Between Marvel Studios regaining the rights to many of its properties and FOX rumored to be planning a reboot of the franchise, it seems a foregone conclusion that we will be getting a shiny new Fantastic Four film in the next couple years.

And as fans of the comic know, the key to a successful relaunch will be capturing the interpersonal dynamics of Marvel’s First Family. And that means finding a perfect central cast.

David Tennant as “Mister Fantastic”

A scientist, a genius among geniuses, Reed Richards is not your typical action hero. But let’s not forget that he was also an explorer, an adventurer, and an astronaut, and that was all BEFORE gaining super powers.

We’re talking about a man so overwhelmed with curiosity, with the desire to learn and discover and solve problems that he regularly leads his loved ones from one dangerous situation to the next. And if we’re to believe they follow him there, he better have some personality.

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Bob Dylan said it best when he sang about changing times, and now that songs is more prophetic than ever in the comic book industry. Hard to believe Marvel was once going out of business and having a fire sale, as their films are some of the biggest blockbusters of the summer season, and they’ve got more properties on TV and other media than ever before. Between facts like that and the fact that DC is panicking and rebooting their entire universe back to the basics, they feel like it may be time to join in the fun.

That’s where Marvel: Season One comes in. Rather than what DC is doing and mess with the ongoing continuity of their books, Season One is taking their most popular characters and giving old fans and new a chance to relive some of their early adventures with a separate series.

“With Marvel Season One we’ve assembled a group of great creators who’re delivering exciting, iconic, in-continuity stories of our most popular heroes,” said Tom Brevoort, Marvel SVP/Executive Editor. “If you’re a new fan, you can start your journey into comics with Season One and if you’re a seasoned fan you’ll find some thrilling new insight into your favorite characters.”

The complete first wave of Season One graphic novels includes:

• Fantastic Four: Season One by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Stephen King’s The Stand, Television’s Glee) and David Marquez (Secret Warriors), on-sale in February 2012

• X-Men: Season One by Dennis Hopeless (Legion Of Monsters, Lovestruck) and Jamie McKelvie (Generation Hope, Phonogram), on-sale in March 2012

• Daredevil: Season One by Antony Johnston (Daredevil) and Wellinton Alves (Nova), on-sale in April 2012

• Spider-Man: Season One by Cullen Bunn (Fear Itself: The Deep, Sixth Gun) and Neil Edwards (Fantastic Four), on-sale in May 2012

Not only will this be a way to introduce fans of the films to the original medium in which they started, but it’ll be great fodder for classic comic fans to see how modern artists re-imagine some of the great stories Lee and Kirby thought up decades ago. Expect to see these books hit shelves starting next year and check out the early covers from the first wave after the jump.

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Okay comic book fans, here’s some new ones coming out from our friends at Marvel this week. And like we do every week, we’ve got some particular ones we’re most interested in.

Among the new ones coming out, we’re looking forward to reading  FF #1, X-Men #5,  Deadpool #34, Captain America #615.1, and Uncanny X-Force #5.

As with most weeks, new comics arrive on Wednesday, so hit your nearest comics book store early for best selection.

Don’t know where your nearest comic store is? Use this handy guide to find one.

Comics On-Sale

5 RONIN #4 AJA COVER
5 RONIN #4 MACK VARIANT COVER
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #654 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE #5
CAPTAIN AMERICA #615.1
CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BATROC #1
CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1: 70TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1: 70TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION VARIANT
CAPTAIN AMERICA: MAN OUT OF TIME #5
CAPTAIN AMERICA: REBORN MGC #1
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #7
DAREDEVIL: REBORN #3
DEADPOOL #34
DEADPOOL #34 CAPTAIN AMERICA 70TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT
DEADPOOL MAX #6
FANTASTIC FOUR #587 3RD PRINTING VARIANT
FF #1

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A year and a half ago, we came home from San Diego Comic Con and were given the chance to review the XBox Live Arcade rerelease of one of our top games of the previous decade with Marvel vs. Capcom 2.  The game was an instant hit and was quickly brought over to the PlayStation 3 as well.

It’s not surprising that soon after, seeing the game’s tremendous success, that Capcom announced Marvel vs. Capcom 3. With a super stylized trailer, the hype hasn’t died down. Even last week at release, it was almost impossible for players to get a hold of the Special Edition of the game, a problem not usually seen in retail anymore.

As we have talked about with our previous hands-on experience, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 brings the series’ classic feel and action back with a shiny new coat of graphical paint and effects that players expect and demand.

