US unveils partial ban on flavored e-cigarettes

WASHINGTON—The US government on Thursday announced it would soon ban most flavored e-cigarettes as it tries to curb a rising tide of youth vaping, but stopped short of the full ban promised in September by President Donald Trump.

The Food and Drug Administration said cartridge-based e-cigarettes in flavors "other than tobacco or menthol" would be illegal unless they receive specific authorization from the government.

Companies that do not cease making and selling such cartridges within 30 days will face punishment, the FDA said.

"The United States has never seen an epidemic of substance use arise as quickly as our current epidemic of youth use of e-cigarettes," Health Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement.

Azar said prioritizing flavors most widely used by children would ensure e-cigarettes were a potential "off-ramp" for adult smokers but not an "on-ramp" to nicotine addiction for youngsters. 

"We will not stand idly by as this crisis among America's youth grows and evolves, and we will continue monitoring the situation and take further actions as necessary," he added.

The 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that more than 5 million US middle and high school students are e-cigarette users, with nearly 1 million using daily. 

"Additional data from another federal survey further underscore that youth are particularly attracted to e-cigarette flavors such as fruit and mint, much more so than tobacco or menthol flavored e-cigarettes," the Department of Health and Human Services said.

The flavor ban will exempt large, tank-based vaping devices, however, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adult smokers.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Teen cannabis use linked to higher risk of adolescent depression

LONDON - Teenagers who use cannabis have a higher risk of developing depression and suicidal thoughts as young adults and should be made aware of those risks by parents and doctors, scientists said on Wednesday.

About 7 percent of cases of adolescent depression could be averted if cannabis use was eliminated, according to an analysis of data on mental illness among young people in the United States, Britain and Canada who used cannabis in their teens.

“Although the size of the negative effects of cannabis can vary ... and it is not possible to predict the exact risk for each teenager, the widespread use of cannabis among the young generations makes it an important public health issue,” said Andrea Cipriani, a professor of psychiatry at Britain’s Oxford University who co-led the work.

Cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug by teenagers worldwide. In Canada, more than 20 percent of teens aged 15 to 19 years say they have used it in the past year. In England, for those aged 11 to 15, about 4 percent say they used cannabis in the last month.

The researchers said the results suggested that, if cannabis use were eliminated, there would be an estimated 400,000 fewer cases of depression in 18 to 34 year olds in the United States, 25,000 fewer in Canada and about 60,000 fewer in the Britain.

“It’s a big public health and mental health problem,” Cipriani told reporters at a briefing in London. “Adolescents should be made aware of the risk.”

The study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry and co-led by Cipriani and researchers at McGill University in Canada, was a systematic analysis pooling the best available evidence.

Teva slides on forecast, drags other generic drugmakers. It included 23,317 people from 11 international studies and looked at depression, anxiety and having suicidal thoughts in young adults.

Independent specialists asked to comment on the study said its findings were robust and important.

“Among young adults worldwide, depression is the leading cause of disability, and suicide is the most common cause of death,” said Joseph Firth, a specialist at Australia’s Western Sydney University.

By showing cannabis as a contributing factor to both, he said, the study showed the importance of seeking ways to reduce teenage cannabis use.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Crimea college blast kills 13 in 'terrorist attack' - officials

MOSCOW - Thirteen people were killed and 50 more wounded on Wednesday, most of them teenagers, after a blast tore into a college canteen in Russian-annexed Crimea in what Moscow called a "terrorist" attack.

Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major incidents, said it had "opened a criminal case into a terrorist attack" after an "unidentified explosive device" went off in the polytechnical college in Kerch city.

A committee spokeswoman said the death toll had risen to 13 after initial reports 10 people were killed in the explosion that detonated at around noon.

Investigators said the explosive device went off in the college's canteen and that it was "packed with metal objects."

"Currently we know of 13 dead and around 50 injured," Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said in televised comments. 

The "most of the (victims) are teenagers," the committee said. The college's website says it accepts students in the last three grades of school, from the age of 14.

An unnamed witness who worked nearby said in a video on Kerch.tv website victims "were taken away in public transport, in minibuses and buses, with 2 or 3 people in each ambulance."

"They are children and staff," the witness said. "I saw people without legs, without arms."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the "tragic news" from Kerch and that he "expresses deep condolences to those who lost relatives and loved ones."

Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov said on Facebook he had gone to the scene and "all the necessary services are working at the scene of the incident."

The emergency services ministry said that it had flown out three helicopters and a plane with rescuers.

Kerch is linked to the Russian mainland by a bridge opened by Putin in May this year.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Kian, Carl, Reynaldo were murdered: PAO forensic analyst

MANILA - Slain teenagers Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz, and Reynaldo De Guzman were all murdered, a forensic analyst from the Public Attorney's Office said Monday.

Dr. Erwin Erfe said apart from the boys' ages being in the same range, another similarity among them was that they were "defenseless" when they were killed.

"That’s very obvious in our findings," he told ANC's Headstart.

Delos Santos, 17, was killed in a drug sweep by Caloocan police last month after allegedly resisting arrest. Witnesses say, however, he did not fight back and that he was no drug courier as the cops allege.

Arnaiz, 19, was also killed in a shootout with police in Caloocan City after allegedly attempting to rob a taxi driver.

The University of the Philippines dropout supposedly left their home in Cainta, Rizal on August 17 with 14-year-old De Guzman.

De Guzman's body was found floating in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija last week, his head wrapped in packing tape and body inflicted by dozens of stab wounds. He was later transferred to a morgue, which his parents located the following day.

Erfe said while Delos Santos' death may have been connected to the police force's anti-drug drive, Arnaiz and De Guzman's were separate, but nor were they a simple case of a robbery-hold-up.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Pokemon GO players robbed at gunpoint in London park

LONDON - Three teenagers playing the hit game Pokemon GO have been robbed at gunpoint in a north London park and forced to hand over their mobile phones, British police said on Saturday.

Armed robberies are rare in Britain and police said they were hunting three suspects thought to be aged around 16 or 17 in relation to the incident on Tuesday evening.

While one suspect demanded that the three teenagers hand over their phones, a second revealed what the police said was a handgun from his waistband. The three teenagers handed over their phones and left the scene unhurt.

Nintendo Pokemon GO has become the unexpected and runaway smash hit of the year, with players looking at their mobile screens to find virtual Pokemon characters that are appearing at office spaces, restaurants, museums, parks and other sites via the augmented reality technology.

The game has already been blamed for a rash of accidents and a slew of mishaps stemming from distracted players.

First rolled out just over three weeks ago, the game has driving up Nintendo's market value by 50 percent.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Antidepressants don't work for teens, kids: study

PARIS, France - Most available antidepressants are ineffective for children and teenagers with major depression, and some may be unsafe, according to an overview of medical literature published Thursday.

Only one drug, fluoxetine, was found to work better at relieving the symptoms of depression than a look-alike placebo with no active ingredients, said the study, published in The Lancet.

Another drug, venlafaxine, was linked with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts compared with placebo and five other antidepressants, it reported.

More broadly, there is a paucity of well-designed clinical trials on the impact of these drugs on youngsters, the authors cautioned.

"The balance of risks and benefits of antidepressants for the treatment of major depression does not seem to offer a clear advantage in children and teenagers," said co-author Peng Xie from The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China.

The international team of researchers recommended that youths taking such medications be monitored closely regardless of the antidepressant chosen, particularly at the beginning of treatment.

They also called for more transparency and information sharing, lamenting in particular the lack of data at the individual level.

"We can’t be completely confident about the accuracy of the information contained in published and unpublished trials," lead author Andrea Cipriani at the University of Oxford said in a statement.

"Delay in implementing responsible data sharing policies has negative consequences for medical research and patient outcomes."

Major depressive disorder affects about 3 percent of children aged 6 to 12 years, and about 6 percent of teenagers aged 13 to 18 years.

Many clinical guidelines recommend psychological treatments as the first-line treatment for depression.

But in the United States, for example, the use of antidepressants has slowly increased between 2005 and 2012.

The proportion of US children and teenagers taking antidepressants climbed from 1.3 to 1.6 percent, and in Britain from 0.7 percent to 1.1 percent, the study showed.

Sertraline is the most widely prescribed antidepressant in the USA, and fluoxetine is the most common in Britain.

The study covered 34 clinical trials involving 5,260 participants, aged 9 to 18.

Two-thirds of the trials were funded by pharmaceutical companies.

