There’s a new Black Panther leaping onto shelves this February and she—yeah, you heard us—is already making waves in the mainstream. What’s happened to T’Challa, the previous Black Panther? What does it mean for the future of the Black Panther? And just who is under that mask? For some answers and hints, the men behind this new plot twist sat down with the Washington Post in their first interview.

So who’s the woman who will wear the costume? Neither Hudlin nor Quesada would divulge the identity, but judging by their comments, the future of T’Challa — the current Black Panther — is quite bleak.

Read what Marvel Editor in Chief Joe Quesada and series writer Reginald Hudlin had to say here: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2008/10/this_just_in_for_2009_the_new.html

There’s a storm brewing in Wakanda, and it hits this February in the extra sized Black Panther #1!

Check this week’s Entertainment Weekly (hits newsstands October 17) for more photos from the Star Trek flick. Or head over to EW online for their cover story including JJ Abrams’ response to Shatner’s YouTube video.

From EW.com:

After 10 often dismal movies, Star Trek had turned into a pop culture punchline. Even people who’d built their entire careers around Trek could see the writing on the wall. “Star Trek,” says Leonard Nimoy, “had run its course.” But director J.J. Abrams believes he can make the franchise cool again. This week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly has the inside scoop on Abrams’ surprising, idealistic odyssey, which could become next summer’s multiplex juggernaut.

“I don’t think people even understand what Star Trek means anymore,” says Abrams, who saw the first Star Trek film in 1979 with his father at a theater on the Paramount lot. But he feels no warm-fuzzy nostalgia about it. In fact, Abrams can sum up his regard for Trek in two words: Galaxy Quest, the 1999 hit starring Tim Allen that satirized Trek with painful precision. “It’s so ridiculous, so accurate, so sophisticated, it spoils the Star Trek universe,” he says. Plus, at heart, Abrams is still more of a Star Wars guy. “All my smart friends liked Star Trek,” he says. “I preferred a more visceral experience.” Which is exactly why he accepted Paramount’s offer in 2005 to develop a new Trek flick; creative­ly, he was engaged by the possibility of a Star Trek movie “that grabbed me the way Star Wars did.”

Abrams says he was also drawn to the project because he believed in—and wanted to evangelize—Trek’s unabashed ideal­ism. “I think a movie that shows people of various races working together and surviving hundreds of years from now is not a bad message to put out right now,” says Abrams. That ethos may seem cornball to an America darkened by a decade’s worth of catastrophe, but after an election season that has seen both presidential nomi­nees run on “hope” and “change,” Star Trek just may find itself on the leading wave of a zeitgeist shift—away from bleak, brood­ing blockbusters and toward the light. “In a world where a movie as incredibly produced as The Dark Knight is raking in gazillions of dollars, Star Trek stands in stark contrast,” Abrams says. “It was important to me that optimism be cool again.”

Is the world ready again for Trek’s optimistic vision of the future? Some involved with the film suspect the presidential election may have a dramatic effect on how Star Trek will be perceived. “This is a franchise that offers hope for unity—and so does Barack Obama,” says Zachary Quinto, who plays Spock. “When this movie comes out, and Obama is presi­dent, hopefully there will be some parallels.” Perhaps, but the elder Spock knows that moments of unity can be fleeting. “My only regret is that the movie can’t come out sooner,” Nimoy says. “I think the world could use it. Don’t you?”

While Nimoy will be putting on his ears to play a wizened Spock in the new Star Trek, don’t expect a cameo by William Shatner as Captain Kirk. Last month, the 77-year-old actor posted a video on YouTube, complaining about being left behind, and chastising Abrams, even though Shatner’s Kirk died in Star Trek Generations (1994). “I brought him back to life in one of my books, very easily,” Shatner tells Abrams in the video. “I’m just sorry that I’m not in your wonderful movie.”

Abrams has seen the video, of course. “I don’t know how my life has become a thing where William Shatner talks to me through YouTube,” Abrams tells EW. “I was such a huge fan of his, but we wrote a scene for him in the movie and it didn’t feel right. And he said to us—he said publicly—that doing a cameo didn’t interest him. Which I totally appreciate. But we did try.” EW tried to reach Shatner, but he declined to be interviewed. Through a spokesperson he said, “I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to be involved in the Star Trek universe at this point.”

The Gavin Hood-helmed X-Men spin-off is currently filming in Sydney, Australia, and is due in theaters on May 1, 2009.

Contest Duration: February 5th, 2008 to March 14th, 2008.

The sexy Shadow Hunter has a family from hell- literally! Tough break. Is your FAMILY FROM HELL?!?

