What If 'Wicked' Were A Disney Animated Film? Artist Minkyu Lee Shows You What It Would Look Like...

I recently took the wife to see 'Wicked: The Musical' on Broadway, and I have to admit that I think I left the show more enthralled than she was. I read the original book by Greg Maguire around two years ago and I really enjoyed it. I have long wanted to see the stage show, and my wifey's bday gave me an excellent excuse to get it done. It seems that I wasn't wrong with my lofty expectations, as the show was amazing! It really blew me away, and the story came to life on the stage. But with the fan friendly subject matter (a prequel to the Wizard of Oz??? Who doesn't want to watch that?) and excellent song book, it seems that it is a no brainer for a company like Disney or Pixar to come along and scoop this puppy up for animated adaption. Nothing is in the works yet, but one animator from Disney is taking a bit of initiative for the sake of his portfolio by coming up with some great prototypes for the key characters in the play... and it is exactly what a fan would hope/expect to see from Elphaba and the rest of the Wicked crew. Animator Minkyu Lee has worked on The Princess & The Frog and and Frozen, so the dude is qualified. Very good stuff, and even more proof that this adaption could work. Check out the first series of pics he has released of his Wicked prototypes after the jump, and check out his Tumblr for even more animated goodness by clicking here...

The Wizard May Be Important To Oz, But I am All About The Witches...

I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the plentiful amount of Wizrad of Oz based projects that are due to hit in the next couple of months. As a huge fan of the Skottie Young drawn comic (that header photo is from that series) from marvel, the original novels by L Frank Baum, and the Wicked novels... well, lets just say I love me some stories from the mystical land of Oz. But the classic film changed a bunch of stuff from the books and most of these newer projects planned on showing another side to the source material. The one that stands out the most has to be the Sam Raimi helmed 'Oz the Great And Powerful'. This one gives us James Franco in the titular role of the Wizard (does this guy ever stop working?) and tells us the part of the epic tale of when the Wizard first came to Oz. But it also gives us a glimpse at the wonderful witches of Oz, the ones made all the books & film versions of the land of Oz exciting. The three witches that plan to play a prominent role in this film are played by three killer actresses, and I am sure the they are going to do a great job. Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, and Rachel Weisz are on deck to play the spell casters... and I can't possibly think of a better group of talented and beautiful actresses to fill the role. The movie hits theaters on March 8th, and I am sure we are going to get blitzed in the press over Super Bowl weekend, but you can meet the witches and take a look at the wonderful world that Sam Raimi has created in a small featurette after the jump....



  

Mike Mitchell Re-skins A Classic Superman Pose With Some Of You Favorite Pop Culture Characters

Artist Mike Mitchell is extremely talented. He has many detailed works that are absolutely fantastic. But sometimes its the simple ideas that shine the brightest. Mitchell is taking the classic Superman pose that is exhibited on the cover of Superman #6 and re-skinning them with the clothing and looks of some of your favorite pop culture characters. He admits that it is not truly challenging work, but it is super fun and he enjoys doing it. Don't knock the guys talent though... his original artwork is nothing to laugh about! Check out his prints by clicking here and click after the jump to see the re-skinned Supermen...



Here is the original cover:

And Mike Mitchell's Creations:

The Wizard of Oz Described As A Horror Movie???

If I had never seen it before, I would check it out in the expectation of some 70s/80s exploitation style horror!

Wizard of Oz Silkscreen Posters by David O'Daniel

David O'Daniel is one hell of an artist, and through his affiliation with San Francisco's Castro Theater he is gaining quite the following. He creates silk screen posters for classic films that are released in conjunction with the screenings of those films at the theater. His blog, Alien Corset, chronicles all his release... and all of them are special in the own right!!! The ones that are currently at the top of the list are his Emerald & Ruby edition Wizard of Oz series. These three posters come in two colors and look beautiful. You gotta love the inclusion of the flying monkey's, no? Take a look at a gallery of both series after the jump and check out the Castro Theater if you are in the San Francisco area...

'I'd Buy That...As a Tee!' Vol 34

Always on the look out for inspiring art... emblazoned across the chest of humanity. Here's some of the t-shirts I have my eye on to do just the trick but, there's only one problem....they aren't for sale yet! Please click each of the links below to the Threadless.com voting pages and give these beauties '5' ratings so I can throw 'em on my charge card one day.