In a comment, also in The Lancet, Jon Jureidini from the University of Adelaide in Australia questioned whether the lack of data about individual patients obscured the true number of suicidal events.

"Claims that appropriate access to such data is incompatible with intellectual property constraints and patient privacy must be strongly resisted."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Teenagers at high risk of parasitic infection

MANILA -- Recent studies show that adolescent females are at high risk of parasitic infection.

In an interview with Nina Corpuz on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok", Dr. Jun Belizario of the College of Public Health of the University of the Philippines explained that new studies show that adolescents are also at risk of parasitic infection.

The risk is higher for females who experience blood loss through menstruation.

"Lumalabas sa data na even among adolescents, mataas ang infection rate. Kaya pinag-aaralan ng Department of Health (DOH) na isama na ang high school [students], especially adolescent females na nawawalan ng dugo through menstruation," Belizario said.

Parasitic infections like trichinosis, schistosomiasis, and ring worm infection can cause females to lose more blood than normal.

According to Belizario, four to five children, or around 45% of all public school children are are infected with worms.

There are also specific areas in the country with around 80 to 90% of children suffering from parasitic infection.

This infection is often caused by poor hygiene and sanitation.

"Kakulangan sa sanitation. Open defecation promotes transmission ng mga bulate," Belizario said, adding that parasites that infect humans also come from other humans.

"Ang maduming kamay, kakulangan sa tubig, kontaminadong pagkain o tubig ay nagiging sanhi ng infection," he said.

The DOH provides free deworming medicines for children between the ages of 1 to 14. The agency also conducts deworming activities in all public schools twice a day.

Belizario explained that these medicines, which are candy flavored and chewable, are safe and effective for children.

Symptoms of parasitic infection include stomach pains, listlessness, stunting and malnutrition.

The doctor added that parasitic infection also affects school children's performance in school.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How to prevent pimple scars

MANILA -- Acne may be easy to treat, but it becomes a bigger problem once scars develop on the skin, especially on the face.

In an interview on radio DZMM on Tuesday, Dr. Lia Nebrida-Idea, a dermatologist from St. Luke's Medical Center, advised listeners on how to prevent acne or pimples from causing scars.

Acne is a very common skin condition that affects almost everyone. It usually affects teenagers due to the increase in the production of sebum. It can also be caused by hormonal imbalance, or other conditions.

Nebrida-Idea noted that children as young as 10 years old, or even infants can get acne. Neo-natal acne affects infants, and is usually caused by the mother's hormones. It can also be considered an early sign that a person will have acne.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome can also suffer from acne breakouts due to hormonal imbalance.

According to Nebrida-Idea, the key to avoiding acne breakouts is to have clean skin.

"You have to wash your face at least twice a day, morning and evening. You don't have to use mga expensive na mga sabon, 'yung ordinary mild cleanser will do. Actually, if you keep on rubbing and scrubbing your face, kung minsan, mas nakakadamage 'to at nakakapagtrigger ng pimples," she added.

There are different ways to treat pimples, but treatment becomes more difficult once scars develop.

"We have to be honest, mahirap mawala ang scars. Sometimes to use incision, or dermabrasion, or laser to treat scars," Nebrida-Idea noted.

The dermatologist also reminded those suffering from acne that there is no "magic" solution for acne.

"Akala nila kapag nagpatingin ka sa derma, kaagad-agad, maganda na. Usually it takes two months, three months, up to six months, depending on the severity of the pimples," she explained.

She also advised those with acne to avoid buying facial cleansers with beads or granules, and just go for hypoallergenic, unscented ones.

Oil-free and water-based facial cleansers are also best for acne-prone skin, she said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance for Young Drivers

Students, teenagers, and first-time drivers typically pay a premium price for auto insurance because car insurance companies put these drivers under the “high risk” category. Shopping around for the best price usually isn’t enough to get the lowest rates. Young, inexperienced drivers need to prove that they are responsible and won’t be prone to serious accidents and injuries when they’re on the road. While it may take some time to negotiate the best rates with the car insurance provider, it is possible for young drivers to reduce their insurance premiums.



Here are some tips for getting cheap auto insurance for young drivers.

Choose the Right Car

Economy cars and even newer cars are deemed “safer” in the eyes of the insurance company than luxury cars and flashy sports cars. If the student is in the market for a car, do some research to find out what average insurance rates are for that particular make and model. You’ll be surprised how much this amount varies by car manufacturer. A younger driver insuring a Honda Civic will be paying much less than one insuring a BMW Z3. (See also: Drive the Old Car or Buy a New Car?)

