MARVEL NEWS/RUMOR: END OF THE ULTIMATE LINE IN 2014?

Bleeding Cool reports (you can read the article here) that there's a rumor that in 2014 the Ultimate Universe may end in 2014 after a crossover event where Marvel's Avengers meets The Ultimates of the Ultimate Universe.

If this rumor is true then this could lead to a more streamlined line of comics for Marvel. The Marvel movies are closer to the Ultimate line of comics than the regular Marvel continuity so we could see the integration of The Ultimates into the Marvel Universe in order to entice readers.

We will know if  this is true by 2014 and part of me is hoping it is.

THE PROFESSOR

KATE UPTON IS ON THE COVER OF THE SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT ISSUE FOR A SECOND TIME

Not since Tyra Banks, has a model appeared on the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover two years in a row. Kate Upton is now the second model to accomplish that feat.

David Letterman announced on his show last night that Kate Upton was on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue for 2013.

PEOPLE reports (you can read the article here) that the reason Kate was chosen is because of the "perfect" cover shot above.

This also shows that the popularity of Ms. Upton continues to grow since her first appearance in the 2011 SI swimsuit edition. Once she graced the cover in 2012, she exploded on the scene with her curvaceous body and All-American girl good looks. Since then she has graced the covers and pages of Allure, GQ, Esquire, and Vogue.

Congratulations Kate Upton, you are the embodiment of the word "Supermodel."

The Professor

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN COMIC RETURNS WITH A NEW #1

IGN reports (read the article here) that DC will start publishing a Digital-First and Print version of the Adventures of Superman # 1 in May.

This series will be accessible to any reader of any age and should have some fantastic stories. The list of artists and writers includes a who's who in the comics industry including: Bruce Timm, Marc Guggenheim, and Marv Wolfman.

I will check out a print version when it comes out in May.

The Professor

WB NEWS: JLA MOVIE ON HOLD UNTIL MAN OF STEEL BOX OFFICE IS IN

Bleeding Cool is reporting (read article here) that Warner Brothers may be putting the proposed "JUSTICE LEAGUE" movie on hold until the box office results of the next Superman movie: "MAN OF STEEL" are in.
 
This is based on an article in Variety (read article here) which speculates on the future of the President of the motion picture group, Jeff Robinov and whether or not he will leave the company after 16 years with Warner Brothers.

In my opinion I think it's a very wise move to wait and see how the box office returns fare on "MAN OF STEEL" before launching a JLA movie. The last Superman movie was in 2006 and the audience is aware of more superheroes today than six years ago.


Once MARVEL launched "IRON MAN" in 2008, casual fans that only knew of Superman and Batman in movie theaters were turned onto a whole new universe. There they were introduced to heroes such as, IRON MAN, THOR, CAPTAIN AMERICA, BLACK WIDOW, HAWKEYE, and HULK.

Sure "SPIDER-MAN" and "X-MEN" were there as well but once "THE AVENGERS" came out, everything changed. Heroes were now apart of a shared universe just like in the comics. Superman and Batman were no longer the only superheroes that people knew.

I still think "MAN OF STEEL"will do well. It will probably gross millions of dollars but will the visceral reaction be as big as Warners' would like it to be. If the rumors are true they're hoping this movie will start an epic saga leading to "JUSTICE LEAGUE," much like "IRON MAN" paved the way for "THE AVENGERS" franchise for MARVEL.

Now that there are so many heroes in American pop culture including the revitalized "X-MEN" and "SPIDER-MAN" franchises, it will be interesting to see how "MAN OF STEEL" will fare at the box office.

THE PROFESSOR

THE ROCK IS THE NEW WWE CHAMPION

Last night, The Rock defeated CM PUNK to become the WWE Champion for the 8th time at the Royal Rumble last night. It's been 10 years since The Rock held the WWE title.

Also of note: Chris Jericho returned at The Rumble and John Cena won the 30-man Royal Rumble and will most likely face The Rock at Wrestlemania. Personally, I'd rather see a 3-way elimination match between Rock, Cena, and Punk but I doubt WWE will go that route.

The Professor

STORM AND WOLVERINE: TOGETHER AT LAST

In this week's "Wolverine And The X-MEN # 24," it looks like Storm and Wolverine may go on a date. The cover shows Wolverine and Storm kissing.

I am more interested in this comic book pairing than Superman and Wonder Woman, due to their longstanding history in the Marvel Universe. Although Superman and Wonder Woman's relationship received more press from mainstream media Storm and Wolverine's relationship has more to build on.

The idea of these two dating and chemistry between them was teased in past issues of "Ultimate X-MEN" and it's nice to see the main Marvel Universe go forward on a romance with these two great characters.

THE PROFESSOR

MAN OF STEEL MOVIE NEWS: JIMMY OLSEN MEET JENNY OLSEN

BLEEDING COOL  reports that in "Man of Steel"out June 14th, Rebecca Buller will play the role of Jenny Olsen the photographer of the Daily Planet. In the comics and subsequent movie and TV adaptations the character is Jimmy Olsen, a young, man.

Change seems to be the theme for "Man of Steel". First Laurence Fishburne was cast as Perry White and they changed the suit (see the suit here). Now Jimmy Olsen's character has a complete overhaul.

I have nothing negative to say about this or any other casting change. It will be interesting to see if these changes will be reflected in the comics or in any future adaptations of Superman.

I guess only time will tell.

THE PROFESSOR