Paper Cuts Preview 2.1

Here's the strip that was supposed to be on Christmas. Sorry for being 26 hours and 5 minutes late. To make up for it, it's now in color. Well it was in color to begin with anyway. Um, okay so I gots nothing to make up for it being late and having to restructure the panels because the other wasn't measured right. Oops. Anyway, enjoy.

5 Days Until the New Year, 3 Days Until the New Issue.

Here is starting to reach 5 'minutes' to midnight. I hope to have everything up and ready to go for the new year so I can just sit back and relax. Right now as it is, I'm fighting a formatting error I made in pixel width on the strip. Soon as I get that fixed it'll be up.

Also as a reminder, on December 29th, the last issue of X-23 for this year will be released. Be sure to pick up your copy as this delicious comic from Marvel seems to be going into overdrive with Marjorie Liu and company. It seems to be going buck wild with Laura's self-discovery road trip. So be sure to pick your copy up, as these upcoming arcs should be quite the treat. At least the 6 page exclusive preview CBR has makes it seem that way.

Merry Christmas from Kinney Pride!

My apologies if this isn't your holiday. Next year, I'll work to improve on that here when I have the time. As it is, holidays are eating up a lot of time and I don't feel like being all politically correct today. So on with the pagan festivities!

If this is your holiday though, you're in for a treat...

It's Christmas morning, do you know where your gifts are? I'd hope so, but just in case, we here at Kinney Pride are offering our very own Christmas present. It's a very special second preview strip for the web comic before it starts its monthly debut in January on the 23rd of every month. The regular cast will be revealed then. I actually worked hard this time to present a modest more thought-provoking strip, and it's been exactly why I haven't posted anything recently. Any topic I wanted to cover was going to cover the same ground as it does, so the choice was made to kibosh all posts related until after this strip went live. Originally, I was going to go for something a bit more holiday obligatory, with Laura Kinney next to a christmas tree cutting the ribbon on her present... But since I seem to be making a few more waves than expected for the previous preview strip's usage, I decided to up the ante, and go for a more wintery feel instead that doesn't use her. Something this time that can't be misconstrued.

So without further ado I present to you the second preview strip as promised on Christmas Day.

Doh! Okay, sorry guys. It seems the page will have to wait until tomorrow to make its debut. Today is just too great a day to be sullied by such a depressing comic page as was planned.
So check back tomorrow evening, as the real second preview of Papercuts will be shown. Followed by posts explaining the sudden tonal shift, as well as many other planned entries that had to be pushed back because of this darn preview.

X-23 V3 Issue 4 Preview!

The X-23 v3 issue 4 preview is up over at CBR. Check it out, and get ready to buy the last X-23 comic for this year on December 29th.

If you want my 2 cents...

It looks freaking magnificent in the preview.
We've got drifting Laura, subtle hues of psychology strewn throughout, and perfection on dialogue. The art looks fantastic too. If you missed the major turning point for Laura that was issue 3, here is just as an amazing spot to hop on and enjoy. This preview alone makes this series look like it's going nowhere but up with character building, and reality driven story-telling. Well, as much reality as a Sci-fi story can have, but you know what I mean. This truly helps hammer the point down that Quesada had said recently about a continual growing world, similiar to a soap opera.

If this preview is any indication, the art and creative team have outdone themselves with this issue.

So can't wait!

Howlett Clan Collides in Upcoming Crossover

Daken and X-23 will be colliding coming up soon at Marvel, in a story arc called Collision starting in Daken: Dark Wolverine #7.  The prelude to an arc with both he and X-23.

From Marvel's Official Press Release via CBR.

Wolverine’s family may just destroy itself as his son Daken and his daughter X-23 face off in a battle to the death this March in Collision! Brought to fans by fan favorite writers Marjorie Liu and Daniel Way alongside artists Marco Chechetto and Ryan Stegman, Collision will change the future of Wolverine’s progeny With a foothold in Madripoor as king of the criminal underworld, Daken is untouchable…that is until X-23 shows up at his doorstep. Claws are popped and blood is drawn as the battle for supremacy starts this March in Daken: Dark Wolverine #7 and continues in both X-23 and Daken: Dark Wolverine. When the smoke clears, who will be left standing in Collision?

DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #7


COLLISION PRELUDE
Written by MARJORIE LIU & DANIEL WAY
Penciled by MARCO CHECHETTO
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
Parental Advisory …$2.99
ON SALE IN MARCH!

X-23 #8
COLLISION PART 1
Written by MARJORIE LIU
Penciled by RYAN STEGMAN
Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY
Parental Advisory …$2.99
ON SALE IN MARCH!

I will update with exact dates once available.

This is the event that Marjorie Liu has been hinting at in previous interviews and it's looking beautiful. Can't wait!

X-23 v3 Issue 4 Has Been Pushed Back!

Originally slated for a December 15th release, it has been pushed back to December 29th.

Marvel.com has adjusted accordingly on their site.

Be sure to pick up your copy of issue 4 at your local comic shop, and help make the demand for this rising comic to shine through once again. This issue will be a perfect jumping on point as one story arc ends and another begins. So if you're afraid you missed too much already, fear not, you can still easily catch up.

The January solicit hasn't changed though, so issue 5 is still slated for January 19th.

Women and Comics

A recent editorial at Lytherus talks about seducing women into comics. It's an interesting piece, and hits many points right on the head. It includes statistics.

I'm a male reader, and I tend to agree with this whole-heartedly. I know that may sound weird, but I grew up differently than most. My whole life has always been surrounded by women. Many have similiar stories, and everyone has their own sob story, but women in the world don't seem to get the credit they deserve for everything they do, or could do. I'm not even going to pretend to know the secrets that are within women's minds, or how they think, but well-written female protagonists can be a draw for more than just women. Sure, sex sells to the average male adolescent, but there comes a time where these boys grow up, and instead of looking for giant bosoms, they are looking for just strong women to read about, or even just that rise to independance a young woman may go through. Especially in a modern world where a woman's self-confidence is being slammed down by everything around them, it's imperitive to show that not only appealing to women readers is a good thing that can help, but something that can benefit a readership on both sides of the gender coin. Comics have always been a form of escapism for boys, so why can't that be true for women as well?

This editorial brings that to light with statistics and sources, and commends Marvel for what they did with Women of Marvel and their other offerings. It's definitely worth a read, as it also asks is this enough.

My personal take on this is that X-23's new on-going is a step in the right direction in the superhero genre itself. Being helmed creatively by Marjorie Liu, it's taken a teenage female character and given her voice a chance to grow and breathe, to become her own woman. A comic that's not using sex appeal to push issues, but character drive and reality of the situation.

Making Headlines - News From Different Shores

BBC has an interesting article about Dame Helen Mirren and a quote that's bound to go down in infamy about how Hollywood worships young men. She brings up some very interesting points, including how it's slowly starting to change this mentality, but not fast enough.

In other news, over at BCN, an article has popped up about Brenda Starr, the third long-standing female-starring comic strip is going kaputt.

It's news like this that makes me glad Marvel is using talented women in various industries to move their products forward, and attempting to give much respect to their female library of characters.

They've got Marjorie Liu on X-23 and Daken with more to follow.
This is in addition to Laurel K. Hamilton's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter adaption series based on her novels. These are just two of the many women of Marvel. My apologies for not listing the many others who have done great work and still go unnoticed.

Speaking of Anita Blake, does anyone know what happened with the IFC movie that was talked about awhile back?

CBR interviews Marjorie Liu

There's a great interview over on CBR with Marjorie Liu about the upcoming issue 4. It's quite a great read and shows just how much X-23 is in capable hands. It also gives brief insight into some stories for next year.

If you're hungry for more of her marvelous style, and deep storylines, be sure to check out her Dirk & Steele novel series. While it's not Marvel related, it is a smattering of sci-fi occult within the romance genre yielding fantastic results. You can find an ad for these within the latest X-23 offering, and hopefully the rest to come as well.

Continuity Goofs or Continuity Fixes?

Marjorie Liu's run on the X-23 on-going seems rife with what many might call mistakes. I know I made that error myself at first, but let's take a serious look at it for a second.

The initial Wolverine flashback, how is this possible?

Well, Laura has been on Utopia which is right outside San Francisco, so it could fit anywhere. It also raises the question about Academy X on when Logan got Laura's cell phone number. It's not like they had any meaningful conversations prior to this, let alone a chance to exchange numbers, nor her even having a cell phone yet. So maybe this may explain that. There's also the question in the Chris Yost/Craig Kyle run of how did Laura go from NYX in New York, to sitting on the pier in San Francisco when Logan calls.
Sure she could have had a burn phone which is always possible, but the question still remains on how Logan got that number. So this Amusement Park flashback could bear fruit for answers to at least that question depending on when or how it happened.