Share the Report Card

Some insurance companies extend a “good student” discount to high school and even college students. These drivers need to provide a copy of their report card and make sure the insurance company stays updated on their latest GPA. Above-average and honors students can get some of the best rates available, because the insurance company feels that these drivers are being responsible with their academic life and therefore may be more responsible on the road as well. A “good student” usually needs to maintain at least a B average to qualify for this discount.

Buy Only Necessary Coverage

As long as the student isn’t driving a brand new car, a financed vehicle, or a car purchased with a loan, they don’t have to get comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. Find out what the basic state insurance coverage requirements are and choose a plan that meets the student’s basic needs. For example, electing for only liability insurance when the student only uses the car to drive to and from school may be a wise financial decision.

Inform the Insurance Carrier About All Safety Features

If the car has advanced locking systems, anti-theft devices, or aftermarket safety features that make the vehicle less likely to be stolen or vandalized, make sure the insurance company knows about them. Most insurance providers do offer a safety discount because they feel that the car will be less likely to be broken into or stolen — which, in turn, means a lower likelihood of a claim.

Take a Driver Safety Course

Driver safety courses, or remedial courses, are often court-ordered when a driver is close to losing his or her license or has several traffic tickets. Younger drivers who are trying to build up a good driving history can also take these courses. Just make sure the insurance company has a copy of the certificate or a signed letter stating the driver has successfully completed the course. Plus, training programs improve a driver’s skills overall, so parents can have more confidence that their teens or college students are safer on the road.

Ask About Family Discounts

If the teenager or even college student is still living with his or her parents, you may be able to get their insurance through a family policy. Most insurance companies offer family packages that insure multiple drivers under a single policy. The younger driver’s rate may end up being much lower through this type of insurance plan.

source: wisebread.com

Teen in Holland marches 160 km for Filipino kids orphaned by human rights violations

Not a lot of teenagers are willing to wake up at five in the morning. Fifteen-year-old Kyle Baleva is not one of them.

The bespectacled teen was ready by 6 a.m. Tuesday so he could begin a 160-kilometer march in Nijmegen, the oldest city in The Netherlands, to raise funds for children back in the Philippines who have been orphaned by human rights violations.

Clad in a blue raincoat, Baleva joined some 45,000 participants in the four-day Walk of the World, which started Tuesday. Already on its 96^th run, the event remains one of the biggest sporting events in the country in terms of number of participants and public interest. It ends Friday.

Although this is his fourth time to take part in the Walk, which has him marching 40 kilometers each day, it is his first time to traverse the 160-kilometer distance meant for adults. In the previous years, he walked 120 kilometers during each event.

Fundraising for CRC kids

Baleva isn’t doing it for the exercise, however. He hopes to shine the spotlight on A Hand for an Orphan, a fundraising program initiated by The Children's Rehabilitation Center (CRC).

By donating either a fixed amount or 10 Euros for each day of the march, sponsors can help provide educational materials, food allowances, and medicine for orphans whose parents were either snatched in enforced disappearances or were killed extra-judicially.

CRC gives psycho-social support to these children and their families to help them overcome trauma, said Stichting voor Filippijnse Kinderen (The Foundation for Filipino Children) chairperson and Baleva’s mother Angie Gonzales.

To reach these children, CRC visits parts of the Philippines with "high incidences of human rights violations," as well as those with "intensive military operations."

Last year, the funds generated through A Hand for an Orphan were enough to support the basic needs of six children. CRC organized a peace camp for some 100 children as well.

"Every year, Kyle trains hard to participate in the 'Vierdaagse Nijmegen (Nijmegen Marches)' because through these efforts, he wishes to give more orphans more opportunities for healing," said Gonzales.

Sponsors can head to Baleva's profile page at https://www.devierdaagsesponsorloop.nl/index.php/ik-ben-sponsor?option=com_content&view=article&catid=2&id=5&did=52&src=sp to donate, although the site is in Dutch.

Alternatively, they can e-mail kyleswalk@filipinochildren.net for sponsorship details.

So far, pledges amounting to 600 Euros have been made.

