Learn the Green Lantern oath so you can recite it with us when we all attend this week’s premiere of the big-budget Green Lantern movie in Hong Kong.

Sure, he’s not as famous as Spider-Man or Batman, so DC Comics has you covered with an iPhone and iPad app that will condense 70+ years of history on the Emerald Gladiator himself.

In the app you’ll get a bunch of free Green Lantern comics, the trailers for the movie, animated movie and video game plus as much GL trivia you can handle so you come out looking like a Guardian of Oa, not a Guardian of Ga’hoole.

Download it here.

If for some reason one of the major news channels in the world didn’t spoil it for you, Marvel Comics killed off the one of the Fantastic Four (don’t worry, no body was found!) and will replace him with none other than Spider-Man.

Marvel recently revealed his new costume, and that of the entire Fantastic Four, as they change their name to the Future Foundation – we were facinated by the choice of colors and think it a cool shout-out for the most futuristic family in comics as inspired by the work of Apple.

Find out who Spider-Man is replacing on the team with more images below:

That’s right: The Human Torch gave his life to save the others and they go and hire his buddy Spider-Man to fill in for him:

Why is everyone so happy in this picture if their family member just died? I guess having Spider-Man on the team to help sales is reason for cheering:

But don’t worry red-and-blue fans, the makers of the fourth live-action Spider-Man movie have you covered – here is the first official photo of Andrew Garfield – the NEW Peter Parker in the NEW Spider-Man costume that will swing in 3D to theatres in Summer 2012.

And lastly, this is kind of cool for Chrome users – you can read Marvel Comics in your Chome broswer now! Optimized for the Google Chrome Web browser and utilizing the power of HTML 5 technology, this Web-based app offers over 1,600 comics available for single issue purchase to read on your PC or Mac!

And if you bought a Marvel comic on your iPad you can also use your account to read it in Chrome for no extra cost – have a look at it in action here.

Although the new apparel from I.T’s Chocoolate brand might not make people look up to the sky they are still just as eye catching. Comic book fans can get a stylish zip-up jacket or Hoodie with one the crest of one of three favourite super heroes from the DC Universe, Superman, Batman and The Flash. The black and white logo hoodies sport a spray paint street tagging style that will make all those other gangsters think twice about messing with you. If you are a die-hard purest than the zip-up jackets with hoods will be what you want, each in the same colour scheme and proper logo colours of each hero.

Also available is a limited edition special T-shirt box set that includes three coloured T-shirts each bearing the crest of Superman, Batman and the Flash. Also included in the box set are a blanket with a large Batman logo on it and 3 badges with the tagging style hero logos.

For customers who buy more than HK$900 worth of DC Comics apparel at CHOCOLATE they can get a free teddy bear (while stocks last). Shoppers can choose from one of three hooded bears wearing each one with a different hero’s logo on his chest. For customers who spend over HK$1,200 they can get a Batman blanket (also while stocks lasts).

• Zip-up Jacket (men, women) HKD$539
• Hooded sweater (men, women) HKD$499
• Boxset HKD$799

CHOCOOLATE Store Address:

• Ground Floor, 537 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay (Tel: 25726687)
• City Plaza, Taikoo Shing, Shop 280 (Tel: 29676477)
• 28 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sun Plaza, Basement, Shop B07-08 (Tel: 2377-1651)
• 63 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (Tel: 27397798)
• 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, The ONE, Shop GB02 (Tel: 2677-0061)
• Langham Place, Mongkok, 06-10 L6 Shop (Tel: 35149303)
• Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong, Shop L1-30 (Tel: 22657521)
• East Point City, Tseung Kwan O Shop 137-139 (Tel: 26284437)
• 1163-1164 Metro City Phase II Shop (Tel: 31943019)
• Sha Tin New Town Plaza, Phase I, Shop 416 (Tel: 26963935)
• Tuen Mun Town Plaza, Phase I, Shop 3277 (Tel: 24419772)
• 263-265, Landmark North, Sheung Shui (Tel: 26725711)

Briefcases usually denote you’re there to do business. They’re meant to carry your papers and, most of the time, are geared to blend in. Not this bad boy.

If just giving out the Iron Man 2 Blu-ray isn’t a big enough gift for the Shellhead in your life, then perhaps this Iron Man 2 Tony Stark Mark V Briefcase Replica is showing you how to get things done.

It has a resemblance to the movie version that ought to get testosterone-filled colleagues in the boardroom sit up and take notice. Inside, it will come with a genuine leather interior and a custom molded lazer cut EVA foam (which reads “STARK”), where the exterior features a movie accurate machined look, boasting brushed aluminum and durable red automotive paint alongside a couple of buckles that function as locks for additional privacy.

It won’t come cheap though at HK$3,500/US$460 a pop, leaving only 1,000 units worldwide for purchase.

With 2 sucessful Iron Man movies and his participation in the 2012 Avengers movie its about time to release the obligatory anime since he already has a kids show and an American animated movie.

As part of a four-series collaboration between the Japanese Madhouse animation house and Marvel, Iron Man will star in a 12 episode anime that will premiere in Japan on Animax in October.

Madhouse – the studio behind Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust and Trigun to name a few – is doing the animation based on a script from British comic book writer Warren Ellis – but its gone through a lot of changes since the first trailer was released:

but here is the original trailer:

Interesting change in animation style. We’re not sure if its because of cost or that someone thought that Iron Man should be rendered in CGI as much as possible but while they both look good we would have loved to see the original version.

How do you out-Tony Stark, Tony Stark?

In anticipation of fans of the movie Iron Man, Marvel has done its own reboot of its comic book Iron Man in hoping that the spill over of fans from the movie will come in and grab the comic book or better yet download the comic book from the Marvel Comics iPad app.

To take Tony Stark to the next level of armor design, Marvel hired one of the concept designers from the movie – Ryan Meinerding - to go crazy and this is what they came up with:

The Invincible Iron Man #25 is where this debuts and is available in Hong Kong at comic book stores like Clark’s Comics or via the Marvel Comics app for iPad and iPhone.

Read more about the armor development here or visit one of the best Iron Man sites around: IronManArmory.com

If you haven’t seen the new Iron Man 2 film yet, better skip this post until you have – as it’ll reveal answers to questions you might have about the after-credit sequence.

The Neonpunch.com team have been keeping ourselves in the dark about Iron Man 2, even though we are online 25 hours a day. While the credits were rolling we were quickly debating what it could be, taking into consideration all the announcements that Marvel Studios have made in the past year.

And here’s what its all about:

When S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson tells Tony Stark about 3/4 through the new film that he has been called away to New Mexico – it already got our minds racing: What is in New Mexico?

Director Jon Favreau drops this tidbit and then continues on with the amazing conclusion to the film, but we knew that Coulson was going to make a final appearance in the “after-credits” scene that made many people go back and re-watch the first Iron Man.

First some background on the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division or easier-said as S.H.I.E.L.D. (which is the movies’ definition of the acronym, the comic acronym was originally Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division. It was changed in 1991 to Strategic Hazard Intervention, Espionage Logistics Directorate) which is like a super secret Marvel Universe mix of the CIA/FBI/X-Files/Men in Black/BPRD/U.N.C.L.E. led by the infamous Nick Fury. (why he’s Black and not White, is a whole ‘nother can of worms which we will do a follow-up post on.)

Since their first appearance in the Marvel comic called Strange Tales in 1965, S.H.I.E.L.D. has been a globe-spanning organization that is around to keep the world in order, without superpowers, but with skilled James Bond-types and cool gadgets hence the acrobatic moves of Scarlett Johansson’s agent codename Black Widow. If you were around in the 60′s you’ll see that this comic book was highly influenced by the first James Bond film Dr. No and the TV series The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Its too bad that Marvel didn’t do all their movies from the beginning instead of Sony and Fox, because S.H.I.E.L.D. would be able to cameo in everything from X-Men to Fantastic Four to Spider-Man, to create a cohesive universe like they have in the comics. But we’re happy they will be able to use it now in Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America and Thor.

And with that we now give you your last chance to click out of here before we spoil the after-credit scene.

Gone?

You’ve seen Iron Man 2 right to the end?

Ok, then…let’s get on with it:

So back to New Mexico camera shows a car pulling up in the desert with New Mexico plates, Agent Coulson steps out and the camera shows us the last shot of a giant crater and then the camera pans to a giant stone hammer.

“Colonel Fury? Yes, we found it!”

Screen goes black.

What is the meaning of that hammer?

That hammer is called Mjolnir and it belongs to the Norse god Thor – who also happens to be a Marvel Comics super hero (first appearance Journey into Mystery #83 in 1962) and will be the featured character in the next Marvel movie due out in May 2011.

So lets talk about who and what Thor is in the context of the comic book character. You can read all about the Norse myth character here – but for this post its all about Stan Lee and Jack Kirby - yes those guys again, the most prolific and industry-defining comic book creators from the United States who’ve created almost every superhero you love (except Superman and Batman).

In 1963 they created a superhero version of the Norse myth Thor. The story goes that crippled doctor Donald Blake found a wooden staff in a cave and when he slams it down on the ground he is tranformed into The Mighty Thor. He was the strongest Marvel hero on par with the Hulk, he was a god afterall, and his hammer allowed him to master the weather – so he usually used it to bring down lightning on his enemies or whacking them in the face with it.

So the hammer you see at the end of Iron Man 2 belongs to Thor, but because the original comic story might need some updating the official synopsis for the Thor film is as follows:

Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of superhero: THOR. This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth. Kenneth Branagh directs this fantasy epic which stars Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as the ancient Norse god, Tom Hiddleston as his evil brother Loki, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, a young woman who befriends Thor on Earth, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Thor’s father and king of Asgard. Expect to see agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., previously seen in ”Iron Man,” to make an appearance, further forshadowing the coming of The Avengers!

The film also stars Stellan Skarsgård, Ray Stevenson, Renee Russo, Jamie Alexander and a myriad of other great actors portraying the rest of Asgard. To us its the equivilant of Lord of the Rings/Clash of the Titans type swords and sorcery mixed in with today’s superhero world. How this supergod will fit into 2011 New York and how his enemies will find him on Earth sound like one hell of a ride.

When we finally see the trailer for Thor, with him no doubt swinging his hammer around with lightning coming out of the sky and it flying through the air we will deifnitly be very excited. Not to mention seeing Natalie Portman.

Here is a gallery of Thor images we threw together so you can see what he looks like in the comic books:

And here is the first look (released just this past week) at what Thor will look like in the film as played by Chris Hemsworth (who you probably last saw dying at the beginning of the new Star Trek film as Captain George Kirk – James T’s father):

And also this spy photo grabbed of one of Thor’s robotic enemies The Destroyer with comic book reference thrown in:

By adding in The Destroyer we feel that they will definitely be going for a half magic/half science type of film to show the differences between our world and Asgard.

Beyond that we’re going to have to wait and see what director Kenneth Brangah has in store for us.

The reasons why these little comic book geek things are dropped in is because they create an amazing amount of buzz while promoting the next movie. Geeks like ourselves will return for multiple viewings of Iron Man 2 to try and catch all the comic book references – totally unnecessary for the general movie going population to enjoy the film but enhances it 1000-fold when you see every nod and every wink to comic book readers who have been following the exploits of these characters for coming on 50 years.

So with that, we’ll be going back for a second, and probably third viewing before the World Cup begins (as was the reason why Iron Man 2 was launched 1 week earlier in Asia and Europe) and we’ll see you for Thor in 2011, Captain America also in 2011 and the big film in 2012 when all of the Marvel heroes – Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk and more ban together as the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the feature film The Avengers!

VIDEOS

You might remember that Thor has already met The Hulk in a live-action TV movie:

And here is the trailer for the animated Thor vs Hulk movie that came out a few years ago:

Finally here is just some fan-made trailer that we liked mixing pieces of Clash of the Titans and Hemsworth and Portman’s past movies into a crazy 2-minute “What-it-might-look-like” video:

You can get the above Iron Man/Thor comic for free if you visit Clark’s Comics in Causeway Bay this week.

More reading:

• S.H.I.E.L.D. on Wikipedia
• Marvel Universe Online where you can read about Iron Man, Captain America and Thor
• Follow news on the development of the Avengers movie here.

In case you haven’t looked at any other media outlet today, The House of the Mouse will now include spider-webs and adamantium claws as one of the biggest deals since Pixar’s sale has just happened. From CNNMoney.com:

Walt Disney Co on Monday agreed to buy Marvel Entertainment Inc for $4 billion in the biggest media deal of the year, banking on Marvel’s roster of superheroes to broaden its lineup of movie franchises that appeal to boys.

The deal is also expensive. The price tag values Marvel at 37 times its estimated 2009 earnings, and offers shareholders a 29 percent premium to Friday’s closing price. Standard & Poor’s reacted by placing Disney’s credit rating on its negative watchlist.

This is huge news for comic fans! The repercussions will be monumental: Does this mean Pixar will handle CG movies of Marvel characters? More Disney comic books from Marvel? Will Iron Man go drinking with Donald Duck? Will Disneyland now have a Marvel Town? Will Wolverine now need to get a hair cut to appeal to Goof Troop fans? The possibilities, both good and bad, are endless.

We’ll be tweeting more on the developments of this story as they are released

More links on the Disney/Marvel deal:

• Disney Buys Marvel Comics for $4 Billion (takepart.com)
• Multiverse In Uproar Over Disney’s $4 Billion Acquisition Of Marvel (npr.org)
• With great power. (bigcontrarian.com)
• Disney Buys Marvel for $4 Billion (pastemagazine.com)

This is probably the best rip-and-cut fan trailer we’ve ever seen (and we’ve seen alot) cobbling bits and pieces from tons of other movies. This trailer created by Jason Pitts for his dream Green Lantern movie gave us goosebumps and its not even real.

We’re going to watch the Watchmen in HD, baby!

Three versions of the Watchmen are coming for home video. Regular single-disc DVD, deluxe 2-disc DVD and the mother of it all the deluxe 2-disc Blu-ray. And then in a new marketing twist, Dr. Manhattan will be on Facebook with you:

In an industry first, Warner Home Video is set to announce a plan to sync up “friend” networks on Facebook with the interactive community-screening features of Warners’ Blu-ray Disc releases, starting with the release of “Watchmen Director’s Cut.”

The studio partnership with the social network Web site will use the BD-Live interactive feature on high-def discs, allowing “Watchmen” purchasers to view the film simultaneously and share comments with their Facebook friends.

BD-Live has always allowed such “community screenings” via its “buddy list” function. But those lists now can be synched with Facebook’s friend networks for immediate access to a broad network of acquaintances.

The 2-Disc version is the 3 hour version Director’s Cut with 25 more minutes of footage! But before you rush out to pre-order it, it seems like there will be an “Ultimate Cut” that will incorporate the Black Freighter animation that was sold seperately pushing the runtime of Watchmen to 3 1/2 hours. ICV2 says this version may come out as early as this Fall, but most likely in time for Christmas shoppers.

Proposed artwork from DVDactive.