CBR: "Astonishing X-Men" Motion Comic Trailer

[CBR News]

Courtesy of Marvel, CBR brings you the trailer for "Astonishing X-Men: Gifted," a new motion comic based on the story written by Joss Whedon featuring artwork by John Cassaday. This motion comic debuts on iTunes October 28.


Full article here (http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22771).

[timbox]

Gifted? Why?

[Kid Icarus]

Praise Throg!
They recasted Emma and now she doesn't sound like a 17 year old drama kid.

[Kasper Cole]

Gifted? Why?

Because it's the most popular arc of Astonishing X-Men. Ellis's stuff has been boring and the rest of Whedon's run doesn't make much sense without gifted.

[soul_eater]

It doesn't look as good as the Spiderwoman one, but I will give it a try. Gifted is amazing, so this can't be bad.

[Optic Rage!]

Tim is just pissed that girl he likes ain't in it.

[Washout]

Wasn't the actual whole motion comic available on marvel.com a while back?

[timbox]

Tim is just pissed that girl he likes ain't in it.

We're fighting.

Wasn't the actual whole motion comic available on marvel.com a while back?

They did issue #1 in some fake, cheap motion comic format. This seems much more advanced.

[Optic Rage!]

No, just a preview.

I like the intro music, very dramatic.

[Cayman]

Looks pretty cool.

[Filthy Mutie]

I still can't take this seriously. The animation bugs me out and/or makes me chuckle.

[PO!]

this looks more like Kirby marvel animation from the 60s. and that was awesome. this on the other hand is NOT.

[Kasper Cole]

I still can't take this seriously. The animation bugs me out and/or makes me chuckle.

Same here, the "animation" makes sealab 2021 look like a Hayao Miyazak film.

[Filthy Mutie]

Same here, the "animation" makes sealab 2021 look like a Hayao Miyazak film.

Haha, yeah. Right away it made me think of the older cartoons where it's basically a still with the mouth cut out and there's a person's mouth superimposed there, talking. (I'm sure this kind of animation has a name...)

[MasterOdin]

I just get the feeling that this stuff isn't targeted toward someone like me. Why would I want to buy this when I already own the comics? I suppose Marvel is trying to reach out to other demographics.

[Majinoaw]

Haha, yeah. Right away it made me think of the older cartoons where it's basically a still with the mouth cut out and there's a person's mouth superimposed there, talking. (I'm sure this kind of animation has a name...)

Claremontian persona/
By the eternal ... how could he have known. But of course. Bully for you Filthy Mutie, this round is yours for the taking. Caper was rigged from the onset, the decks stacked all too easily in your favor. Only one real outcome possible. But next time I'll be stronger faster, smarter. And then blackheart... then by all I swear, I will claim victory.

[streator]

for some reason i think i liked the first version of this motion comic better (the one that was online some time ago of issue 1).

[worstblogever]

Having seen all of Astonishing #1 at SDCC, I will tell you all, "Yes, the adaptation is f'n amazing. It's like seeing it for the first time, again."

[Waterlily]

I still can't take this seriously. The animation bugs me out and/or makes me chuckle.

Same. It's an awkard chuckle, though, and I don't like that feeling.

Same here, the "animation" makes sealab 2021 look like a Hayao Miyazak film.

It does look like Sealab, I knew it was familiar. If Cyclops had said, "It feels like a koala bear crapped a rainbow in my brain" I would've enjoyed this more.

[worstblogever]

Haha, yeah. Right away it made me think of the older cartoons where it's basically a still with the mouth cut out and there's a person's mouth superimposed there, talking. (I'm sure this kind of animation has a name...)

For this comment, I will link you to video of such a thing... Namor and the X-Men (sort of) vs. Dr. Doom and the Moloids from the late 60s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN7gZPv6WrQ&feature=related

In Spanish, no less.

[Filthy Mutie]

Claremontian persona/
By the eternal ... how could he have known. But of course. Bully for you Filthy Mutie, this round is yours for the taking. Caper was rigged from the onset, the decks stacked all too easily in your favor. Only one real outcome possible. But next time I'll be stronger faster, smarter. And then blackheart... then by all I swear, I will claim victory.

Damn, do I love the Claremontian persona.

Waterlily: Exactly. "Haha, uh... what? Ahem."

[nightw1ng]

geez, some people here just complain to complain. this isn't supposed to be an actual fully animated cartoon, it's a motion comic.

[Filthy Mutie]

For this comment, I will link you to video of such a thing... Namor and the X-Men (sort of) vs. Dr. Doom and the Moloids from the late 60s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN7gZPv6WrQ&feature=related

In Spanish, no less.

