MOON KNIGHT

The character debuted in the title Werewolf by Night #32 (August 1975), written by Doug Moench with art by Don Perlin, as an enemy of the title character in a two part story continuing in issue #33. The character proved popular with readers, and was granted a solo spot in Marvel Spotlight #28-29 (1976), written by Doug Moench with art by Don Perlin.

He then had appearances in Spectacular Spider-Man issues #22 and #23, both written by Bill Mantlo with art by Mike Zeck on #22 and Jim Mooney on #23, Marvel Two-In-One #52, written by Steven Grant with art by Jim Craig, and Defenders #48-50. Moon Knight then gained a backup strip in the Hulk! Magazine in issues #11-15, #17-18 and #20-21, all written by Doug Moench. Art was done by Gene Colan in #11, Keith Pollard in #12, and Bill Sienkiewicz on the rest. These were reprinted in Moon Knight Special Edition #1-3.

A new ongoing series was then launched, titled Moon Knight, which also had writing by Doug Moench and art by Bill Sienkiewicz. During the early 1980s Moon Knight was one of the three "direct distribution only" Marvel titles, starting with issue #15. This series ended with issue #38. In 1985 there was a six-issue series called Moon Knight - Fist Of Khonshu. Then in 1989 Marc Spector: Moon Knight debuted. This ended in issue #60 (March 1994), written by Terry Kavanagh with art by Stephen Platt depicting his death. In 1992 Marc Spector: Moon Knight Special Edition #1 and Moon Knight: Divided We Fall were published, followed in January 1998 and January 1999 by two further four-issue limited series. A new Moon Knight ongoing series was launched in April 2006, written by Charlie Huston with art by David Finch.

* A Moon Knight TV series was announced but little to nothing has been mentioned since late 2006. Even thoughwriter Jon Cooksey (Rugrats, The Collector, ReBoot) confirmed that he was currently in development of the Moon Knight television series.

* Marc Spector's name was briefly mentioned in the pilot episode of Blade: The Series (starring Kirk Jones). Spector is described as an expert in werewolves. Marc is also said to be a colleague of Professor Melvin Caylo, a specialist in vampires. The character of Spector did not appear in the series before it was cancelled.

MAN-THING

The Man-Thing is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe, created by writers Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, and Gerry Conway and artist Gray Morrow in Savage Tales #1 (May 1971). He went on to be featured in various titles and in his own series, including Adventure into Fear, which introduced the popular character Howard the Duck. In 2005 Man-Thing was produced as a TV movie(worst movie adaption ever)for the SciFi Channel.

Ted Sallis, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, is a biochemist working in the Everglades who develops a "miracle drug" later defined as an attempt at recreating the "super-soldier serum" that created Captain America. Betrayed by his lover, Ellen Brandt, Sallis flees from agents from Advanced Idea Mechanics (AIM), who covet his formula and research. He injects himself with the serum, but after crashing in a swamp and apparently drowning, he is transformed into a swamp creature through a combination of his formula and, as later explained, magical forces extant in the area. Sallis' mind was apparently extinguished, although on rare occasions he could briefly return to consciousness within his monstrous form, and even to his human form.
He became a nearly mindless mass of slime with no particular affinity to any living thing, but who nevertheless often becomes an accidental hero as it stumbles upon various crime and horror scenarios. It is able to sense human emotions, and is enraged by fear and automatically secretes a strong chemical corrosive; anyone feeling fear and clutched by the Man-Thing is prone to be burned (either chemically or mystically), hence the series' tag-line, "Whatever knows fear burns at the Man-Thing's touch." Though fear is understandably most people's response to the creature, typically only villains end up meeting an immolating death at its hands.

