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It’s been said that the Devil has all the best tunes. If this is true, he likes to keep a conspicuously low profile. While songs of praise for Jesus, God, Krishna, Buddha, the Virgin Mary, and a host of other deities, saints, and semi-deities abound, Satan is seldom properly hymned.

The post The Devil’s best tunes appeared first on OUPblog.

Anton Szandor LaVey was the most outspoken and most notorious apostle of Satan in the twentieth century. On his life before founding the Church of Satan in 1966, LaVey liked to spun wild tales, but he did actually work as a professional and semi-professional musician in the carnival circuit. The High Priest of Satan was fond of bombastic classic music in the Wagnerian mould and popular tunes from the thirties, forties, and fifties, the period in which he himself had been young.

The post Was Anton LaVey serenading Satan in his cover of “Answer Me”? appeared first on OUPblog.

It seems the new run of X-Files has been a hit. (It seems wrong to call it a relaunch or a reboot since it's the same show with the same cast and credits, just after a 14 year absence.) Last night's second episode paved the way for a strong debut for Lucifer, the new show based on the Vertigo comic. (Haven't watched it yet but it's on my hard drive.) X-Files is airing in Gotham's spot for the next few weeks, and did better than that show:

Last Thursday, early afternoon, I perused the lower level halls of New York Comic Con. Autographings and photo ops were running nicely, and the Queue Hall (aka “the stockyards”) was mostly empty, as the morning crush had long subsided, and most of the Main Stage events in Hall 1-D had already occurred.  Out of curiosity, […]

For those of you who don’t know, my fellow Entertainment Editor, Hannah Lodge and I, along with Beat Contributors Harper Harris and Cal Cleary, host a mostly-weekly podcast together for our site, GeekRex (where we also write-up comic and movie reviews, along with the rare television and game piece). For the latest episode, Heidi has been […]

Though only loosely based on the comics, Lucifer is meant to take place between Lucifer’s exit in The Sandman and the beginning of the comic Lucifer, said Executive Producer Ildy Modrovich in an interview, rather than act as a television interpretation of the comic.

“At the end of Sandman, Lucifer leaves Hell to go to LA and open a piano bar,” Modrovich said. “So we’re sticking right there. Right there in the reality, the grounded world. We’re never going to go to Hell, we’re never going to go to Heaven. So it’s all about his fascination with humanity, trying to figure out if he can actually care about something other than himself.”

Modrovich also said some characters from The Sandman could show up in the show’s future, depending on whether DC would permit it.

Set to air on Fox in 2016, Lucifer stars Tom Ellis as the devil, who has recently vacated Hell to explore life on Earth, where he begins to help the LAPD solve crimes. The show will use a hybrid of episodic and serialized storytelling, according to the producers.

Ellis said he was drawn to the character from the pilot’s script, but had no idea what the source material was.

“I didn’t know it was based on a comic until I read on Deadline that I’d got the job and it was based on a DC comic,” he said. “Which I’m kind of glad about, because it might have altered my approach slightly. But now I’m reading them avidly.”

Modrovich said adapting the series has come with its set of challenges, both from fans of the property and others who had religious objections.

“When it was first announced, there were a lot of haters. Because when you’re talking about comic books, people are serious. They’re not messing around. And I don’t blame them, because Lucifer is a gorgeous comic, it’s beautiful,” she said. “So I think they were upset to hear ‘Oh, they’re going to make a cop show.’ But I feel like if they watch it for what it is, they’ll like what it is.”

The religious objection Modrovich alluded to includes a petition from AFA website One Million Moms to prevent the show from airing, claiming the series will “glorify Satan as a caring, likable person in human flesh.”

Lucifer also stars DB Woodside as Amenadiel, Lesley-Ann Brandt as Maze, and Lauren German as Chloe Dance.

Earlier this week, I took an in depth look at the claims The Wake illustrator Sean Murphy made in an interview with David Harper of SKTCHD.  Currently, Vertigo only has seven ongoing titles including the rapidly concluding Sandman: Overture.  No new titles have been announced in a year, and although their CMYK and Strange Sports anthologies have shown promise, it seemed as though Vertigo’s star was diminishing.

And then, tonight, as though in response to such claims, Vertigo has gone supernova, announcing the launch of twelve new #1s coming this fall.  This unprecedented move features new work from prolific creators such as Darwyn Cooke, Mike Allred, and Gail Simone; it also features work from some relative newcomers to comics like Supernatural creator Eric Kripke, South African novelist Lauren Beukes, and Bodies writer Si Spencer.  Notably, writer Holly Black and artist Lee Garbett will be launching a Lucifer comics series to coincide with the new NBC TV show.

