Sneak Peek! Pacific Rim: New Pics

A huge batch of new images for Guillermo Del Toro's upcoming sci-fi extravaganza Pacific Rim have been released.

The pictures see stars Charlie Hunnam, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day, Idris Elba and Ron Perlman prepare to battle for the planet as monstrous sea creatures known as Kaiju rise from the sea.

We have one word for this film. Epic.

Here's a selection of some of our favourites, but the full set can be seen over on Bloody Disgusting.

And while we're at it, isn't the film's comic book-style IMAX poster a bit gorgeous? 

Pacific Rim hits cinemas on 12 July.

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GG♥SF Meet Monty Nero & Mike Dowling

A few weeks ago we brought you a sneak peek of Death Sentence - a brand new title from writer Monty Nero and artist Mike Dowling that looks set to blow our minds. 

Since then, not only have we managed to get our grubby mitts on the first issue (full review coming soon, but rest assured our minds are indeed blown), we've also been given the wonderful opportunity to chat to the lovely chaps what wrote it to find out more about their inspirations and plans for the future. 

Where did the idea for Death Sentence come from?
Monty: Well, I was at the Hi-Ex comic con expounding my theories on how to make comics more relevant to our lives. On the drive home it struck me how thoughtless it was to sound off on this subject when I hadn’t done anything about it myself. My wife was three months pregnant at the time and everyone was telling us that our lives would effectively be over when the baby came. There were all these dark warnings that we’d just become these baby caring automatons, or something. So it felt like we only had six months left to do something creative – which turned out to be nonsense, but that’s how it felt. So this idea of ‘enhanced abilities, but just six months to live’ came from that. By the time we got home I had the basic plot worked out, and started work on some character designs the next day

How did the relationship with Titan Comics come about? We read something about you door-stepping Mark Millar and Nick Landau at Kapow...
Monty: Yeah, that’s pretty much true. Mike and I made a professional looking comic out of the first ten pages of Death Sentence and took it to Kapow, just handing it out to people on the floor and bothering guests after panels. We showed it to hundreds of people, but the two guys who got really excited about it were Nick and Mark, independently of each other.
Mike: I think you got Death Sentence into Mark’s hands moments before you had to go and catch your flight, didn’t you?  It was all very dramatic!
Monty: Sort of. I’d collared Mark on Saturday when he was running back to his hotel to change his shirt, and didn’t really expect him to read it or anything. People tend to lose these things. As I was settling my bill at the hotel on Sunday Mark stepped out of this door, just random chance, and said ‘Are you the Death Sentence guy? Your comic’s brilliant man, I’d love to serialise it.’ He’d read it while waiting for a panel to start. So that was really exciting. I went straight over to the bar to tell Mike and we were ecstatic. The sun was shining, the drinks were flowing, and we were walking on air. Then I got a phone call from Nick a few months later, making an offer for the whole series, but I was set on self-publishing at that time. About a year later Titan came back with a better offer, so Mike and I talked about it and said yes. And Titan have been great to deal with, I recommend them.

Why spread the virus via a STD?
Monty: Because it’s more dramatic. Basically, a fatal virus isn’t dramatic - it’s just tragic. For something to be dramatic the protagonist has to be conflicted and be able to make choices – to drive the story. By making it sexually transmitted you open up the questions of whether you expose yourself to the risk, or even catch it deliberately to get the enhanced capabilities. The satirical possibilities were also very appealing.

Tell us about Verity, Weasel and Monty - why these three characters?
Monty: They just entertain me – and hopefully you! They’re funny and vibrant. Verity’s easy to relate to. She’s very frustrated and unfulfilled – temp job, shitty bedsit, no significant other. She sleeps around and parties a lot, to get attention really – stemming from a deep sense of creative frustration. She longs for something more - to be a fine artist if she can. Weasel’s a rock star with a lot of adulation and no real talent, and he wants more than anything to be taken seriously as a credible musician. And Monty’s a wild comedian with profound talent and sex appeal, but he gets away with a lot that he shouldn’t. Celebrities are often cut a lot of slack in our society. Why is that? Cutting between these three perspectives lets us say things about life, and tell the story in a thrilling and innovative way.

It might just be us, but there's something very 'Russell Brand' about Monty. Are the characters inspired by real life people?
Monty: There’s bits of people I feel I know in all of them. And bits of me, of course. But, really, it’s just a matter of looking at what’s going on around you and reflecting it. That’s where all the humour comes from. It doesn’t matter how grave the situation is, people will take the piss. Once I figured that out, the script pretty much wrote itself.

