Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) surprised some 6,000 fans gathered for a Marvel Studios presentation when he stepped out just as it was ending and started introducing the cast of The Avengers. He brought out stars Clark Gregg (Agent Phil Coulson), Scarlett Johannson (Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Chris Evans (Captain America). He then introduced another surprise guest, Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), who brought out the rest of the all-star cast, including Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk).

For the first time, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye and The Incredible Hulk together on stage. Anyway, I wasn’t there .. but it would be really cool if they were all in costumes and Captain America shouted Avengers Assemble!

The Avengers is based on the comic book series, which brings various Marvel superheroes together. The Avengers is due May 4, 2012 and will be directed by Joss Whedon.

Via Deadline.

The company developed its app in conjunction with comiXology, which has developed digital comics apps for a number of comic book publishers, including Marvel.

Titles made available as of Wednesday include Batman: Hush, Green Lantern: Rebirth, Fables: Legends in Exiles and Planetary: All Over the World and Other Stories, with prices ranging from 99 cents to $2.99 per issue. While most of these are backlist titles already available in print, the miniseries Justice League: Generation Lost, is being made available day and date with the print version at the same price point of $2.99.

DC and comiXology also announced that a portion of the revenues from digital comics sales will be used for a Retailer Affliate Program that will benefit owners of brick-and-mortar comic book shops. They also announced that comic book creators also will benefit from and be paid for sales of the digital comics featuring their work.

Via AnimationMagazine.

Two titans of the comics industry are locked in a mortal struggle in a Wisconsin courtroom. Hanging in the balance: control of a popular character and lucrative royalties.

​The case pits Todd McFarlane–who was at one time the No. 1 artist in the business–against Neil Gaiman, a writer who has won numerous literary awards and was recently lambasted by the Star Tribune for having the temerity to charge for a speaking engagement at a local library (a fee he donated to charity).

Back in the early 1990s, McFarlane’s hyper-detailed, anatomy-defying renderings of Spider-Man made him a fan favorite and the first of a new breed of rock star artists, a group that also included Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee. Recognizing their market value, the trio decided to break away from Marvel and start their own company, Image Comics … [CityPages]

Provided you have an ipod