Beginning in October, one new #1 will be released each week, forming the basis for a newly revived Vertigo line.  Executive Editor Shelly Bond said that the titles “represent the imprint at its core: smart and irreverent stories that will take you someplace stranger.  I can’t be more excited about the diversity of projects and creative teams we have lined up, from Vertigo veterans to a powerhouse of new voices and rising art stars.”

The fall lineup will also include American Vampire, Astro City, and Suiciders.  Curiously absent from this list is Simon Oliver’s and Robbi Roderiguez’s FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics and Caitlin Kittredge’s and Inaki Miranda’s Coffin Hill.  Roderiguez is hard at work on Spider-Gwen while Kittredge recently announced a new Image series called Throwaways.  Are these books on indefinite hiatus?  Cancelled?  Time will tell.

All in all though, I think Vertigo’s looked better than it has in a very long time.  Perhaps an old dog can learn new tricks.

Check out a bevy of preview images below.

OCTOBER

The Twilight Children #1 (Gilbert Hernandez, Darwyn Cooke)

Survivors’ Club #1 (Lauren Beukes,Dale Halvorsen, Ryan Kelly)

Clean Room #1  (Gail Simone, JonDavis-Hunt)

Art Ops #1 (Shaun Simon, Michael Allred)

NOVEMBER

Unfollow #1 (Rob Williams, Mike Dowling)

Slash and Burn #1 (Si Spencer, Max Dunbar, Ande Parks)

Red Thorn #1 (David Baillie, Meghan Hetrick)

Jacked #1 (Eric Kripke, John Higgins)

DECEMBER

Sheriff of Baghdad #1  (Tom King, Mitch Gerads)

New Romancer #1 (Peter Milligan, Brett Parson)

Lucifer #1 (Holly Black, Lee Garbett)

Last Gang in Town #1 (Simon Oliver, Rufus Dayglo)

Warner Bros. television has just announced its full line-up for this year’s San Diego Comic Con, and it’s looking quite packed. With the Supergirl pilot premiering on Wednesday, July 8th during the vaunted “Preview Night” along with a screening of Lucifer‘s pilot, as well as the pilots for Containment, Blindspot, and a new episode of Teen Titans Go!, their programming is opening up in a cracking fashion.

All of that excitement will then be followed by panel programming over the next few days that will surely be attention grabbing, particularly the Saturday night 8 pm slot in Hall H that sees what they refer to as “Superhero Saturday Night” which, among other features, will includes Q&A’s with the stars of Gotham, The Flash, Arrow, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.

You know I’ll be trying to fight my way in there! Wish me luck!

Here’s the full schedule that was released today:

FRIDAY, JULY 10

 

• 10:00–11:00 a.m. The Big Bang Theory (Season 9 Premieres September 21, Mondays 8/7c on CBS): The Big Bang Theory writers are returning to San Diego, to once again solve the comedy equation and take you behind the scenes of TV’s #1 comedy! Ballroom 20

 

• 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lucifer (Midseason on FOX): Sexy, dark and irreverent, Lucifer makes its Comic-Con debut with a screening of the complete pilot episode, followed by a Q&A with series stars Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Lesley-Ann Brandt and DB Woodside and executive producers. Room 6BCF

 

• Time TBA Mike Tyson Mysteries (New Episodes Fall 2015 on Adult Swim): With a knockout appearance last year,Iron Mike Tyson is taking on Comic-Con again and this rematch is sure to live up to the hype. After a hilarious season of solving mysteries, the Mike Tyson Mystery Team will be back in the ring with all-new episodes on Adult Swim this fall. Join voice cast Mike Tyson and Rachel Ramras (MAD), and producer Hugh Davidson (The Looney Tunes Show) for a first look at the upcoming season and a Q&A discussion.  Location TBA

 

• 12:30–1:30 p.m. The 100 (Midseason on The CW): Following the lethal events of the season finale, join The 100 stars along with executive producer Jason Rothenberg as they return to San Diego for their third appearance at Comic-Con.Ballroom 20

 

• 1:00–2:00 p.m. Teen Titans Go! (Thursdays 6/5c Cartoon Network): No trip to Comic-Con is complete without spending some time with the liveliest and craziest super hero team on television. Find out what new adventures, food fights and staring contests await Robin, Starfire, Beast Boy, Cyborg and Raven in season three of this hit animated series.  Join producers Michael Jelenic (Batman: The Brave and The Bold) and Aaron Horvath (MAD) and members of the voice cast as they screen a brand-new episode, as well as take questions on all things Titans! Room 6A

 

