Starring Bryan Cranston, Benjamin McKenzie, Eliza Dushku, Katee Sackhoff, Alex Rocco
Warner Home Video
Originally Released: October 18, 2011

Speaking nostalgically, the Batman Year One comic series by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli instigates many happy memories for me. I, along with many other geeks, hold the earlier Miller Batman work in high esteem, and the Year One arc released back in 1987 is often regarded with much reverence. It, accompanied by titles like The Killing Joke and others, is often pointed to as being must-read material for new Batman readers.

Thus, when it was announced that Warner Brothers Animation and DC were going forward with an animated adaptation of the classic and timeless Batman Year One, it was a bittersweet moment. Would they stand true to the original material? Or make sweeping adaptations for the release?

Hulk Vs.
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Sam Liu and Frank Paur
Starring Fred Tatasciore, Bryce Johnson, Steven Blum, Matthew Wolf, Nolan North
Marvel Animation and Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Originally Released: January 27, 2009

For Marvel Fans, the summer release of The Avengers directed by Joss Whedon has been a challenging act to follow up with. It was an impressive epic release of geekporn, complete with its faults, and since its release, it’s been tough to find other previous Marvel releases to fill the void left by Whedon’s stunning success.

And while it’s no alternative for The Avengers film, Netflix does have a bunch of Marvel flicks worth having a look at, including their animated line of releases. One that proves to be a fun diversion is Hulk Vs., an animated double feature that sets everyone’s favorite green giant against Thor and Wolverine.

Thor: Tales of Asgard
Blu-ray/DVD Combo | DVD | On Demand
Directed by Sam Liu
Starring Chris Britton, Clancy Brown, Grey DeLisle
Lionsgate
Release Date: May 17, 2011

With the big action of the Thor feature film now in theaters of course it makes sense for Marvel to try and put Thor everywhere. They teamed with Lionsgate to bring us the direct-to-DVD and Blu-ray Thor: Tales of Asgard. The animated film tells the story of a teenaged Thor before the Hammer and before he became a hero, at least in the sense that we know him from modern comics or even from the live-action film. In the story, Thor is protected by his father Odin to the point that he is allowed to win exhibition fights with Asgard’s most powerful warriors. When he is called out on his fake wins by Sif, a young woman who is already an amazing warrior, Thor feels the need to prove himself. He decides to hide on a sailing ship with the warriors three to seek out a mystical sword and show Sif and the other inhabitants of Asgard that he truly is a great warrior.

By SoAndyway

Hulk VS Thor
Blu-ray | DVD
Directed by Takuji Endo and Sam Liu
Screenplay Christopher Yost
Starring Matthew Wolf, Graham McTavish, Kari Wahlgren, Bryce Johnson,
Grey DeLisle

As much as we love our heroes, there is one question that anyone who has ever picked up a comic book encounters: “Who would win in a fight…?” In Hulk Vs Thor, we get to see that fantasy scenario played out in an epic battle for Asgard.

Year after year, Asgard is watched over by Odin, the All Father. For one week each winter Odin must rest, leaving Asgard vulnerable to attack. Many may try to claim Asgard, but their attempts are always thwarted by Thor (Matthew Wolf) and the other Asgardian warriors. With hopes of defeating Thor, Loki (Graham McTavish) has kidnapped Dr. Bruce Banner (Bryce Johnson) in order to take control of the Hulk, the only power to ever equal the God of Thunder’s. What follows is a mystical tale of bravery and loyalty, accented with all the fist-pounding, hammer-swinging action you would expect from the two titans of the Marvel universe.

In the world of superheroes DC Comics owns the animated film space with such successes as Superman/Batman Public Enemies and the recent All-Star Superman animated feature. Marvel’s previous attempts at animated feature films, such as the Avengers movies and the Iron Man film, have not been so successful. Marvel has however owned the more lucrative live-action feature film space, so who’s laughing?

Well Marvel isn’t ready to give up yet! They’ve teamed with Lionsgate Home Entertainment to release a new animated feature: Thor: Tales of Asgard on Blu-Ray Combo Pack, DVD, Digital Download, On Demand, and via Carrier Pigeon (well ok nix the bird idea) on May 17, 2011.

