On May 1st, participating comic book shops will be offering free comics for Free Comic Book Day from a select group of titles. Head on over to the official Free Comic Book Day website and enter your zip code and you’ll be presented with a list of nearby stores that will give you some shiny new comic books for FREE!

You can also download the Comic Shop Locator as a stand alone app on your iPhone right here.

If the word FREE doesn’t entice you enough, perhaps some sweet celebrity endorsements will get you excited, them out the video here below. A few friends of mine want you to go Free Comic Book day.

I can’t wait to get my free comics, are there any you’re looking forward to picking up? Leave a comment below and let us know! Not sure which comics will be available? Click here for the full list [...]

Slash
Slash
Produced by Eric Valentine
Dik Hayd Records
Release date: April 6, 2010

Like it or not, top hat-wearing, chain-smoking, former drug-taking ex-alcoholic but permanent guitar god Slash will always be remembered for and compared to an album he released over 20 years ago with Guns n Roses. Appetite For Destruction is one of the greatest albums of all time. It stills sounds as fresh to me as the first time I heard it, even after many years and hundreds of listens. Since Appetite thrust the sweaty, leather-covered loins of Guns n Roses into public view, Saul ‘Slash’ Hudson has released four more albums with GnR, two with Slash’s Snakepit, two with Velvet Revolver, and now comes album number ten, simply titled: Slash.

The album Slash is guitarist Slash’s first solo album. Complicated sentences aside, this is an album that boasts an array of rock gods who sing, shriek, or play over music written by Slash: Lemmy, Dave Grohl, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop to name but a few. There are also some not so godlike guests, and one I had never heard of (turns out Adam Levine is the singer of Maroon 5. Thanks Google!) [...]

MIGHTY MJOLNIR!

The first still from the hotly anticipated film adaptation of Marvel Comics’ hammer-slinging hero has been handed down from Asgard!

Check out the image here at right (click for larger view) of Chris Hemsworth as Thor in Thor.

As this one tantalizing picture shows, Thor will be clad in the character’s traditional steel bracer armour with the classic red cape from Jack Kirby’s original designs. This image will hopefully put to rest the fears of fans that the film production would try too hard to ‘contemporize’ the look and feel of the character [...]

In 2011, NASA will launch their Mars Science Laboratory mission along with the mechanical rover, fittingly named Curiosity. The rover will be heading for the surface of Mars, where it will cover as much terrain as possible in another attempt to learn more about the habitat, the possibilities of future colonizations of the planet, and of course, any life that may or may not exist there.

We’ve heard about missions like this before, and sometimes great photographs are sent back, but how could you take Mars exploration to a whole new level? Well, if you’re the director of the biggest movie ever made like Avatar director James Cameron happens to be, then you throw a 3D camera on top of this rover, of course!

Cameron, being as important as he is, was able to get a one-on-on meeting with NASA administrator Charles Bolden. In this meeting Cameron convinced him that a 3D camera, the ability to zoom in and out, and the footage that could come from it would increase people’s interest in the mission while also using the 10-frames per second to produce the best look at the Red Planet we’ve ever seen. [...]

Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever
DVD
Directed by Ti West
Starring Guiseppe Andrews, Noah Segan, Rider Strong, Alexi Wasser
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 16, 2010

Last summer I saw Rob Zombie’s Halloween II and I didn’t think I would see a worse film that year and it turns out I didn’t (and mind you I saw Old Dogs). Four months into 2010 and I now believe I will not see a worse film this year than Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever, the long-awaited follow-up to the 2003 horror comedy that established Eli Roth — who had nothing to do with the sequel — as one of the most promising genre filmmakers to come along in years. Halfway through its 86 excruciating minutes I couldn’t wait to get this hunk of rancid shit out of my DVD player. Whenever I see a particularly bad movie I’m left feeling depressed and old, but after watching Cabin Fever 2 nearly a week after my 31st birthday I wanted to lock myself in my bedroom, close the blinds, and lay on the floor in the fetal position. Instead I went out on my front porch, lit up a cigarette, and spent several minutes reflecting on this movie and life in general. The morning weather had been cold and overcast yet as I stood outside basking in the cool March weather the sun started to emerge from behind a thick wall of clouds. It improved my mood somewhat but my opinion for the movie hadn’t changed.

I hate Cabin Fever 2 with a fiery passion and I feel it’s my duty to warn all my fellow movie buffs and horror fans to avoid this movie no matter the cost. Because I care. People who know me also know I’m a huge horror fan. I grew up watching horror films even during my earlier years when some would advise against subjecting an impressionable young mind to the sinful pleasures contained within the faded, flaking video boxes of various sizes (remember the big box?). To me the thrill of watching a scary movie was the greatest drug. I’ve seen so many over the years that I’m practically immune to whatever jolts, shocks, and gratuitous gore the horror filmmakers of today can throw at me [...]