• 4:30–5:30 p.m. The Originals (Thursdays 9/8c on The CW): The Originals will be returning for more sexy, supernatural intrigue, romance, alliances, betrayals and bloodshed in New Orleans this fall. Join executive producers Julie Plec and Michael Narducci along with series stars Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Phoebe Tonkin, Leah Pipes, Danielle Campbell and Charles Michael Davis for a special video presentation followed by a Q&A. Ballroom 20

 

• 5:45–6:45 p.m. iZOMBIE (Tuesdays 9/8c on The CW): The brainy hit iZOMBIE returns to San Diego for its sophomore appearance at Comic-Con. After the shocking events in the season finale, be among the first to get the scoop on what’s in store for season two with executive producers Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero-Wright, along with series stars Rose McIver, Malcolm Goodwin, Rahul Kohli, Robert Buckley and David Anders. Ballroom 20

 

SATURDAY, JULY 11

 

• 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Blindspot (Mondays 10/9c on NBC): The new one-hour action-thriller Blindspot makes its Comic-Con debut with a screening of the complete pilot episode, followed by a Q&A with star Jaimie Alexander (Thor films) and executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Martin Gero. Room 6A

 

• 5:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m. Person of Interest (Midseason on CBS): Person of Interest returns to San Diego for the fifth year! Join the discussion, as the science “fiction” of Person of Interest stays one step ahead of real-world events. Find out highly confidential intel when executive producers Jonathan Nolan, Greg Plageman and Denise Thé join series stars Jim Caviezel, Michael Emerson, Kevin Chapman and Amy Acker undergo a Comic-Con interrogation with a special video presentation and Q&A. Room 6BCF

 

• 6:15–7:15 p.m.  Containment (Midseason on The CW): When a mysterious and deadly epidemic breaks out in Atlanta, a vast urban quarantine is quickly enforced, forcing those stuck on the inside to fight for their lives while local and federal officials desperately search for a cure. Containment makes its Comic-Con debut with a special screening of the entire pilot episode, followed by a Q&A with series stars David Gyasi, Christina Moses, Chris Wood, Claudia Black and Kristen Gutoskie, along with executive producers Julie Plec, Matt Corman and Chris Ord. Room 6BCF

 

• 8:00–11:00 p.m.  Warner Bros. Television & DC Entertainment Present: Super Hero Saturday Night Offers Fans a Look Inside the Worlds of Arrow, The Flash and Gotham, plus a Pilot Screening of Supergirl and Video Presentations of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Vixen: DC fans … get ready for another Super Hero Saturday Night! Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment will again welcome fans into the worlds of some of DC Comics’ greatest characters during a three-hour super-experience in Hall H. The exclusive evening will feature a pilot screening of the highly anticipated new action series Supergirl, followed by a Q&A with stars and producers; plus, individual special video presentations and Q&As with stars and producers from Arrow, The Flash and Gotham. Also, don’t miss a special Q&A with cast and producers of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and a peek at the new digital series Vixen. Hall H

 

SUNDAY, JULY 12

 

• 10:00–11:00 a.m. The Vampire Diaries (Thursdays 8/7c on The CW): The cast and creative team behind The Vampire Diaries return to San Diego — for the first time in Hall H — for a sizzling seventh appearance at Comic-Con. Series stars Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Kat Graham, Candice Accola and Michael Malarkey will join executive producers Julie Plec and Caroline Dries on stage for a video screening and Q&A session. Hall H

 

• 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Supernatural (Wednesdays 9/8c The CW): Join series stars Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins and Mark A. Sheppard, along with executive producer Jeremy Carver, as they return to answer questions from the audience about what’s in store for the eleventh season of this exciting series! Fans will also be treated to an exclusive video presentation featuring series highlights, as well as special features from the upcoming Supernatural: The Complete Tenth Season DVD and Blu-ray™ release on September 8. Hall H

 

• 1:00–2:00 p.m. Childrens Hospital (New Episodes in 2016 on Adult Swim): Adult Swim’s two-time Emmy®-winning live-action comedy returns to Comic-Con for a sixth year! Creator and star Rob Corddry and executive producer David Wain will be joined onstage by select cast for a lively (and medically accurate!) Q&A.  Room 25ABC

 

Still smarting over the cancellation of Constantine by NBC? Wondering what may be next for Vertigo television adaptations?

Here’s your chance to find out, as FOX has revealed the first trailer for their adaptation of Mike Carey‘s Lucifer as a part of their Upfronts presentation:

It is definitely a far cry from the Sandman spin-off that I loved so dearly, but perhaps this sort of wider audience appeal will register with more viewers. The critically panned, but very popular Gotham has been a huge hit for FOX, and scores the biggest ratings of any comics-based series outside of The Walking Dead. The network has some confidence in their ability to turn DC properties into hits, so we’ll see if it holds up.