How did Dr. Rice, who by all accounts never had a successful experiment except for triggerscent, create Kimura?

This one I hope is touched on in the on-going's issue 5. With an alluded connection to Mr. Sinister being played up, this would make sense, and fix that previous plothole, while still not directly tieing Laura to Mr. Sinister herself. Instead it'd be through Kimura, who by all accounts is a character no one would care if tied to Sinister. Plus, it yields potential ways for Laura to stop Kimura. Though then again, it'd be just as easy to say Sinister was one of Rice and Sutter's many clients. Personally, I'm hoping for the Kimura connection, as it'd open up possibilities and new ways for Laura to fight or stop her. It also answers the question of how this abused orphan girl was taken by Rice and turned into Kimura when Rice himself is more or less a vengence driven quack.


What's the signifigance of Laura having a puppy in her childhood?

The puppy in X-23 v3 issue 3 does come to question. Again though, this is something only hinted at in the minis, and further expands on the point of why Triggerscent was even needed. That same breed of dog, only much older, was used in the first triggerscent trial before a human test was done on the sensei. Clarifying why the Facility even needed triggerscent. Something the initial minis only touched on vaguely by stating targets of exceptional nature, or she couldn't be trusted to kill, but not how they realized that would be needed. This puppy answers that, as well as does something her Mother would have done. While it doesn't show her mother talking back to the doctors like she would normally, this is a memory flashback, those do tend to be altered based on perception as any psychologist or psychiatrist will tell you. Basicly what you remember isn't always the whole truth.

These are but a few retcons that could and do work greatly in the comic and hopefully its future. These are definitely continuity fixes, and not goofs.

I know looking back upon them now, I'm extremely excited to see where this new Miss Sinister arc may go.

Marjorie Liu is doing a wonderful job treating Laura as an actual character and not an object. These retcons themselves plus others are slowly building ideas to help fix the rampant continuity flaws between all of X-23's usages in comics. While these errors are typical in comics, it's nice to see an author who takes them, and works with them instead of just dismissing what they don't like. Marjorie Liu's run could easily become one of the most underrated character usages, that's easy to dismiss at first, but at second glace they truly shine as usages that make you think and question what's come before with how masterfully interwoven they are into Laura's history with precision.

So be there next week, as Laura takes to the streets when issue 4 of the on-going is released on December 15th (*update* December 29th)! Buy your copy and help push this comic back up on the charts to where it belongs(let's try and get it to at least 23rd place for December)! Plus, if you missed the previous 3 issues, this is a perfect jumping on point for a new arc. So tell your friends, this comic is going places and should be read. It's a slow character build but the payoff already is starting to shine through brightly.

Avengers: EMH Update!

Sunday December 19th's episode of Avengers: EMH will be "Widow's Sting." It'll be on at 10am/9 Central that day.

So it looks like Black Widow will finally get an entire episode focus.

Remember, this Sunday's episode is "459." It airs on Sunday at 10am/9 Central.



It looks like it'll feature 'Ultimate' Captain Marvel and the Kree Sentry.

Be sure to check your local listings. Disney XD's schedule.

No Interviews

This blog will not be doing interviews with anyone associated to the publication of the comics or character it relates to.

It's not that I'm not capable of it, nor have not had the chance to speak to those associated, it's that I don't do puff pieces.

To put it mildly, I'd end up pulling a Katie Couric on them. Though that and interviews would draw attention and hits to this blog, it's not something I personally want to blog about or do. If given the chance to do that though, it's my obligation to do that very thing. For this reason, all requests or oppurtunities to do interviews will be denied, and 'fanboyed' away.

This is for both Marvel's benefit and my own.

November 2010 Sales Rank

November 2010

X-23 v3 #03
Cover Price: $2.99
This issue was ranked 56 out of 300 according to ICv2 which is based on Diamond U.S. to comic specialty stores. The issue has sold an estimated 31,224 copies to them.


The sales are dipping further so far for a title that has been trying to avoid WiRS(Women in Refrigerators Syndrome). Though to be fair, most assume that syndrome has to be only in a male character centric book.

Hopefully this will mean an upbeat in v3 issue 4 as the title takes Laura to the streets in her own real adventure without the X-Men since her minis or Captain Universe one-shot.

So be sure to pick your copy up of X-23 v3 issue 4 on December 15th!

Writer vs Writer

Always the glutton for punishment I am. So why not a rundown of comparisons between the main writers who have written X-23. Let's see who comes out on top.

1. X-23 being a cutter as started by Joe Quesada in NYX.

Chris Yost and Craig Kyle ran with the idea, expanding on it. Something that's understandable with how X-23 was raised.

Marjorie Liu healed X-23 from it. In a spiral of anguish picking up from X-Force with the torture and death of Kiden. Marjorie Liu weaved a powerful tale in her one-shot of the harm just escalating for this excrutiatingly painful moment for Laura. It reached the point where Laura was harming herself in front of others, and even jumping off a building which finally made her learn self-harm wasn't the way.

Winner: Marjorie Liu for moving this character past it.


2. X-23 as a prostitute as shown by Joe Quesada in NYX.

Mostly ignored by Yost and Kyle, this element was never touched on except briefly acknowledged in X-Force with the torture of Kiden.

Marjorie Liu took these cues, and ran with the psychology of it. Showing that Laura doesn't like to think about it as it was a dark place. Treading softly, but showing a woman who's trying to come to terms with herself and her past.

Winner: Marjorie Liu


3. X-23 as the tactician and ultimate strategist. As shown by Yost and Kyle in the two origin mini-series.

Yost and Kyle may have created this, and even interwove it beautifully into Academy X/New X-Men, but the growing overbearing arrogance of it in X-Force while adding comedic value, created an air of Laura borderline as a jerk, though maybe Julian was rubbing off on her. She continually had to be 'put in her place' by Wolverine, even bringing in a reminder that Kimura was still out there and hunting her down.

Marjorie Liu took a different turn after all these events, and showed a withdrawn Laura who was funneling emotions inside without harming others. Finally taking to heart what everyone, even Logan had been telling Laura. No more killing.

Winner: Tough call. Yost and Kyle may have pioneered the aspects, but Marjorie Liu really made her grow from it. While I enjoyed X-Force, the more feminine touch Liu brings to the character really helps her feel more real with these problems. So I'm going with Marjorie Liu here for the withdrawn story usage and lack of what amounts to abusing a character repeatedly, especially a female character. There comes a point where it's just too much to bear in X-Force.


4. Years of training under a sensei, and weapons applications along with field materials usage as shown by Yost and Kyle in the mini-series and Academy X.

Yost and Kyle weaved a powerful story of intrigue in those issues. Elements that had Laura show boating and trying to understand how other kids were raised. This continued throughout New X-Men and X-Force with a rising arrogance from it as she dove headfirst into the problems the institute were facing after Decimation. It even had Julian reprimanding her for her techniques, and Logan being mad at her about it as well as slamming her into a tree for how she talked about Wolfsbane.

Marjorie Liu's take on this shows after time of arrogance, and a multitude of times people waving their finger and saying bad doggie, that Laura has turned inward but still remains a master at chess, even in how she handles the telepathic entity that's inhabiting her.
Winner: Tie. Marjorie Liu's run is still going though, so she may have the edge here.(Yes I realize I used the same question twice.)



5. X-23 as Wolverine's test-tube daughter, as insinuated in the mini-series with her green eyes and other similiarities to her mother.

Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost only touched on this in the initial mini-series, but had never approached it since. Instead they just kept escalating the harm and lack of self-worth X-23 had inflicted on her from the Facility. Even after time and time again others kept caring for Laura and telling her she's worth so much more.

Marjorie Liu finally dove into this headfirst, showing that Laura does know these details, but just refuses to face them until finally her own soul had to speak up and make Laura face herself.

Winner: Marjorie Liu, but it should be noted that Yost/Kyle never had the chance to approach it, instead opting to escalate the psychology of the trauma of it inflicted upon her for 4 years, only touching briefly on it when Laura visited her family in the minis. Whereas within 4 issues, Marjorie Liu weaved a tale of healing that helped bring Laura to terms with it, without diving into the familial connections to push the point since Laura is cut off from her family because of Kimura's vendetta.


6. X-23 dealing with a telepathic enemy.

Yost/Kyle had shown this briefly in Academy X as Emma attempted to make X-23 leave by pulling memories while X-23 slept to use her own Mother against her.

Marjorie Liu continues this thought using a telepathic entity that while tortures Laura, could be exactly what's helping protect her from proddings from Emma. Laura herself seems to be cautious of this entity, and only letting him into thoughts of her creation.

Winner: Marjorie Liu, as she's had a longer duration to use this to her advantage in published work. It reflects the stragetic nature of Laura while being more subdued.