Transformers Spotlight: Prowl
Written by Mike Costa
Art by E.J. Su
Colors by Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by Chris Mowry
IDW
Price $3.99
Release Date: April 21, 2010

I have been a Transformers fan since I saw the TV ads for the very first Marvel Comics miniseries in 1984. I had not been keeping up with their IDW comics continuity, but was intrigued by the storyline “All Hail Megatron.” In that storyline, Megatron takes over the Earth, and the Autobots are forced into hiding. The Autobots and the humans work together and take Earth back, but there is a lot of damage from the battles. Also, the humans begin capturing all robots, which forces the Autobots to go into hiding. That is the Autobots’ current status quo as this story begins.

This issue of Spotlight — Transformers Spotlight: Prowl — focuses on Prowl, the veteran Autobot that transforms into a police car. I’ve been a Prowl fan since grade school, and his demise in the animated Transformers movie saddens me to this day. Autobot leader Optimus Prime instructs Prowl to go undercover as a police car, allowing himself to be driven by a human police officer. Prowl doesn’t really see the point of this assignment and feels that with the humans trying to capture all robots, the risks are not worth the reward. Prime assures him that his assignment is important, and Prowl yields to his command. We see Prowl in disguise mode and mainly observing. Eventually, Prowl encounters a situation where he has to ask decide if he is ready to risk capture and death to save a human [...]

With the upcoming Jonah Hex live- action film (out in theaters on June 18) starring Josh Brolin and Megan Fox, it seems like the perfect time to visit some adventures from Mr. Hex’s past. Warner Premiere believes the best way to do that is to buy their 8th motion comic, Jonah Hex Motion Comics.

Based on the comics written by John Albano and drawn by Tony DeZuniga, these new Jonah Hex Motion Comics are perfect for all you western lovers out there. If you recall, Warner Premiere is the same company that brought us both the Batman: Black and White and Watchmen Motion Comics series.

Over the course of 7 episodes, which will lead up to the theatrical release, the Motion Comics specifically cover three archival stories from Jonah Hex’s comics past. The first five episodes are adapted from the graphic novel Two Gun Mojo, which features Jonah Hex seeking justice and revenge against Doc Williams and his gang over a murdered friend. The other two stories are taken from the 1970’s comics The Gunfighter and The Hangin’ Woman. Viewers should be aware these stories are re-colored and animated for the first time [...]

It’s been no secret that The Twilight Saga wanted badly to be just like the Harry Potter franchise when it began. And while financially they have done very well, the quality of the films have been nowhere close.

Another similarity that they share is that many different directors have been brought in for each installment of the series. Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen) got things going with Twilight, Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass) brought us New Moon, David Slade (30 Days of Night) was behind the camera on this Summer’s Eclipse, and now, Summit Entertainment has chosen the director for their last film.

Bill Condon, who had been rumored as a possible director for a while now, has been officially signed to direct The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, which is based on the last book in the series. It’s expected that the film will actually be split up into two parts in order to stay as faithful to the story and make as much money as humanly possible. [...]

Robert Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios will unveil its take on the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger alien flick Predator on July 9th with Predators. With Fox behind that project, it comes as no surprise that they’re not ready to stop there.

Deadline Hollywood is reporting that the studio has hired David Ayer to not only write, but also direct a remake of Commando. If you’re not familiar with the title, Commando is the 1985 movie also starring Schwarzenegger about a special forces soldier whose daughter is kidnapped in an attempt to get him to kill a rival of the man who kidnapped her, ultimately leading him to kill every single man that gets in his way, as Arnie tended to do in the good ol’ days.

Ayer has more than enough experience in the realms of action movies, and he especially has experience with cop/soldier storylines. His writing resume includes U-571, The Fast and the Furious, Training Day, Dark Blue, S.W.A.T., and Harsh Times, and his directing experience includes Harsh Times and Street Kings…both of which were basically just Training Day. [...]

The teams behind Halo are no strangers to creating some very cool live-action short movies to promote upcoming game titles. District 9 director Neil Blomkamp made one for Halo 3 that sparked hopes that a movie version of the popular game would finally happen. Then another one was made when Halo 3: ODST was on the way. Both of these videos can be seen here if you’ve never watched them before.

Now a new clip has been released for the upcoming Halo: Reach, which is supposedly to be the last game in the Halo universe that will be made (by Bungie anyway!). The video is very short, only running a little over a minute long, but it is still very much worth watching. It gives us a peek at the creation of a Spartan soldier, which is what our beloved Master Chief was in those first three games.

