Thanks to Entertainment Weekly we have our first look at Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, and I have to say, he looks fantastic in the role. When they initially announced Eisenberg I was surprised and my first reaction was that it wouldn’t work. But as time has passed, I’ve grown more and more in support of the choice and I think he has the chops (and now the look) to knock it out of the park.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director Zack Snyder states that Eisenberg’s Luthor is not “…any of the Lexes that you’ve seen, that’s for sure.” As much as I love Hackman and pushed for Spacey, neither was nearly as brutal, blood thirsty, cunning, or evil as Luthor should be. Both were a mix of real estate mogul and comedic relief. I have high hopes that Snyder will take us far from the theatrical Luthor’s of the past and pull more from the comics.

We already know that the superhero team up/fight will bring together Superman (Henry Cavill), Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher), with a strong rumor pointing to us also seeing the Flash (Ezra Miller). That is a lot of heroes for Luthor to deal with, will he have any other DC villains on his side? We are exactly a year before the movie’s release on March 25, 2016, so I have a feeling that we’ll be learning a lot more soon.

How do you feel about the look of Eisenberg’s Luthor? Think he can stack up to past Luthors Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey, and Michael Rosenbaum?

I am beyond thrilled to announce our LEGO Justice League Vs Bizarro League Blu-ray Giveaway! You can take home a Blu-ray copy of this thrilling and hysterical LEGO DC Comics movie. Giveaway details are below, but FIRST lets find out your “LEGO Bizarro Name” with this name generator…

I am… THE PIT-CRUSH-ZARRO-MECCA! What is your LEGO Bizarro Name?

Use the generator to find out and post a comment to this giveaway for your chance to win LEGO Justice League Vs Bizarro League on Blu-ray! Here are some details on what you’ll be able to take home (the movie’s trailer can be accessed on the above name generator app).

Official Movie Description: Batman has joined the newly formed Justice League in order to keep tabs on Superman, a mistrust that is complicated by Superman’s clumsy – but well-meaning – clone, Bizarro. Bizarro’s creation of the Bizarro League has caused confusion amongst the world’s greatest Super Heroes, but an even greater and mysterious threat may force the Justice League and Bizarro League to band together to defeat evil.

You can get a Third Entry into the giveaway simply by retweeting this tweet…

If you don’t win, you can still see the movie, because it is available NOW on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD UltraViolet Combo Pack + Batzarro LEGO minifigure.

DISCLAIMER (and other Details)
This contest is only open to visitors with a valid address from either the US or Canada. Prizes can not be sent to a PO Box. All comments must be made with a (working) email address, so we are able to contact you if you win. Once contacted, you have 24 hours to reply with the requested details. The winner will be chosen randomly from all of the entries. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parents permission. This giveaway is sponsored by Warner Home Video. Each household is only eligible to win LEGO: DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League (Blu-ray+DVD+Digital HD UltraViolet Combo Pack) Blu-ray via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Comic book characters really are taking over television! We already have confirmation (and footage from many) of new series, including Batman spinoff Gotham, The Flash, iZombie, & Constantine are set from DC Comics, while Marvel is giving us Agent Carter, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, & Powers. The newest character to possibly add into the TV mix? Supergirl.

This would not be Supergirl’s first foray into live action as she was a recurring character on Smallville, and of course had her own movie spinoff from the Christopher Reeves Superman series (even thought she never shared scenes with Superman himself, at least she met Jimmy Olsen!).

Supergirl is one of DC’s iconic female heroes and I’m glad to hear that she has a project in the works. I just don’t get how they will have a series focusing on her without Superman. Warner Brothers and DC Entertainment have been very clear that their television shows and movies are not crossing over- and some of their shows are crossing over (The Flash and Arrow), while others are completely disconnected (iZombie and Constantine). Will this show spinoff or tie into any of DC’s established universes? Its hard not to be confused by the “Cinematic DC Comics Universe”. I wish they could make it clear and simple as Marvel Comics have. Maybe during Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice we’ll get a look at a multiverse that includes every incarnation of live action DC characters ever (that would be awesome and validate everyone’s favorite version of the characters). We can only hope DC will do something to make it all clear.