By Frank Ramblings

All-Star Superman
Limited Edition Blu-ray | Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack | 2-Disc DVD | DVD
Directed by Sam Liu
Starring James Denton, Christina Hendricks, Anthony LaPaglia, Ed Asner, Alexis Denisof
Warner Home Video
Release date: February 22, 2011

Perhaps the most beloved Superman story of all time, Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s All-Star Superman amazed fans as it hit comic racks from 2005 to 2008. Many readers who never considered themselves fans of the character agree that Morrison’s tale of the most powerful hero who ever lived completely changed their view of the Man of Steel. So when it was announced that this instant classic would be the basis for the tenth entry in Warner Premiere and DC Comics’ collection of animated films, many were understandably nervous. The result, however, was something pretty amazing.

The screenplay written by the legendary Dwayne McDuffie stays quite faithful to Morrison’s original story. After a series of events set into motion by Lex Luthor, Superman finds himself more powerful than ever — but there’s a catch. His body is slowly breaking down and his death is imminent. With this in mind, he wastes no time making his remaining time on Earth count for something. His adventures include a romantic birthday celebration for Lois Lane, a special visit to his hometown of Smallville, and run-ins with classic and original villains both on Earth and in space.

MTV’s Splash Page has brought unto the world a gift from DC Entertainment‘s animated department, the trailer for the adaptation to Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely‘s All Star Superman.

Watch it here below!

As previously reported, longtime DCAU writer Dwayne McDuffie will be heading up the script, and he will once again be working with Bruce Timm and Crisis on Two Earths director Sam Liu.

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely are easily one of my favorite creative teams, and All Star Superman is high on my list of top comics of all time, so, while I am immensely excited for this project, I also want very little about the story and style to change, but if the trailer is any indication of what’s to happen in this animated feature, I will be let down. The animation lightly mimics Quitely’s art, which is fine. The amount of detail that goes into Frank Quitely’s art is nearly impossible to adapt into animation, but it’s close on a surface level.

Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths
2-Disc DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Lauren Montgomery & Sam Liu
Starring Mark Harmon, Gina Torres, William Baldwin, James Woods, and Chris Noth
Warner Home Video
Release Date: February 23, 2010

Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths is the seventh direct-to-video animated film of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies line released by Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Animation and it might just be the best yet.

The story begins in a parallel universe, where the lone survivor of Earth’s Justice League, Lex Luthor, travels through other world dimensions to join forces with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and J’onn J’onzz in a desperate attempt to save his world and its people. But the villainous Crime Syndicate controlled by Ultraman, Owlman, and Superwoman will stop at nothing to maintain their domination.

The stellar voice cast includes Mark Harmon as Superman, James Woods as Owlman, Chris Noth as Lex Luthor, Gina Torres as Superwoman, William Baldwin as Batman, Bruce Davison as President Slade Wilson, Nolan North as Green Lantern, and Josh Keaton as The Flash.

Planet Hulk
2-Disc Special Edition DVD
Directed by Sam Liu
Starring Rick D. Wasserman, Lisa Ann Beley, Mark Hildreth, Liam O’Brien, Kevin Michael Richardson, Samuel Vincent, Advah Soudack, Michael Kopsa, Marc Worden
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 2, 2010

Planet Hulk is the latest direct-to-DVD film from Marvel’s Animation Studio and it’s got a lot going for it. Director Sam Liu has previously worked on Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and screenwriter Greg Johnson worked on one of my personal favorites, Doctor Strange. The film is also based on one of the best Hulk stories of all time (written by the awesome Greg Pak) in which the Green Goliath is deemed too dangerous for Earth and exiled to another planet free of any intelligent life. Unfortunately something goes wrong and the Hulk’s ship crash lands on a war world where he’s immediately forced into slavery and forced to fight Gladiator-style for his freedom. All of these factors contributed to my Hulk-size anticipation of the film and I can thankfully say I was not disappointed.