7. X-23 and her family.

As shown by Yost/Kyle X-23 has a love for her cousin and Aunt, missing them deeply, and crying whenever her mother comes up. Giving contempt towards Logan for his lack of strategy, but yet still coming to his rescue and heeding his advice, especially advice that's been beat into her when she speaks against those that Logan cares about more than her.

Marjorie Liu yielded a story of intrigue and contempt towards Logan at first while Laura was still thinking herself as simply his clone. She has since grown and heeded her mother's advice to never forgive her mother for X-23's creation. She's finally even started giving Logan a chance, even picking up on his true nature and recognizing when she's being duped. This X-23 is finally starting to take responsibility for herself, and growing by her own will. This X-23 is defiant even to Beezle-bub in her word choices, using a contraction to do that very thing to spite him.

Winner: Marjorie Liu for healing Laura and having her grow by her own will, and not because others are forcing her to. Showing a young woman who'll protect her family by any cost as she did for Julian.


Only doing seven for now, since X-23 was created seven years ago in animation. Future writer vs writer may come up as Marjorie Liu creates a wealth of information to compare to 5 years of work Yost/Kyle have on the character.

For now, the winner is...
Both. Comparing the two, is like comparing night and day. They both show different aspects in a growing timeline of events that are defining X-23 to who she is as a young woman. Both have given some great stuff, and both have yielded some interesting possibilities and story points to explore. Comparing the two is really unfair, as one side shows Laura's pain and how she grew up being inflicted with trauma, and the other shows Laura attempting to come to terms with it in humility instead of ignoring it or hiding behind arrogance and self-destructiveness. One side abuses Laura and continually beats her down, but still has her overcome it, the other has Laura healing and growing but no one will listen as oft happens when adults are around. Since people are going to say that's a cop-out, the winner is Marjorie Liu for making Laura more withdrawn and humble while still conveying the facets of Laura's training and aptitude for chess. Sorry, but I side with the starflake.

Remember, December 15th is when the next X-23 issue comes out. Be there as Laura takes to the city and branches out on her own in Marjorie Liu's masterfully written work that shows a growing and healing Laura out in the world.

DC Looking to Adapt Raven for CW

Over at Variety, an interesting article cropped up about a live action adaption for Raven.

It's a great idea, and with Smallville making its exit, perfect timing too.

The article goes in-depth about the talent behind this idea, and I for one am looking forward to it.

I'll dispense with the obligatory X-23 tv series or movie rant this time to go alongside it. This is just too awesome to clutter with that. Besides, by now you should get the drift, and no one's listening anyway to do it. Well that, and an X-23 TV series by itself would only last a season or two as history has proven. Depending on how it's done at least. It could be as long lived as Dexter if handled via the way Marjorie Liu is in the on-going with self-discovery.

November 2010 Sales Charts are in at Previews!

The November sales charts are in over at Previews. X-23 v3 issue 3 is what was released in November. Further updates to come once ICv2 updates.

Keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully this issue shows a rise in sales for what was a defining issue for X-23.

Facebook Initiative: Awareness Of Violence Against Children

There's a chain post going around on Facebook.

"Change your Facebook profile picture to a cartoon from your childhood, and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday next week, we hope to see less human faces on Facebook and an invasion of childhood memories. This is for awareness of violence against children."

So join in and show your support. Repost the message, and change your profile pic until after Monday. I am not the one who started this initiative. I had just seen it myself and thought it best to help spread the word any way possibe.

Other X-23 and Family of Wolvie blogs

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, I promised this over a month ago, but hey I was busy with something else I wanted to test first.

Anyway. I know here tends to only focus on X-23 but that's not to say there aren't other blogs out there that don't focus on her and her family.

Killing Perfection for one is a nice blog that tries to bring you all the info available on Daken, Wolverine, X-Force, X-Men, and specificly X-23. Usually even catching details I miss or skip (Like her no speaking appearance in X-Men v3). It's run by a person who has english as a secondary language, so you'll have to forgive any typos or long breaks between posts as their own life can pull one away from posting.

ThreeClawseach's blog Let's do this is another that focuses on Wolverine, X-23, X-Force, and some other stuff. A great blog, and a great user. Thanks to his help, sections of this blog itself have grown and become more accurate, like the merchandise section that lists all the merchandise X-23 has had over the years. In particular he made me aware of 3 statues I didn't know about. Credit should go to where credit is due.

Yup here is still getting its footing, but by year's end, we should be rev'ing to go without any further hiccups or tests. So bear with us as we've just gone to 28 minutes to midnight.

I am in no way affiliated to those blogs. I'm just proud to say we all focus on the Howlett clan and friends in our own way.

As for my own blog name? Well Kinney Pride is a multi-tiered nod.
Pride as in how her family is proud of her, pride as in she's the pride of her herd since I favor her over Daken and Wolvie, pride as in she's part of a family of lions, and it's also a word play on another famous X-Men character, Kitty Pryde.

What? I tend to overthink anything I do. What did you expect?

Review: X-23 V3 Issue 3 (Spoilers)

These are a new series of reviews going backwards while the other reviews go forwards. Now that they can be evaluated as complete arcs, it's a good time to go back and do the reviews proper justice. Plus, I need to do the spoiler free ones too.

X-23 v3 issue 3 is a very heady issue, and a very well done one at that.
It mirrors moments of clarity, a spiritual moment if you will, and expands on concepts in the mini-series.

This issue justifies why the Facility needed triggerscent. Proves finally to Laura and the world she's more than simply some female Wolverine, and has her growing into her own person in spite of everything that's been happening to her. Shows a woman by her own will and soul picking herself up, and reminding herself that she's a strong powerful woman who should take responsibility for her own choices. She dusts herself off to show the world she will not be pushed around anymore.

There are a few problem spots scattered in the art, and in a 'property of the state' remark, as well as the usage of Emma, but the parallels drawn between Gambit and Storm, against Cyclops and Julian were perfect. Shows the growing aptitude of a writer well capable of handling X-23, even giving her a voice outside of her condescension towards Wolverine in X-Force.  The other problem spot being in the memory of Laura killing her mother, but memory is a fickle thing and changes overtime as people put their own spin on them.  Something even a real psychologist will tell you, as memory is constantly evolving and changing based on how a person remembers it.

That's not to say the problem spots may not have been on purpose though, as this writer is continually proving she has an overall plan with what she's doing with a method to her madness so to speak.

The writer also proves with her usage of the Maslow Peak Experience, that she has a familiarity with psychology, and is just dabbling so as not to overwhelm the readership.  This also comes across subliminally in the usage of the memories themselves.

Overall, a very good issue, and one that should be a crowning jewel in anyone's collection.

5 Claws out of 6



- The property of State remark, alongside Emma's questionable conveyance.

+ The addition of the puppy to Laura's origin finally explaining why the facility needed triggerscent.

+ Parallels between Gambit, Storm and X-23. While Cyclops may have been an orphan too, he did grow up in structure with Professor Xavier. Something that comes across beautifully.

+ Laura leaving Julian in a moment of heartbreak even though she keeps putting herself on the line to save him.

+ Usage of the Peak Experience in a religious context really helps sell the point.

+ Laura's more or less 'hate' towards her mother, caused by the very letter in the mini saying never to forgive her mother.

---------

All these things factor together to create a fantastic issue, and truly shows a writer has done her homework, and is fully capable of handling this character and going in directions that will never be predictable. Something well needed for a character like this.

Now, keep your fingers crossed that Mr. Sinister is only tied to Laura through Kimura.

Avengers December Timeslot Change Official

As reported previously before 'Gamma World' aired, Avengers:EMH will be apparently staying on Sundays at 10am/9 Central for Disney XD. This is not a holiday fluke, but a schedule shifting.

Sunday, December 12th's episode will be called "459." You can verify this for yourself by checking Disney XD's schedule. My updates are coming via my DVR which I then crosscheck with Disney XD's schedule to make sure it's not a hiccup from my provider.

Sadly the schedule currently stops on Wednesday December 15th. Feel free to check it every so often though, as they update as days are knocked off. Plus checking it is exactly why it's provided by Disney.

Just a reminder, but this Sunday is the next new episode. It is called "Masters of Evil" and will be airing on December 5th at 10am/9 central.

Fox Sues Everyday Woman

Cinematical is reporting that 20th Century Fox is suing a woman who writes screenplays by night, and sells flowers by day.

She had uploaded a copy of what's apparently the new Deadpool movie to her site, in a bid to create a library of scripts for people to turn to if they need examples from the biz for formatting and so on. Fox is allegedly suing her for 15 million dollars, claiming her actions hurt their intellectual property. Yet Fox is ignoring the bigger problem of where she got it from, and didn't know it was a film that hadn't been made yet or even released.

