SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014

The other covers include a photo of Capaldi labeled "100% rebel," an illustration of Clara and even a blank page to signify the Doctor's fresh start.

While the new Tenth and Eleventh Doctor comics will hit stores on July 23, the Twelfth Doctor issues will released in October, after Season 8 of the show premieres.

SPIDERMAN ANIMATED SERIES
Wall crawlers, it's time to talk about Spider-Man: The Animated Series.

Producer and head writer John Semper Jr. gathered up his cast for a reunion panel Saturday for a discussion 20 years in the making. He's previously avoided talking about the series, but said he'll dedicate the next year to honoring its memory.

He grew up on half-hour dramas, which told serious stories in under 30 minutes, and took that model to Spider-Man.

"I wanted there to be a real, serious underpinning to the show, Semper told the crowd at Comikaze Expo in downtown Los Angeles.

But here's the big news: Semper revealed that the cast (including J. Jonah Jameson himself Ed Asner) has agreed to reunite for an upcoming project they plan on using crowdfunding to finance. The animated project would be titled Rocket Men, which would harken back to retro-pulp style of something like The Rocketeer.

Spider-Man ran for five seasons from 1994-1998 on Fox and was groundbreaking at the time — treating the material seriously (sometimes to the point of melodrama) and getting stellar performances out of its sprawling voicecast. While Batman: The Animated Series earned more acclaim (it won four Emmys), Spider-Man more than holds its own twenty years later. The series managed to open up the Marvel Universe, deftly talking on storylines as personal as Spidey's battles with Harry Osborn and as vast as The Secret Wars. Many fans consider it the definitive animated incarnation of the wall crawler.

The panel started with a sizzle reel showcasing some of the stars' best work. It was a proud moment for the cast, some of whom hadn't seen the clips in years or decades. This clip, in which Mary Jane's clone dies, had Saratoga Ballantine (Mary Jane) almost in tears, she said.

The other actors — Christopher Daniel Barnes (Spider-Man), Jennifer Hale (Felicia Hardy), Gary Imhoff (Harry Osborne), Rodney Saulsberry (Robbie Robertson), Gregg Berger (Mysterio and Kraven The Hunter), and Patrick Labyorteaux (Flash Thompson) — said one thing that made the show special was that they recorded their parts together in the studio, something that rarely happens with voiceover work these days.

"It was like a radio show. We were all in the booth together and we were all interacting with each other. And you feed off of that," said Barnes, who also called playing Spider-Man a big responsibility.

"You are the current avatar of this Marvel deity. This is our Iliad. This is our Odyssey," Barnes said. "It touches something universal in us. When you get the chance to be the voice of that character, that means something."

While Ballantine got big applause for reciting her iconic Mary Jane line ("Face it Tiger, you just hit the jackpot"), the biggest cheers went to a pre-taped video message from Ed Asner, who reprised his role as J. Jonah Jameson. Asner's Jameson couldn't understand why everyone was wasting time talking about a TV show — he'd rather be at Spider-Man's funeral.

Taking fan questions, Semper said the series finale was meant to be a happy one that also had the potential to keep going. The 1998 episode ended with Spider-Man going off to find Mary Jane, who had been lost in another dimension.

"I knew that we were finished with 65 episodes, but I thought maybe we'd have a little bit longer. I thought I made it very clear at at the very end that he was going to get to Mary Jane, but apparently I traumatized all of you. So I apologize for that," Semper joked. "I was leaving that door open in case by some miracle they said we were going to do a few more. "

Stay tuned for more from Spider-Man in the coming year. Semper will be posting updates on this Facebook page, as well as on this website. He's also got a series of podcasts planned.

FURIOUS 7
Universal Pictures launched the trailer for Furious 7 during a live event.

Continuing the global exploits in the unstoppable franchise built on speed, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of Furious 7. James Wan directs this chapter of the hugely successful series that also welcomes back favorites Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black.

Directed by James Wan, the April 3, 2015 release also features Jason Statham, Tony Jaa, Kurt Russell, Nathalie Emmanuel, Djimon Hounsou, John Brotherton and a cameo by Iggy Azaela.

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PART 1
yMarvel held an epic event in Hollywood, where they revealed their upcoming slate of movies through 2019. The final two movies announced were Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 coming in 2018 to be followed by Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 in 2019.

