We love to bring previews of upcoming comics to you. Today is no exception. This time around it’s a preview of Marvel’s upcoming X-Force #1.

Here’s more:

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at X-FORCE #1 – the exciting new series from innovative creative team Si Spurrier and Rock-He Kim! Every sovereign nation in the Marvel Universe makes use of superhumans to protect national interests and pursue a covert national agenda. The stakes are high, and the prizes are intelligence, security, resources and power. Now, Cable and his new black-ops squad are entering this endless shadow-game to ensure that Mutants have a hand in the future of the Marvel Universe – by any means necessary!

But when an international incident threatens the already fragile human/mutant relations, the Mutant Nation needs a dirty tricks department – and X-Force is it!

Check out the previews after the break. Look for X-Force #1 to arrive in stores on February 12.

When G4 originally began airing in 2002 it was amazing and way ahead of its time. For lack of a better descriptor the original line was basically the gaming community on the internet transformed into a TV station. There were Top 10 lists, reviews, live interactive chat shows, machinama using MMOs, cheats, and video game cut scenes, just because.

Almost all of those original shows were low-budget, and clearly made by a talented and fun crew of people who just wanted to give the video game community the pop culture voice it deserved. Unfortunately all good things had to come to an end, and as soon as G4 merged with Tech TV, both fantastic channels were lost forever, and the current shell of a channel called G4 was born.

Even with the turn away from great gaming television the channel managed to strike the cord for another, much more lucrative market, boys age 13-34. Of course there was still gaming programming, but the focus of the channel moved more towards a generic broad audience appeal, and it never really grew.

Now the other foot is about to drop, and the borrowed time G4 earned by airing Ninja Warrior, Cops and Cheaters reruns has run out. According to Variety, the new head honchos are eyeing an upgrade:

The NBCUniversal-owned cabler is undergoing a rebranding, according to sources, that could involve a name change and take G4 in a direction reminiscent of GQ, the magazine for the “modern male” whose interests span beyond the dorm room or messy bachelor pad. The guy-centric net is mulling a more sophisticated look while remaining true to its tech and vid game roots. Brand refresh aims to bow in early 2013.

Even with the iPad dominating the tablet market Amazon’s Kindle Fire is still the second most popular tablet available. One thing users had been hoping for was a way to watch content from pay services like HBO the way their iPad using friends could.

Sadly, that’s wasn’t possible. . . until now. That’s right, HBO on Wednesday announced its popular video streaming app HBO GO is now available immediately for the Amazon Kindle Fire. HBO GO allows HBO subscribers with service through certain cable providers to stream HBO content such as Game of Thrones, True Blood, The Sopranos and a great selection of movies to their mobile devices.

“We are thrilled to offer HBO GO to the growing community of millions of Kindle Fire owners,” said Aaron Rubenson, director of the Amazon Appstore. “The HBO GO app will offer instant access to HBO’s incredible lineup of shows. Kindle Fire owners already download and use apps and games frequently on their devices, and we expect that only to increase with the addition of HBO GO and all of its popular content.”

For more, check out HBO’s full press release after the break.

You might not know the name H. Jon Benjamin, though you should, but you have probably heard his voice. The star of the FX animated series Archer has been a staple of primetime and late night animation for years. From Adult Swim to FX and even Fox, Benjamin has been almost anywhere animation is aimed at teens and adults.

TheFlickcast recently had the opportunity to hear insights on all things H. Jon Benjamin from the man himself. He discusses the process of Archer as well as the new season, how he is just like Sterling Archer and even the fate of his Comedy Central show.

On ad-libbing in the Archer recording booth 

Very little.  There is not a lot of room.  The scripts are tightly written and he encourages sometimes on occasion, he’ll be like do you want to add anything, and I’ll say no.  So it’s not the same kind of production as Bob’s Burgers, which is a lot improvising all the time, but the scripts don’t really require it.

On Archer‘s popularity with the masses

Well, the masses are idiots, so they don’t know any better.  They’re too busy just staring at the light and cartoons are colorful.  So don’t get me started about the masses.  I’m really not a fan.

Next week sees the return of Spartacus, the Starz original series chronicling the life of the titular slave who rebelled against his Roman oppressors. The show’s official second season, called Spartacus: Vengeance, has been long in coming, and brings with it many questions in the wake of the tragic death of the first seasons’ star, Andy Whitfield.

The Flickcast recently partook in a discussion with series creator/exec. producer Steven S. DeKnight where, among other things, he talked about the transition from his original star to new Spartacus Liam McIntyre (check out our interview with the actor here), where the show is going from here and working with Joss Whedon.

On Liam capturing the essence of Andy Whitfield’s Spartacus –

…that’s really what drew us to Liam is that we didn’t want to try to duplicate (Andy). I mean, that will never happen. He was such a singular, amazing talent. But we wanted to find somebody that had the same base qualities of compassion. And I told all the actors when they auditioned that even though Spartacus may fly into a rage now and then, he never comes from a place of anger, it’s always from a place of a wounded heart. And we really felt like Liam captured that essence.

On no character being safe on the show – 

…on this show characters literally get the ax. I think really ultimately for me it’s always – it comes from the story is how is the story best served by a character death. I don’t ever want somebody to just die. It needs to have ramifications either emotionally or towards the plot. So that’s always the number one driving force of – on who do I kill.