Come on Fox. Seriously? I thought you guys were better than that, or at least trying to be. You know a simple cease and desist to make her aware of what she's done first may have been prudent. I'm ashamed right now for the fact I'm trying to even get them to notice me for a script I've written. To be honest, it's actions like this that make me think that if Fox ever did pursue my idea based on the Yost/Kyle work, that they'd just let the suits kill it as opposed to doing it right.

Was the woman in the wrong? Probably. The actions they've taken do seem reminiscent of the RIAA from years back against Napster though. Definitely not good for the public image. They might want to fix that with some kind of grand gesture somehow... Like picking up a fanboy adaption, that donates to charity too.

Erm, bad Snow. Stop shamelessly self plugging.

Running Silent.

Too much good luck and awesomeness the past couple of days. I think I'm going to basicly just go to running silent for awhile. I'm waiting for karma to drop the other shoe pretty much.

So life is calling me back again. I hope it won't be long, we shall see. My personal life is just getting too many things going right now to focus solely on one area. I hope I'll still have time to post relevant information, links, and reviews, but we shall see as life itself is being chaotic yet again.


*Update* Life dropped the other shoe, so this blog is staying with a vengence.

Wake Up Hollywood!

Recently io9 had a nice long editorial on Buffy and heroism. It raises some valid points. It's a very well done articulate response to the very thing I'm trying to push lately. X-23 could embody these very things. If you've ever read the origin minis, you know exactly what I'm talking about. She makes sacrifices for others' benefits, but not her own. Seeking to protect others even after finally getting a taste of normalcy. She was created to be essentially the ultimate bad guy, but instead makes the ultimate sacrifice. While she doesn't give up her literal life, she does sacrifice any kind of life she could have with her family to save them.

So much subtext and overtones, and yet not a peep. Tsk, tsk Fox. Have you learned nothing? Don't think you're getting away with murder either Marvel. How you can let this potential just slide on by so close to a prime marketing date is baffling. Sure it's not the 60+ years Cap had for an anniversary movie, but you know what? Modern audiences have a short attention span. As it is, it's shameful to believe that many out there still think X-23's just some Prostitute's daughter thanks to NYX. Maybe it's time that Marvel and Fox both proved they get the Whedon-esque hero's quandry, and push forward with a property that could surprise and awestruck audiences. Something accurate to boot.

Then again, maybe comics are just as bad Hollywood. A reboot every few years. Have an established origin? Who cares, we'll just deconstruct and alter it all on the fly anyway. That's not working? Oh well, we'll just reboot them later with some cosmic level threat, or psychological plot device, or mcguffin. Do we really need another Identity Crisis, Infinite Crisis, or plot devices that make no sense that conveniently change characters from who they are to something completely new for new audiences to start over with?

Heroes for All Walks of Life

While I generally tend to focus on female empowerment, and female heroes, that's not to say there aren't others out there for all walks of life.

A blog called The Chronicle has compiled a list of 25 LBGTQ protagonists across comics, books, and Sci-fi. The list is definitely worth checking out.
Making the cut at number 17 is Daken, the half-brother of X-23/Laura Kinney.

Super Hero Squad References X-23

This past Saturday, November 27th, an episode of The Super Hero Squad Show entitled "Double Negation at World's End" written by Eugene Son referenced X-23. Sorry for the late update on this as I haven't had time until now to watch the episode myself on the DVR.

In a quick scene, Wolverine mentions he doesn't do amusement parks, which by itself means nothing, but it did catch my attention because of his recent escapade in X-23 v3 issue 2. Not long after that as he pulls out his team-up checklist, he mentions X-23 by name before admitting he's never teamed up with Herbie by himself until now. If you are able to pause the episode, you can see her on the checklist too with a check in the check box.

Overall a pretty enjoyable episode. Plus it's nice to see small references to the X-23 ongoing comic. The episode further acknowledges it at the end in a special bonding moment between Wolverine and Herbie.

This episode also featured a special brief cameo of Avengers: EMH IronMan as well. Keep up the great work on this show! The Super Hero Squad Show has been getting progressively better each episode with more tongue in cheek mockery at all things Marvel, but hey, it's all in good fun.

The Super Hero Squad Show airs Saturday mornings on Cartoon Network.

Future Female Protagonists coming from Hollywood

So with the recent revelation of the writer on the Buffy reboot, I thought it'd be a good time to do a rundown on all the upcoming female heroes coming our way.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Script written by Whit Anderson. Warner Brothers is looking to reboot the franchise without Whedon involved. Date is TBD.

Bubblegum Crisis - A multi-national joint venture that's looking to bring the adventures of the Knight Sabers to movie theaters. The Knight Sabers are 4 women who fight rogue 'boomers' created by the Genom Corporation. Priss, Nene, Linna and Sylia will be making their appearance on the silver screen in 2012.

Wonder Woman - Still in development hell over at Warner Brothers. It's undecided on how best to approach this whether a TV series would be prudent, or a theatrical appearance. So far it's all still TBD. *Update* Now it's officially going to be an NBC series.

Sucker Punch - The comic turned movie about one girl's escape from her imprisonment as well as reality will be hitting theaters March 25th, 2011. It is directed by Zack Snyder. It's also from Warner Brothers. Official Site.

Kick-Ass 2 - Still TBD, but it'll feature Hit-Girl yet again in all her kicking ass glory. Of course the title character will be returning too. So far it is all TBD, but check out the mini-series it'll be adapted from by Marvel as it's being released this and next year.

Tangled - The just recently released Disney feature that tells the story of Rapunzel and her escape to freedom. Official Site

Super - Frank and Libby, otherwise everyday people team-up to take on crime. Um, okay much more to that, but I don't think a small blurb can do this twisted tale justice. It's kind of hard to simplify Libby's sociopathic tendencies played poeticly by Ellen Page. Official Site

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - A journalist and hacker enter into a life or death mystery as they unravel the pieces. Based on the Novel and Foreign film of the same name. Distributed by Sony.

Underworld 4 - Kate Beckinsale makes her return to the franchise, all info is still pretty shrouded in mystery but expect it in theaters sometime in 2012 possibly. Another from Sony.

Snow White and the Huntsman - Coming from Universal Pictures, this is a new take on the classic fairy tale. Not much is known except not to expect your parent's Snow White. Hits theaters December 21, 2012.

Red Riding Hood - Another new take on an age-old fairy tale. This one brought to you by the director of Twilight. This is another foray from Warner Brothers. It'll be hitting theaters March 2011. So are you afraid of the big bad wolf? Trailer

Then there's also Noir, Hanna, and Black Swan to add to the list as well.
Hanna being the most dentrimental to getting an X-23 origins feature rolling.

This is just a small rundown based on what's the most prevalent information right now. I may update later as I either remember, or find out about others.

*Update*
Now even DC's Raven is becoming a series.

XMO: X-23 (Tentative) Fan Casting Part 4

This is just another fan casting entry. I hope that it starts conveying the vision I have for this property though. So far these two are the top picks on my lists, but not the only choices. With the free time I have this weekend, I'll try and finish getting other materials together. So hopefully more posts to come. This is only for the theatrical or tv movie origin feature, and not for a tv series. TV series points will come later. Right now my focus is on an accurate portrayal origin feature to better familiarize the public with these characters and license. TV series play by different rules than at the cinema, so that can be approached differently.

Avengers: EMH Schedule Update!

After today's Gamma World two parter on Disney XD, the next new Avengers episode won't be until Sunday December 5th at 10am/9am central. Be sure to check your local listings. Disney XD's schedule is showing that this Wednesday's will be a repeat of "Living Legend."

The new episode on December 5th at 10am/9am Central is called "Masters of Evil."

Chris Claremont At Penn Plaza For World AIDS Day

Or so the headline reads at BCN. So if you're up in New York next Wednesday at 7:30 PM be sure to stop by Penn Plaza Borders, as 25% of all proceeds will be going to Lifebeat, an AIDS educational nonprofit organization.

This is just part of what Borders is doing to commemorate World Aids day. So be sure to check out your local Borders on that day to see how you can help as this should be a nationwide event with each store playing their part.

You can find a more indepth article on this over at CBR.

*Update* BCN has done a follow up about more comic writers in Portland and New York.

Happy Thanksgiving from KinneyPride!

What better way to give thanks for Marvel giving X-23 her own on-going, and having the character be healed and begin to grow into an even more independant young woman, than to have the first ever Paper Cuts one panel sneak peak today?

So anyone who has been wondering what it is. Here's just a small taste of what's to come. Mind you, this is just an early teaser, and does not reflect the final strip version or designs come January 23rd. It is just a sneak peak after all.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Be sure to check out Paper Cuts when it makes its second debut this Christmas, and then becomes a regular feature using its regular style and cast starting January 23rd!