During the event, a teaser trailer was shown for what will possibly be the biggest Marvel event in the history of the studio. That trailer has now come online for all to see, and we have it for you here.

The footage contains a collage of footage from past Marvel movies, and culminates with The Mad Titan Thanos holding the Infinity Gauntlet, leading to the official logo for Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 and Avengers: Infinity War Part 2. Check it out before it's too late, and be sure to watch the entire panel in the video at the bottom.

Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 comes to theaters May 4th, 2018 and stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson.

Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 comes to theaters May 3rd, 2019.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2014

Here's a rarity: a shot of the very first time nearly all of the Babylon 5 cast were assembled for the pilot, along with me and fellow producer Doug Netter

SLEEPY HOLLOW NEWS
The residents of "Sleepy Hollow" will have their hands full in "Heartless," which sees a hair-raising monster of the week coming to town to literally suck the life out of people with her tempting, seductive ways.

Above is Zap2it's exclusive first look at the succubus that Ichabod (Tom Mison) and Abbie (Nicole Beharie) are charged with taking down, after Henry (John Noble) sends the succubus to drain the life out its victims.

"Heartless" airs Monday, Nov. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

GAMBIT
There is good news on the Gambit movie front today. According to Deadline (via Collider), 20th Century Fox has hired screenwriter Josh Zetumer (the RoboCop remake) to pen the script for the film. But the really exciting revelation is that Zetumer will be working from a treatment written by legendary Marvel Comics writer Chris Claremont, who created the Ragin' Cajun in 1990 with artist Jim Lee and first introduced him in the pages of Uncanny X-Men, near the end of Claremont's still-unbeaten 16-year run on that book.

The plot of the movie remains a secret, but Channing Tatum is officially "attached," as they say in the business, to star. Gambit's only other live-action film appearance to date was in 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, in which he was played by Taylor Kitsch, but we'll just move along and not talk about that.

As for Zetumer, he had a pretty large rock to roll up the hill with that RoboCop remake -- and actually didn't do such a bad job -- so we're open to seeing what he can do with Remy LeBeau, especially since he's working with material provided by Claremont.

Tatum said earlier this summer about the movie, "We’re gonna try to change up the superhero-type movie, maybe give us something a little different. In my opinion, Gambit is an outlier in the X-Men [universe], he’s not a good guy in a way. He smokes, he drinks, he’s chasing women, he’s a thief. I’m not like an X-Men head, but I just love him.”

There is speculation that Gambit will make a cameo in 2016's X-Men: Apocalypse before leading his own movie, but that remains a rumor for now.

NEW STAR WARS BOOK
Here's a tantalizing trailer for a deluxe new book published this week featuring the astonishing array of award-winning costumes worn in the original Star Wars Trilogy. From Tusken Raider tunics and Jawa robes to Vader's cape and Boba Fett's armor, Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy is a $60, 226-page coffee-table volume examining the artists, designers and costumers who created the thousands of outfits seen on screen when the three films were first released from 1977-1983. Author Brandon Alinger was granted an all-access pass to the Lucasfilm Archives at Skywalker Ranch in California to photograph and research the history of these iconic costumes.

Try on this fashionable teaser for the premium, large-format book, which also includes interviews with the actual costumers, original sketches, production notes and concept art.

LEGO PROJECTS
Though the folks at LEGO are obviously a bunch of geeky geniuses to come up with all those awesome licensed sets that are on the market, they also open up the creation and selection process to the public — and here are a few we need to make a reality.

The company uses the extremely cool LEGO Ideas website to allow fans to come up with intriguing designs and present them for public review among other LEGO fans. From there, it’s survival of the fittest. Whichever designs come up with 10,000 up-votes gets an official review by the company and gets a shot at making it onto toy store shelves around the country.

Though a boatload of cool designs have already made it through the wringer, there are still more than enough sci-fi and genre-inspired sets that deserve to exist. We’ve lined up a handful we’d like to see happen below, and we’d love to hear which ones you’re pulling for.

