Scott Evan’s character – closeted police officer Oliver Fish FINALLY admitted aloud to someone that he is gay! Kudos to ABC for their portrayal of a troubled young cop coming to terms with his sexuality.
Its things like this and the other gay characters that keep popping up primetime on Disney-owned ABC (honored by GLAAD for being home to 6 out of 7 major gay characters on the 2008-2009 TV season) and ABC Family (Greek, Secret Life of the American teenager – this is not my dad’s family channel) that make me breathe a BIT easier about the impending Disney buyout of Marvel Entertainment… I’m not completely comfortable about it until I hear some sort of official statement about their direction for the company.
The Walt Disney Company has set its sights on Marvel Comics. The worldwide leader in family entertainment is building on its tried-and-true strategy of gobbling up branded content. In a stock and cash transaction (60 percent cash and 40 percent stock), Disney has agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment Inc. and its extensive portfolio of over 5,000 characters (Including the Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers and all associated friends and foes) in a 4 billion deal announced early August 31st, 2009.
Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. At closing, the amount of cash and stock will be adjusted if necessary so that the total value of the Disney stock issued as merger consideration based on its trading value at that time is not less than 40% of the total merger consideration. Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, August 28, the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.
This is a smart decision for Disney. Their stable of content has definitely veered in a more girly direction with it’s focus on its beloved princesses, not to mention Hannah Montana and the HSM series. Adding the entire Marvel stable gives them thousands of instantly recognizable characters that boys have loved for generations.
Not sure how smart a decision it is for Marvel. I can see how Disney needs this. But I don’t see what Marvel REALLY gets out of it. They’ve been doing really well with their movies lately and while I don’t have international sales stats, I know I’m buying more of their books than usual – lots of new good ones out. I can’t be the only one buying them. I’m hoping this will be as good for the Marvel U in the long run as Disney claims… but I’m just not sure.
“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories,” said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company.”
The Boards of Directors of both companies have already approved the transaction, but it is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill Lynch.
Well at least it hopefully means MORE ACTION FIGURES! Here are some links to more in depth articles on the deal…
OK, as someone who really liked the new Batwoman after her introduction and has been eagerly anticipating a place for her stories, I wanted to love this title, but right now it just is rating a solid “like.” J.H. Williams’ art deco flavored artwork is perfect to capture the haunted quality of Gotham City, but I’m finding the “Alice” part of the storyline as arcane as part 3’s title – Affettuoso – which is Italian for “affection”. I read the story but still don’t get the title.
Greg Rucka and artist J.H. Williams continue to put the pressure on Gotham’s newest hero with the third part of ‘Elegy,” as Batwoman unites with an unlikely ally to momentarily defeat the fairytale villain known as Alice.
I read the “Crime Bible” mini with Batwoman and the Question, but I remember the followers as human? Not sure who the purple tentacle guy and werewolf are. I’ll need to read up and then maybe I’ll like the next issue better.
When Kate is forced to attend another high society event, she soon learns that her worlds are crashing together. Want more? Check out a few pages below. And then, head on over to your local shop. Simple, right?
A highlight this issue is the first meeting of 2 of the DCU’s most influential lesbians… Kate Kane, meet Maggie Sawyer. We know Kate likes cops. I hear music.
OFFICIAL NEWS: former Batgirl and Flamebird – Bette Kane will be attending “GU” (Gotham University I assume).
Posted in Announcement, SFW on 08/27/2009 04:07 pm by fanboi
Over the next month or 2 I plan to play with customizing a few themes for HeroesNHunks. Each new look will be viewed for a week or 2 and then I will try out another. Once I have 5 to choose from (including the original) I’ll be holding another poll to see what the look and feel of the site will be for the next year or so.
Site favorite blogger, the Gay Comic Geek has joined the ranks of shirtless gay vloggers!!!! Here he is giving us a tattooed gun show as he lists some of his favorite things…
Besides giving us a good look at his hot bod (nice abs Gay Comic Geek!!!), the video also includes a peek at his comic books, action figures, posters and collected artwork.
I’m really glad that Dark Reign has forced me to get to know Daken. I find him fascinating now and when he was first introduced I was indifferent at best. It’s not just due to his announced bisexuality either. His exchanges with Norman Osborn have proven him to be an intelligent man of distinction and taste, far from the mindless tool I first considered him to be. Must be that feminine side he’s in touch with.
Daken has proven himself capable of wearing many masks, but who’s the real man underneath? As one of Norman Osborn’s Avengers, he has it all: power, fame, access…but what if it’s not enough? Could Wolverine’s son have a heart after all—and if so, will it be the Fantastic Four who help him discover it? Or will they find themselves on the receiving end of a betrayal so huge it will put them at war with the Dark Avengers? Part 3 (of 3)
Note the exchange between Daken and Venom where Mac asks if he “struck out” with Ares. There is an interesting camaraderie between these two. I think Venom is growing to like and respect Daken (as a buddy) despite himself.
