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• Series: Iron Man 2, Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The First Avenger, Firebreather, Losers, The, Buck Rogers, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, We3, Avengers (Marvel Studios' The Avengers), Iron Man 2, Tamara Drewe, Young Justice, MAD (animated)

First Look: FIREBREATHER Movie

Comics2Film: FIREBREATHER
© Mania

A first look at Cartoon Network's 'Firebreather' animated movie. Plus: Cartoon Network unveils 'Young Justice' and 'Mad' as well. Heading into a 'Losers' weekend. Morrison talks about the killer pets of 'We3' and more! Go Petunias! It's your Comics2Film 10.4.22!

THE LOSERS Primer

If you need help getting up to speed on 'The Losers', check out Chad Derdowski's primer, right here on Mania.com.

C2F Saw THE LOSERS

Comics2Film checked out a screening of 'The Losers' last night. As always, we'll defer to Mania's critic of record for an in-depth discussion of the film.

Overall we have to say we didn't love the movie. In spite of replicating numerous action beats from Andy Diggle and Jock's comic series, and coming up with a close approximation of the military-grade heist structure of the book, the movie lacks the stronger story elements of the source material. Admittedly, seeing all the best action segments and funniest lines of dialogue in the numerous trailers and clip reels that have been released probably didn't help. The highlight was seeing Jock's stunning graphics blown up wide screen during various segments. It'll have its fans and may even win the weekend, but the movie will drop like a stone after that.

Bottom line: we'd grade it a C.

But What Do We Know?

• Famed critic Roger Ebert, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy 'The Losers' just fine. He scores it 3.5 stars (out of 4) and writes, "The movie gets the job done, and the actors show a lot of confidence in occupying that tricky middle ground between controlled satire and comic overkill. It's fun."
   
• Drew McWeeny at the Motion Captured Blog on Hit Fix gave it a thumbs up. "It moves, it's got attitude, and it is frequently laugh-out-loud funny, while the action scenes all respect the laws of physics just enough to ground the film."
   
• Edward Douglas at Coming Soon also felt the movie passed the time admirably. "A fairly literal translation of the comics to the screen that isn't perfect but has enough funny moments to keep you involved with the characters."
   
• Comic Book Resources is on board as well. "While not without its flaws, 'The Losers' is what it needs to be - a snappy, funny action flick."
   

Thanks to AntoBlueberry for the submission.

TAMARA DREWE Photos Online

Gemma Arterton with the comic strip version of TAMARA DREWE

OK. 'Tamara Drewe' isn't the kind of comic book movie that most people are reading this column to learn about, but we do aim to be complete in our coverage. The new movie by director Stephen Frears is based on Posy Simmond's comic strip from the UK's The Guardian paper.

New photos and info about them movie, which stars actress Gemma Arterton ('Clash of the Titans') are online at Blogomatic3000.com. Here's the official description of the movie:

"Once a shy and unattractive teenager from a small rural idyll, Tamara’s past catches up with her when she returns the village and has to face an old flame. With a rock star boyfriend back in London she gets caught in a love triangle and becomes the focus of gossiping locals."

We've lined up one of the images with the comic strip art so you can see what they're going for. Click through to Blogomatic for more images. Are you really going to say no some nice pics of Ms. Arterton? 

Thanks to AntoBlueberry for the submission and the comic strip artwork for comparison.

C2F Quick Hits

• Director Paul WS Anderson had a bit to say about his planned 'Buck Rogers' film to MTV Movies Blog. Expect the lead role to go to a major player. "It's a big movie star role. So that's the way we'll be positioning it," Anderson said. Click through for more of his comments.
   
• Samuel L. Jackson chats up MTV Splash Page about the hiring of actor Chris Evans for 'Captain America' and director Joss Whedon for 'The Avengers'. Jackson is expected to play Nick Fury in both movies.
   
• Meanwhile, the MPAA has rated 'Scott Pilgrim vs The World' PG-13 for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references.
   
• Thanks to AntoBlueberry for the submission

Morrison on the WE3 movie

Comics creator Grant Morrison expressed to MTV Splash Page his disappointment over the lack of progress in getting the adaptation of his mini-series 'We3' to the big screen.

Morrison had written a screenplay for the film, which was to be directed by John Stevenson of 'Kung Fu Panda' fame.

"People don’t seem to realize how great of a project it is," Morrison told MTV News. "To me, if they make a movie of 'We3,' it’s basically a new 'E.T..' Everybody’s going to be weeping as they walk out of the cinema at the end. It’s the kind of movie you can watch in China or India or America or Scotland, because it’s about animals," he added. "Everyone can identify with the literal underdog."