NETFLIX NOVEMBER OFFERINGS
Every month, Netflix removes some movies and shows from its always-popular Watch Instantly streaming service, and other movies and shows take their places. Whenever that happens, and a healthy crop of genre flicks just happens to be heading to the service, we like to give you a little heads-up, because we want you to enjoy your time on the couch.

In November, Netflix has decidedly to -- a bit puzzlingly -- add several new horror titles to the mix, including one that left the streaming service just before the Halloween season began. That's bad timing, but you might still be coasting on horror fumes, so have at them if you like. Plus, we've got one of the most underrated superhero movies ever, a celebrated new post-apocalyptic thriller, an indie drama with a surreal twist, an old Disney fantasy for the kids and more.

AGENT X
TNT is moving forward with Agent X.

The Turner-owned cabler has handed out a 10-episode series order for Sharon Stone starrer Agent X, the network announced Friday. The series will debut on TNT in the second half of 2015.

The drama centers on an unseen person who works to protect the country and its citizens from all manner of threats by any means necessary in times of extreme crisis when traditional law and government aren't in a position to help. Created by the original founding fathers but hidden from the view of the public, there is an agent of unknown identity that is trained and ready to serve -- deployed only at the careful discretion of the vice president. The drama is described as National Treasure meets The Bourne Identity. From The Bourne Identity's William Blake Herron, the action/adventure project hails from Turner Originals. Armyan Bernstein (Air Force One, Children of Men, Castle) is on board to executive produce.

The drama has been in the works since September 2013 and was passed over for a series pickup in May when TNT opted to retool the project, which also stars Jeff Hephner and Gerald McRaney.

Stone stars as America's first female vice president, Natalie Maccabee, a woman with brains, beauty and a cool composure that belies a restless mind. After the death of her husband, a Senate candidate, Natalie opted to run in his place. After a rapid rise as a political star, she now finds herself the newly elected vice president of the United States. Initially apprehensive that her job will be ceremonial in nature, she soon learns that it comes with a top-secret duty: protecting the Constitution in times of great crisis with the aid of her Chief Steward and a secret operative designated "Agent X."

Agent X comes as TNT recently canceled Dallas and will conclude Falling Skies next year. The network's drama slate includes Franklin & Bash, Perception, Rizzoli & Isles, The Last Ship, Major Crimes, Legends, Murder in the First, The Librarians, Public Morals and Proof.

THE ZOCALO TODAY

Facebook as well as at ISN News: The Zocalo Today on Yahoo Groups.

Did you miss the news from yesterday -- or earlier in the week. Catch up by going to the October News Archive. I have broken up the huge file into months to make it easier to scan through. It will bring you up to date for all that has been going on in the world of science fiction. Go to:
September News.
August News.
July News.
June News.
May News.

ON THE TUBE TONIGHT

8:00pm on ABC
Once Upon a Time
Season 4, Episode 6: Family Business

8:00pm on AMC
The Walking Dead
Season 5, Episode 3: Four Walls and a Roof
Rick and the others find themselves pitted against a group of nasty people.

8:00pm on FX
Dr. Seuss' the Lorax
Twelve-year-old Ted (Zac Efron) lives in a place virtually devoid of nature; no flowers or trees grow in the town of Thneedville. Ted would very much like to win the heart of Audrey (Taylor Swift), the girl of his dreams, but to do this, he must find that which she most desires: a Truffula tree. To get it, Ted delves into the story of the Lorax (Danny DeVito), once the gruff guardian of the forest, and the Once-ler (Ed Helms), who let greed overtake his respect for nature.

8:30pm on CBS
Madam Secretary
Season 1, Episode 7: Passage

9:00pm on ABC
Resurrection
Season 2, Episode 6: Afflictions
Bellamy seeks help from a surprising source; another disappearance results in a search for answers.

9:00pm on AMC
The Walking Dead
Season 5, Episode 4: Slabtown
Things appear safe and nice, but there is a bit of a dark side for another group of survivors.

9:00pm on Syfy
The Apparition
Plagued by frightening occurrences in their home, Kelly (Ashley Greene) and Ben (Sebastian Stan) learn that a university's parapsychology experiment produced an entity that is now haunting them. The malevolent spirit feeds on fear and torments the couple no matter where they run. Desperate, Kelly and Ben turn to a paranormal researcher (Tom Felton), but even with his aid, it may already be too late to save themselves from the terrifying presence.