Also, since the obligatory "Don't tase me bro!" joke is done, I'll never have to do it again. Giving thanks to that... Oh yeah, and of course my family, food, roof over my head, and bills being paid. All that jazz too.

Buffy Reboot is a Go! (Sadly)

It seems Warner Brothers is moving ahead with their recent plans to reboot Buffy the vampire Slayer.

So far they've got a script, written by a one Whit Anderson, an actress turned screen-writer. Hero Complex goes in detail about this more. According to IMDB, this is Whit Anderson's first screen-play.

Marvel and Fox need to stop resting on their laurels and get moving with an X-23 feature to counter this in 2013. The market is primed and waiting, and the Buffy reboot will not be a good representation of if the public is over-saturated with female protagonists. The new Buffy movie will either resound with the demand for female heroes, or flop because of rebooting a series that was so beloved when done by Whedon. Speaking of which, Joss Whedon has no connection to this reboot.

Warner Brothers seems to be generating some interesting press using a starlet turned screen-writer. Her first big break into screen writing could either cement her credit as to her take on this subject, or could break her chances of companies taking her seriously in the future. Either way, it's generating buzz simply because it's more or less a newcomer. Though being affiliated to the nostalgic charm of Buffy hasn't hurt either.

Hmm, funny that...

Avengers:EMH One Hour Event this Friday!

Because sometimes this blog just needs some good news.



This should be amazing as Avengers:EMH has already proven itself to be time and time again.

Pet Peeves - Correct Usage of A and AN

I've seen this repeated in printed media, lately even in news sites and it's starting to annoy the crap out of me from what's supposed to be allegedly professional writers. I'm not perfect with my usage of punctuation, but come on, seriously? How can this mistake keep sliding through.

This thankfully is something that has NEVER happened in an X-23 comic.

I'm speaking of the usage of A and An.

Why is this such a hard grammar rule to grasp?

A humanistic, a historic, an hour, NOT an humanistic, not an historic, not a hour.

Use a if the next word begins with a consonant SOUND.
This is a sound rule, NOT a spelling rule.
a box
a cat
a university (university begins with a consonant sound)
a unicorn (unicorn begins with a consonant sound)
a European trip (European begins with a consonant sound)
a hotel (hotel begins with a consonant sound)
a hit (hit begins with a consonant sound)
a xylophone (Xylophone begins with a consonant sound)

Use AN if the next word begins with a vowel SOUND.
This is a sound rule, NOT a spelling rule.
an atom
an entrance
an ice cream cone
an uncle (uncle begins with a vowel sound)
an hour (the h is silent, thus a vowel sound)
an ex (ex or X begins with a vowel sound, pronounced like ecks)


I know this is rather random, but it's becoming an even worse trend in published material that makes me wonder what are the use of editors if they can't even catch basic grammar mistakes to correct before printing.

A Study on Women in the Industry.

Over at BCN they have an article that talks about women in the industry. It's an interesting piece with statistics that can make one think and appreciate the current crop of women in the industry.

It honestly made me look back and miss the days of Diane Duane working on Spider-Man novels in the 90s.

X-23 v3 Issue 3 - The Great Bits (Spoilers)

It is a complicated heady issue to put it mildly, though many would say that's an understatement. It shows a return of the psychology that's prevalent throughout the run in Academy X, the minis, and even X-Force.

We finally have Laura Kinney off Utopia for a good while. Something that was extremely needed for her stories to be interesting or even relevant. Let's be honest here. X-23 on an island of mutants is boring. It's nothing against Utopia itself, but there is a reason the best recent stories have to do with them being off Utopia, or going to San Francisco. X-23, a powerful independant woman in her own right, would be boring on Utopia surrounded by her peers.

We do finally have it stated in continuity and in a way that no fan can deny that Laura Kinney is Logan's test-tube daughter. Not exactly his clone, but not exactly not either. She is her mother's daughter, and yet, so much more. The issue really plays up the similiarities between her and Dr. Kinney like the origin minis did.

Laura Kinney is not as mopey as she was anymore. Finally moving forward, she is healing. The self-destructive tendencies are gone, she's making choices, and she's finally taking responsibility for those choices.

The telepathic entity has been integrated into Laura's story. Something that while many aren't fond of, does present numerous possibilities, as well as leaves a mcguffin in place to protect the comic from any future flashback mistakes by Laura.

Memory itself, especially with teenagers, is fickle. This plays up to the psychology of the character. Perception, reality, and how she chooses to put her own spin on her memories is something real people do everyday. Someone with her past, and heavy-handed well-warranted depression, is expected. Though the locket may be seemingly gone for now, it is an interesting notion as people out in the world like Kimura would try to find X-23 by any means, including telepaths. Laura is well trained when it comes to keepsakes and protocols. She is the ultimate chess player, something the first issue pushed rather well.

We finally saw the disregarding of treating Laura Kinney as an animal. Something that was counter-intuitive to everything she represents. She's finally portrayed in her own thoughts as a machine, something the facility attempted to drill into her in trying but failing to breed out emotion entirely, or at least they attempted to beat subservience into her using Kimura.

Using an amalgamation of nature vs nurture in conjunction with the peak experience brought the psychology of the character to the forefront finally and albeit with a few miss-steps, it does bring the character full circle into a form of closure before other stories start up.

While issue 3 chose its own way to portray Laura's soul and how she realized it, in many ways it hit all the key points of my September post about what it should be. While it may have sidestepped the entire do clones have souls debate, it did it in such a manner that did stay true to the character's origins inspite of a miss-step or two. While I'm not thrilled at side-stepping the debate, for a fledgling comic, this might be best instead of being overbearingly political in its message about creating life. While the psychological method used is essentially a 'cure-all,' it is an interesting concept to play with when using something like a soul, and the innate beauty of that concept itself.

This isn't 'good soldier' Laura, and rightfully so, as Laura has never quite been the 'good soldier' who follows orders. She's independant and vocal talking back to her 'superiors' and following orders in a creative manner outside the parameters. This is something that finally starts to come to light again in the issue, albeit only nuanced. She's a character who works well solo, or with a partner, and it's good to see that return for future development. While a good chunk of her depression can be explained by the figurative fact of people basicly waving their finger at her and going "No, Bad doggie, don't do that," it does finally show X-23 moving past that. This being the main cause for her being withdrawn and unable to grow as opposed to before.

The puppy flashback was a masterful addition. Bringing the mini-series full circle, and showing the writer to have done her homework. An older dog is used in the mini-series for the first triggerscent test. This scene explains why trigger was even needed by the facility.

While I say no more flashbacks are needed, I do expect at least one more. That being the creation of Kimura. With Miss Sinister entering the story, and an alluded connection to Mr. Sinister in the upcoming issues, this issue specificly throws a curve ball in what the comic synopsis mysteriously reads. This issue brings up some interesting possibilities that suggest maybe Mr. Sinister's hand is solely in developing Kimura herself. Let's be honest here, Dr. Rice is a quack. None of his experiments worked to the point they had to bring in Dr. Kinney to even create Laura. So how he could conceive let alone create Kimura from an abused orphan girl turned bully is suspect. Hopefully this issue, if it does use a flashback with Mr. Sinister will be a flashback using Kimura and not Laura Kinney. Something that would make sense because as worthless as Dr. Rice is, it would make sense for him to just use his countless resources to just find a test-subject, and pay Mr. Sinister to turn her into his specifications. This seems feasible especially after all the money put into the X-23 project itself.

The portrayal of Julian still as a self-centered jerk, and Scott Summers as a leader who's also quite the dick, came across perfectly. Something that played off well against Storm and Gambit, two other characters who grew up on the streets too. Gambit specificly gets interesting because of his connection to growing up on the streets and then falling into the thieves guild. This is something that in many ways mirrors Laura as she grew up, lost her family because of the facility, and fell into the Institute where everything was all fun and games until they started to use her for X-Force.

I commend these note-worthy things, as well as ample amounts of symbolism and even finally moving Laura forward away from being a killer at all.

That's not to say the comic is not without its faults, but with how masterfully woven this is, they may be intentional. Be sure to check out X-23 v3 issue 4 on sale December 15th, as it begins Laura's first story out in the real world in over 3 years.

(There's that 3 again. Something else that should probably be commended if albeit accidental.)

Another personal thing of mine I commend Marjorie Liu for is the music I was splicing together for the 'fan proposed trailer.' It has become even more relevant now. For that, I don't know how I could ever thank her enough.

INDECISION 2010

This is X-23's brand new 'Soul Mark.'

What exactly is it?
Is it a star to represent her soul and the infinite vast possibilities this new direction can now take that it's free of all baggage and hopefully free of all flashbacks? Or is a snowflake the key into her soul representing she's like everyone else and yet unique, her choices being what define her from now on?

You decide!