SWAMP THING

The Swamp Thing is a fictional character created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson for DC Comics and featured in a long-running horror-fantasy comic book series of the same name. The character is a humanoid mass of vegetable matter who fights to protect his swamp home, the environment in general, and humanity from various supernatural or terrorist threats. The series has been continued by a number of writers, including Alan Moore, whose reinvention of the character was particularly influential.
The Swamp Thing character first appeared in House of Secrets #92 (June-July 1971), with the name Alex Olsen. The comic is set in the early 20th Century, when scientist Alex Olsen is caught in a lab explosion caused by his co-worker, Damian Ridge, who intended to kill him to gain the hand of Olsen's wife Linda. Olsen is physically altered by chemicals and the forces within the swamp. He morphs into a monstrous creature who kills Ridge before the latter can murder Linda. Unable to make Linda realize his true identity, the Swamp Thing sadly ambles to his boggy home.

After the success of the short story in the House of Secrets comic, the original creators were asked to write an ongoing series, depicting a more heroic, more contemporary creature. Swamp Thing #1 (1st series, October-November 1972, by Wein and Wrightson) was created, changing the time frame to the 1970s, featuring a completely new version of the frightfully foliaged character. Wein named this version's human alter-ego Alec Holland, a scientist working on a secret bio-restorative formula ("that can make forests out of deserts") in the Louisiana swamps. Holland is killed by a bomb planted by agents of the mysterious Mr. E (Nathan Ellery), who wants the formula. Splashed with burning chemicals in the massive fire, Holland runs from the lab and falls into the muck-filled swamp, after which a creature resembling a humanoid plant appears some time later. The creature, called Swamp Thing, was originally conceived as Alec Holland mutating into a vegetable-like creature, a "muck-encrusted mockery of a man". However, under writer Alan Moore, Swamp Thing was reinvented as an elemental entity created upon the death of Alec Holland, with Holland's memory and personality intact. He is described as "a plant that thought it was Alec Holland, a plant that was trying its level best to be Alec Holland." This was Alan Moore's second "re-invention" of a comic book character, the first being Miracleman. Moore's re-inventions are particularly unique, in that instead of doing a complete reset for the retcon, he invents a background which explains why the earlier stories were simply a different, less knowing perception of the events the earlier stories told about.
The major difference between the first and second Swamp Thing is that the latter appears more muscular than shambling, and possesses the power of speech. Being able to speak only with great difficulty, Alex Olsen's speech impediment is a major reason why his wife could not recognize him. In Swamp Thing #33, Alan Moore attempted to reconcile the two versions of Swamp Thing with the revelation that there have been many previous incarnations of Swamp Thing prior to the death and "rebirth" of the Alec Holland incarnation.

Swamp Thing has appeared in two films, a live-action television series, and a short-lived animated series. The first Swamp Thing film, made in 1982, was directed by Wes Craven. A sequel, The Return of Swamp Thing, was produced in 1989.

The Swamp Thing television series would then air on USA Network from 1990 to 1993. The series was filmed in the brand-new Universal Studios Florida facilities and soundstages. Actor/stuntman Dick Durock played Swamp Thing in both films as well as the TV series.

Check out the rest of the site for more SWAMP THING!

Marvel Movies 08

The green machine has pulled in a domestic total of nearly $96.5 million after a better than $21.5 million weekend! Additionally, the green Goliath has added another $63.3 million globally for a whopping $159.8 million haul!
Well, you know ol' Shellhead's starring in a little movie himself right now and it just cleared the magic $300 million mark in sales!