Tell us why your family is from hell. Use words, pictures, videos- whatever you want!

One Grand Prize: Custom sketch by Greg Horn of the badass Shadow Hunter kicking your bad ass!

Ten First Prizes: Limited Edition Greg Horn lithograph signed by Jenna Jameson and a Virgin Comics Trade Paperback Collection

Enter at www.jennacomix.com

Acclaimed poster artist and illustrator, Shepard Fairey has produced a set of poster prints to accompany his endorsement of Senator Barack Obama. He will be selling screen prints of the PROGRESS poster via his website (obeygiant.com) to support a larger statewide poster campaign.

“I believe with great conviction that Barack Obama should be the next President. I have been paying close attention to him since the Democratic convention in 2004. I feel that he is more a statesman than a politician. He was against the war when it was an unpopular position (and Hillary was for the war at that time), Obama is for energy and environmental conservation. He is for healthcare reform. Check him out for yourself www.barackobama.com. Proceeds from this print go to produce prints for a large statewide poster campaign.”

For ordering informaition, media requests and more information please visit his website or contact info@obeygiant.com.

See also: Obama wallpapers!

The four actors join the cast which already includes Sienna Miller (The Baroness), Ray Park (Snake Eyes), Rachel Nichols (Scarlett), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Heavy Duty), Said Taghmaoui (Breaker), Marlon Wayans (Ripcord), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Rex) and Byung-hun Lee (Storm Shadow). Filming is to begin next month, with the film set for an August 2009 release.

Vidication for the legions of TWOP posters who constantly noted the potentially hot taboo chemistry of a familial Peter & Clair hookup — their fantasies have apparently become reality! No such news for the legions who constantly noted the potentially hot taboo chemistry of a familial Peter & Nathan hookup — their fantasies remain fan-fic, for now.

Latino Review, reports that Korean actor Byung-Hun Lee will play Storm Shadow, while Rachel Nichols (Alias, P2) will be playing Scarlett.

Meanwhile, according to The Hollywood Reporter, two more Joes have been confirmed, in addition to Nichols; Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Lost, Oz) as Heavy Duty, and Said Taghmaoui (Kite Runner, Sleeper Cell) as Breaker.

Scheduled for an August 2008 release, G.I. Joe is based on the popular Hasbro action figures, which have been accompanied by a number of animated series, as well as comic books courtesy of Marvel, and currently Devil’s Due Publishing. Stephen Somers (The Mummy, Van Helsing) is directing.

“It was a good look for the kid because Robert Downey Jr. recognized me as soon as I seen him,” says Ghostface. “He was like, ‘Yo, Tony!’ … For him to recognize me, I was kinda surprised by that.”

Iron Man will be released in theaters on May 8th, 2008.

Two major roles have already been cast; Justin Chatwin (War of the Worlds, The Invisible) will play Goku, while James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel) will play Piccolo.

Filming is set to begin later this month, with 20th Century Fox eyeing an August 15th, 2008 release. Chatwin has reportedly already begun training with the stunt performance company, 87Eleven.

Some cite that a potential writers’ strike may be a major factor in NBC’s decision to halt the spin-off, given the budgetary concerns. Others believe that the decline in ratings for Heroes in general could also be to blame.

“‘Justice League’ is going to be dope, it’s going to be huge. But it’s not the movie for me.”

Short is the second actor to turn down a role in the George Miller-helmed superhero film, following Jessica Biel, who had been in talks to star as Wonder Woman.

While the search for Justice League’s Green Lantern continues, Warner Bros. has tapped TV writer/producer Greg Berlanti to direct a solo Green Lantern film, according to Variety.

Cho and Pegg will be joining the cast that already includes Zachary Quinto (Heroes) as Spock, Zoe Saldana as Uhura, Anton Yelchin (Alpha Dog) as Chekov, and Eric Bana (Hulk, Troy) as the film’s villain, Nero. Chris Pine (Smokin’ Aces) is apparently in talks to play Captain Kirk.

Warner Bros. also hopes that Justice League could re-ignite interest in a Wonder Woman solo film. Buffy creator, Joss Whedon, had been attached to write and direct a Wonder Woman film, but ultimately left the project late last year.

“I’m on the book for the long haul,” said Dixon, suggesting that he may just stay on the book long enough to surpass his previous 100-issue mark on the book.

Chuck Dixon returns to Robin with January’s #170.

“We are very excited to bring ‘Robotech’ to the big screen,” Maguire said. “There is a rich mythology that will be a great foundation for a sophisticated, smart and entertaining film.”