Reminder: X-23 v3 Issue #04

After the culmination of X-23 v3 issue #03, an issue that finally began the healing process for Laura Kinney, the series should only be looking forward now. It will start creating its own progression, and hopefully not keep re-writing history for the character.  (So in other words, please God, don't let it have more flashbacks, I don't think reality can take anymore!)

This could mean some great and new stories. I personally am looking forward to this issue, as it'll mark the first issue in this on-going series to do its own thing. We are not faced with a Laura Kinney that's a killer, but someone who is out on the road to do her own thing, and live her own life.  Something that hasn't been on shelves in a little over 3 years.  (Again with the threes...)

So, just as a reminder, issue #04 of the on-going comic will be hitting shelves on December 15th, 2010.

Marvel.com Updates Website Design!

Today, Marvel.com has updated the design of their website.

Personally, I rather like it. It gives more emphasis on each character, and uses some great artwork to do so. Then again, it also looks mildly similiar to another design I've seen, so maybe I'm partial to that flavor of design flair.

Marvel February 2011 Solicits

X-23 #6
Written by Marjorie Liu
Penciled by Will Conrad
Cover by Kalman Andrasofszky
Parental Advisory Suggested
Cover Price: $2.99
Page Count: 32
Available on February 23, 2011
Is Miss Sinister the most dangerous enemy X-23 has ever encountered or the closest thing to a friend she has right now? X-23 is about to find out, as just when things couldn't get worse, they do.

Marvel Universe Action Figures Rumor

As previously mentioned, there is an X-23 figure in the works for the MU line. Well now we have rumors coming in from CoolToyReview of just that.
According to this rumor she will be in wave 3 or 4 of 2011. The assortment listing rumor is as follows:

Wave 3 & 4 2011
X-23
Ultron
Darkhawk
Falcon
Dr. Strange

Steve Rogers
Namor
Scarlet Spider
Dr. Doom
Skaar

Special thanks to Toyark for making me aware of this and where the news came from. Now excuse me while I go squeal like a school girl for awhile about Darkhawk and X-23 in the same wave.

Also seriously, what's up with X-23 and the number 3?
3 years since her premiere in X-Men Evo, she gets an origin mini-series, she premiered in X-Men evo in 2003, of season 3, her second episode was episode 3 of season 4, the issue it finally comes out that she's actually more akin to a test-tube daughter of wolverine is issue 3 of volume 3, and now her MU figure will be in wave 3 of 2011, which is the 3rd year for MU figures too. Gee, I wonder if this explains a certain other thing a fan blog is trying to do within 3 years for release on her 10 year anniversary.

X-23 v3 Issue #3 Released Today!

The new issue of X-23's on-going was released today. After a quick one pass, it reads decently too, but I'll save that for the review.

This review may come a little later than usual, as I don't want to jump head first into praising, or condemning it. This issue shows promise, with only a few mistakes. I'm going to let the review wait for now until it settles in more. This comic isn't one to be taken lightly, and the reviews shouldn't be rushed because of that.

The timeline has also been updated to include it.

Sales Rank Section Updated!

The Sales Rank section has been backlogged finally for the previous X-23 mini-series and oneshot.


Hopefully the sales take a turn upward for Marjorie Liu's issues, and this is just a fluke. Though on that note, hopefully they don't dive further and get a great comic canceled.

Still Under Construction

My apologies for this, but the blog is still under renovation. More details will follow as they become apparent.

So far, only one section is finished which is the Games/TV/Movies section. The rest are coming soon, but being caught up by life itself, some plans are taking the backseat longer than anticipated. The reviews will be returning soon, and I will attempt to maintain my sameday review pattern as previously. This will also include a spoiler free review. The retro reviews will be kicked back off again working their way back up to present as well. So just remember, this is simply one fan's view.

Paper Cuts is still under construction, and will be revealed once it's ready to go, which sadly may not be till 2011, though I do hope for sooner.

Content can be sparse on days with focusing solely on one character, so to make up for that I will be doing occasional random bits on my own talking about the character. This is a blog after all, so of course the opinions expressed may not represent the same as Marvel or others associated to anything with the comic's publishing. I have no ties to Marvel other than being a fan, and wanting to write the X-23 movie that in my honest opinion should be released on 10/23/2013 as a celebratory move for her decade anniversary, and even that is solely a Hollywood thing and bears no reflection upon them or their title. Though I do feel since that date falls on a Wednesday it would be a prime time for them to celebrate all the daughters of Marvel.

The Big What If for TV, or Did Summer Glau just use NBC to audition for X-23?

If Disney Marvel ever attempted an X-23 tv series, would you watch it?

Now what if I said it consulted Marjorie Liu, Craig Kyle, or Christopher Yost for the stories and/or writing?
What if it starred Summer Glau?

After tonight's Chuck (NBC Mondays) that question has been danced around. Today's episode featured a sub-story that starred Summer Glau who once again proves how well she could handle a late teens to early 20s Laura Kinney.

I've always been opposed to the idea of Summer Glau playing X-23 for an origin feature, but a TV show does open all kinds of possibilities, just as the door would still be open for her post-origin. ABC Disney, I personally think, could benefit from a show like this, especially after or during an origin movie theater run that introduces general audiences to the character. This seperation of cast and story would allow them to not worry about the origin and audience issues associated while letting them explore the future possibilities that her on-going comic (is supposed to at least) represents.

What are your thoughts? Do you think Disney should dare? Are they just opening the window of oppurtunity and letting the golden goose fly out? Or should they continue to let it lay the golden eggs?

As Whedon fans will tell you, this was simply a Firefly nod. It does make one wonder though with Whedon's recent ties to Avengers.

If you missed tonight's Chuck, you can catch it on Hulu or NBC's website.

Wolverine 2 to be called The Wolverine.

HitFix is reporting, after talks with Darren Aronofsky, that the Wolverine sequel will be called 'The Wolverine' and won't be a sequel in any conventional sense.

We'll see how it goes, but if this allows him to just bring the best movie forward for the character, then kudos to him. Now, let's hope they can just prevent a disasterous leak like before as well.

X-23 v3 issue 03 Preview

So much for the vacation.
The issue 3 preview is available now. My personal take? That's what I'm talking about! Marjorie Liu has really hit her stride now if this preview is any indication. It looks to be AWESOME. We will all find out if it holds up in a few days when it's released on Wednesday, November 17th, 2010.

This preview really gives me hope for the title though. I hope the rest of the issue proves just as good. The foreshadowing about her mother is perfect too. It gives me hope they really will go with the entire 'her mother is in hell' angle. Ms. Liu has gotten my hopes high again with her amazing writing, and character potential. The little bits that seem rather mean-spirited towards her mother after the tearful moments before, really reflect a teenager well. It shows a growing return of the psychology that was rampant in the Kyle/Yost run that made them great. Namely, teenagers are fickle and selective themselves depending on what they want to focus on, and how they feel about their lives in reflection. This X-23 (going off just these 6 pages) is really starting to shine as real, and it's thanks to Marjorie Liu for this great usage. I'm looking forward to the rest of the issue, and where she may take this. It further proves why comics are handled by professional writers and not lame fanboys who do stupid things like push for a movie using their unsolicited screenplay adapted from the minis with no agent.


So on with the stellar preview.

Writer: Marjorie Liu
Art: Will Conrad, Sana Takeda
Colors: John Rauch
Cover: Danni Shinya Luo
Cover Price: $2.99
On Shelves: Wed, November 17th, 2010
Preview Provided by Comic Book Resources

The Proposal that Could(n't)

So a fan blog (*ahem*) has decided to go about trying to get an X-23 movie kick started in Hollywood. Yet they decide to do it the very way they shouldn't. It seems as though they are attempting to plead it to the internet in a rather verbose manner.

It's left open for all to see, claiming that Hollywood itself has instigated this approach of using the internet machine to push it forward to make Hollywood or Marvel contact him so that he can submit it as solicited with no obligations tied for just the oppurtunity to be heard.

Not a bad idea, but not a good one either.
Entertainment lawyers, Agents, and the process are there for a reason, and if Hollywood bowed to these whims, we could see a sudden rash of oppurtunistic everybodies that think they can write attempt this...
Then again, many already have, and some have even made money by doing this.
Look to Japan for example, where a forum series of posts led to the iconic box office smash Densha Otoko. His intent is honorable, and he's not making claims that he's better than everyone. Quite the opposite calling himself just as average as the next person. He just simply wants to see this made, and made right as opposed to the (googled examples) masses who want very random things. Where they scream Summer Glau, he screams a Zack Snyder's Watchmen like approach with clear marketing to appeal to viewers. Where they scream Omega Red, Hydra, and X-Men Evolution, he screams X-23 Innocence Lost, and Target X. Where they scream big budget popcorn action movie, he screams more subdued character driven story.