**Please click READ MORE for tee-licious tees!**

Before I start in with my regular weekly picks, I'd like to mention that Threadlsess has still been running a 'Threadless Loves Pin-ups' challenge all week. Hot sluts in a 40's style pin-up homage. Here's a few of my favorites from that challenge this week....

First up, this cherubic 'Sailor Pin-up' really floats my boat! Oh......to be an octopus...but, just for a day.

The Bride of Frankenstein is pinning HERSELF up in this clever and very sexy 'Needles & Pins' design that make me wanna 'play doctor'....Frankenstein that is.

Zapper Gun?...check!....Power Glove?....check! ....and....if I squint just right, I think I can see some sexy cotton panties under this plumber groupie's dress in 'Pixel Pin-up'. Maybe she'll let me use my joystick ;)

Finally...our geeky gadget hero, 'Inspector Gadget' gets a seductive make-over. 'Wowsers', indeed! Go go gadget boner!

And this week, some of my favorite non-challenge tees were....

'Component Upgrade' has our favorite Oz woodsman getting a much-needed tin mech suit tune up. Now if we could just ratchet-up the Lion's courage a bit.

One might ask "Does Batman ever get a 'Superheroes Night Off' ?" I guess he just has to flip off the right people. Great!

This minimalist 'Chewie & Han' Star Wars design really sends me into hyperdrive. The Chewbacca, particularly is a thing of fuzzball beauty. Simple but, stupendous!

Get your mallet! Big Trouble in Little Japan' is Mario & Donkey Kong ....samurai style! 

'Get Your Ass To Mars' ..and if you do, be sure to grab me one of these totally recalled Quatto novelty, tourist tees.

'Akuma Matata'...it's a wonderful phrase. Unless, of course, you're on the receiving end of a flaming Hadouken from this little Lion King/Street Fighter mash-up.

Finally this week, my favorite quite possibly could be this feudal japan Star Wars re-envisionment 'Duel of Fates'. Two ancient Jedi having it out with each other in a field far far away in front of a Death starry sky. Makes me wanna see THIS film. "Luke san...I am your Chichioya." 

See ya next week folks! Thursday is always tee-time!

'I'd Buy That...As a Tee!' Vol 31

Always on the look out for inspiring art... emblazoned across the chest of humanity. Here's some of the t-shirts I have my eye on to do just the trick but, there's only one problem....they aren't for sale yet! Please click the links below to the Threadless.com voting pages for each and give these beauties '5' ratings so I can throw 'em on my charge card one day.

**Please click READ MORE for tee-licious tees!**

The Incredible 'Hulk' gets emblazoned on your chest just in time for his SMASHing, return, appearance in this Summer's Marvel team-up film 'The Avengers'!

They're all gonna laugh at you...when you sport this 'Carrie' homage tee 'Prom Queen' to the next dance. 

Star Wars 'Probe Droid' get's the imperial job done! Simple, basic & stylized, this design will have all the young 

rebels reaching for their blasters.

'Brick Legend' includes my favorite hobby, Lego building and collecting, in a totem pole of awesomeness. Any fan of the brick is a friend of mine. 

'Reconstructive Duckie' has this aging goose going under the knife to keep up with the Joneses and just be another Botox & plastic beak in the crowd. The concept quacked me up...and I liked the finished product. 

'Little Operators' at work within the 'system'. All of my major bodily functions are being represented here in a with a fresh take on things. You don't want to see what's going on in my liver though.

'Lions Tigers and Bears' Cowardly lions take all the abuse.....mostly from thier bullying older siblings. 'Wizard of Oz'....best film ever. I'd roar into Emerald City with this one on any day.

This next designer homage my favorite thriller TV show of all time, 'Lost'. 'Dharma Death Station' is about as cool as a Dharma station as your ever gonna witness. Too bad none have ever lived to tell what goes on inside! ....I'll take one in each color, please.

'Psybeam' gives a nod to the, often overlooked,  Pokemon character Alakazam...in this totally headbangin' metal tee. 

'Wild BEARd' reminded me of by buddy Calvin from our sister-station Calvin's Canadian Cool up in the frozen North. That's why it pains me sooo much to have to say that......

....my FAVORITE this week, 'Octavio's Tentacles' wraps it's treacherous appendages around my torso....and is a simple design that I'd totally rock the f*ck out of! Sorry that it depicts the tentacles of the dreaded nemesis of the Cave of Cool. 

That's if for tee this week, fans. Which is your favorite(s) ? Don't forget to support inspiring artists by giving each tee-shirt high scores on Threadless!