9:30pm on CBS
The Good Wife
Season 6, Episode 7:

10:30pm on CBS
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Season 15, Episode 5: Girls Gone Wilder
A mass shooting takes place at a forensics conference that Morgan, Finlay and Sidle are attending.

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW

DYLAN NEAL
Dylan Neal, Captain from "Legend of the Rangers", will be in the film "Fifty Shades of Grey." Dylan will play Robbin "Bob" Adams in the film

BE A SANTA
Each year, Pat Tallman works very hard to make the holiday season special for disadvantaged kids at Penny Lane. It is that time of year again and she is working to reach a goal of $15,000 so that she can provide some happiness to these children who have known very little of it for most of their lives. If you can, please go to beasanta.org and help make this holiday a very special one.
Thank you.

LANTERN CITY
Lantern City is not a television show. Not yet. But Bruce Boxleitner is planning for it to be one. As he says…

And now it will be a comic book from Archaia, a twelve issue series, and the first such title since The Secret History in 2007.

More details to come, as and when….

Here is a quote from J. Michael Straczynski about emotions.
I had this theory that the more important and intimate the emotion, the fewer words are required to express it.

First it's in dating: "Will you go out with me?" Six words.
"Honey, I care for you." Five words.
"You matter to me." Four words.
"I love you." Three words.
"Marry me." Two words.
But what's left? What's the one most important and intimate word you can ever say to somebody? It's "goodbye."

While Michael O'Hare (Sinclair), Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar), Rick Biggs (Dr. Franklin), Tim Choate (Zathras) and Jeff Conoway (Zach Allen) are no longer with us, we will not forget their wonderful personalities and talent -- as well as their significant contributions to the BABYLON 5 universe. Be sure to visit In Memory Of for more information about memorial efforts.
Until we met again, in a place where no shadows fall.

BABYLON 5 BIRTHDAYS

OCTOBER
Dylan Neal - October 8
Jeff Conaway - October 5 - Gone too soon
John Vulich - October 10
Tim Choate - October 11 - we miss you
John Copeland - October 13
Linda Huse - October 16
Carmen Argenziano - October 17 (Londo's old friend Urza Jaddo in "Knives" (Season 2)

Have I missed anyone? If you know the birthday of someone connected with Babylon 5, pass the information along. We want to include everyone in our Happy Birthday Wishes.

BABYLON 5 MUSIC VIDEOS AND TRIBUTES

Here is a link to John's Babylon 5 videos:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Babylon5MusicVideos?feature=watch

Richard Biggs memorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyD4L8yNtsA

Andreas Katsulas memorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2UQ2l9NPIg

- This is the extended version that I did for Andreas' widow ater the original cut was released on the net. It's never been seen online until now.

For those of you who've never seen these, I hope you enjoy them - and for those that have (and emailed me many times over the years about releasing them), I hope they're as good as you remember. Working with Joe on these videos was one of the highlights of my career, and I'll be forever grateful to him for the doors these have opened for me. I'm proud to have them on my resume.

John Hudgens
www.zteamproductions.com

MALTA COMIC EXPO
Dates: October 31-November 2, 2014
Place: Mediterranean Conference Center, Valletta, Malta
Guests: Richard Piccardo, Dirk Benedict,Silvester McCoy and many more
For more information, go to http://maltacomicsexpo.com/.

Creation Entertainment has a large number of conventions planned for the next several months. They include stars from TWILIGHT, SUPERNATURAL, STARGATE, FARSCAPE, XENA, SERENITY, STAR TREK, etc. Check out their calendar to see if one will be in your neighborhood soon. Don't miss their Videos page as well. It is full of some priceless video from a number of conventions.

Be sure to visit the referenced sites to see if there have been changes in dates/guests attending. Visit our Convention Calendar for a full listing of upcoming conventions.

The front page of the The Zocalo Today changes daily, so be sure to check the back issues to make sure that you haven't missed anything IMPORTANT! I hope you will become a regular visitor to The Zocalo Today!

---

Take care and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sandra Bruckner (sgbruckner@aol.com)
Editor/Publisher
ISN News: The Zocalo Today
http://www.isnnews.net
Copyright - SBruckner, 1999-2014