Sandman returns, Dark Knight Rises contest, Fantastic Four gets a director, and funds are being raised for a new superhero film from Matt and Kyle on the Planet 46 Comics Show.
• TOPIC 1: GAIMAN RETURNS TO SANDMAN
Neil Gaiman, who wrote the award-winning comic book series “The Sandman” before writing acclaimed novels including “American Gods,” “Stardust” and “Coraline,” is set to return to the DC Comics 
character. The writer will write a six-issue miniseries, to be drawn by JH Williams III, to celebrate the character’s 25th anniversary, at was announced at Comic-Con International, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
The Gaiman-created version of Sandman is Morpheus, or Dream, one of the seven “Endless” entities that preside over different aspects of humanity.
It was also announced this week that Gaiman has signed a five-book deal for children’s books for HarperCollins.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you think Dark Knight Rises will open bigger than The Avengers?
Speaking of Batman: Harkins Theaters, including the Harkins in Bricktown in downtown OKC, willhost a Batman marathon leading up to the midnight release of “Dark Knight Rises.” If you’re in the Oklahoma City area, you could win a pass for yourself and a friend to this marathon! E-mail featuresdesk@opubco.com with the name of your favorite Batman villain. Put “Batman marathon” in the subject line. Enter by July 15.
Tickets are on sale for the marathon at the box office and online. Tickets retail at $20.
• TOPIC 2: JOSH TRANK TO DIRECT FANTASTIC FOUR
Fox confirms that Chronicle director Josh Trank will direct the reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise, based on the Marvel Comic. According to Deadline, the film will feature an entirely new cast, and is expected to be Trank’s next film.
• TOPIC 3: POSTHUMAN MOVIE
Fundraising continues at www.indiegogo.com/posthumanfilm for “Posthuman.” Planet 46′s co-hosts are behind this film: Kyle Roberts is set to direct from a story by Matt Price. ‘Posthuman’ is a feature-length independent superhero film which focuses on the roots of the teenage experience, capturing that careful mix of invulnerability and powerlessness that only youth can conjure.
* VIDEO: REVIEW FILE
This week’s review file features mysteries in various stages of development… beginning, middle and end.
Bloodshot 1: (5 slides) Swierczynski, Garcia, Lozzi
The latest launch from Valiant Comics features the action hero Bloodshot, one of the best-selling comic book characters of the 1990s. The book, Written by Duane Swierczynski with art by Manuel Garcia and Arturo Lozzi, is another great revamp from Valiant.
Mixing elements of a techno-thriller with noir sensibilities, Bloodshot features a main character who isn’t entirely sure who, or what, he is.
As the series begins, the lead character begins he’s set for one last black ops rescue job before stepping away from the game. But as the book continues, the reader realizes there are more levels to the story than meet the eye. Project Rising Spirit appears to be behind what’s happening to Bloodshot, but the mystery’s just beginning in another stellar first issue.
* SPIDER-MEN 3 – Brian Michael Bendis, Sara Pichelli
The cross-over between the Marvel and Ultimate Marvel universes continues in “Spider-Men.” Miles Morales and Peter Parker team up against Mysterio, who forces them to face visions of some of their greatest foes. Sara Pichelli continues to provide great art, and appropriately for a Mysterio story, there’s still plenty of Mystery about what exactly is going on, and how Peter wound up in the Ultimate Comics universe. Some great character moments from Bendis as Peter explores the history of his alternate-universe self.
• Batman 11 : Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo
It’s Batman vs Owlman in the end of the Court of the Owls storyline.
Without revealing too much, this issue follows up on last issue’s shocking revelations, while setting the stage for further revelations about the Waynes and Gotham.
Great action throughout by Greg Capullo. Scott Snyder continues with what’s one of DC Comics’ best comic book series. It’s difficult in comics to create a strong, satisfying ending to a storyline while leaving future options in play, but that’s what Snyder and Capullo have accomplished here.