When Xavier appeared, I literally spat my iced espresso on the floor beneath me.

[Filthy Mutie]

geez, some people here just complain to complain. this isn't supposed to be an actual fully animated cartoon, it's a motion comic.

I'm here for the whinging.

[worstblogever]

See, after I saw the preview at SDCC, the panel had Cassaday sitting there, on it, and Joe Q, beaming at this thing, I mentioned the old 60s cartoon, like Filthy Mutie just did.

Joe Q started bristling at first, I think, expecting a "BAH, that was LAME like the 60s one." but comparing the two... watch the way Iceman "runs" in the 60s clip. Then watch the action from "Gifted". It's a marked improvement. Maybe not perfect, but these were still panels, taken from a comic that Cassaday originally created without the intent of it being adapted this way. Cassaday's art, though, offers a lot of adaptability, compared to others. I can't see Liefeld's old X-Force stuff being used any time soon, for example.

And in that sense, the work they did to make it flow is pretty damned impressive. As the technology gets better, the animation will, obviously. It's come a long way in 40 years. So with that fact, I asked the question of if it would be possible to further re-imaging many other works in the Marvel catalog.

Joe Q. answered, and in a way that I believe him, 100%, he wants to see the day he can view the panels Kirby used in Amazing Fantasy #15, and see them pop off the page, like they already do, but literally.

So yeah, I'm a fan of all this medium.

[quillero]

For this comment, I will link you to video of such a thing... Namor and the X-Men (sort of) vs. Dr. Doom and the Moloids from the late 60s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN7gZPv6WrQ&feature=related

In Spanish, no less.

LOL. Namor el Submarinero? What an awful translation. And Xavier has tranny eyebrows. Priceless.

[worstblogever]

When Xavier appeared, I literally spat my iced espresso on the floor beneath me.

I'll translate his first line! He tells the rest of the X-Men (aka the Alliance for Peace)...

"MY MUTANT BRAIN SENSES DANGER!"

[worstblogever]

LOL. Namor el Submarinero? What an awful translation. And Xavier has tranny eyebrows. Priceless.

He had tranny eyebrows on the 90s animated series, though. :redface:

[anthony!]

I don't think I'll ever get into the motion comic thing... I'd rather just watch a cartoon. The whole thing just looks cheap and unnecessary.

[quillero]

He had tranny eyebrows on the 90s animated series, though. :redface:

*checks youtube* Oh my God, you're right. LOL

I'll translate his first line! He tells the rest of the X-Men (aka the Alliance for Peace)...

"MY MUTANT BRAIN SENSES DANGER!"

Actually he says my extrasensory brain in Spanish. But I bet the English original says mutant brain, then.

[Majinoaw]

Damn, do I love the Claremontian persona.

Waterlily: Exactly. "Haha, uh... what? Ahem."

Imagine if Claremont's comics were motion comics eh... The narrartor would dominate the story. BTW you can catch the Bendis Persona exlcusively in the Avengers threads.

[worstblogever]

Actually he says my extrasensory brain in Spanish. But I bet the English original says mutant brain, then.

Here's the English version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cZ-t9YZtw0&feature=related

Yeah, he did. I had a link to it, once upon a time. It's only half as ridiculous a plot as when Magneto messes with the Fantastic Four on their 70s cartoon because... well... I don't know, really. I guess Magneto is just angry when he's high.


Here's an old gem of a thread I stopped working on:

Animated X-Men From the Beginning (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=215124)

[quillero]

Yeah, he did. I had a link to it, once upon a time. It's only half as ridiculous a plot as when Magneto messes with the Fantastic Four on their 70s cartoon because... well... I don't know, really. I guess Magneto is just angry when he's high.


Here's an old gem of a thread I stopped working on:

Animated X-Men From the Beginning (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=215124)

I think I saw that one. Is it the one where he's beaten by Mr. Fantastic's fantastic wooden weapon?

[worstblogever]

I think I saw that one. Is it the one where he's beaten by Mr. Fantastic's fantastic wooden weapon?

Yes, poor Magnus was foiled by Reed Richards thinking to hit him with a stick.

[quillero]

Yes, poor Magnus was foiled by Reed Richards thinking to hit him with a stick.

Well, he's a genius after all.

Man, I just watched the link you have in that thread. I'm gonna have that intro song in my head all day.

[Books]

Is there a cast list for these listed anywhere?

[NickFury90]

Hmm...

Ok, so its no secret that I LOVE Whedon's Astonishing X-men. I still believe that Morrison's X-men run is the best ever and its a complete epic, no need for further issues. However, when the characters are this fun, the dialog this witty, and the artwork so fantastic throughout the entire 25 issues, then I can't help but enjoy the hell out of it.