Now, on to Supergirl. Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Greg Berlanti and Ali Adler will be working with Geoff Johns on the series. Johns, of course, produces Arrow and The Flash, and has a hand in writing/executive producing upcoming DC movies (BvS and also including The Flash). Berlanti also executive produces Arrow/The Flash and had tried his hand at a live action superhero series with No Ordinary Family (which was sadly too “ordinary”). Nothing has been revealed about the story or which version of Supergirl they will follow, but they have a ton of options. We’ll take a look at some of these options in a follow up article. Stay turned!

Excited for another comic book character to show up on TV? Do you hope it spins out of The Flash or Arrow or would you prefer it to stand on its own?

You can’t tell from the above image, but this issue (along with so many others) has a 3D motion cover. The image changes from the left graphic to the right one, etc. It brings me right back to the gimmick covers of the 90s. Anyhow, just in time for September’s third anniversary of DC Comic’s “The New 52” relaunch comes a universe wide tie in to DC’s event series “Futures End”. The series has spotlighted what “The New 52” universe looks like 5 years into the future after a multiverse war has changed the status quo big time.

Action Comics: Futures End #1
Official Description: With the Man of Steel missing, ordinary people around the world start to mysteriously exhibit his strengths and abilities…

The issue comes from DC Comics on September 3rd, 2014 with the cover by Lee Weeks, art by Pascal Alixe, and writing by Sholly Fisch.

Have you been following the weekly “Futures End” series? Excited to see spotlight stories set in the bleak future across titles?

Wonder Woman Revealed
Sure, Warner Brothers and DC Entertainment released some Dark Knight Returns inspired footage for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, but that was slightly overshadowed by the reveal of the movie’s Wonder Woman. Until now it was unknown if Gal Gadot would even don a costume, but here she is in a darkened version of her classic suit. The amazon warrior looks very similar to another warrior princess, but personally I don’t have any issue with that. Hopefully the outfit will get some classic red and blue before the trinity of heroes team up in Justice League.

Josh Brolin is Thanos
The Marvel Studios panel had almost everyone from Avengers: Age of Ultron in attendance, including Robert Downey, Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, Samuel L Jackson, and James Spader, but joining the panel was someone unexpected; Josh Brolin who will be stepping into the boots of Marvel’s cosmic big bad Thanos. He jumped on the stage wearing the Infinity Gauntlet, ate a rose that Robert Downey Jr gave him, and showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with… eventually.

Evil Dead: The Series
Talk about unexpected. There was nt an Evil Dead screening or anniversary panel or anything like that. Instead, during the Screen Gems panel Sam Raimi, there to talk about The Last of Us, dropped a bomb on the audience; he is developing Evil Dead as a TV series with Bruce “Ash” Campbell and Ivan Raimi. Campbell followed up the announcement with the reveal that if it happens, he will star in the series. The team is no stranger to TV, having worked on shows such as Jack of All Trades and Xena: Warrior Princess together, and each having a hand in many other shows. God, I hope this happens.

The Walking Dead Season 5 Trailer
Not many TV shows get presented in Hall H, but The Walking Dead is a show that has earned its place in the large ballroom. AMC aimed to please the crowd and showed a lengthy (and spoiler filled) trailer for the new season. There is so much packed into this trailer (you can watch it here); what secrets do Terminus hold? How will our survivors get out? What new characters were revealed? Where is Beth? I’m not posting the spoilers here, but the release of this trailer alone makes the San Diego Comic Con worth it.

What piece of news from the 2014 San Diego Comic Con excites you the most? Which of these 4 awesome things is your favorite?

Three years into the DC Comics reboot and “The New 52”, we are finally getting answers to some lingering questions via the rebooted Secret Origins ongoing. In issue 1 we were (re)shown the origins for Superman, Supergirl, and the first Robin, Dick Grayson. The new issue, which came out yesterday, gives us a deeper look at the genesis of the Dark Knight. What differs from what has been established in the past? How will it impact the future of Bruce Wayne and his violent alter ego?

Secret Origins #2
Official Description: Batman headlines the second big issue of SECRET ORIGINS, which also features The New 52 origins of Aquaman and Starfire!

The comic hit stands yesterday from DC Comics, writers  Scott Lobdell, Ray Fawkes, Jeff Parker, and artists Paulo Siqueira, Sean Parsons, Paul Pelletier. Also out this week; Batman #31, Aquaman #31, and Batman Eternal #8.

What comics are in your pull box this week? Did you pick up the first issue of Secret Origins?

