Back when the no brainer announcement of Joss Whedon signing on to direct The Avengers 2: Thanos’ Boogaloo hit the web, there was another minor news item attached that was less widely discussed. Joss Whedon would also lend his expert hand in crafting a Marvel universe live action TV series for ABC.

The cryptic announcement was met with some speculation about what exactly the new show would be about. Now Deadline has broken the news that a live action S.H.I.E.L.D. show has been officially green lit by ABC:

S.H.I.E.L.D. will be written by Whedon and frequent collaborators, his brother Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen. Joss Whedon also is set to direct the pilot, schedule permitting. Production on the pilot, which marks the first live-action Marvel TV project to get a green light, will start immediately.

The main focus of any Marvel TV series should be on expanding the total universe, and there is no better way to reach the widest corners of the Marvel cinematic universe than with a show based on S.H.I.E.L.D. So this announcement makes a ton of sense.

Take a look after the jump for the top three reasons why this is pretty stupendous news.

The Avengers is a phenomenal movie, there is not a whole lot more hyperbole we can throw onto the film at this point. So as the Blu-Ray release approaches we must find another angle in these news items. Thankfully a recently released alternate opening has been released over on Yahoo! for us all to marvel at.

I say we are thankful because this alternate opening provides us with something  substantial to say about the film that has already had so much said about it. The alternate opening is actually not all that good, or more precisely not as good of a way to start the film. Compared to the ‘jump right in’ action of the eventual opening, this concept takes a ‘teasing look forward at the end’ approach.

So with out heaping even more praise on the final film, we are now able to appropriately shower Joss Whedon and his editorial staff for making the right cinematic decision. Other than to pat the filmmakers on the back for a cut well done there is not much else in this minute and a half clip that feels all that important.

We know there is a ton of deleted content that would have made it to the film if an over three-hour Avengers film was feasible, but this scene is not a part of that promised quality content, which is ultimately why it was released in advance of the Blu-Ray.  To give us a tease of what is to come when we all pick up our copies September 25th.

So take a look at the alternate opening after the jump, and keep your eyes peeled to The Flickcast as this release creeps closer.

Everyone knows that Wednesday is new comic book day. While picking up your new issues consider looking at some of the trade paperbacks and hard covers of past issues and story lines. But which ones should you choose?

That’s why every Tuesday, The Flickcast will recommend a collection of comics that are just as good, if not better, than the issues you are currently buying. Books that deserve to be read, and bought the next time you walk into your local comic book store.

“This is not how the world ends.” – S.H.I.E.L.D #1

When most people think of S.H.I.E.L.D., they think of the secret spy organization that is lead by the one-eyed Nick Fury. This book is about the secret and ancient history behind the founding of that organization. Before you run away, spouting some nonsense saying that you don’t want to read a continuity heavy Marvel Universe story, let me assure you. There are little to no references to the Marvel Universe in this book.

S.H.I.E.L.D. is a historical mystery about a secret organization that we never knew existed starring figures from our past. Leonardo DaVinci? Check. Issac Newton? He’s here too. This book is a who’s who of scientific history.

When was the last time you were excited about a move-game tie in? Was it Days of Thunder 2011? Tron? It was Tron…wasn’t it?

Games based on movies are notorious for their lack of ingenuity, polish, and often times, any respect for the source material whatsoever. This, of course, means that any tie-in games that do show potential can never see the light of day, as it would upset the balance universal karma… or something.

THQ studios in Brisbane were working on a promising Avengers game to release alongside the 2012 summer blockbuster movie. Keyword being “were”. Due to a “strategic realignment” of its development studios, THQ elected to close the studio down, halting production of any current projects. Normally, I’d say bully for THQ – with their recent releases falling into the “decently subpar” category ( Homefront and 40K: Space Marine among them) I would be alright with them taking a step back from their full-speed-ahead mentality.

But not this time. The Avengers was going to be a first person shooter / beat ‘ em up combo focusing on four-player co-op. Showcased in the pre-alpha footage below are Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Thor – all as playable characters. While some aspects (such as Cap throwing his shield) didn’t look brilliant, it still looked like a lot of fun; especially for any True Believers out there.

Marvel and Disney have been on a roll this year with their films Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger. Both films have pulled in three quarters of a billion dollars in the worldwide box office, and that number is still growing. So what’s the plan now?

Joss Whedon’s Avengers is already half in the can, and films like Iron Man 3 and Thor 2 are already in the works for a 2012/2013 release, but Disney has just inked a deal for two Marvel films to get 2014 releases on May 16 and June 27. What could those films be?

Popular opinion states that the June 27th release will likely be a sequel to Captain America, which makes the most amount of sense, as it’s a good amount of time after the first round of sequels hits. Another thought is a possible Hulk sequel/reboot as Mark Ruffalo is progressing the character’s story in next year’s Avengers.

That’s right comic book fans, it’s that time of the week again. Well, in truth, it was yesterday but better late than never, right?