THIS, however...I don't know WTF this is. LOL @ Cyclops voice, too.

Just give me my Astonishing X-men Omnibus Marvel, and we can be friends.

[Filthy Mutie]

Imagine if Claremont's comics were motion comics eh... The narrartor would dominate the story. BTW you can catch the Bendis Persona exlcusively in the Avengers threads.

I would like to see motion comics of X-Men (vol.2) #1-3. A lot of bullet-time jump-kicks happening with all of that internal exposition. The part where Psylocke kicks Mag's helmet off is probably about three minutes long.

Also, WeBee, I totally get why you like it and that's awesome. I don't know--maybe if I saw an entire episode/issue (epissue?) I might feel differently about it.

[Personamanx]

Well I live in Canada so I would not be able to get this even if I had an IPod...

[lobsterj]

Does nobody at Marvel realize how embarrassingly third-rate these "motion comics" come across? I can only imagine Disney will put an end to them, as they do poorly what Disney perfected 60 years ago or more.

[Majinoaw]

I would like to see motion comics of X-Men (vol.2) #1-3. A lot of bullet-time jump-kicks happening with all of that internal exposition. The part where Psylocke kicks Mag's helmet off is probably about three minutes long.

Also, WeBee, I totally get why you like it and that's awesome. I don't know--maybe if I saw an entire episode/issue (epissue?) I might feel differently about it.

I can see a scene like that looking like an old japanamation movie, where the person is kicking forever...mouthwide open.
Here's another Claremontian persona entry for you. Whenever you post and I see it I'll give you a claremontian reply that makes no sense whatsoever.

Claremontian Persona caption/
That look on Filthy Mutie's face Not even a trace of fear scent... too late I before I realize the implications WBE's got me dead to rights. No wound no mark. Blood just begins pouring. My own fault really, coming in alone half cocked and full of brass. Only one way outta this and that's to let the berzerker fury in my soul loose. Been trying to tame it for what seems like an entire eternity now, thought I woulda but its saved me more times than naught. My curse, my damnation, and my salvation in its own right.

[peopleofpaper]

It looks cool but kinda funny if you pay attention to the animation. Reminds me of Angela Anaconda lol. But Joss's Astonishing run was amazing imo and I loved the art a lot. Are they doing Joss's entire run?

[geordiesteve]

I don't mean to sound negative, but my short response is, what's the point of this?

Longer response - so, let's pretend this is very successful and a billion people download it. Marvel will then go back through their catalogue and do lots more animated type cartoon things.

Realistically, a few people might watch it (only in the US though, as according to Joe Q in the latest Cup of Joe column, it's difficult to coordinate international iTunes arrangements and it takes time to sort them). So, how many of those people who download it will then go out and buy a Marvel X-men comic? That's the goal right? Not to sound like a typical business type, but they are in the business to make money, so they do this and then what? Do another one?

Question - How many people are there in the US, the type of person who would know what this is and even where to find it on the Internet, have not heard of the X-men or Marvel comics?

Answer - not many.

Question - How many of those are already reading one or more Marvel comics?

Answer - most of them.

Question - How many of those will buy an X-men comic because of this motion comic?

Answer - probably not that many.

Aha, so if this is meant as a gateway project, how many of those will then think, great, I love this comic motion thing, I'm going to read an X-men comic! Answer - maybe a few.

But where would they start? Is there a new handy X-men comic number 1 with no continuity or back story that is cleverly tied in to the release date of this motion comic! Answer - No.

As an experiment this seems pointless. Spider-woman I get. It's an experiment. You release it on iTunes (only in the US at the moment, thereby shooting yourself in the foot once already and massively reducing the number of possible downloads around the world. But ignoring that for now) first, and then later release the hard copy and we see how it all stacks up, how many double dip, how many people wait for the hard copy, and how many wait for the trade and so on.

I read Whedon's Astonishing X-men, and have no desire to see this as it will add nothing to the experience. If it was a new story, by Whedon and Cassaday that will not appear in print for a while (ala Spider-Woman) I might check it out. As it stands, I see no point.

The last part sounds negative, but I'm just trying to understand what the purpose of this is and so far have come up blank.

[Anthony W]

Motion comics are really that popular? Wow, I grew up with motion comics too! Hey kids, check out this Hulk motion comic. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BniwBfuhyg

[Gitaroo_Dude]

I think I'm going to pound my head against the wall to forget how awful those "voice actors" were.

[Michael P]

Motion comics are really that popular?

No, but for some inexplicable reason, they keep making them anyway.

[Mia]

Well I at least like they have Emma speaking with an American accent, which is supposed to be the case. She was born in Boston not England.