How did you decide on the powers that you'd give them?
Monty: They’re a dramatic extension of the story and the characters themselves. Verity’s abilities are creative, Monty’s are all about control, and Weasel brings chaos. The more creative they are the more abilities they develop, so it really escalates. Just wait for issue three – it’ll blow your socks off.

As well as our heroes, if we can call them that, you've given us antagonists in GCHQ - what can you tell us about the organisation and its purpose?
Monty: GCHQ is a real listening and surveillance organisation monitoring the virus and helping to contain its spread. The PRISM thing’s brought GCHQ and the NSA a lot of attention, but I got fascinated by them years ago. They feed certain information to the Department of National Security who are trying to contain the virus as best they can. It’s a pandemic emergency, and a lot of the antagonists are very conflicted and ambiguous in their roles and motivations. It all helps the drama feel credible – one step removed from the real world.

Something tells us that this story isn't going to end happily for everybody, are we right?
Monty: We can’t tell you that!!!! Let’s just say there are huge surprises – right up till the end.

Do you have a favourite scene or moment?
Monty: My favourite scene so far is in issue two, when we suddenly open out the story in a really surprising direction. You know the one I mean?
Mike: Yeah, yeah, I like that scene too. It’s a quiet moment in an awesome landscape.
Monty: So the big reveal is entirely silent. I love all our silent panels - Mike’s magic moments I call them – they make for ‘good comics’. The scene’s based on a place on the northern tip of Scotland I visited with my wife when she was eight months pregnant. So it has a real personal connection. Mike gave me the original art, too, which was very thoughtful.

How did your partnership come about?
Monty: I just saw Mike’s work at a con and loved it. I chatted him up, but my advances were cruelly rebuffed…
Mike: True, you hit on me pretty hard – I was flattered but I didn’t give in straight away, I’m not that easy plus I had to ask around, make sure you weren’t a crazy person!
Monty: I eventually wore Mike down by sending him the script, some character paintings and a synopsis. He loved it so much he made it his main focus – which he probably regrets now given the amount of work involved. I suspect it was the chance to draw something meaningful that swung it?  .
Mike: Yeah, when you actually sent me the script I could see right away that it was going to be good.  I cleared the decks and jumped in.

What's your working process like? Is Death Sentence a collaborative effort?
Mike: Normally Monty sends me the script and I work up the layouts and get them back to him. Then we figure out if any improvements could be made. Monty’s real strength, I think, is dialogue and I generally see it as my job to make sure all the characters are expressive and getting that dialogue across properly.  
Monty: We’re always talking about tweaking this or that element, sending each other ref, or clarifying issues. The detail is everything in comics, the nuances and little touches that make sequential magic. That’s what we’re striving for and it takes a lot of effort.

With the world you've created Death Sentence could go on forever - do you have a plan for a second series?
Monty: Yup, all plotted out. If people buy the first issue today we can get straight on with it.

What else have you got in the pipeline?
Monty: I’ve got a Terror Tale in 2000ad #1838, which I wrote and drew, and then I’m doing all the covers and bonus material for the remaining issues of Death Sentence.
Mike: And I’ll be starting work on a Judge Anderson story for 2000 AD later in the year.

Comics have hit the mainstream recently, what do you think that means for indie creators such as yourselves?
Mike: Well, the films have hit the mainstream – I’m not sure it’s affected the books that much. Still, I think this is one of the best times to be producing creator owned work.  Image and other companies have proven that you don’t need to rely on long established heroes to have great reading and selling books.  I hope that’s what Death Sentence is as well – a book that anyone who enjoys good comics can enjoy.
Monty: Yeah, to be honest, it makes no difference to what we do at all - which is trying to make interesting comics.

Finally, if it's not too personal, what would you do with only six months to live?
Mike: Look for a cure!
Monty: Ha-ha! Good call. I think I’d just make graphic novels and spend most of my time with friends and family. No one ever sat on their death bed wishing they’d worked more, you know? You’ve gotta have your priorities straight.

Death Sentence #1 from Titan Comics hits stores on October 9, 2013. The series will also be available to read day and date on the iPad, iPhone, Web, Android and Kindle Fire, exclusively through the comiXology app and comiXology.com.

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Carrey Causes A Fuss Over Kick-Ass 2

So this is possibly the strangest news story we've seen in a while.