We have at LEAST 3 more issues (counting to one due out today) left in this mini-event, so I’m not expecting any sort of resolution just yet. I’ll be interested to see how Catherine Donovan will get re-integrated with the pure Kree Ms Marvel. Without her human tactical mind, her powers are nothing.
Hope is crushed and the battle is nearly lost as the Dark Reign event continues in WAR OF THE MARVELS Part 3! As Karla Sofen faces an unbeatable threat, the legacy of Ms. Marvel hangs in the balance.
Chris Evans is the landslide winner in the recent CELEBRITY BEEFCAKE poll (38.9% of the vote). Second place goes to Tom Welling (17.8%) and third place goes to John Barrowman (9.7%). There were 247 total votes!
Chris Evans was born on June 13, 1981 in Sudbury, Massachusetts to a Catholic Italian and Irish family. He has two sisters, and an openly gay younger brother, Scott, who is also an actor (OLtL’s Oliver Fish).
He originally planned to attend New York University, but the summer between his Junior and Senior years of High School, he travelled to Brooklyn to intern at a casting agency and take a summer acting program. He also met an agent that helped him get his start in acting after graduation.
Evans landed several more lead roles (The Perfect Score, Cellular. and the independent film London.) But the heat was really turned up after his role as the Human Torch in the silver screen adaptation of Marvel Comics’ Fantastic Four (2005).
He was named ‘Male Superstar of Tomorrow’ at the 2005 Young Hollywood Awards and reprised the role of Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in the sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007).
Evans also starred in the 2009 sci-fi thriller, Push, along with Dakota Fanning and Camilla Belle. His character (Nick Gant) is a second generation "mover" (telekinetic) just trying to lay low in a world where special people get used up. Evans was bruised during the weeks of filming as he did his own fight scenes. Evans was featured in an article in The Advocate for his role in Push.
During the Advocate interview, Evans discusses everrthing from the publicist who convinced him not to do any more shirtless photoshoots (we need to take her down – damn her!)…
I have no problem taking my shirt off for a role if the part calls for it, but my publicist says, “When you’re promoting yourself, being you, there’s a way to keep it as classy as possible. Greasing yourself up and stripping down may not be the best way to do it.” To some degree, she may have a point. [advocate]
…to his openly gay brother Scott and how although he loves to hang out with Scott and his gay buddies, he has to draw the line at going to gay bars…
That’s where a photo will get taken, it will run in magazines, and before you know it, I’ll be living down the gay rumor for the rest of my life. [advocate]
A number of gay sources have given him a hard time for that quote, but he’s right and I really can’t say that I blame him.
Posted in Comics, SFW on 08/25/2009 12:29 am by fanboi
Blastaar’s alien army has seized 42, the Initiative’s prison in the Negative Zone. Someone has to take it back, and the Taskmaster has assembled a team to do just that.
But when Komodo looks around her at the squad of Z-list super-villains she’s supposed to go into battle with, she wonders if this is a recovery job…or a suicide mission! And when she encounters familiar faces who had been incarcerated within the prison, will they be friend or foe? Also, because you demanded it–the return of Butterball!
Makes sense that the heroes best off with their powers disrupted are those WITHOUT powers. Prepare to see Mockingbird kick some ass…
Oh man, it is not a good day for the New Avengers. Someone has invented a power disruptor and unleashed it in New York City. The heroes have fallen. Some are hurt bad, others near death.
Who will rise to the challenge and save the day? A very important DARK REIGN issue. Something big happens. Not going to tell you what it is but it happens on page 17, panel 4.
Posted in 3D, Music, SFW on 08/23/2009 12:07 pm by fanboi
When checking the latest at the always fascinating Towleroad, I found this exceptional video for Grizzly Bear’s “Two Weeks” by fan and animator Gabe Askew.
Askew is from Tustin, CA where he works in Architectural Vis. The video took him four months of after-work time and weekends (he estimated it to be about four full work weeks). He also paints and does illustration work.
When VRay asked about the idea behind the story, the Gabe Askew had this to say…
The lyrics, to me, told the story of a relationship where one person is uncertain of the others loyalty. You get sucked up into the daily grind and forget to tell the one you love how you feel. They get insecure and worry that you aren’t committed. And the line “I told you I would stay” is like a battle cry for fighting to keep your relationship together when it seems to be on the brink.
Check out that VRay interview to also see some of his 3D textures and animatic images!
The BLACKEST NIGHT is upon us, and every corner of the DCU is rife with reanimated heroes and villains. No one is unaffected, but some teams — like the TITANS — have seen more than their share of death. On August 26th, the first issue of BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS from writer J.T. Krul and former cheesecake artist Ed Benes hits the stands. Don’t miss it as the Teen and adult Titans come face to face with the deadly embrace of revenant friends, loved ones and enemies.
BLACKEST NIGHT: TITANS editor Brian Cunningham was kind of enough to give us the skinny on the mini-series. Take it away, Brian:
“Working on these characters is something Ed Benes has wanted for a very long time, so we are more than happy to oblige him! And he has a wonderful script to draw from. J.T. Krul worked closely with Geoff Johns to stay true to the spirit of the ‘Blackest Night’ event, and what they came up with is a horror movie on paper. I really feel both ‘Blackest Night’ fans and Titans fans will be VERY happy with this mini-series.”
