marvel animated

Looking for something good and geeky to watch? Here are this week's notable DVD and Blu-ray releases:

Futurama: The Complete Collection (DVD)
Nerds with some cash to spare will want to snag a pair of these sets (complete with Bender's preserved head) to use as collectible bookends. Oh, and the show is pretty damn great, too! The 18-disc set contains all four volumes plus Bender´s Big Score, The Beast With A Billion Backs, Bender´s Game, Into the Wild Green Yonder and tons of commentary, docs, Easter eggs and deleted scenes.

Drag Me to Hell (DVD & Blu-ray)
Audiences whined when Sam Raimi's glorious return to schlocky, suspenseful horror was tagged with a PG-13 rating. Now you can watch Alison Lohman live out her worst nightmares in an unrated edition, packaged together with the theatrical release.

More of this week's DVD releases after the jump.

We already told you about Marvel's plan to unveil its new anime superhero TV project at Comic-Con. Now comes word that the comics giant will offer a first-look at its Iron Man and Wolverine anime shows at Friday' Marvel Animation panel.

Writer and god among nerds, Warren Ellis, is scripting Marvel's anime projects and will appear at the panel to unveil never-before seen teaser trailers for both shows and discuss writing the heroes' anime adventures.

Marvel is expected to produce two more anime series starring two of its most popular heroes. I'm thinking Spider-Man and Hulk (but I'm hoping for Warlock!) The anime series are being produced for the Japanese market and will air on Japan's Animax channel starting spring 2010. The series will most likely make their way to the U.S. shortly after. Sony's new production/distribution subsidiary has inked a deal with Marvel anime producers Madhouse to distribute the series worldwide, says Variety.

Here's some advice for those planning to attend Marvels' Comic-Con panels: Get there early. I'm talking three to four hours early, at least. Marvel hosts some of the most popular panels at the annual event, and they tend to fill up fast. I was rewarded for showing up two hours early to last year's Wolverine and the X-Men screening with an obstructed view in the back of the screening room. I was pissed. (I'm pretty sure the dude wearing the Rorschach costume sitting next to me was too.)

This year, Marvel will give punctual Con attendees a first-look at two of its highly anticipated TV projects: Marvel Animé and Super Hero Squad. Friday's Marvel Animation Panel will feature a preview of the Marvel Animé TV series from writer Warren Ellis and Japan's Madhouse animation studio. We haven't heard much about this project since it was announced last year, but it looks like Marvel is moving full-speed ahead with its plan to develop an animé series for the Japanese market featuring some of its most popular characters. The series is expected to debut in Japan in 2010.

On Saturday, Marvel will hold a panel devoted exclusively to Super Hero Squad, it's adorable mini-hero franchise aimed at geeks of all ages. According to Marvel, most of the voice talent behind Cartoon Network's upcoming Super Hero Squad TV show, including Stan Lee, will appear on the panel. Marvel's editor-in-chief, Joe Quesada, will also be on hand to talk about the show. The panel will feature a never-before-seen clip and a preview of THQ's upcoming Super Hero Squad video game.

And Marvel will also hold some panels about, uh, comic books and a little movie called Iron Man 2, as Erik told us earlier. Check out the full Marvel Comic-Con panel sked after the jump: