DC Universe Online

I know this has been out for a while now (since November last year) but this still looks very cool. Why can't they make a feature length movie like this?

Superman outed

I think I like Batman's comment the best.

Never be stuck for a name again

Looking for a good name for the hero of your latest short story? Can't finish that superhero strip you're writing because you can't thing of a suitably superheroic moniker? Lost for words when it comes to the title of your next fantasy magnum opus?

Well have no fear, for Michael Carroll is here!

The Iron Man Cometh

Superman for sale

A rare Superman comic is up for sale in New York and is expected to set a new record. A California man is auctioning off his 1st edition Action Comic book, the very first of the Superman comics, after holding onto it for 58 years.

Stephen Fishler, of Metropolis Collectibles, is handling the online auction and says he expects the comic to set a new record for an Action One book, which currently stands at $250,000 (£174,000). Experts say there are about ten high-grade copies of the comic known to exist - those which have not been artificially restored.

The comic - which originally sold for 10 cents at a used book store - lays out the origin of Superman: his birth on another planet and how bullets bounce off him. Some things are a little different: the "S" on his shirt has a slimmer style than today, and back then he could only, "leap over tall buildings in a single bound" rather than fly.

To watch the video about this news item, click here.

The Batman meets his ultimate nemesis

Mood Music

I used to buy a lot of music. Every week or so I would pick up a new album or a classic CD to enjoy. However, I found that the music I listened to when I was writing had a big impact on how well I worked, and how effectively I stayed focused. Basically, classical music was the way to go - music without lyrics - film soundtracks.

These days, as I spend four days a week (plus evenings and weekends) writing, practically the only music I now buy is film soundtracks. The right piece of music helps to create the right mood in which to write.

Whilst writing the dramatic, action-packed chapters that lead up to the climax of my latest novel, Human Nature, I have been mostly listening to The Dark Knight, Beowulf and Casino Royale (specifically track 8, Miami International).

Of course, I have various other soundtracks in my collection, but I would be interested to hear what other people would recommend. Post your suggestions here.

And talking of the Miami International music, check out this remix of the train scene in Spiderman 2 set to the same piece from Casino Royale. It's amazing how much the dramatic highs and lows of the scene match David Arnold's music so well!

A Steampunk Superhero

If you're anything like me, then from time to time you've thought that it would be fun to create your own superhero. Well, now you can - at the click of a mouse.

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If you head over to ugo.com you can try out their HeroMachine 2.5 software. You can choose the pose of your character, gender, hairstyle, companion, costume... pretty much everything!
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So, in part inspired by the new Batman movie The Dark Knight and in part inspired by my preparations for the next Pax Britannia novel (that's the one after Human Nature), I would like to present Spring-Heeled Jack, a steampunk superhero.

But in all seriousness, I could see a tool like this proving very useful when it comes to creating new characters. You simply design their look using HeroMachine, print it out and then you have a consistent image to refer back to during the writing process. I know it will help me, certainly.