Kick-Ass 2 star Jim Carrey has withdrawn his support from the movie after last year's shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school.

The actor has said he won't do any publicity to promote the film ahead of its release in August, explaining that the incident has changed his opinion on the film's violent content.

He tweeted: "I did Kickass a month b4 Sandy Hook and now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence.

"I meant to say my apologies to others involve (sic) with the film. I am not ashamed of it but recent events have caused a change in my heart."

Universal Pictures has yet to comment on Carrey's decision, but executive producer and comic book creator Mark Millar has said he's "baffled" by it.

Millar posted on his forum: "As you may know, Jim is a passionate advocate of gun-control and I respect both his politics and his opinion, but I'm baffled by this sudden announcement as nothing seen in this picture wasn't in the screenplay eighteen months ago.

"Yes, the body-count is very high, but a movie called Kick-Ass 2 really has to do what it says on the tin. A sequel to the picture that gave us Hit-Girl was always going to have some blood on the floor and this should have been no shock to a guy who enjoyed the first movie so much.

"I've never quite bought the notion that violence in fiction leads to violence in real life any more than Harry Potter casting a spell creates more Boy Wizards in real life.

"Our job as storytellers is to entertain and our toolbox can't be sabotaged by curtailing the use of guns in an action movie."

Millar described Carrey's turn as Stars and Stripes as one of his "best-ever performances" and concluded his forum post by asking the star to reconsider his stance.

Twitter, meanwhile, is calling for the actor to dedicate his fee for the film to charity.


Kick-Ass 2 is released in the UK on August 14 and August 16 in the US.

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10 Films That Deserve A lot More Love

Geeky Girl Vickey makes her case for 10 movies that she reckons deserve a better reputation... 

I was alphabetising my DVD collection the other day (I have nearly 400, it's a necessity) and some of the titles gave me pause. I got to thinking about the films that I adore and will watch over and over, can quote almost word-for-word and yet I'm betting that they're not as widely loved as I think they should be.

Perhaps that's because they're actually not that great and they just struck a cord with me for some reason. Or it could be because they didn't get a wide cinema release or just aren't the majority's cup of tea. Whatever the reason, I think it's a shame that more people either don't know about them or just don't care for them. I have also noticed that the same names appear more than once on this list and I'll admit that I probably wouldn't have watched a couple of the films on this list if it hadn't have been for certain individuals. What? I like looking at pretty things.



Watchmen (2009) Dir. Zack Snyder
For all the problems and struggles that this film had in production and with all the inter-studio arguments, the finished product is just gorgeous. I'll always defend Zack Snyder (apart from Sucker Punch - I still don't know what to make of that one), especially after giving us this film.

I was sold at the opening sequence and it just got better from there. It's mouthwateringly delicious to look at, the colour pallet imitates the graphic novel perfectly and the style of the whole film is something quintessentially Snyder. The fact that what he gives us, to all intents and purposes, is the comic panel for panel is beside the point. The casting was a stroke of genius, using relative unknowns from the world of theatre for most of the main characters. I may be a little bias in relation to The Comedian due to being a huge Jeffrey Dean Morgan fan (he is, after all, the King of Beards) but I think that he nailed his role in the film. So the ending isn't the same - who cares? This film really is a masterpiece but then when you have source material from the minds of Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons and John Higgins to work from, you can't really go wrong. Plus, the message at the heart of Watchmen is as relevant now as it was back in 1986 and the film doesn't forget that.



V For Vendetta (2005) Dir. James McTeigue
Another Alan Moore adaptation makes the list. The lead cast alone - Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving - should be enough to make this a more widely known and watched film. Again, the message of this film is just as applicable today as it was in 1982, as is most of Moore's work. It's wonderfully shot, the cast are perfect and the script is sublime.

Weaving really is the crowning glory of this film. Considering that he wears a mask for the entire film and you never see his face, he manages to express the rawest and deepest of feelings using just body language and his voice - which in itself makes this film a must-watch. I'm also not ashamed to admit that the first time I saw this film, I cried so hard that I was nearly sick on myself. The moment broke me completely and utterly was the end scene with all the people on the streets wearing the mask. It's a powerful and highly emotive film that will stay with you for days afterwards.



Legion (2010) Dir. Scott Stewart
Everyone I've ever talked to about this film hasn't seen it, which is a shame because it really is rather good. Admittedly, I have a penchant for films with a religious storyline (it's the reason I sat through The Seventh Sign) and this doesn't disappoint. OK, so it's a formulaic story of the good trying to save the world from the apocalypse by protecting the sacred and unborn child of a diner waitress, but it's well written, well directed and care has been taken with getting it right.

