Astonishing X-Men: Gifted Coming Home in September

Joss Whedon doesn't really have to do anything at all for us to think that he's got the geek cred to direct the Avengers movie. If he was worried about establishing geek cred though he took some time to do some stuff for Marvel, such as work on Astonishing X-Men.

Whedon and John Cassaday collaborated in Astonishing X-Men on the "Gifted" storyline. The animated film is produced by Neal Adams' studio and features Wolverine, Beast, Kitty Pryde, Cyclops and Emma Frost confronting Dr. Kavita Rao who is responsible for a mutant "cure." It's up to the aforementioned X-Men to stop the new alien menace Ord who is determined to "cure" the mutants. The DVD comes chock full of bonus features, including a onversation with Joe Quesada and Neal Adams, "Rise Up" music video, Astonishing X-Men: Gifted trailer, visual history of the characters, behind the scenes at Marvel Knights Animation, Marvel Super Heroes™: What The — ?, artists gallery featuring John Cassaday and additional trailers.

The DVD hits stores September 28 for $14.97 (which is apparently priced to own). Full press release after the jump.

From Joss Whedon, the Mastermind Behind the Acclaimed TV Series Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Award-Winning Artist John Cassaday Comes the Ultimate Story of Mutant Survival!

MARVEL KNIGHTS ANIMATION: ASTONISHING X-MEN - GIFTED HITS THE HOME ENTERTAINMENT SHELVES FOR THE FIRST TIME OWN IT ON DVD SEPTEMBER 28, 2010 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY

The time has come for Marvel Super Heroes CYCLOPS, EMMA FROST, SHADOWCAT, COLOSSUS, BEAST and WOLVERINE to leap from the comic book pages into every home this Fall. On September 28, 2010, Shout! Factory, in association with Marvel Knights Animation will unleash the highly anticipated DVD of ASTONISHING X-MEN – GIFTED, the first title in the multi-part ASTONISHING X-MEN home entertainment series.

Joss Whedon and John Cassaday’s Eisner award-winning take on Marvel’s mightiest mutants comes to life through the studio of comics legend Neal Adams, in the ASTONISHING X-MEN Marvel Motion Comic, adapting the acclaimed “Gifted” storyline! Remaining true to the heritage of panel-by-panel graphic storytelling, with groundbreaking visuals, sensational soundscapes and, of course, the explosiveness of the Mighty Marvel Universe, the ASTONISHING X-MEN - GIFTED DVD features the first story arc of the ASTONISHING X-MEN 3-part series by Whedon and Cassaday. Boasting an exciting array of bonus features, this DVD invites viewers to delve deep inside the imaginative world of the Marvel Universe. A must have for collectors and loyal fans, this deluxe DVD is featured with a graphic rich cover and a unique replica of comic book-style plastic sleeve packaging that bridges the comic book to DVD concept. It is priced to own at $14.97.

Synopsis:
Professor Charles Xavier’s X-Men — the aggressive Wolverine, conflicted Beast and newly returned Kitty Pryde, led by Cyclops and Emma Frost — find themselves confronted with Dr. Kavita Rao, who has developed a controversial “mutant cure.” Now they’re up against science, prejudice and a mysterious new foe named Ord! Can the X-Men protect the world’s mutants against this powerful new alien menace and the “cure” that threatens to rid them of their unique abilities forever?

Extensive Bonus Features:
A Conversation with Joe Quesada and Neal Adams
ASTONISHING X-MEN “Rise Up” music video
ASTONISHING X-MEN – GIFTED trailer
Visual history of the characters
Behind-the-scenes: Marvel Knights Animation
Marvel Super Heroes™: What The — ?
Artists gallery – John Cassaday
Additional trailers
…and More!

Direct from the pages of the critically acclaimed comic books, Marvel Knights Animation remains true to the legendary Marvel experience of sophisticated storytelling and dynamic artwork. Behind every image and every word lies the genius of Marvel’s celebrated creators like Joss Whedon, Brian Michael Bendis, Warren Ellis, Adi Granov, and John Cassaday. Marvel Knights Animation merges iconic Marvel comic book graphics and dynamic animation, utilizing some of the latest technology to provide incredible, cutting-edge, in-your-face storytelling. A wonderful hybrid that incorporates all of Marvel’s greatest talents, viewers can experience their favorite comics, as the spectacular visions of these authors and artists come alive in Marvel Knights Animation.


About Marvel Entertainment, LLC
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit www.marvel.com.

About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. With its fingers on the pulse of pop culture, Shout! Factory continues to impact the entertainment media landscape through acquisition of top quality programming for home entertainment releases. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit ShoutFactory.com