Gameplay:

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: The Fate of Two Worlds doesn’t change the formula that brought Marvel vs. Capcom 2 so much success. The game relies on single round matches between two 3 on 3 teams. Players have three basic attacks of increasing strength, their special attack button, and two assist buttons. These assist buttons can be used to either call in teammates for a quick attack or to switch the character the player is in control of for the fight.

As players throw more attacks and successfully defend against their opponents, they increase their combo meter which builds at the bottom of the screen to unleash Hyper Combos. These hyper combos are special moves that can deal tremendous damage if successful.

This simple control scheme allows for all levels of players to enjoy the game. Expert players will learn advanced combos, juggling and snap backs to eliminate their opponents while newer players will be able to feel like they are setting off tremendous attacks even by just button mashing.

It is an interesting dynamic compared to other fighting games where experience will almost always prevail. While it may be frustrating for an “expert” to get beaten by a lucky combination from a “newbie”, it also makes the game more exciting that outcomes aren’t always so predetermined in multiplayer.

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As we discussed on this week’s episode of The Flickcast, the Human Torch is dead and a new member has apparently joined the group previously known as the Fantastic Four. That character is, of course, the Amazing Spider-Man.

Now, thanks to Marvel, we’ve got a preview of the first issue of this comic featuring the new team for you today. Called FF, the new series comes from the creative team of writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Steve Epting and is described this way by Marvel:

“In the wake of the Human Torch’s heroic sacrifice, Marvels’ first family has re-emerged as the Future Foundation. Spider-Man may their newest teammate, but who else has signed up to protect the future from itself? And what does their presence portend for the world at large?”

I’m not sure, but it does sound interesting. Okay Marvel, you’ve got me. I’m hooked and will read — at least the first few issues.

Check out several pages from the comic after the jump. Marvel’s FF #1 hits comic book stores on March 23rd.

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Finally, the Devourer of Worlds makes his way to the world of Marvel vs. Capcom as the final boss in MvC 3: The Fate of Two Worlds. In the original Marvel vs. Capcom, the villain that tore apart the Marvel Universe, Onslaught was brought in as the game’s big bad.

In Marvel vs. Capcom 2, a new evil was created called Abyss. Now, one of the most powerful forces in the galaxy takes aim at earth and it is up to the Marvel and Capcom heroes and villains to take him down.

Take a peek below at Galactus in action. It is going to be very interesting to see what kind of tactics it is going to take down a being of near limitless power like Galactus. Make sure to stay tuned to the Flickcast for our review of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: The Fate of Two Worlds next week!

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Like many good things sometimes they have to come to an end. Even though we might not want them to it is often the case that a story and characters have run their course.

So it is with Marvel’s Fantastic Four who, after the recent tragic death of Johnny Storm (aka The Human Torch) are nearing the end of their comic book run. Of course, Marvel isn’t going to let them go out with a whimper. From the Marvel release:

Huge choices that dramatically impact the Marvel Universe are made this February in Fantastic Four #588, from the superstar creative team of Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta and Mark Brooks! Following up on the sold-out hit Fantastic Four #587, Marvel is pleased to present your first look at the FINAL issue of the long-standing series, guest starring all your favorite Marvel heroes!

But the story isn’t over yet because where one door closes, another opens. It’s now up to Reed, Sue, and Ben to make life-changing decisions of their own volition that set them on a course destined to change the Marvel Universe in Johnny’s honor!

“The reaction from fans and retailers to Fantastic Four #587 was overwhelming and we’re excited to show fans, who have been chomping at the bit, to see what’s next!” exclaims SVP of Sales, David Gabriel. “It may be the end of the series, but it’s the beginning of something much bigger.”

Look for this comic to hit store shelves on February 31st. In the meantime, check out some preview pages after the jump.

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This week on The Flickcast brings more insight, innovation and innuendo from your favorite co-hosts. That’s right, Chris and Matt are back and discussing all sorts of new and returning topics.

Some of those topics include the Oscars, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Call of Duty: Black Ops Map Packs, the Verizon iPhone, Fantastic Four developments, Smallville’s final season and potential spin-offs, the Dead Space 2 ads and much more.

Chris and Matt also made new picks this week including Matt’s pick of the Sam Raimi film Darkman the and Chris’ pick of the new Starz series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

As always, if you have comments, questions, critiques, offers of sponsorship or whatever, feel free to hit us up in the comments, on Twitter, at Facebook and MySpace or via email.

Things are moving right along in 2011 with just about a week to go before January is a thing of the past — at least until next year. Of course, this week sees the release of a bunch of new comics from our friends at Marvel.

