Okay, let’s see if I can knock out a few more of your questions:
Dave sez
“…Do you think the new Rogue Trooper film and presumably some sort of comics push from 2000ad could see the character break into the USA?”
Well, looking what’s coming from one of my distributors, we’ll definitely have some Rogue Trooper paperbacks reprinting all the original material, due out this month.
And this year is the given release date for the film, though I can’t seem to find any information narrowing the window any farther than that. Only about four months to go, friends, better get it out there.
The movie itself is described as an “adult animated feature” which to be frank doesn’t seem to bode well for box office success. But, who knows, maybe enough people will see the trailer, think it looks cool, and give it a shot.
Regardless, I don’t think this is the breakthrough moment for Rogue Trooper in the U.S., unless someone licenses the property and puts out a monthly outgoing. Or even just reprint the originals in color comics like they did in the ’80s, only with good reproduction.
Even then, I don’t think hitting it big, if at all, in the American direct sales comics market really counts as “getting over.” I mean, if somehow we can talk Raina Telgemeier or Dav Pilkey into doing a Rogue Trooper book aimed at younger readers, you might have something.
will richards also sez
“Does your interest in collecting Swamp Thing appearances extend to overseas (reprint) editions?”
Yes, actually. I’ve posted about a few I’ve gotten my mitts on over the years, such as this one from Australia reprinting a few of the Nestor Redondo issues in black and white:
…or this Spanish edition of the New 52 first issue:
…and ah, oui oui, le Swamp Thing en français:
And there are a few others, here and there, most of which I’ve shown on this site over the past, oh, nearly 22 years, so I don’t blame you if you missed ’em. I’m always lookin’ for more, too! Like maybe getting another chance at those ’70s Swamp Things from Mexico…I had just missed an eBay auction for those some years back and it still burns my butt.
Paul Di Filippo sez as well
“What are the odds that the next SUPERMAN movie by James Gunn will feature the scenario from Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #29 (June 1958), wherein Krypto becomes Jimmy Olsen’s pet?”
We sorta already know what the next James Gunn Superman flick is going to be about, since ol’ JG posted this Jim Lee pic online along with an announcement of the sequel’s arrival in 2027, assuming by then we’re not living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland or anything. Here’s the pic:
Two takeaways:
1) Jim Lee has a lot to answer for, in putting that high collar on Superman’s costume.
2. I guess we’re just getting full-on Luthor 1980s Battlesuit (without its Lexor origins, which I’m saying just to show off, not because I thought that was ever a possibility).
Oh, also 3) I guess that drawing is supposed to be funny, in that Superman is holding a screwdriver and Lex has a few screws loose (so to speak) beneath him. But honestly, that image just doesn’t sell it for me.
As for Jimmy getting Krypto…look, Jimmy’s too busy getting the ladies and also turning into Giant Turtle Jimmy to be taking care of a super-dog. Unless Krypto is there functioning as Jimmy’s wingman…or wingdog, helping him attract the opposite sex, and also turn into a giant turtle man.
But honestly, I am wondering what role Krypto will play in the next Superman film. Audiences now expect to see him, and though he’s presumably be in the forthcoming Supergirl movie, folks will probably want him back with the Man of Steel. You don’t want burn people out on Krypto (which hardly seems possible, but still) but now that’s he’s been introduced, he’s part of the mix. How much of a part is going to be the question Gunn and the other fella in charge of the DC stuff whose name I never remember will have to think about as, or if, the Super-movies continue.
Well, that, and if Krypto will be in the promised Swamp Thing flick. I mean, look, Bernie Wrightson his own self drew a precedent!
“new Rogue Trooper film”
If Judge Dredd didn’t break big EITHER TWO TIMES, it ain’t gonna happen with Rogue Trooper. And I LIKE Rogue Trooper.
“mean, look, Bernie Wrightson his own self drew a precedent!”
A genius AND ahead of his time!
“in putting that high collar on Superman’s costume”
I don’t like those shoulderpads- or whatever they are!