Maybe off-beat approaches work, but for an established property? Keep dreaming. Hollywood is dead-set about outsiders, because they know exactly what works such as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Spider-Man 3, X-Men 3, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine have proven! Um, yeah. I'll just stop there about this.

You can find the post here, and his monitoring of the attempt here.
Oh, and yeah I know, I just shamelessly plugged myself, as well as just insulted myself.
With this, I take my leave for the weekend to not think about anything X-23 related until the new issue or the previews for it. Which means the review re-writes will have to wait until then.
(Hey, even I get X-23 burned out after awhile.)

Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes!

As many know, Disney XD is airing the new Avengers cartoon.

I've been watching it, well, just because I love Marvel stuff honestly. It's been well worth it though. This cartoon has had ample amounts of cameos, great story usage, tons of nods to the history of each character and more.

Does this matter to X-23 fans? Well, since this blog is about her, Avengers does have a connection.

The story editor on it is Christopher Yost, who was one of the writers of the original episode of X-Men Evolution that X-23 premiered in and is one of the writers of her fantastic origin mini-series.

It has already once featured a cameo of a Mr. J. Howlett in an episode.

It regularly has Captain America as a character, who was also in the Target X mini-series.

Will X-23 appear in the show? I don't know. Even if she doesn't though, it's a show well worth checking out. It airs on Disney XD every Wednesday at 7:30 PM central. I highly recommend watching it, as this animated universe seems like it's going to continually grow and expand! It shows the potential to go down in history with the likes of the Bruce Timm and Pual Dini DCAU that created such great works as Batman The Animated Series, and Justice League. The Avengers show has been so great, that it's even brought Wasp herself to the limelight unlike any property before has had. To the point even my little cousins are clamoring for more of Wasps show, just as TWITTER is showing that other parents are hearing the same from their kids.

Just goes to show, with good writing, respect, with an amazing cast and crew, you can't keep a good woman, or team, down!

X-23: The Movie and Why Hollywood needs to do it now, and How.

I've tried for weeks now to reach someone at Marvel or Fox to discuss with about this. I have a more professional condensed business proposal letter with all this ready to go, but the system itself is denying the possibility that it'd ever be seriously considered or even read.

I have a script that I've yet to submit as I need the information of who to send it to, to make sure it is actually read and my plan seriously considered. Due to how Hollywood is now such a closed circuit (agents, entertainment lawyers, and more hoops than even that if you aren't already in the biz and that's just for self-created properties, don't even get me started on trying to use something complicatedly established like X-23 is), this has been nigh impossible. I've yet to reach out to Hugh Jackman's Production company, but that would be the next step since I've yet to hear anything back from Marvel, or Fox.  So I'm going about this the 'Densha Otoko' way.


I have gone about this not as well as I should have, and for that I apologize. With the system setup as it is, I wasn't left with much of an option. I'm drowned out by thousands of fans who want what typical fans do. They want her shoe-horned into any random movie, they want Summer Glau to play her, they want Fox to give the rights back to Marvel, they want all these things that are counter-productive to making a successful franchise movie or is counter-intuitive to drawing a large audience.

This needs to be done right to become a franchise and a hit. I know, saying all this on an X-23 fan blog, outright complaining about fans is counter-intuitive to the very thing I need, which is fan hits. My goal isn't the same as theirs. I want an X-23 film to be made, and I want it to be true to who she is and what she's experienced. I want it to be a franchise that's rich with possibilities, and not simply some minor cameo that's forgettable. I want to push X-23 to Twilight level stardom; to Transformers level box office returns. Marvel has already created the ground work for this potential with the magnificent origin mini-series written by Christopher Yost and Craig Kyle, so that's exactly what should be adapted. It's not that I know better than the thousands of fans out there, it's just that I want something different than what they keep proposing from their fanboy bias and tunnel vision.

To this end, I've realized I'm going to have to take an alternative route to reach my goals. This blog has always been here for me to celebrate the character X-23, and toss around these ideas, so I thought it might finally be time I did just that. So remember, this is a blog, not how I'd write to send something professionally. This is just me rambling off all of what I want to do in my more casual and natural written voice as opposed to what I call 'business speak' or 'professional writing.' I like to keep things on this blog more casual to avoid arrogance or being pretentious.

The script itself is mildly under-wraps, it does have changes from the two mini-series it's based on(Innocence Lost, and Target X), but they are changes for time constraints, and for character usage to fit as well as getting the rating to remain at PG-13 due to the subject matter. It is essentially 90% the same, 5% for time and character changes(film rights issues), and 5% to heighten the emotional impact and attempt to keep the rating within needed parameters. Due to the nature of the biz; I don't want my ideas stolen, but to gain an actual dialogue with Marvel or Fox. I am keeping the script to myself and the few I've let read it as a blind test audience for how it would play out on general audiences. I would like for it to only be in Fox & Marvel's hands, but even without that, it is their intellectual property I'm using, just as the mini-series it's derived from are their property. So I understand whole-heartedly they could do this without me. To be frank, if they do, I'm fine with that so long as they do it right, and cast appropriately as they have in the past. My main fear here is if they do the opposite of what I'm saying here and it bombs so they blame the character, and not the choices. Hence why I offer the dual scapegoats of doing it accurately, AND being able to blame it all on a fan not in the biz for pushing it. To be fair though, I'm only willing to take the blame if I actually have a credited hand in it. That's fair isn't it? They take the credit for the success it will be, I take the blame if by some random chance it flops.

The pitch: X-23 is Nikita meets Splice, with a dash of Life Unexpected. It has overtones of Pinnochio but in the modern world, along with elements of Cinderella, but a Cinderella not saved by a prince, but by her own hand and family.

Proposed Release Date: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013 (The Year of X-23's Ten Year Anniversary. It'll have been ten years since her premiere on X-Men Evolution in August of 2003.)

Synopsis: Laura Kinney is a girl unlike any other. Her father is Wolverine, a man she's never met. She was born into a world that makes her kill so they get money. She's never known what being a real girl is like. That is, until one day her mother sends her away to her extended family, but will Laura's "owners" be okay with this?


Marketing: The marketing plan is crucial to this attaining Twilight or Transformers level stardom and returns.

First, start off by announcing where the script came from: a fan who was born on 10/23, and did ample amounts of research to make sure it maintained accuracy for fans, and yet still would be able to appease general audiences.  Going this route on attaching a 'fan' under the set criteria above also lessens the impact of piracy because the fans would be hurting one of their own. Granted that's never stopped them before, but at least it could make some hesitant. It also gives studios an out if it unexpectedly does poorly. It was written by a 'fanboy' and would be the end of this just starting career in film writing. (Mind you, I'm fine with this as X-23 is one of only 3 things I'd like to actually write a film for.) This angle also yields a new promotion manner, being the person behind this marketing plan, and so involved in the choices of the film lets this person be perfect for the Morning Show/Talk Show circuit to push the chance the studio is taking doing this and the chance they are taking with this lone fan. The drawback here is that this person will be thrust into the limelight themself. Something I'm opposed to as I've only ever wanted to live my life with privacy and solitude. Fame isn't what I personally want. What I want is to be able and go to the theater and see this movie in glorious IMAX or 3D. I believe in this so passionately that I'm willing to give that up to attain my goal and to ensure a success. There is also a symmetry here of X-23 attaining a life outside of what she was confined to, as this movie would give this 'fan' a chance to attain a new life they never dreamed of. (Sigh, can you say prime reality tv fodder? Cause I can, and it scares me to no end. I'm a staunch supporter of the fact reality tv came into existence because of a deal with the devil...)

Second, an as-yet-undetermined amount of profits should go to a charity for abuse victims. The story itself deals with this heavily, and what better way to respect the story than to do just that; help those in situations as bad. This also hopefully will curtail another piece of the piracy puzzle, and show the people who made this to be caring individuals out to help the world, the economy, and fans by doing it justice and keeping its soul intact to do so.

Third, a promise from Fox to maintain as much accuracy as they can, since this story has minimal to no real superhero costumes. It is simply the story of a girl growing up, making a friend, and dealing with family.

Fourth, the casting can reflect the parallels of a child star or pop idol. X-23 was created as a weapon to be used, so an actress who was raised in the limelight to be a star would allow this parallel to be pushed, and add a layer of symbolism that could, if done right, give Marvel an actual Oscar contender.

Fifth, pushing in trailers about the daughter wolverine didn't know he had. This angle, and general 'sisterhood of the traveling pants' type familial focus could help gain female viewers as Twilight has. Unlike Twilight, Laura is a postive role model for women as she's trying to improve her life and live inspite of what the people who created her want her to be. She's choosing her own destiny thanks to her mother, what daughter could ask for more when the world is pushing them down?

