Introducing the A113Animation Podcast! - Pilot Episode Online Now

As part of our expansion, we're very pleased to introduce you to the first episode of the A113Animation Podcast! This possibly-sort-of-regular podcast will cover recent animation news, play clips of interviews we carry out, and review the latest releases: this time, it's Iron Man 3.

The episode is available now on Podomatic (below) for either streaming or download, and you can follow us on that site here; you can download the show on iTunes here, and please do subscribe and rate; we're also on Stitcher Radio (a player for that is embedded below too). Check out the episode and its extensive show notes below!

Robert Downey, Jr.'s Marvel Contract's Up; Will He Sign a New One?

Since Iron Man 3 hit cinemas (read our A113 group review here), there has been speculation over Robert Downey, Jr.'s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as his extensive contract with Marvel has now ran its course.

A113Animation Assemble: Iron Man 3 Group Review

I've already offered up my extensive thoughts on Marvel's first entry into Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (check out the review here), but I'm not Lotso and this isn't a dictatorship, so it's time the full A113Animation team weighed in on Iron Man 3.

The Shane Black-directed film is in UK cinemas now and opens Stateside on Friday, so now seems as good a time as any for the Avengers of the animation world to assemble to offer up our collaborate, spoiler-free-ish, thoughts on the steel-clad threequel. Obviously, although we agree on some aspects of the film, we disagree on others, so please do enjoy the range of opinions!

The reviews are split into four sections: Story, Direction/Acting, Comparison to Phase 1 films, and Phase 2 thoughts. For your reading pleasure, reviewers are identified by Iron Man-themed colours, Munir is Iron Man red, Damien is Iron Patriot blue, Nadine is Pepper Potts orange and I'm Mandarin green.

Iron Man 3 Review - Avengers Disassemble

*This review is largely spoiler free, and most plot-details mentioned are evident in the trailers, but read cautiously if you haven’t seen the film yet*

Marvel Studios are absolutely golden right now. Iron Man was big, Iron Man 2 was bigger (The Incredible Hulk, not so much), Captain America and Thor were no slouches either; but I don't think even Marvel knew how huge The Avengers was going to be. So coming on the back of that is a pretty unenviable task, yet one Iron Man 3 manages to accomplish with vigour, by fully addressing the events of last year's blockbuster smash and pondering "what next?". Although Iron Man 3 very loosely resembles its trailers - beyond a few key set pieces - it is nonetheless a fully enjoyable film.

Comic-Con Roundup: DreamWorks, Phineas and Ferb, Wreck-It Ralph, Frankenweenie and Marvel!

Wow, Comic-Con really is the place to be this time of year. Yesterday, out of the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con convention, we got some huge news, some enlightening panels and some exciting looks at the latest films and projects coming out of DreamWorks and Disney - and their subsidiary, Marvel.

Check out recordings of some of the panels and all the goodness they bring after the jump break!