With the sole exception of Judge Dredd, 2000AD has usually had the sense to call time on strips once they reach a natural endpoint. Rogue Trooper, which went down increasingly desperate tangents once the traitorous general had died, is a sorry example of not knowing when to quit.
Operation Midway has started here Mike (the airport a few miles from my house). I’m making glitter bombs as I type this.The new trucks say DEFENDING THE HOMELAND, so we will be used to this here. I’m sure I’ll stay in touch from the gulag in Lake Michigan.
And Shark is right, why does Lee always change the effing costume? He did that with last change, putting those lines at the cuffs.
Anyone watching PEACEMAKER S2?
I hope they also bring in Brainiac for the Superman sequel. They might as well have some Legion of Super-Heroes members guest star too.
I would be down for a Laser Eraser & Axel Pressbutton streaming series or film.
Here is a Black Angels video where Rogue Trooper would feel at home–with a Ralph Bakshiesque “Wizards” aesthetic.
https://youtu.be/cJkKG_5d5vA?si=uW2yV8lPeRF3_QYk
That Jim Lee drawing is so terrible. The anatomy of the suit doesn’t work in the slightest – looking at where his neck is, there’s no way Lexs hands reach past the elbows.
Sean: I’ve always wanted a Brainiac film. When I first saw trailers, the green orb in the sky the Justice Gang was fighting was, what I had hoped, was a giveaway. But that was when I didn’t know the JG were going to be in Metropolis.
But I’d still want Brainiac to have the green face and the red dots around his head.
I haven’t thought about Laser & Axel in easily a decade.
“And Shark is right, why does Lee always change the effing costume?”
To be fair, he used to be good at designing costumes. USED to be.
Laser Eraser & Pressbutton never really had an ending, did it? As I recall, it was the late Steve Moore — no relation to Alan, and who used the pen-name ‘Pedro Henry’ — writing the characters back in the ‘Warrior’ days, although Axel Pressbutton pre-dates Warrior. Who owns the rights now?
Clearly the way forward for James Gunn is to make Krypto the Nick Fury of the DCU
@ Wayne Allen Sallee
Yeah, it will be interesting to see if Gunn eventually gives us Silver Age Brainiac, or the late Bronze/Early Copper Age reboot iteration of Brainiac, but either way I would love to see a cohort of time travelling Legion of Super-Heroes involved in the plot of such a film. My picks would be Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Brainiac 5, Timber Wolf, Shadow Lass, Matter-Eater Lad, Chameleon Boy, Sun Boy, Element Lad, Colossal Boy, Mon-El, Ultra Boy, Phantom Girl Shrinking Violet, and Dream Girl. And maybe Ferro Lad or Chemical King for the heroic sacrifice role. Even though a lot of them have the young names, I think they should be cast as heroes in their early to mid-twenties instead of teens.
@ Oliver
Apparently Alan Moore–using the nom de plume “Curt Vile” as a satirical riff on Kurt Weill–co-created Laser Eraser and Axel Pressbutton with Steve Moore–aka “Pedro Henry,” an amalgam of Pedro McGregor (who wrote a book titled Brazilian Magic) and O. Henry.
It seems that Steve Moore retained the copyright to the characters and at least one story featuring them remains unpublished.
It would be interesting to know if Alan Moore controls Steve Moore’s estate or if someone else does.
Brian Bolland and Alan Davis both drew some of the Axel Pressbutton stories, so it could be cool if they had permission to revive the characters– or maybe Laser Eraser and Axel Pressbutton could be optioned for Quinton Tarantino’s last film.
But then again, if Alan Moore controls the characters, I suppose he is not big on his creations or co-creations being adapted to film…
“Bonjour, Monsieur Swamp Thing.”
So long, and thanks for all the hallucinogenic vegetables!”
IDW did put out a reprint series of Rogue Trooper a while back, newly recoloured, to tie in with the video game being remastered and re-released. There was also a brand new original mini put out around the same time.