Sixth is the release day. October 23rd, 2013. This date falls on a Wednesday in the heart of a season full of horror movies. It is not your typical big budget release date, but this isn't exactly a big budget action movie either. The date reflects the title being 10/23 itself and gains them 2 extra days on the box office weekend returns. It also allows for a big push from Marvel to have 'Daughter' variant covers on all the Marvel titles released that day. They can even call it 'X-23 Day'. 2013 itself is the perfect year because if you switch the 2 and the 1 in 2013 you get 10-23 or X-23. X is the roman numeral for 10 after all. Oh, and speaking of 10, 2013 is also the ten year anniversary for X-23 since her creation in X-Men Evolution. Seriously, talk about convenient.

Seventh is the budget. This film doesn't require ample amounts of money thrown at it unlike Iron Man, or Captain America, or any other comic adaption's price tag. This film could be comfortably done at around Scott Pilgrim's 60 Million, or at most around the first X-Men movie's budget (depending on the cost of 3D if used). Using practical effects to make it look better would also curtail chunks of the budget to be marketed. This makes the risk less on the studio, and the returns higher for all those associated, including the chunk that goes to charity.


Speculative Casting:

Laura Kinney AKA X-23 - The starring role. A brunette caucasian actress who can pass for a 14-17 year old girl. Being a child-star a plus. Someone who can convey innocence and a childlike nature, while still capable of conveying an eerie level of violence in just a look. This role needs someone with star power behind it that can play to a modern generation and not solely the Firefly generation.

Lucy Hale
Selena Gomez
Malese Jow
Indie Eisley
Phoebe Tonkin
Victoria Justice
Elise Gatien


Dr. Sarah Kinney - Laura's Mother and creator. A caucasian brunette actress who can play the age ranges of 24-35. Someone preferably with a lyrical voice that's suitable for narration. This is pivotal to the first half and its narration. It's reminiscent of A Diary of Anne Frank stage play type narration.

Eliza Dushku
Summer Glau
Alyson Hannigan
Pauley Perrette
Daniela Ruah
Angela Sarafyan
Renée Felice Smith


Dr. Zander Rice - The man who fashioned Laura Kinney into the weapon she is. He has an unhealthy loathing for all things James Howlett for what happened to his own father. A caucasian actor who ranges from 24-40.

Barrett Foa
Joshua Jackson
Chris O'Donnell
Eric Christian Olsen


Kimura - X-23's invincible field handler in charge of keeping her in the project and following orders. An actress with looks that can range from 18-25. Someone who can do sadistic, abusive, cruel, and revel in it well.

Naya Rivera
Mila Kunis

Megan Kinney - Dr. Sarah Kinney's niece, Debra's Daughter, and Laura's cousin. She shows Laura what it's like to be a normal girl. A blonde caucasian actress who can play a 13-16 year old girl. Unknowns are welcome.

Ashley Benson
Britt Robertson


Debra Kinney - Megan's mother, Dr. Sarah Kinney's sister, and Laura Kinney's Aunt. She plays a key role in helping Laura start to become a 'real girl'. She's your typical single-mom who hasn't experienced any real form of adventure or horror outside of your typical real world matters. A brunette caucasian actress that looks in the range of 25 to 38. Unknowns are welcome.

>a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0329481/">Ginnifer Goodwin
Shiri Appleby
Delphine Chanéac
Summer Glau
Alyson Hannigan
Pauley Perrette
Ellen Pompeo
Daniela Ruah
Angela Sarafyan
Renée Felice Smith
Jenny Wade


James Howlett AKA Wolverine - Need I say more?

Hugh Jackman is the only choice for this. He IS Wolverine, and no actor could do it better.


Megan's French Teacher - Used for one of the comedic scenes to break the tension of the film.

Jamie Hyneman


Megan's Biology Teacher - Used for one of the comedic scenes to break the tension of the film.

Adam Savage


There are other roles too of course, but these are the basic headlining roles with the most screen time. Well besides the teachers, they only have one scene each, but I had to 'fan' cast those for the obvious references in the mini itself anyway.


The Spin: Having this movie adhere to the origin mini-series closely gives much respect to the character and work that should make fans happy, while still at the same time proving to Hollywood that an accurate adaption can still fit in continuity to movies that have diverged and appease general audiences. It shows fans that just because a universe is completely different, doesn't mean that things that were changed, can't be used by writers with tact who know what they are doing and have researched the subject. Yes, Marvel themselves are proving this with the Avengers Assemble line-up of movies, but Fox has yet to prove themselves capable of this. This is changing hopefully with Wolverine 2 coming soon, but that shouldn't be the only one to do it to push the point. A multi-fire approach gains the fans multiple examples of accuracy to prove it works on the off-chance one of them doesn't.

This movie idea is one that plays up the classic era of sci-fi cinema that is lacking in Hollywood today. A story focused on character drive, with a climax and resolution that would make audiences discuss it without bowing to shock value to attain it like Splice attempted. It'd raise the question of human rights, what a weapon is, and what she's guilty of or should be held responsible for. A thought-provoking movie that would keep making audiences come back for more to catch every detail as it would be talked about for decades to come. Is she a child, or a weapon; the daughter Wolverine never knew he had.


Production Materials:
This concept work does not reflect what the final title could or should be, the title is only tentative if this idea even gets off the ground.

So far, all I have is the one spec poster, but more are to follow to depict each candidate, as well as the various tag lines and other characters. I also have trailer music I've spliced together and am working on getting a spec trailer together to also put here. So that will come someday, probably not soon though sadly as I have to gather clips and alter clips to use under fair use and research what the limits are associated to that.


Why Hollywood needs to do this now:
X-23 will be making her first splash to general audiences (outside of traditional animation) in the upcoming Marvel vs Capcom 3 video game. Many idle fans of those games have no clue who she is, but it gives them an awareness of the fact she's a Marvel character. X-23 currently has her own on-going comic which this movie could help bolster the sales of. Right now, we're knee-deep into a season of strong female protagonists that cater to all audiences again, and while in this trend the iron needs to be struck while it's hot. This movie would prove the superhero genre is long from dead so long as it is in capable hands and the material well-warranted. With movies like Bubblegum Crisis in the works, Sucker Punch about to be released, the anime NOIR being made into a series by Raimi, Buffy the Vampire Slayer being remade, and other iconic women in film history that have paved the way, it's time for one to stand out and show that a strong female protagonist can be both a role-model, and a film audiences will gobble up faster than the Turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. This film also does what classic cinema does, preying on the modern fears of cloning prevalent in society. By making the audience think, it does what very few modern movies do today, and like inception did, would get audiences coming back repeatedly for more.

With using as close adhesion as possible to her origin in the first one, it allows the sequels, if warranted, to diverge freely. Any sequel to this can be as open ended as they like to continue the potential without worry. This would be the Fox Universe X-23 and not the comics afterall, and really for now, only her origin is needed to be accurate. The rest can go any direction needed so long as it continues the motif of making the audience ponder the predicament. This also alleviates the issue of NYX on-screen, or her other random appearances until an Academy X movie, or tv series. The premise is to introduce Laura Kinney AKA X-23 to world-wide audiences accurately, and leave the door open to go any which way they want afterwards. In fact, it'd be prefered that everything after her Origin is different; to allow X-23 to define herself as a self-sustaining franchise. If Fox sits idly on their hands, this sweeping trend will pass them by.

If Marvel, Fox, or Hugh Jackman's production company is interesed in pursuing my idea they can reach me at my e-mail address here where I can divulge whatever contact info is needed to seriously discuss this and the possibilities once I've verified that it truly is them contacting me. Yes, I've even pondered the burning question about this: What makes me think I'm uniquely qualified over the thousands of fans that attempt this everyday for fun.

So please, if you feel this is a good plan, spread the link to this blog entry as much as you can to reach the masses. Maybe, just maybe, if I'm lucky, it'll finally be seen by someone at Marvel, or Fox since nothing else has worked. If enough news can be generated about this very entry, maybe this idea can actually move forward in a timely enough manner to reach the projected prime marketing release date of 10/23/2013.  So any news outlet carrying a link to this would be graciously thanked for their help, just as I understand that if Marvel or Fox do this without me, it is within their right.  I'll still be the first in line to see it if that happens!  Doing it that way, I cannot guarantee the success of it though personally, and will not accept any blame if it does poorly at the box office or on DVD.  As it shouldn't though, that's a risk they could be willing to take. Here's hoping Fox does have a heart, and grants this 'Flake of Snow' simply the chance to be heard.

Gah. Okay, I've been working on this for 2 days, and just need to publish it. Minor bits may change later to make it flow better and all that jazz.  For this exact moment though, my brain is just fried times 23.  For now life is calling to come back to it instead of dreaming about something that will never happen. I may take a break from this blog itself for awhile because of just how much this entailed and I need a break from X-23 to remain clear headed for other ventures.