Marvel’s announced a new Iron Man cartoon series that doesn’t tie into the hit movie or the previous Iron Man direct-to-DVD film or the late-90s cartoon (which is probably for the better.) Rather curious that they’re following DC’s multiple-versions model so early for what is a, let’s face it, newly-hatched piece of intellectual property in the eyes of the majority of the audience.Speaking of animated, these Invincible “digital cinematic comics” from MTV look more like ads than actual content. The merging of animation and the static comics image perplexes me. Why have word balloons when people are speaking dialogue aloud? Why are there sound effects on the “page” when we can clearly hear a “kaboom?” Is this a read-along book? Do you think I’m illiterate? Am I just curmudgeonly for not seeing the point? Where’s my damn Geritol? When’s Newhart gonna be on?

(Actually, you know those video trailers for comic books? I’m tired of those too.)