By Todd Matthy
Friday was my birthday and a tradition I have is seeing a movie with my Mom. This year my Dad had the day off so he came to. I decided the most appropriate movie for us to see was Transformers: Dark of the Moon. After all, the original, animated movie was always a favorite of family movie night. (At least for me) So was it the fun, family outing we used to enjoy during my youth? I thought so. (more…)
By Todd Matthy
There’s a lot of negativity about Green Lantern. Some deserved, some undeserved. It didn’t help that a trailer was released before the effects were done. But, comparisons to Jonah Hex are a little unfair. The cast is great, the effects are breathtaking, and the story’s clear. However Green Lantern has one major flaw, it’s reverence to the source material. (more…)
Conducted by Todd Matthy
If you enjoyed “Thor” and HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” “Kingdom of Gladiators” should interest you. Directed by Stefano Milla and starring Suzi Lorraine, Annie Social, Leroy Kincaide, and Matt Polinsky, “Kingdom of Gladiators” is the story of a king who made a pact with a demon who’s come to collect the debt. To learn more about the movie, I spoke with the stars and director Stefano Milla. (more…)
By Todd Matthy
Marvel’s done it again. Since the appearance of a hammer after the closing credits of last summer’s Iron Man 2, anticipation has been high for the arrival of a certain god of thunder to the big screen. So does Thor live up to the hype? Thanks to a charismatic cast and the direction of one Kenneth Branagh, it does.
The story of Thor is a story about a father and son. Thor begins in the past with Odin (Anthony Hopkins), King of Asgard, narrating to his young sons Thor and Loki, the story of how he defeated the Frost Giants and brought peace between the mythical realms of Asgard and Jotunheim. From there we move to the present where during a lavish ceremony, Odin proclaims that Thor (Chris Hemsworth) will inherit his throne. Unfortunately, the ceremony is interrupted when a group of Frost Giants infiltrates Asgard and attempt to steal an ancient weapon called the Casket of Ancient Winters. His big day ruined, Thor and his friends Sif (Jamie Alexander), and the Warrior’s Three, Fandral (Josh Dallas), Hogun (Tadanobu Asano), and Volstagg (Ray Stevenson) go to Jotunheim to confront the Frost Giants. After being called a princess, Thor attacks their leader, Laufey (Colm Feore), with his hammer forcing Odin’s intervention and reigniting an ancient war. Angered by his son’s arrogance and foolishness, Odin banishes Thor to Earth, casting an enchantment upon his hammer that none may hold it unless they are worthy.
By Todd Matthy
As someone whose thesis was about Superman embodying America, I felt I should comment on this. To celebrate the 900th issue of Action Comics, Superman has renounced America. Or at least that’s what Batman Begins screenwriter David Goyer would have us believe. The nine page back up story revolved around Superman participating in a non-violent protest against the Ahmadinejad regime in Iran. An action the petulant dictator called an “act of war” because he believes Superman to be an instrument of U.S. Foreign Policy. The state department gets miffed and Superman decides he will clear up the confusion by renouncing his U.S. citizenship declaring, “truth, justice, and the American way-it’s not enough anymore. The world’s too small, too connected.” I wondered why DC would make such a drastic move and I realized it boils down to the phrase, “truth, justice, and the American way.” (more…)
Art by Olivier Coipel.
By Todd Matthy
Ralph Macchio is not the “Karate Kid.” He is a Senior Editor at Marvel Comics who oversaw Frank Miller’s run on “Daredevil” and Walter Simonson’s run on “Thor.” In addition to these acclaimed runs, Ralph edited the wildly successful “Ultimate” line, which re-launched Marvel’s greatest heroes for modern times, and Stephen King’s “Dark Tower” comics. Today, Ralph has returned to an old friend, who happens to be Marvel’s next movie star, Thor. Ralph is editing the upcoming “Mighty Thor” book and “Journey into Mystery.” With the impending release of the movie, I talked with Ralph about Thor, why he’s important, why you should see the movie, why you should be reading Thor, and what it’s like to return to Thor after such a lengthy absence. (more…)
Today I decided to repost something. I recently made a compilation of my favorite comics from both Marvel and DC. I’ve decided to repost the links so you can decide which set is better. Let me know by posting a response below.
My Favorite Marvels
I received recognition on the acknowledgment page of the new art book, “Voltron: United and Drawn.” An amazing collection of artwork based on “Voltron: Defender of the Universe.” To order click here. Need an incentive? Proceeds go to the March of Dimes. Click below to check out some art from the book. (more…)
Todd Matthy.com 
Review: Super Gods by Grant Morrison
Posted: September 8, 2011 in Celebrity, Comics, Commentary, DC Comics, Fantasy, Literature, Marvel Comics, Reviews, Science FictionTags: Arkham Asylum, Batman, DC Comics, Final Crisis, Grant Morrison, Marvel Comics, Super Gods, superman, X-Men
Love him or hate him, Grant Morrison can always start a conversation. As one of the most successful writers in comic books, Grant Morrison’s body of work boasts legendary runs on New X-Men, JLA, All Star Superman, We3, and Arkham Asylum: A Strange House on Strange Earth. (Which I adapted into a play. Yes, shameless plug) While others like The Invisibles, The Filth, and Final Crisis have been called incomprehensible. One way or another people have an opinion of him. So when I found out his writing a book about super heroes and philosophy, I was curious. (more…)