Werewolf by Night

Werewolf by Night (birth name Jacob Russoff, legal name Jack Russell) is a fictional character, an anti-heroic werewolf in the Marvel Comics universe. The Werewolf by Night (usually referred to by other characters simply as the Werewolf) first appeared in Marvel Spotlight vol. 1 #2.
Werewolf by Night, Volume 1 ran for 43 issues during the 1970s. Issue #32 is notable for containing the first appearance of Moon Knight. Five 'Giant-Size' editions were also published during this time. Jack Russell also co-starred with Tigra in Giant Size Creatures #1, which was the first appearance of Greer Grant as Tigra instead of the Cat.
Jack Russell was dormant for most of the 1980s. The character's appearance was radically revamped in Moon Knight, Volume 1 #29. He guest-starred in various issues of Spider-Woman, Volume 1, West Coast Avengers, and Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme.
Werewolf by Night was later revived in the pages of Marvel Comics Presents, where he appeared irregularly from 1991-1993. He also made regular appearances as a supporting cast member in the pages of Morbius, the Living Vampire from 1993-1995. A letters page in an issue of Morbius mentioned that a Werewolf by Night mini-series by Len Kaminski and James Fry was in the works, but the mini-series was never published.
Werewolf by Night, Volume 2 ran for 6 issues in the late 1990s. The series was written by Paul Jenkins and penciled by Leonardo Manco. After the book's cancellation, the story was continued in the pages of Strange Tales, which also featured the Man-Thing. That volume of Strange Tales was canceled after only two issues due to poor sales.
In early 2007, Marvel published a one-shot entitled Legion of Monsters: Werewolf by Night, with art by Greg Land.
Various Marvel comics throughout the month of May 2008 include a sneak peek of Moon Knight #20, which will feature Werewolf-By-Night. The three preview pages show Moon Knight fighting an enormous werewolf, while the written preview explains, "Something awful is happening out there in the back alleys that have become [Moon Knight's] new home. Blood-smeared walls raked with claws tell half the story. But to know the whole truth, Moon Knight will have to step into the arena and stare down a creature fueled by instinct and fury. To survive, he must become what he faces."

Jonah Hex

Jonah Hex is a fictional character, a Western comic book anti-hero created by writer John Albano and artist Tony DeZuniga and published by DC Comics. The right side of his face is horribly scarred. He was an officer for the Confederacy during the American Civil War, fought at Gettysburg and is normally shown wearing a tattered Confederate States Army jacket. Hex is in many ways similar to Clint Eastwood's The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Hex's facial injuries can be traced back to being sold into slavery by his father to the Apache for safe passage. Jonah eventually saved the chief from being killed by a mountain lion and was made an honorary member of the tribe. He was soon betrayed by the envious son of the chief while on a raid. He returned years later to challenge him in a sacred tomahawk battle. But the chief's son sabotaged Jonah's tomahawk and Jonah used his knife in self defense when the tomahawk broke. The tribe saw this as breaking the rules of the sacred battle and sentenced Jonah to wear the mark of the demon by pressing a searing hot tomahawk to his face. They said his honorary relationship to the chief was the only thing that saved him from death.
A live action movie has been announced for release in 2010. This movie appears to be based on the Vertigo series and will have Jonah fighting zombies and other such creatures.

GHOST RIDER

Ghost Rider is the name of several fictional supernatural anti-heroes in the Marvel Comics universe. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Night Rider and subsequently to Phantom Rider.

The first supernatural Ghost Rider is stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who, in order to save the life of his mentor, agreed to give his soul to "Satan" (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto). Instead, his soul bonded with the entity called Zarathos. When utilizing Zarathos' powers Blaze's flesh is consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. He rides a fiery motorcycle and wields trademark blasts of hellfire from his skeletal hands. He starred in the series from 1973-1983.

The subsequent Ghost Rider series (1990-98) featured Daniel Ketch as a new Ghost Rider. After his sister was injured by ninja gangsters, Ketch came in contact with a motorcycle which had somehow been mystically enchanted to contain the essence of a "Spirit of Vengeance." This spirit had originally been a Puritan man named Noble Kale, an ancestor of both Blaze and Ketch. Johnny Blaze reappeared in this series as a supporting character and was revealed to be Ketch's brother

Hulk Movie

Check out the review for this INCREDIBLE movie on Comic Spotlight.

WARMACHINE vs SKRULLS

The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D has a new director.

Announced Saturday at Wizard World Philadelphia, veteran television and comic writer Christos Gage ("Avengers: The Initiative" and "Man with No Name") will pen a three-issue "Secret Invasion" arc on "Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D" beginning with #33.