Here’s the synopsis:

The Devil has come to Los Angeles…

Based upon the characters created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg for DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint, LUCIFER is the story of the original fallen angel. Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR (Tom Ellis, “Merlin”) has abandoned his throne and retired to L.A., where he owns Lux, an upscale nightclub.

Charming, charismatic and devilishly handsome, Lucifer is enjoying his retirement, indulging in a few of his favorite things – wine, women and song – when a beautiful pop star is brutally murdered outside of Lux. For the first time in roughly 10 billion years, he feels something awaken deep within him as a result of this murder. Compassion? Sympathy? The very thought disturbs him – as well as his best friend and confidante, MAZIKEEN aka MAZE (Lesley-Ann Brandt, “The Librarians”), a fierce demon in the form of a beautiful young woman.

The murder attracts the attention of LAPD homicide detective CHLOE DANCER (Lauren German, “Chicago Fire”), who initially is dismissive of Lucifer. But she becomes intrigued by his talent for drawing out people’s secrets and his desire to dispense justice, doling out punishment to those who deserve it. As they work together to solve the pop star’s murder, Lucifer is struck by Chloe’s inherent goodness. Accustomed to dealing with the absolute worst of humanity, Lucifer is intrigued by Chloe’s apparent purity and begins to wonder if there’s hope for his own soul yet.

At the same time, God’s emissary, the angel AMENADIEL (DB Woodside, “Suits,” “24”), has been sent to Los Angeles to convince Lucifer to return to the underworld…can the Devil incarnate be tempted toward the side of Good, or will his original calling pull him back toward Evil?

Lucifer will premiere in 2016.

Between some casting news and a few choice interviews, it was a busier 24 hours than most in the entertainment news cycle. Here are the headlines of interest for the weekend:

– CBS’ Supergirl added a few Superman franchise vets yesterday as both Dean Cain (Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman) and Helen Slater (Supergirl, the movie) have signed on for the series. It isn’t the first time these two have re-joined the DC Universe, both appeared in Smallville at different times: Cain as a Vandal Savage-like immortal scientist, and Slater as Lara-El. Their roles are being kept under wraps this time around.

– FOX’s Lucifer has found its lead as well, as British thespian Tom Ellis (Rush, Miranda) will be playing the former Lord of Hell who now helps the LAPD punish criminals.

– On the Avengers: Age of Ultron side of things, we have some new character posters promoting the film including The Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, and Nick Fury:

– Collider also has a great interview with Chris Hemsworth that’s worth a look at if you’re curious where Marvel may be taking Thor specifically. There’s one bit of exchange I found interesting, where Hemsworth slightly hints at why Thor: The Dark World wasn’t as necessarily successful as the first Thor:

What’s something Thor gets to do in this film that he hasn’t done before in the other fims?

HEMSWORTH: He’s loosened up a bit. I think we lost some of the humor and the naïveté, that sort of fish out of water quality of Thor from the first film into the second one. There were things I loved about what we did in the second one too, tonally, but that sense of fun… I would have liked it to be there a bit more, and Joss I think felt the same way.  So there’s more humor in Thor or at least because he’s been on Earth, he’s a little more accessible now.  He’s off Asgard now so he doesn’t have to be as regal and kingly as he is in that world, which is nice. I enjoy that more.  It’s sort of a box, which is tough to step out of on Asgard.  You know, that stuff just looks out of place whereas here, he can have a gag with the guys and he can throw away lines and be a party scene with them in civilian clothes, which is nice.

– Speaking of regal superheroes, Jason Momoa chatted briefly with EW while promoting Sundance TV’s The Red Road, and of course Aquaman came up. At one point he compares his DCU experience with that of Conan The Barbarian:

The whole mythology of Aquaman is pretty amazing. There’s so many things to tell, and there’s a whole backstory that’s just amazing. There’s a lot of surprises coming. I think, yeah, he’s been cast aside. But, um [laughs] times are going to change now, buddy. Conan was really hard, because you have 15 different types of fans and so many things to respect and honor. To do it right it’s got to be bloody-bloody-bloody-bloody-bloody, and not a lot of people go see that anymore. It’s not the ’80s anymore. It’s a really hard format. We busted ass, but there were a lot of cooks in the kitchen on that one. What’s great about this is Zack, man. We don’t want to just reinvent it, but he’s a got a whole idea of what Aquaman should be and I’m really honored to be playing it. I’m excited for the world to see it.

He also more or less confirmed that Aquaman’s role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is fairly small and filming for Justice League has not begun yet.