Put on your helmet, pick up your weapon of choice, and leap over to the other side to check out the new live-action promo for Halo: Reach! [...]

When the hilarious British comedian Ricky Gervais hosted the 67th annual Golden Globes ceremony this past January, it was one of the better hosting jobs we’ve seen lately (Doom Discussion: 67th Annual Golden Globe Winners & Losers).

His work was also incredibly sharp and may have pushed a few boundaries here and there (including a few jabs at broadcasting network, NBC), so it was thought that despite the popularity, he probably would not be back.

In a surprising turn-of-events, NBC has proven that success is far more important than personal feelings, and it has been announced that Gervais will return to host the Globes yet again next year. With 17 million viewers (up 12%) in his first hosting go-round, none can argue that the move doesn’t make all the sense in the world.

In a statement from Gervais, he explained how he was surprised that he was being invited back after all of the “awful” things he said. He then went on to promise bigger and better things next year, saying “Let’s see how far I can go this time.” [...]

Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
DC Comics Deluxe Edition
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Frank Quitely, Philip Tan
Release date: April 13, 2010

Batman is dead? I didn’t even know he was sick!

That’s the very basic premise of the new Batman & Robin series, written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Frank Quitely.

The Caped Crusader is MIA (after an adventure in another Morrison series ended poorly) and presumed dead. Dick Grayson, the original Robin, has set aside his Nightwing costume and donned the Dark Knight’s cowl. Damian Wayne, Bruce’s estranged 10-year-old son who was raised by assassins, has put on the Robin outfit. Together this pair attempts to make the world believe that Batman is alive and well (and Bruce Wayne is just out of town indefinitely).

If you’re a comics fan, you’re probably familiar with Morrison’s work and know that his stories are not for the faint of heart. This applies to the ‘Batman Reborn’ collection — it’s gritty, it’s raw but it is oh so good. From page one, the comic hits the ground running, bringing together plotlines from previous series. Don’t worry if you’re not a die-hard Batman fan — you might get a bit confused by character references, but it’s nothing a quick Wikipedia search can’t cure [...]

Angelus #3
Written by Ron Marz
Art by Stjepan Sejic
Letters by Troy Peteri
Top Cow Productions
Price: $2.99
Release Date: April 14, 2010

When they say beauty is an eternal thing, they weren’t kidding. Meet the Angelus, they are the warriors for the side of light, one of a few that wield some of the most powerful forces in the universe, the other main two being the Witchblade and the Darkness (which are also two of the other major titles out by Top Cow Productions right now).

Danielle Baptiste could be considered your average woman, except for one thing: she is the current vessel for The Angelus, a source of power that embodies the bearer with the force of light. Before this though she had once held the power of the Witchblade, but those days are behind her. Danielle is returning home to New Orleans for a change and to reconnect with family. And to top it all off, Mardi Gras is going on at the same time. This of course means partying, parades, and costumes. But there is something else waiting for Danielle there, something that is hiding in the dark. Will the power of the Angelus be enough to fight off what awaits her? Or is her homecoming a death sentence? [...]

The Losers is one of my favorite comics that showed me that not all comics have to be complicated and bogged down by continuity and details. Sometimes comics can be just an enjoyable, action-packed thrill ride. So, needless to say, I was extremely excited when I saw that this was coming to the big screen — I was overjoyed! I still strongly believe that this movie could have been marketed so much better and made so much more money, but that is a different story all together.

I definitely enjoyed this movie more than any other movie I have watched this entire year. I’ve already watched it twice and will probably see it again. It had that great popcorn action flick feel just like the comic did. It was a fun action movie that just kept on going all the way through the end and didn’t drag even for a second.

Unlike Kick-Ass, The Losers is a very close adaptation of the first volume of the comic and can people will easily see where the story is coming from. In fact, the casting in this movie was near perfect and Cougar, who is my favorite in the comic, is also my favorite in the movie. I really hope this movie does well because I would love to see the sequel be made because of its success. Anyways, enough of the small talk let’s get to the SPOILER TALK!

Below are my spoilerific thoughts on the movie The Losers. Don’t forget to add your spoiler-laden musings at the end in the comments section [...]

In case you were not aware, Final Destination 5 is well on its way to us already, despite the weak offering we received last time around. New Line Cinema has hired Eric Heisserer to begin writing the script for the movie, fresh off of his turn penning the prequel/remake of John Carpenter’s The Thing.