I'll watch anything with The Quaid in it and Paul Bettany is always a delight. I'm also a sucker for angels and Bettany's Archangel Michael kicks arse. This is Kevin Durand's first appearance on the list, a much under-used and overlooked actor, and he's fabulous as Gabriel. And the angels actually have wings - not completely CGI wings either. Actual wings (pay attention Supernatural) that spread and flap, despite the confines of a small diner. It's got JARVIS with wings and huge guns, a disturbing old lady demon and Dennis Quaid so what's not to like?



Sunshine (2007) Dir. Danny Boyle
I could be wrong in adding this film to the list but I'm pretty sure that it's not as widely popular as it should be. Well, it certainly wasn't but perhaps Mr Boyle's rise in popularity and awesomeness has changed that.

This film is just beautiful. The colour palette, the score, the script, the acting, all of it. I don't often use the term perfect unless we're talking about Jeremy Renner but Sunshine is just that. It's heartbreaking, enthralling, touching and inspiring. What I love the most is that Boyle and Garland got a real scientist - one Dr Brian Cox- on board to make sure they got everything as scientifically accurate as possible. I like it when filmakers actually bother to get their facts right, it makes for a more believable story which in turn makes for a better film. I'm not really a crier but it stayed with me for days. 



Smokin' Aces (2006) Dir. Joe Canahan
I snuck this one onto the list because although it's not a science fiction or a comic book adaptation, it certainly feels like one. When I first saw it, I had to go home and look up whether or not it was a graphic novel and was surprised to find it isn't - I can picture all the characters walking straight of the pages of a comic. From the stressed and under pressure cops to the insanity of the The Tremor Brothers (Kevin Durand's second entry on the list), it's like the graphic novel that never was.

The cast list is insane: Andy Garcia, Jeremy Priven, Ryan Reynolds and Ben Affleck for starters. Oh, and there's even an appearance by Chris Pine. The story is a little messy, but it gets clearer after a few watches. If you just want a bit of sweary, bloody and ridiculous violence then this film is for you.



The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) Dir. Terry Gilliam
Ah, the impossible and fantastical mind of Terry Gilliam, it's a place where the wildest of dreams are made. I adored this film as a child and still do. It's ridiculous and extraordinary and funny and wholly unbelievable. Of course, it has a touch of the Python about it but then it is Terry Gilliam so that's hardly surprising. The perfect route to escapism, for a couple of hours you can forget the real world and immerse yourself in the the grand story telling of one Hieronymus Karl Frederick Baron von Munchausen. Along for the ride are Eric Idle, Robin Williams, Uma Thurman and Oliver Read to name but a few. With amazing sets and stunning costumes, this film has everything you need to lose yourself in a pure fantasy.



Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) Dir: Scott Glosserman
I decided to sneak a horror film on the list because this deserves to be talked about. I'm a huge horror fan, often devouring anything and everything I can get my hands on. Behind The Mask is a unique take on the genre and told from the view point of the mass murdering serial killer in the title, Leslie Vernon.  He enlists the help of a group of college documentary film makers, keen to give them access to his plans and how he goes about implementing them, citing his heroes as 'people' such as Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers.

Glosserman is clearly a huge fan of the genre and that shows, only making the film more enjoyable to watch.  My favourite part is when Vernon explains how much cardio he has to do to make it look effortless. If you know your stuff and look hard enough, there are some affectionate nods to the likes of Nightmare On Elm Street and Halloween. It's funny as well as disturbing, giving a new twist to the horror brand. Throw in some cameos by the one and only Robert Englund and Zelda Rubinstein and you've got the recipe for a damn good horror film.



The Losers (2010) Dir. Sylvain White
I shall refrain from going on and on about how much I love this film but I watch it on average about once a week and I know it upside down, inside out and back to front. Adapted for the screen from the brilliant graphic novels by Andy Diggle and Jock, it's an entertaining, action packed film that has you falling instantly in love with the cast. As comic book adaptations go, it's one of the best. It helps that Diggle and Jock were on hand throughout filming and had a hand in the script. The film is cast perfectly with each of the actors, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Chris Evans, bringing the characters to life amazingly well.  The Losers is more than capable of standing alone as a cracking comic book film, but with five graphic novels in the series, I'm hoping for a sequel. GO PETUNIAS!