[Jota]

Ouch! That is some nasty animation! The voice acting is nothing to be proud too.
Also, you got to love a trailer were the main character of the story appears in just one image with no dialogue. Stellar stuff right there!

[ankushm999]

What crap animation... they should have left this alone. Cassady art makes for very very CRINGE worthy motion comicbooks.

[ExodusCloak]

Well I at least like they have Emma speaking with an American accent, which is supposed to be the case. She was born in Boston not England.

She sounds pseudo-English there...like one of the wicked witches from a disney film...maybe the Sleeping Beauty movie?

[peopleofpaper]

I think they gave Emma some dumb backstory recently that said she absorbed her British friend's mind in school and that's why she has an English accent LOL. Trying to be British Betsy but she'll never be the real Queen.

[Kasper Cole]

geez, some people here just complain to complain. this isn't supposed to be an actual fully animated cartoon, it's a motion comic.

People aren't complaining because they think it's supposed to be some amazingly animated cartoon, they're complaining because the thing looks silly. They tried too hard to make the the characters move and it results in this weird thing that makes them looking like silly putty being stretched. Look at any of the parts where a character is trying to turn their head, it looks awkward and weird and you can tell they're just warping the pick to give the illusion of movement but it doesn't work.

The Spider-Woman motion comic and the ones from the 60's actually look better than this IMO.

[Puunk]

Does this mean the "Dangerous" story arc right after will also be a Motion Comic?

[ExodusCloak]

I think they gave Emma some dumb backstory recently that said she absorbed her British friend's mind in school and that's why she has an English accent LOL. Trying to be British Betsy but she'll never be the real Queen.

Nope they didn't give her that backstory. Wealthy families in New England Boston used to speak with that kind of proper trans atlantic accent which sounds very British but it's not...heck if you've ever been to the part of South Africa that the British set up their power base or Zimbabwe and heard what the rich sound like then that's probably what Emma sounds like. Have you played Metal Gear Solid? Remember Naomi?

Betsy sounds cockney to me, isn't she cockney in WATX as well?

[Filthy Mutie]

What crap animation... they should have left this alone. Cassady art makes for very very CRINGE worthy motion comicbooks.

Yes, as opposed to all of those other motion comics with stunning animation.

[Prodigy55]

Are they releasing the entire arc all at once?

[Mia]

She sounds pseudo-English there...like one of the wicked witches from a disney film...maybe the Sleeping Beauty movie?

She sounds like an American Blue blood from the East coast who puts on a quasi fake British accent to make herself sound superior., However there is no mistaking that she's an American woman. Which is far different from the portrayal on W&TXM where Emma sounded like an announcer on the BBC, and you would have thought that the character was born and bred in England. Which she wasn't.

[peopleofpaper]

Nope they didn't give her that backstory. Wealthy families in New England Boston used to speak with that kind of proper trans atlantic accent which sounds very British but it's not...heck if you've ever been to the part of South Africa that the British set up their power base or Zimbabwe and heard what the rich sound like then that's probably what Emma sounds like. Have you played Metal Gear Solid? Remember Naomi?

Betsy sounds cockney to me, isn't she cockney in WATX as well?

Idk someone mentioned it here before and I found this on google.


During the Emma Frost comic, a miniseries that explored her childhood up to college years, Emma met a telepathic British colleague known as Astrid Bloom. Astrid taught Emma the basics of telepathy and even introduced her to world known as "unethical telepathy." Astrid and Emma's relationship eventually became hostile, which lead to a telepathic duke out in the astral plane. Emma ended up as the victorious telepath but ended up killing Astrid in the process.

While both of the inexperienced telepaths duking it out in the astral plane, Astrid's English accent accidentally transferred into Emma's speech patterns through her brain.
http://www.emmafrostfiles.com/misc/faq/does-emma-have-an-english-accent/

[nightw1ng]

i don't know how seriously you should take that last part of the info considering that part about emma getting her accent from astrid bloom was under the section "fanwank"

[Michael P]

Yes, as opposed to all of those other motion comics with stunning animation.

So, other motion comics being shit excuses this one being shit?

[Mia]

Idk someone mentioned it here before and I found this on google.



http://www.emmafrostfiles.com/misc/faq/does-emma-have-an-english-accent/

Thanks for the explanation.It's appreciated.

[Jay Dogg]

I'll get it...the Watchmen motion comic was amazing, and I'm interested in hearing as well as reading from the TV/computer screen.

However, Cyclops' voice is weak...

[Omega Alpha]

I'm watching now the Spider-Woman one (is up at Marvel.com for free), and within 80 seconds, I'm already thinking at killing myself. So my hopes aren't really high for this one.