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Award-winning author Neil Gaiman was on hand this weekend at the C2E2 convention in Chicago, speaking to an impressive crowd on behalf of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which works to protect the First Amendment rights of comic creators and the comics community.

Just before he took the stage, the celebrated "Sandman" writer took some time to chat with me about the importance of the CBLDF, and why he's been one of the most vocal supporters of the organization for well over a decade now.

"It's the day-to-day keeping the noise off the lines of the people who are writing comics, drawing comics, selling comics, reading comics, publishing comics, so they can get on with that and we can get on with the business of defending their First Amendment rights," said Gaiman of organization's importance.

Let us know what you think in the comment section or on Twitter!

Tags c2e2 2010, cbldf, neil gaiman, Video

FROM MTV MOVIES: Director Matthew Vaughn's "Kick-Ass" surprised moviegoers this weekend, but not because of copious amounts of violence and bad language — as of Monday morning, it appeared that Lionsgate's comic book adaptation failed to take home the gold medal at the box office as DreamWorks Animation's "How To Train Your Dragon" seemingly returned to first place after four weeks in theaters.

But Sunday's box-office estimates aren't measuring up with new numbers pegging "Kick-Ass" as the #1 movie of the weekend with a $19.8 million haul. "How To Train Your Dragon" earned $19.6 million, a few strides shy of its previously estimated $20-million finish.

"'Kick-Ass' is fantastic, highly original entertainment, and our marketing and distribution teams have brilliantly positioned it for a long and successful run," Lionsgate Co-Chief Operating Officer and Motion Picture Group President Joe Drake said in a released statement. "That kind of run is precisely what we are seeing on the international front, where 'Kick-Ass' has demonstrated a very strong hold at the box office; in Great Britain alone, it's taken in nearly $13.8 million in 17 days."

Continue reading 'Kick-Ass' Tops Box Office After All at Movies.MTV.com.

Tags kick ass

Last week, we announced our first-ever costume contest here on Splash Page in honor of "Kick-Ass" Week, and after much deliberation, we finally have a winner!

Check out Shane Roberts' awesome Kick-Ass costume, which he tells us is "homemade down to the nightsticks" — and the winning entry in our little contest.

Shane will receive a signed "Kick-Ass" poster, as well as a bunch of other great swag from the film. Nice work, Shane! Read more...

Tags kick ass, kick-ass week

"Kick-Ass" might not have hit the opening weekend numbers many were predicting for director Matthew Vaughn's R-rated adaptation of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.'s ultraviolent comic book series, but the initial box-office tally isn't getting the story's creators down.

In fact, our former Guest Editor issued an official statement to MTV News, saying everyone involved with the film is "very proud" of the film's big-screen debut.

Read more...

Tags kick ass, mark millar

"Kick-Ass" and C2E2 tweets dominated Saturday and Sunday for the Twitter Report feed. Some familiar faces like Jimmy Palimotti were disappointed with the film's performances, while others, like Tim Seeley, were snapping pictures of the sketches with were making in Artists Alley in Chicago. Christopher Mintz-Plasse, meanwhile, caught a screening of his new movie at the Playboy mansion and posted a picture for posterity.

Animation and giant robot appreciators alike got some bad news, meanwhile, as "Robotech" producer Carl Macek passed away over the weekend. Rob Liefeld and Lea Hernandez both pointed out his importance. Check those retweets out after the jump along with commentary on the volcanic ash problem in Europe and Jonathan Hickman's World Cup prediction.

It's all in the Twitter Report for April 19th, 2010. Read more...

Tags christopher mintz-plasse, jeff lemire, Jimmy Palmiotti, jonathan hickman, lea hernandez, olivia wilde, rob liefeld, Tim Seeley, Twitter Report

One of the big announcements made just prior to this weekend's C2E2 convention was the news that "Preacher" creator Garth Ennis' grisly comic book series "Crossed" had been picked up for big-screen adaptation by Kickstart Productions.

Published by Avatar Press, the series follows a group of survivors beset by victims of a disease that makes people engage in all manner of deranged, vile and inhumane acts upon each other. The title of the series comes from the cross-shaped rash that develops on the faces of victims.

Similar to George Romero's "The Crazies," "Crossed" had an initial 10-issue run written by Ennis with art from Jacen Burrows. The acclaimed comic book writer is also writing the screenplay for the film, and I caught up with him during the convention to get more details about the big-screen project. Read more...

Tags c2e2 2010, crossed, garth ennis, Hot Stuff

Way back in February 2009, "Dead@17" creator Josh Howard revealed that the producers of an upcoming adaptation of his comic about a demon-fighting undead teenager were targeting "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens to play the lead role.

While the film has since changed writing hands from Mike Dougherty ("Superman Returns") to Dennis Iliadis ("Last House on the Left"), we've heard very little about the project since it was initially announced. When MTV News caught up with Hudgens to discuss her upcoming film "Beastly," we asked her whether we'll ever see her battle demons as Nara Kilday.

"That was a while ago," said the actress. "It was something that came up and never really materialized." Read more...

Tags dead at 17, vanessa hudgens, Video

Even though "Kick-Ass" fell a little short of box-office expectations this weekend, anyone who's seen it knows that there's certainly sequel potential in Matthew Vaughn's ultraviolent adaptation. And if there is a sequel, stars Aaron Johnson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse seem to already know where it could take their characters.

During an interview with MTV News, Mintz-Plasse revealed that "Kick-Ass" co-creator Mark Millar had shared information with him about the sequel during the actor's trip to the Edinburgh Film Festival.

"[Millar] wants [the sequel] to go very, very dark," related Minzt-Plasse. "My character becomes very dark and very evil in the sequel." Read more...

Tags aaron johnson, christopher mintz-plasse, kick ass, kick-ass week

Jon Favreau's "Cowboys & Aliens" has rounded up another cast member.

According to Variety, Noah Ringer has signed on to appear in "Cowboys & Aliens" alongside Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde. Ringer will be making his film debut later this year as Aang in director M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming adaptation of "The Last Airbender."

Earlier this year, Craig and Wilde were cast as Zeke Johnson and Ella, respectively. It is currently unknown which characters Ringer and Ford will portray within the film.

Read more...

Tags cowboys and aliens, Noah Ringer

Jeffrey DeMunn is the latest actor to sign on for Frank Darabont's upcoming TV adaptation of Robert Kirkman's zombie epic, "The Walking Dead."

During an interview with FearNet, Darabont confirmed that DeMunn has joined the cast of "The Walking Dead."

"I've always said Jeff DeMunn is my good luck charm," related Darabont. "And I can't make a film without him. We've just gotten him on board as one of the ensemble members, which is a great joy for me." Read more...

Tags jeffrey demunn, The Walking Dead