Pitch Black (2000) Dir. David Twohy
I happened to find myself in the cinema one day and nothing really took my fancy, so I paid for a ticket to Pitch Black and settled in for what I was pretty sure was going to be a bit of a rubbish low-budget film. I was sorely mistaken. With some clever use of CG and a cast that you can get behind, it feels smooth and even 13 years later, it still feels fresh. Riddick fast became a favourite, although that could have been because of Vin Diesel (yes, I developed more than a little obsession with the man mountain at the time - and yes, he's the reason that I own a copy of The Pacifier but lets not talk about that embarrassing little nugget shall we?). The follow up, The Chronicles of Riddick, was a little disappointing and I'm hoping that the next instalment, Riddick, is going to be better. Until I've seen it and can make that call, Pitch Black is by far the better of the two films so far in this series.



Dredd (2012) Dir. Pete Travis
I debated over what to have as the tenth and final entry on this list and settled for Dredd due to the fact that unless you've ever picked up a copy of 2000AD, the only knowledge you would have of Judge Dredd is that truly dreadful (ha!) Stallone film. For that reason, people didn't flock in their droves to see this film last year: geeks and Dredd fans are many but compared to the majority, we are few.

Thankfully, there isn't even a hint of the Stallone version in this film and it's what what I've been waiting for as a longtime Dredd fan. If more people don't see this film or buy a DVD then we won't get another one - and I for one want to see Judge Death on the big screen. One of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen, I didn't need 3D to truly appreciate the beauty of this film. It's just gorgeous. The slo-mo shots are breathtaking and Karl Urban was a genius piece of casting, but what I love most about this film is the fact that you never see Dredd's face because he never takes the helmet off. Just as it should be.

So, there you have it. My list of films that deserve a bucket load more love and attention. I asked the internet for some suggestions and there were a few that didn't quite make the list, but deserve a mention: Push, Franklyn, Chronicle, Priest, Doctor Who:The Movie and Host. I'd love to hear what your list contains so pop something in the comment box below.

By Vickey Tree

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Nathan Fillion Rules Out A Role In 'Ant-Man' Movie

After much fan speculation, Nathan Fillion has said that he will not be starring in Marvel's upcoming Ant-Man movie.

Directed by Edgar Wright, the film will finally introduce scientist-supreme and original Avenger Hank Pym, as well as acting Future Foundation leader Scott Lang, to the Marvel movie vault.

The Castle and Firefly star told IGN: “I will not be playing Ant-Man.

"I'm pretty booked-up right now as far as work goes and there's so much more going on in the entertainment industry than just, 'Oh, you know who would be great in that?' There's a lot more that comes into play."

For many comic book fans this is not the news they wanted to hear. It looks like the search for Wright's Ant-Man continues.

Here's to hoping that Fillion changes his mind, and decides that he would love to be a size altering hero who can speak to insects.

Ant-Man is set for release in 2015.

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First Look! 'Age of Ultron' Spin-Off, 'Hunger'

**WARNING: Spoilerphobic comic fans step away, this article contains spoilers.**


After the epic conclusion to Age of Ultron. Marvel has released a preview of the Joshua Hale Fialkov (Doctor Who) and Leonard Kirk's (Dark X-Men) spin-off Hunger.

The mini-series sees the 616 Galactus invading the Ultimate Universe due to a tear in the space-time continuum thanks to the time travelling actions of the characters in Age of Ultron.

Avengers 'founder' Rick Jones is set to return from space to lead the fight against the greedy planeteater Galactus.

Check out the stunning preview pages.

 

Hunger #1 debuts in July.

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Aaronovitch's Rivers Of London To Be Adapted For TV

This morning brought awesome news for fans of Ben Aaronovitch's urban fantasy series, Rivers of London.

The novels are set to be adapted for television, reports Den Of Geek.

The first book tells the tale of Metropolitan Police Constable Peter Grant, who finds himself mixed up in wizardry after an unexpected encounter with a ghost. After being recruited by the last wizard in England, Inspector Nightingale, he finds himself investigating a supernatural killer whilst also brokering a peace deal between the two warring gods of the River Thames.

Feel Films have picked up the rights to the novel, but the adaptation is still in initial stages of development.

We have the highest of hopes for this series, if it's done right it could be excellent. If you haven't read the books, go and do so immediately - oh, and talking of which, casting thoughts would be most welcome. Who do you think should play Peter, Nightingale, Lesley and Molly?

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