Marvel Editor Bill Rosemann confirmed that a new regular creative team will be named shortly for #36 and beyond that will replace the outgoing writing tandem of Daniel and Charles Knauf.

Gage shared some major plot points from his arc with CBR News with a warning for the Skrulls to watch out for War Machine.

"As we've seen in 'Secret Invasion' #1, Iron Man has fallen to a Skrull virus that has crippled all StarkTech worldwide. When he goes down, it activates a failsafe, and his best friend, James Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine, gets a message asking him to carry on the fight," explained Gage. "Unbeknownst even to Rhodey himself, Tony designed the new War Machine armor not to use any StarkTech in case of just such a situation. Now Rhodey is left alone to take the battle to the Skrulls. And he does!"

And Gage said War Machine isn't fooling around.

"You're going to see War Machine taking on the Skrull armada and really cutting loose," said Gage, who also noted James Rhodes is now a cyborg, as seen in the pages of "Avengers: The Initiative" #11.

Gage considers Tony Stark one of the most fascinating characters currently active in the Marvel Universe, especially since the events surrounding "Civil War."

"Tony's very purposefully put himself in a position where he has to make very difficult decisions, often with no absolutely good outcome," said Gage. "That's really admirable and impressive; I wouldn't want to be in his shoes."

Smallville Season 8

Laura Vandervoort (Kara) will not be a series regular in Season 8. However, she may return for a few episodes. It is likely that Lex will simply be "missing" as the new season begins. In his place the new character "Tess" will be looking over his assets. Producers hope to get Michael Rosenbaum back for guest shots; whether or not they will be successful at getting him remains to be seen.
- If Laura Vandervoort does not return as a series regular, it is likely that Kara will remain in the Phantom Zone until she can be rescued.
- Phil Morris may be returning as the Martian Manhunter in Season 8, and James Marsters has expressed interest in more appearances as Brainiac.
- TV Guide is reporting that, since his new pilot Austin Golden Hour did not go to series, Justin Hartley could be returning in Season 8 as Green Arrow.

In season eight, Clark will face his ultimate challenge with the appearance of the legendary, unstoppable destroyer Doomsday, who appears on “Smallville” for the first time. As comic book fans know, Doomsday is notorious for being the only character in the DC Comics universe to have killed Superman.

Doomsday won’t be Clark’s only nemesis in the upcoming season. The executive producers are tight-lipped about a new female villain they will be introducing, but they can say she will be familiar to many fans and will set her sights on Clark in ways Lex never could. Intelligent, brilliantly manipulative, and dangerously sinister, our gorgeous new villain has one more weapon in her arsenal: Her mutual attraction with Clark may prove to be as deadly as kryptonite for him.

This post is dedicated to ALEX...Love Ya Kiddo

Joker The New Frontier

With "The Dark Knight" approaching soon, the Joker is running rampant around here. Make sure to check out all of the links, you never know where he will be hiding.
"Why So Serious?"

The Nightstalker

Before X-Files, there was only one major paranormal investigator, reporter Carl Kolchak.

Kolchak was originally two made-for-TV movies (starring Darren McGavin..RIP) that aired in the early 70's, and featured the adventures of Carl Kolchak, a reporter who ran up against a vampire in Las Vegas and an alchemist in Seattle. These movies proved popular enough that they were spun off into a series, which placed Kolchak in Chicago with the Independent News Service. Each week for 20 weeks he investigated various supernatural creatures, ranging from aliens to vampires.

Although it only lasted one season on ABC, Kolchak has remained a cult favorite and been kept alive through the efforts of creator Jeffrey Grant Rice, and the folks at Moonstone Comics, who have two ongoing Kolchak comics.

As a fan of the tv series, it's good to see Carl back in action. The stories are very well done and do justice to the character that Mr. McGavin brought to life. You can almost hear Kolchak's narrative as you read. Anyone familiar with the original tv series will appreciate that.

Another short lived Nightstalker television series was introduced in 2005 on ABC and can be seen occasionally on the Sci-Fi channel. But there is no comparison to the original.