The Final Destination movies have been a lot of fun for the most part. They don’t contain any real story or acting and they’re not going to win awards, but when it comes to graphic horror movie shock value, you could always count on a good time when one of these flicks came along. But with this fifth chapter now on the way, fans are understandably more skeptical than excited.

You see the last installment, The Final Destination in 3D, was nowhere near the same level of fun experienced in previous movies, sadly. It could be that the writer/director tried too hard (or not hard enough) to reach that magical plateau where terror and entertainment fuse together perfectly. It could be that it was just a poor attempt at a sequel overall. [...]

As you’ll recall, someone out there decided that Betty White needed to host an episode of Saturday Night Live. It’s a wonder that no one had ever thought of this before, but the idea made all the sense in the world and a movement began.

It didn’t take long for NBC to realize the major demand and make this dream a reality for many (Read: The People Have Spoken: Betty White To Host ‘Saturday Night Live’), announcing that White would be taking the wheel for the May 8, 2010 airing of SNL.

Click on over to the other side to check out the video now!

The 88-year-old actress has been in show business for decades and has appeared in about as many different kinds of films and television productions in many different genres. She’s even appeared numerous times as herself on game shows and comedy shows. But somehow, she’s never hosted SNL. Thankfully in just under a couple of weeks, that woopsie shall be remedied. [...]

Since the very first Saw movie added a new layer to the horror genre, fans have wondered what happened to Dr. Gordon at the end and where in the hell he went.

Five new chapters in the saga of the twisted mind of the Jigsaw Killer have unfolded since then, and it appears that finally, you may just find out the answers to the questions that you’ve been asking. And since Saw VII is reported to be the last in the series, it’s no surprise that producers look to be swinging for one more home run.

Bloody-Disgusting has all of the dirty details on the newest installment, including a brief synopsis and the entire cast listing. This is where it was confirmed that Cary Elwes would indeed be returning in his original role of Dr. Gordon, re-joining Tobin Bell, who was obviously jumping back into the role of Jigsaw. No information has been revealed as to exactly what capacity the Gordon character will be used in –many things have transpired since we last saw him — but it should be interesting to see where they go with it. [...]

DV8: Gods and Monsters #1 of 8
Written by Brian Wood
Art by Rebekah Isaacs
Colors by Carrie Strachan
Letters by Jared K. Fletcher
Cover by Fiona Staples
Variant cover by Jim Lee
DC/Wildstorm
Price: $2.99
Release date: April 21, 2010

I never read an issue of the original DV8 series, released in the mid 90’s, but I’ll read anything by Brian Wood, so I gave this one a try. The original series rode the wave of Gen 13’s popularity, and featured a bunch of morally bankrupt teens, and that’s about all I know about the original series. This new series keeps the original cast, but throws them in a completely new situation.

DV8: Gods and Monsters #1 opens as Gem Antonelli, aka Copycat, crashes onto a planet of Stone Age (or maybe Dark Age, it’s not really clear) era humans. She is the last of her team to arrive on the planet, the rest having already split up and disappeared. Only her teammate Frostbite remains to explain to Gem what has happened in the last few days. From there we see what the rest of the team has been up to, and it doesn’t look like it will be very good for those living on this planet [...]

Today’s Gold Box spotlight deal of the day over at Amazon is Bioshock 2 standard edition for Playstation 3 or Xbox 360 for only $39.98 (that’s 33% off the list price of $59.99).

This sale is only for today — Tuesday, April 27, 2010 — until midnight PST while supplies last.

Also, there’s a promotion running right now where when you order Bioshock 2 from Amazon, you’ll get $10 off a future video game purchase. See the “Special Offers and Product Promotions” section of the product page for full details [...]

A brand new trailer for M. Night Shyamalan‘s animated TV series adaptation, The Last Airbender, has been released by Paramount, and you can watch it below right now!

The movie is an adaptation of the Nickelodeon kid’s show Avatar: The Last Airbender (changed due to…you know, that other movie that found moderate success) in which a boy named Aang is declared the next Avatar, who can control all of the different elements such as fire and water. In a world in which there are four different nations who each control one element, this makes him…unique, to say the least. Fearing the responsibility, he flees but ends up frozen in a glacier. One hundred years later, he is discovered frozen and revived in order to fight the evil Fire Lord of the Fire Nation.

Defrost yourself, grab a towel, and head over to the bottom of the page to peek at the new trailer for The Last Airbender!

Shyamalan hasn’t had a popular movie since 2002′s Signs, and his offerings have been downright hated since the release of Lady in the Water. Even so, fans know what the director is capable of, and the hopes are that he can let go of his need for mystery and suspense, and just deliver a fun, exciting new film. [...]