I REALLY am enjoying this event thus far. In all it’s issues, Final Crisis never delivered 1 tenth of the menace, terror and anticipation of the first issue of Blackest Night. I LOVED Blackest Night: Superman #1 and with all the potential Black Lanterns of the Titans, this should be exponentially enjoyable!
Posted in Local News, SFW on 08/22/2009 03:23 pm by fanboi
I first noticed this Thursday night on Market street – a distinct smell of shit in the air. At first I thought I had stepped in a road apple but upon checking my footwear discovered I was clean. It went away once I descended into BART and I didn’t smell it when I got where I was going. But Friday afternoon I had errands to run all over the city and I smelled the same stench in Laurel Heights, on Fillmore, on Market again and even all the way in Potrero Hill. I had a friend with me who smelled it too, so it wasn’t just me.
I’ve spotted a few sources asking what it was, but no answers as of yet. It was mentioned by KTVU and there were lots of peeps yelping about it. Anyone have an answer?
Posted in Comics, SFW on 08/22/2009 01:36 pm by fanboi
I was surprised they didn’t draw out the mystery longer. With all the hype and mystery DC has tried to drum up around this I was sure they would keep us guessing for a few issues… but no. The bat is let out of the bag by page 6. and the lucky lady is… (comment or read the rest of the entry for that spoilerific revelation).
I will say it ISN’T Cassandra Cain under that cowl. But I don’t see Cassandra completely walking away from the good fight. Her allegiances were to Bruce and with him gone, I foresee a new identity not as closely tied to the Bat. Maybe something linked to her mother Lady Shiva? Perhaps she’ll try to take her mothers title?
Scott Evans is one of a rare breed… the openly gay actor. He was born September 21, 1983 in Sudbury, Massachusetts. He came out at the age of 19 before deciding to pursue a career as an actor, but "didn’t want to be one of those people who goes back into the closet and tries to hide." According to an extensive interview with AfterElton, He considers himself "an out person, as opposed to an out actor."
Evans first notable role was recurring One Life to Live character police officer Oliver Fish, who was initially meant for five episodes but returned several times and is now 1/2 of the show’s current closeted cop storyline opposite Brett Claywell who plays Oliver Fish’s former Frat buddy Kyle – with whom he shared a secret and special relationship).
Oh yeah – he has a brother named Chris who is an openly heterosexual actor. He’s supposed to be kinda hot. More on him VERY soon, but I wanted to do Scott a solid by giving him a HNH Celebrity Beefcake gallery BEFORE his brother got one.
He’s newly famous so there aren’t that many shots of him available – if you find any that aren’t here – please send me links or copies to add.
Posted in Announcement, SFW on 08/21/2009 12:46 pm by fanboi
After a 2 day struggle following my OLD webhost refusing to help me after the site crashed (their only offer was to move me to a dedicated server for 12 times what I was paying). Moving the site to another host proved more daunting than I imagined. Downloading and replacing the files was simple but time-consuming. Once I’d done that I realized I needed something else and eventually figured out that was the .sql database.
I then spent 2 days trying to get the database uploaded after I figured out how to export it. Turns out the default settings I used to export it were incorrect – I found a site with the correct settings and then it all worked PERFECTLY!
But I lost 2 days in the meantime so I don’t have time to blog today and too bad – so much to talk about – will have to catch up on Batgirl, Xfactor Mighty Avengers and some other stuff I liked this week over the weekend – I have to catch up on ACTUAL work.
Also expect a cool announcement of a new smut-filled HNH feature!
Posted in Comics, SFW on 08/17/2009 10:29 pm by fanboi
I’m still Gleekless… if anyone know someone who might part with the adorable SDCC exclusive and Zan and Jayna for a reasonable price (I can’t afford a $100 Space Monkey). I’m not giving up – one day he will be mine!
I’m glad that with Secret Invasion over and done with we’ll FINALLY get that long planned Brian Michael Bendis Spier-Woman series. It was postponed most likely due to the fact that just wasn’t herself.
She’s been kidnapped, impersonated and turned into public enemy number one—now Spider Woman wants revenge! Spinning out of New Avengers and Secret Invasion, Spider-Woman #1, from the Eisner-winning, New York Times best-selling team of Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev (Halo: Uprising), begins Jessica Drew’s mission to reclaim her life—but how do the enigmatic Agent Brand and the S.W.O.R.D. agency figure into her plans? Even if Spider-Woman succeeds, can she find a reason to keep going? This issue features covers by Maleev and superstar Alex Ross!
In August, no comic book fan can afford to miss the debut of Marvel’s first ever original motion comic on August 19th, as Spider-Woman hits iTunes! The first episode debuts exclusively on iTunes at a special price of 99 cents for the first two weeks—after this period, all episodes will be $1.99 each. These five episodes of Spider-Woman provide a groundbreaking new look at the Marvel Universe, with art not seen anywhere else!
