Superman 'New Krypton' plot seems ripe for the leap to film - if only. . .

While a slew of new comic properties-to-film announcements have been made recently and loads more are scheduled for the next few years (see below), there is one major hole in the movie-development doughnut.

There are currently no solid plans for a new Superman movie.

A huge reason is that few in Hollywood seem to be able to get a handle on the character and tell a story epic in scope while also having the Man of Steel be relatable. Another is that Bryan Singer's "Superman Returns" was poorly received by critics and fans alike and Warner Brothers wants time or an idea that will blow away the masses to erase the stink from that 2006 effort.

They only have to look at the medium that birthed him for an example.

This past week's "Superman" No. 685 concluded "New Krypton," a broad, sweeping, focused story line that deals with the ultimate hero facing perhaps his greatest wish fulfilled - the "return" of his people - when 100,000 Kryptonians appeared on Earth.

Despite his initial joy, Superman quickly realizes that despite his idealized view of Kryptonians, they are flawed just like humans are, only each of them has the powers that he has. At one point, Lex Luthor exclaims that a race of people that multiply Superman's power by one hundred thousand could easily subjugate the people of Earth - and for a change it is hard to disagree with him.

Torn between his allegiance to his "resurrected" people and his adopted planet, Superman's world becomes increasingly tense, resulting in his cousin, Supergirl, cold-cocking him - and other family and global concerns.

Also, while the residents of New Krypton dispatch some of Superman's most dangerous enemies as a result of sheer numbers, Superman is horrified to learn that his three most deadly enemies, General Zod, Ursa and Non (the villains from "Superman II") have regained positions of power.

To ensure the safety of both the peoples of New Krypton and Earth, Superman is offered a chance to join his people - where he can keep an eye on them, if he renounces all his ties to Earth - including his wife and mother.

"Superman" No. 685 brilliantly recaps all that has come before and sets the stage for tales to come, stories centered on a "World Without Superman" and on showing not only what makes the Man of Steel tick, but what makes him special. This is how to tell a tale of Superman leaving Earth - not on a selfish, quixotic quest but for the greater good of two peoples. Are you listening, Bryan Singer?

Fans anticipating the release of the "Citizen Kane" of comics in theaters this Friday can enjoy a digital version of the graphic novel starting tomorrow and also save money on their tickets to the cinema.

"Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic" hits shelves tomorrow in both Blu-ray and DVD and each purchase includes $7.50 in movie cash to see "Watchmen" in theaters.

"Watchmen" artist Dave Gibbons oversaw this project, which adds limited motion, voice and sound to the classic panels and the entire running time encompasses just under 5 hours. The 2-disc DVD set is available for $28.98 and on Blu-ray for $35.99

'Youngblood'

While the next three years may be looked back on someday as a golden age of comic book movies, the announcement - reported by Variety - that Rob Liefeld's creation, "Youngblood," has been optioned for the big-screen and will be directed by Brett Ratner, seems to guarantee the next three years will also be a golden age for the surprisingly high number of fanboys who seem to take a perverse pleasure in ripping the work of both men to shreds.

Honestly, Comics Guy can't believe what a lightning rod Liefeld is. Despite being in the industry close to 20 years and it being over a decade since some of his greatest controversies, many fanboys and Internet posters seem to go out of their way to bash him, his work and opinions. No one else comes close.

Toss in Ratner, whom many fans seem unable to forgive for what they felt was a shoddy conclusion to the X-film trilogy (2006's "X-Men: The Last Stand") and the buzz on this film, for good and ill, should be incredible.

Liefeld told Newsrama.com in an interview that writers have been hired to work on the screenplay and that Reliance, the Indian company that optioned the film, is prepared to budget the film up to $150 million.

Liefeld added that Ratner plans on doing a yet-to-be-finalized "Conan" film first and that the director got Reliance involved in the deal.

"Brett's films have made over $1 billion domestically," Liefeld said, dismissing the criticism. "He seeks more creative control over his movies and Reliance provides him with that option. They have a gajillion dollars to finance movies [and] he is in high, high demand."

Liefeld added that he has been and will be "intimately involved" with the project.

"My pitch was derived from a 'Youngblood' screenplay I wrote," Liefeld said. "Last winter we got the ball rolling, this spring we auditioned writers and this summer we hammered out the script. I haven't been able to speak about this for months but we've been moving this movie along for the last 12 months. As a producer on the film, Brett has asked me to stay very involved and we talk about 'Youngblood' all the time."

Liefeld said what really has him excited is that Ratner "digs" his take on the character.

"A billion-dollar funded strike force with unlimited resources functioning as supercops in an ultraviolent world and then media covering their every move told from the point of view of their latest and most reluctant recruit, Shaft. What's not to love?" *

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