Anyway, new comics are out from our friends at Marvel this week and, as always, we’ve got some we’re really interested in reading. Among the new ones coming out, we’re looking forward to Fear Itself #3, Moon Knight #2,  X-Men #12, Uncanny X-Force #11 and SHIELD #1.

As with most weeks, new comics out on Wednesday (even with the holiday this week), so hit your nearest comic book store for best selection as many people may thing today is new comic book day this week.

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

Comics On-Sale:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #663
ASTONISHING X-MEN #39
AVENGERS ACADEMY #14.1
AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #4
CRIMINAL: LAST OF THE INNOCENT #1
DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER – THE BATTLE OF TULL #1
FEAR ITSELF #3 (FI)
FEAR ITSELF #3 CAMUNCOLI VARIANT (FI)
FEAR ITSELF #3 IMMONEN VARIANT (FI)
FEAR ITSELF: THE DEEP #1 (FI)
HERC #4 (FI)
HEROES FOR HIRE #8
HULK #34
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #503 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (FI)
MARVEL ZOMBIES CHRISTMAS CAROL #1
MOON KNIGHT #2
OZMA OF OZ #7
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 HISTORICAL VARIANT

Even though Valentine’s Day has already come and gone this week that doesn’t mean you still can’t get your favorite person some cool new comics as another way to show the love. Speaking of new comics, as usual, this week sees the release of a bunch of new ones from our friends at Marvel.

Let’s take a look at what they have for us. Among the new ones coming out, we’re most interested in SHIELD #6, Avengers Academy #9, Silver Surfer #1, Uncanny X-Force #5 and Wolverine #6.

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:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #654.1
ASTONISHING X-MEN: XENOGENESIS #5
AVENGERS ACADEMY #9
CAPTAIN AMERICA: MAN OUT OF TIME #4
CARNAGE #1 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
CARNAGE #2 2ND PRINTING VARIANT
DAREDEVIL: REBORN #2
DEADPOOL MAX #5

Just in time for the new year comes new comics straight from our pals at Marvel. With Christmas past there’s still time to get your hands on some great gifts before 2010 comes to a close.

Of the new comics dropping this week we’re most excited about Chaos War: X-Men #1, Nemesis #4, S.H.I.E.L.D. #5, X-23 $4 and Avengers #8. 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. Also, as an added bonus, don’t miss the Marvel 2011 Calendar, free for all fans and only available at your local comics shop this week.

Comics On-Sale:
ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE #4
ASTONISHING X-MEN: XENOGENESIS #4
AVENGERS #8
BULLSEYE: PERFECT GAME #2
CAPTAIN AMERICA #613
CARNAGE #2
CARNAGE #2 ADAMS VARIANT
CHAOS WAR: X-MEN #1
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #4
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #4 DJURDJEVIC VARIANT
DEADPOOL CORPS #9
DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #886
HALO: FALL OF REACH – BOOT CAMP #3
HEROIC AGE: X-MEN #1
HULK #28
INCOGNITO: BAD INFLUENCES #2

Hard to believe it’s already that time but the countdown has begun for the release on DVD and Blu-ray of this summer’s biggest hit Iron Man 2. The film may have gotten 90% of the geeks across the globe excited in theaters, but the special features on the Blu-ray are sure to get that last 10%.

The big combo pack will be the Blu-ray edition, of course, and should be chock-full of features and extras to keep you entertained. Check out a complete list of the features below, and be sure to grab Iron Man 2 on Blu-ray and DVD September 28th.

Disc 1 (Blu-ray):

• Feature film with optional commentary by Jon Favreau (HD)
• S.H.I.E.L.D. Data Vault (HD)— Extend your knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with high-level clearance into S.H.I.E.L.D.’s digital data vault. Interact with select scenes from the movie that include new layers of graphics and insider information. View case files, dossiers, S.H.I.E.L.D. training films, tech details and more.
• Previsualization and Animatics (HD)

While this is definitely a cool idea, it should be noted that this piece of news is most definitely a rumor as of now and should be treated as such.

With all eyes still on Jon Favreau’s Iron Man 2 as it continues to make money at the worldwide box office, most Marvel fans are already ready for more from the cinematic universe. We’ve got Thor on the way next and then Joe Johnston’s Captain America. But after that, everything leads to Joss Whedon’s The Avengers in 2012.

We’ve heard we’ll see just about every Marvel character in The Avengers the company currently has the film rights to including The Hulk, Thor, Cap, Iron Man, Ant Man, and Hawkeye. Now we’re getting word that the main villains of the film could be the alien race The Skrulls.

The highlight of this insider scoop (DISCLAIMER: which has not been confirmed by the studio itself) is that the shape-changing alien race the Skrulls are being used as the main antagonists for The Avengers. Not only that, but the Skrulls will ‘brainwash’ and use the Hulk in a similar fashion Loki did in the comics.

Don’t expect a full on alien invasion, though; that will have to wait for a sequel. The Skrulls’ role will be largely clandestine, similar to the way S.H.I.E.L.D. operates.