Another week and more comics. Fortunately, it never seems to end and we keep getting fun stuff to read. This week, we’re interested in a few titles including the latest Marvel Zombies, Avengers: The Origin and the premier of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1.

Remember, comics go on sale this Wednesday so get to your favorite comics store early for best selection. Don’t know where your nearest comic store is? Use this handy guide to find one.

Comics On-Sale:

AVENGERS: THE ORIGIN #1
CAPTAIN AMERICA/BLACK PANTHER: FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS #1
DEADPOOL & CABLE #25
DEADPOOL & CABLE #25 LIEFELD VARIANT
DEADPOOL CORPS #1
DEADPOOL CORPS #1 LIEFELD 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
DEADPOOL CORPS #1 SKETCH VARIANT
ELECTRIC ANT #1
ELECTRIC ANT #1 MACK VARIANT
IRON MAN MAGAZINE #1
IRON MAN POSTER BOOK
MARVEL ZOMBIES 5 #1

Even though Showtime’s Nurse Jackie and The United States of Tara have recently had their new season premieres, the network must be so impressed that they’ve already given the green light to another new season for both shows. The pickups come after both shows returned strong for their second debuts in the ratings.

Nurse Jackie had it’s most-watched episode ever with Tara close behind. All of which must have impressed Showtime execs very much indeed. In fact, here’s what they said about the shows, according to The Hollywood Reporter:

“Showtime is enormously proud of these two series starring two of the best actresses working today,” said Robert Greenblatt, president of entertainment, Showtime. “Both are iconic shows for our brand and our thanks to the dedicated producers, cast, and crews who work so hard to make them so great. Edie Falco’s portrayal of the fierce ‘Jackie’ is another extraordinary example of her range and brilliance, and recent Emmy and Golden Globe wins for Toni Collette in her tour de force role as a woman with multiple personalities put her in a class by herself. Strong women will continue to rule on this network for a long time to come.”

Well, there you have it. A network that rewards quality and stands by its shows is nice to see. Maybe Joss Whedon should do a show for Showtime?

Even though many of us here at The Flickcast are looking forward to the SXSW Film/Interactive/Music Festival which starts at the end of the week, it doesn’t mean we don’t care about new comics coming out tomorrow. What are we, crazy?

Of course, being the huge Marvel fans we are, we’re always on the lookout for new books to add to our collections. Fortunately, the fine folks at Marvel are always happy to oblige. They’ve even sent us yet another list of comics coming out this week to help.

Remember to get to your nearest comic shop early for best selection. Don’t know where your nearest comic shop is? Use this handy guide to find one.

Check ’em out:

Comics On-Sale:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #624
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #624 YF VARIANT
BREAKING INTO COMICS THE MARVEL WAY! #1
CABLE #24
CRIMINAL: THE SINNERS #5
DARK X-MEN #5
FANTASTIC FOUR #575 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
HULK: LET THE BATTLE BEGIN #1
IRON MAN 2 SPOTLIGHT

Back in 1999, a little company out of San Francisco invented and released a device that would allow TV watchers to freeze live television, as well as set their favorite shows to record–not on a VHS tape or DVD, but on a built in hard drive. Since that day, the idea of the Digital Video Recorder has become as globally common in the household as the coffee maker or dishwasher.

In the time following Tivo’s invention, many incarnations have been born to accommodate the growing popularity of YouTube, HD upgrades, and digital downloads of movies from Netflix or Amazon. Now, over a decade later, the company is ready to jump start the world into the upcoming digital era of media.

The new box, dubbed “Tivo Premiere”, will incorporate feature films, internet videos, music, and more web-based content to the Tivo subscribers, along with their regular TV-watching abilities. The big deal? This box will also be the first set-top device that can run Adobe Flash programming, allowing other third-party developers to create applications for the system. From THR:

Unveiled Tuesday at a party in New York, the $300 Premiere can store 400 hours of standard-definition programming and 45 hours of HD. A Premiere XL box at $500 can store 1,350 hours of standard definition and 150 hours of HD programming.

Happy February and with a new month comes even more new comics. This week, Marvel is releasing a bunch of new titles, as they usually do, and we’ve got your complete list so you know what to expect. Among the titles we’re interested in this week are the latest Cable, a new installment of Siege, the latest issue of The Torch and the debut of Wolverine: Savage.

Of course, all of these, and much more, can be found at your local comic shop so head on down and buy some comics. If you don’t know where your local comic shop is, use this handy guide to find it. Also, be sure to click through to check out cover art for some of these upcoming titles. Enjoy!

Comics On-Sale:

CABLE #23
CRIMINAL: THE SINNERS #4
DAFFODIL #2
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #896
GHOST RIDERS: HEAVEN’S ON FIRE #6
INDOMITABLE IRON MAN (B&W) #1
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #23
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #23 DEADPOOL VARIANT
IRON MAN MAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION
MARVEL HEARTBREAKERS #1 (MDCU)
NOVA #34
NOVA #34 DEADPOOL VARIANT
REALM OF KINGS SON OF HULK #1
REALM OF KINGS SON OF HULK #1 GOLDEN VARIANT
SIEGE #2