Of course, 'E.T.' didn't come with a Gatling gun that could blow people into hamburger chunks. That stuff is in the comic, which focuses on three animals, a dog, a cat and a rabbit, that have been fitted with cyborg parts and turned into intelligent weapons. They go on the run when their handler learns they're slated to be destroyed.

"In the script, we took all of that violence out. Frank Quitely only drew the violence because his kids were goading him on," Morrison said with a laugh. "Unfortunately, it kind of scares people off, because they don’t think it could be a family film."

Morrison says his script improves on the comic. He also says that producer Don Murphy is actively working on the project and communicating on a regular basis.

Thanks to AntoBlueberry for the submission.

Cartoon Network Unveils Comic-Based YOUNG JUSTICE and MAD Toons

Cartoon Network unveiled a substantial new line-up of content yesterday at its annual Advertising Upfront presentation at New York’s Time Warner Center. Among them were two new animated series with comic book roots.

The one that surprised us is 'MAD'.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and using the iconic MAD magazine, published by DC Comics, as inspiration, MAD is an animated sketch-comedy series utilizing a chaotic mix of animation styles and twisted humor to pull back the curtain and expose the truth behind movies, TV shows, games, pop culture and, of course, curtains! Classic MAD magazine characters and features such as Alfred E. Neuman and Spy vs. Spy pop up, and no subject matter or individual will be safe from MAD’s barrage of parodies and sketches. In the end, viewers won’t get even, they’ll just get MAD! Sam Register (Teen Titans, Ben 10, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) is the executive producer. Kevin Shinick (Robot Chicken) and Mark Marek (KaBlam! The Andy Milonakis Show) are the producers.

Of course, Mad Magazine was also the basis for the long-running 'MADtv', the live-action sketch comedy show which served as Fox's answer to Saturday Night Live.

More anticipated by readers of C2F is the new 'Young Justice' animated series, which focuses on a DC Universe teen super group, but plays it straight (rather than the kid-oriented 'Teen Titans').

Young Justice: In Young Justice, being a teenager means proving yourself over and over—to peers, parents, teachers, mentors and, ultimately, to yourself. But what if you’re not just a normal teenager? What if you’re a teenage super hero? Are you ready to join the ranks of the great heroes and prove you’re worthy of the Justice League? That’s exactly what the members of Young Justice—Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian and Artemis—will found out, whether they have what it takes to be a proven hero. This all-new series is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based upon characters from DC Comics. Sam Register (Teen Titans, Ben 10, Batman: The Brave and the Bold) is the executive producer. Brandon Vietti (Batman: Under the Red Hood, Superman Doomsday, The Batman) and Greg Weisman (Gargoyles, The Spectacular Spider-Man, W.I.T.C.H.) are the producers.

Click on the thumbnail to see the cool new designs for 'Young Justice'.

Thanks to AntoBlueberry for the submission.

First Look: FIREBREATHER

A few years back, Cartoon Network announced plans to develop a handful of comics into animated movies. Among them was a C2F favorite: 'Firebreather' by Phil Hester and Andy Kuhn.

At yesterday's upfront presentation, Cartoon Network revealed that the 'Firebreather' movie is set to air this year. The CGI movie is directed by 'Aeon Flux' creator Peter Chung. Here's the net's official description:

Cartoon Network’s first original all-CG animation adventure presents Duncan Rosenblatt, a rather typical, awkward high school kid, except that his dad is a fire-breathing monster who tells Duncan that he is destined to protect the earth. Firebreather is created and co-executive-produced by Phil Hester (The Wretch), co-executive-produced by Andy Kuhn (Freedom Ring) and executive-produced by Julia Pistor (Lemony Snicket). Jim Krieg (Ben 10: Alien Force) joins as writer with Peter Chung (Aeon Flux) directing.

They also provided two images from the film.

Duncan Rosenblatt encounters the Gomorrodon during Biology class in FIREBREATHER

Half-dragon teen Duncan Rosenblatt is introduced to his new school.

In all honesty, we're a little disappointed with the selected stills. We need some shots of Duncan in full on battle mode, with wings and fire and everything. Come on, Cartoon Network! We've been waiting two years! Throw us a bone!

IRON MAN + Bridget Jones - Hugh Grant * AC/DC = Hilarity

Here's another one of Reubenpac's Iron Man movie remixes for your Thursday funnies...

Thanks to xenomorph for the submission.