Let’s take a look at what they are dropping for our reading pleasure this week. Among the new coming out on Wednesday, we’re most interested in Magneto #1, X-Men #7, Secret Avengers #9, Avengers #9 and Fantastic Four #587 (Three).

As with most weeks, new comics arrive on Wednesday, so hit your nearest comics book store early for best selection.

Don’t know where your nearest comic store is? Use this handy guide to find one.

Comics On-Sale:
AGE OF X ALPHA #1
AGE OF X ALPHA #1 COIPEL WRAPAROUND VARIANT
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #648 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (BIG)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #649 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (BIG)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #650 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (BIG)
ASTONISHING THOR #2
AVENGERS #9
BLOCKBUSTERS OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #1
CAPTAIN AMERICA #614
CAPTAIN AMERICA 70TH ANNIVERSARY MAGAZINE #1
CHAOS WAR #5 (CW)
CHAOS WAR: X-MEN #2 (CW)

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Now that steam is picking up for Fox’s other Marvel movie franchise, it looks like the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot wants a seat at the cool kids table as well. Last week, we brought you news that both Adrien Brody and Jonathan Rhys Myer were the leading contenders to play the role of Mr. Fantastic, and now it seems we have a similar situation for the voice of the CGI Thing.

In an attempt to up the ante on their superhero projects, Fox has a new strategy of stunt casting the films, like they did with Kevin Bacon and Oliver Platt in X-Men: First Class. It now looks like they are pitting Kiefer Suthland and Bruce Willis against each other to play the stone behemoth in the Fantastic Four reboot.

Comicbook Movie originally reported that the studio was in talks with Willis to lend his voice for the film, and now the chaps at Screenrant are adding to that, saying Sutherland is also up for the role. Awkward.

Also up for debate is the director’s seat, as the studio is playing with the idea of David Yates (Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince), Joe Carnahan (Smokin’ Aces), or James McTeigue (V For Vendetta) to take on the project, so you know the film will either be for kids or…definitely not for kids.

Other casting rumors that don’t seem to have conflict is that Alice Eve will be playing Susan Storm, Kevin Pennington is in talks to play Johnny Storm, and True Blood’s Stephen Moyer will be taking on the role of Victor Von Doom. Much like how the casting news for First Class poured out inside of a few weeks, we can expect the same for Fantastic Four: Reborn in the coming months.

This week on The Flickcast Chris and Matt are back after not doing a show last week. Fortunately, the boys are in good spirits and ready for action diving into a bunch of new topics for this week’s show.

Some of these topics include Scott Pilgrim and its box office performance, XXX parodies of mainstream film and television programs, X-Men First Class casting news, Fantastic Four casting news, the films of Edgar Wright and Piranha 3D and its sequel. In addition, the boys discussed the latest Machete clips, the new Black Swan trailer, the fake Comic-Con Captain America trailer and the brand new trailer for The Walking Dead.

In addition, Matt and Chris made some new picks this week including Matt’s pick of Operation: Endgame, featuring Rob Corddry, and Chris’ pick of the “bloody good time” film Piranha 3D.

As always, if you have comments, questions, critiques, offers of sponsorship or whatever, feel free to hit us up in the comments, on Twitter, at Facebook and MySpace or via email.

With X-men: First Class scheduled to start filming next week, 20th Century Fox has turned their focus to the their next Marvel film. That film? A reboot of Fantastic Four.

Rumors about the films casting have started with news that The Thing will be completely CGI and Sue Storm being played by Alice Eve or Amber Heard, and it seems the film’s star power will be stemming from the group leader Mr. Fantastic. The two actors in the running for Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards are Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Adrien Brody.

While Jonathan Rhys Meyers is probably best known for his starring role in the Showtime series The Tudors, he also has From Paris With Love in which he starred opposite John Travolta under his belt. He’s also been seen in film such as Mission Impossible III, Match Point and Bend It Like Beckham.

The bigger get would obviously be Adrien Brody, who is quietly growing into an action film with the recent releases of Predators and Splice. Brody is also the forerunner for Edgar Wright’s Ant-man for Marvel Studios. Having the Oscar winning actor attached to the film would add some credibility to the project.

The title of the film will not be Fantastic Four Reborn as previously report, but the actual title has not been released. Now that Chiklis is moving on to No Ordinary Family on ABC and Evans is headed over to work on that other Marvel movie, who would YOU cast as The Thing and Human Torch in the upcoming reboot?