Sponsors can keep track of Baleva's progress through a map on the event's website, http://4dfollowme.nl/, and typing in his registration number, 40G461, in the space provided for "Registration number participant."

source: interaksyon.com

FEU student’s research makes it to Google Science Fair

MANILA, Philippines — A 17-year-old Biology student from the Far Eastern University is the lone Filipino to make it to the regional finals of the Google Science Fair 2012, a global online science competition for teenagers launched by the search giant last year.

The research of Mark Borris Aldonza zeroes in on how compounds from a certain plant species known to be a “pest plant” in the Philippines could help improve the burning longevity of coal and at the same time reduce the amount of harmful gases it emits.

Aldonza’s research provides a means for the efficient and environmentally friendly use of charcoal, a resource that remains to be an essential part of many Filipinos’ households as majority of the population remains out of reach by industrial electricity.

“Charcoal will go further if it is used efficiently and if its quality is optimum for the particular end use,” Aldonza outlined in his presentation. “The rising price of oil and increasing concern for climate change will result in increased use of wood as fuel in both developed and developing countries.”

By treating traditional charcoal with “tannins” sourced from a prolific plant called Crown Vetch, Aldonza was able to triple the burning time of coal and decrease the amount of five greenhouse gases it emits.

“Charcoal has definitely the potential to alleviate poverty, generate income, and enhance livelihoods,” the student said. “By developing charcoals like what I’ve done in this research, there’ll be more options for fuel use.”

Aldonza joins 89 other students from around the world as finalists in this year’s Google Science Fair, which has garnered compelling research topics such as studies on how substance created by bees, can treat cancer and how meth abuse can be treated.

Thirteen of the 90 finalists have also been nominated for the Scientific American Science in Action award, the winner of which will be announced on June 6 along with the 15 finalists in the competition.

These top 15 and the Science in Action winner will be flown out to Google’s headquarters in California in July for the celebratory finalist event and for the last round of judging, which will be conducted by a panel of renowned scientists and innovators.

The Grand Prize winner for this year’s search will receive a National Geographic expedition, a $50,000 scholarship grant from Google, a personal LEGO color mosaic, and a chance for an internship either at Google, Lego, or CERN.

source: interaksyon.com

Finland gunman kills two students

HELSINKI -- Police arrested Saturday an 18-year-old man in camouflage fatigues suspected of killing two students in a shooting targeting restaurants packed with teenagers in southern Finland.

The gunman opened fire around 1:53 am (2253 GMT) from a rooftop in Hyvinkaa, a city about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Helsinki, aiming at two restaurants where many young people had gathered outside, police said.

The motives for the attack were not yet clear.

Finland has in recent years been hit by several cases of deadly shootings by teenagers, and President Sauli Niinisto said the killing sprees showed that "something has broken in society".

An 18-year-old woman was killed on the spot in Saturday's attack while an 19-year-old man later died from his injuries. Both were students at a local technical college.

Another seven people were hurt including a 23-year-old police officer who was wounded as she left her vehicle after arriving at the scene, a police spokesman said.

"Shooting erupted suddenly," Jani Kuronen, a man in his 20s, told public television YLE. "People starting running. One person had a horrible wound on the face. I called an ambulance."

Another witness, Santeri Silvenoinen, said he heard the gunshots and "then looking around me, I saw a woman lying on the ground and I started running."

Police did not identify the suspect, but said he was dressed in camouflage fatigues. He was arrested near Hyvinkaa, a city of 45,000 people, without putting up any resistance.

Three firearms including a hunting rife were seized from the suspect, who was not in possession of any gun permits, police said, adding that he had no criminal record.

Asked about the gunman's motives, police spokesman Satu Koivo said an investigation was ongoing, adding: "For the moment, it is not possible to confirm anything."

The spokesman told AFP however that police did not believe that the gunman knew his victims.

Hyvinkaa mayor Raimo Lahti told YLE that the whole town was in shock.

On September 23, 2008, a student who went on a murderous rampage at a school in Kauhajoki in the southwest killed 10 people before turning his gun on himself.

In a similar incident on November 7, 2007 at Jokela, not far from Hyvinkaa, an 18-year-old killed seven classmates and the headmistress then shot himself in the head.

source: interaksyon.com

Priest urges youths to protect selves by enrolling in self-defense class

MANILA, Philippines - Expressing disappointment over the failure of authorities to ensure the safety of youths, Episcopal Commission on Youth Executive Secretary Fr. Conegundo Garganta urged students and teenagers to enroll in a self-defense class this summer.