Check out these Batman related trades…

Hot off the news that FOX has picked up Gotham, a Batman prequel focusing on young Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon before he became the police commissioner, comes the news that we’ll be seeing a lot of comic inspired shows next season! So many show sin fact that we’ll be splitting this article into multiple parts.

Marvel’s Agent Carter (ABC)
Spinning directly out of Captain America: The First Avenger and the Agent Carter short film, Hayley Atwell returns to the role in a action series that takes place in the 1940s and recounts the origin of SHIELD.  As we reported on earlier (SEE: TV News: Agents of SHIELD, Agent Carter), Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas have been tapped as showrunners, with Steve McFeely, Christopher Marcus, and Jeph Loeb executive producing. ABC’s official description: The story is set in 1946 and peace has dealt Peggy Carter a serious blow as she finds herself marginalized when the men return home from fighting abroad. Working for the covert SSR (Strategic Scientific Reserve), Peggy must balance doing administrative work and going on secret missions for Howard Stark all while trying to navigate life as a single woman in America, in the wake of losing the love of her life – Steve Rogers.

It should be really interesting to see how they shape the series moving forward. There are other heroes and villains from the 40s that could be interesting to see (the original robotic Human Torch or Namor for example). I wonder if they’ll tie the series into Agents of SHIELD at all. Peggy Carter stops a bad guy and finds a powerful weapon, then in the future that weapon is stolen from SHIELD and Agent Coulson’s team must find it. (possible spoiler for Captain America: The Winter Soldier). It would also be pretty cool to see the seeds of HYDRA planted in SHIELD from the beginning. Also, it’d be great to see folks like Dum Dum Dugan (Neal McDonough), Jim Morita (Kenneth Choi), and the Howling Commandos again. Plus, could we see a young Nick Fury in action? Sure, Sam Jackson wasn’t born until 1948, but in the comics Nick Fury is nearly a century old and uses the Infinity Formula to slow his aging and stay strong. Would be cool to see this element of Fury added into the mix along with seeing him rise the ranks from Agent of SHIELD to Director of the spy agency.

The Flash (The CW)
Lets change pace from Marvel Comics to DC Comics for a moment as DC is bringing one of their big guns to the small screen. Justice League member and speedster Barry Allen, the Flash, is spinning directly out of DC’s other successful CW series Arrow. Barry, as portrayed by Grant Gustin, was established in a couple episodes of Arrow as a young CSI who has a keen interest in meta crimes. The CW’s official description: The Flash focuses on scientist Barry Allen (Grant Gustin), who’s given powers that transform him into the Fastest Man Alive. 

On one hand I’m surprised they cast Barry so young, I always picture him as being at least in his thirties. But on the other hand it makes sense to cast him young and let Gustin grow into the role. This could also differentiate the series from a possible Flash film series, where they can make him a bit older. I’d love to see them cross villains over between The Flash and Arrow, and it could lead to a lot of other possible DC spinoffs (Green Lantern? Wonder Woman?). In addition to Gustin, the cast includes Jesse L. Martin, Danielle Panabaker, Rick Cosnett, Candice Patton, Tom Cavanagh, Carlos Valdes, and John Wesley Shipp, the Flash of the 90s television series.

Constantine (NBC)
Three heroes. Three networks. Constantine is an anti-hero from DC Comic’s dark (and magical) corner of their universe. Forget the Keanu Reeves movie, because Matt Ryan is the striking image of a young John Constantine. Maybe they will also get the rest right. The show is executive produced by David Goyer (Writer of Nolan’s Batman flicks) and directed by Neil Marshall (who helmed such movies as The Descent and Doomsday). The Wiki description of the DC Comic character: Constantine is a working-class magician, occult detective, and con man stationed in London. He is known for his endless cynicism, deadpan snarking, ruthless cunning, and constant chain smoking, but is also a passionate humanist driven by a heartfelt desire to do some good in his life.

This show needs to be dark, gritty, and with a touch of noir. A mix between Angel and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Constantine is one of those heroes that is at his best when he is beat down and on the edge of his sanity. NBC, please do not sugar coat the series or try to make it appeal to kiddies. And I hope I’m not asking too much when I say that I need Zatanna to be part of the cast; fishnets, top hat, and all. (It might be cool to also see characters like the Swamp Thing. Just saying.)

In Part 2 we will be looking at some more Comics that are being turned into television series in the 2014 – 2015 season. Which of these three shows are you excited about?