But for those who can't afford to pay for the classes that range from P2,500 to P4,000, Garganta said young people could also follow practical tips and advices to ensure their safety.

"Young people must avoid staying late outside, avoid dark places. [They] must see to it that they are in a group, heed the reminders of their parents" Garganta told reporters in an interview.

The priest also advised parents to closely monitor the activities of their children and "provide them additional care."

Garganta made the statement after another student of the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna was killed by robbers last Sunday, March 4.

Ray Bernard Penaranda, 19, was walking with his two friends on their way to their dormitory when they were attacked by two motorcycle-riding men.

Penaranda's friends were able to flee but he was chased down by the robbers and was stabbed on the chest using a knife.

source: interaksyon.com

Exciting new year for comic book cartoons

MANILA, Philippines — While 2011 had been a huge year for comics, the year 2012 looks to be an even bigger year.

Cartoons may seem childish to teenagers and young adults, but animated films and TV series are an effective gateway for people to get into comics. The secret to good animation is finding the balance between adapting its original source and translating the essence of a comic into the screen, taking the viewers’ mindset into consideration.

Looking back

Last October, DC came out with its animated adaptation of “Batman: Year One.’’ The film was a very faithful take on Frank Miller’s original work. The producers said it was easy to turn the comic into a cartoon because of Miller’s cinematic style of writing.

What made “Batman: Year One’’ so unique and fascinating is how it delves into the life of James Gordon. The film acts as an origin story for Batman, but it spends just as much time detailing the pressures that Gordon fights through, as he finds himself stuck in a corrupt police system. The film takes us into his personal life as well, exploring his relationship with his wife and child.

What also makes Year One thrilling is its depiction of Catwoman, especially in the bonus short film, starring our favorite cat burglar with a heart. It turns out that more than a simple desire for money and jewelry, Selina Kyle is really Ijust trying to protect the women of Gotham City.

“Thor: Tales of Asgard’’ was Marvel’s 2011 animated release that tells the story of a young Thor who learns the consequences of great power, and the responsibility that goes with it. The plot is very traditional, and Thor as a character is pretty dull. But what I really appreciated was how Loki is made into such a likable, innocent, and caring brother. The end of the film foreshadows his dark future, but most of the movie has Loki aiding Thor and performing heroic tasks.

Party like it’s 2012

DC has so many animated projects in the coming year, it gets me giddy every time I think about it.

“Justice League: Doom’’ will come out early 2012. The animated film is a loose adaptation of Tower of Babel, the famous JLA storyline that had the World’s Greatest Heroes systematically beat down and humiliated by their enemies who are using Batman’s files to devise their strategies. Finding out that Batman is keeping dangerous, intrusive files on his teammates creates a rift in the team, making Batman an untrustworthy figure.

The movie has sentimental value as well. The project was Dwayne McDuffie’s last, as he wrote it right before his death in February 2011. McDuffie was the creator of Static Shock, and he also wrote and produced Justice League Unlimited.

Also in the works is an animated film adaptation of Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns.’’ This is sure to either make fanboys rejoice or shake with fear. Along with Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns is considered by many as a classic to top all classics. So while the potential for such a project is mind-blowing, fans around the world will surely be critical.

I guess the best advice is for viewers to accept any animated adaptation as a separate piece of work from its original source. It’s hard to enjoy a movie when you’re constantly comparing it to the comic books. We have to look at animated films as a whole different entity. Of course, that is easier said than done.

On TV, “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’’ will start its second season early 2012. The show boasts of an all-star line-up featuring the likes of Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Thor. Lesser known heroes like Hawkeye, Black Panther, Wasp and Hank Pym also play major roles in the TV series. Obviously targeted at kids, adults will nevertheless enjoy the cartoon because of its fast pace, sleek animation, and big action.

There are a lot more animated comic book adaptations scheduled for 2012, so do try to keep yourselves posted on the newest releases. Always buy original. Either buy the original copies of the cartoon, or catch it on TV. Let’s give the animators more incentive and more reason to keep on coming back with new, progressive projects.

Happy new year to all of you, and may the force be with you!

source: mb.com.ph