Here in Chicago nobody seems to know what I’m talking about when I speak of Riddick. In fact, I explain it’s part of the Pitch Black series and get even more blank stares. This is not good. Still, I personally can’t wait to see Vin Diesel return in Universal’s R-rated sci-fi actioneer, in theaters September 6, that looks low on budget, but big on thrills.

A new image was released today that shows Diesel in “beast” mode, and it sort of reminds me of H.R. Giger’s work.

In addition, a 5-minute long motion comic has been released, which seems to be a new hot promotional device. Every movie has a motion comic, and I personally enjoy them all. I haven’t had a chance to watch the latest, but I hope it’s as entertaining as its predecessors.

“Diesel reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy. The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he’s encountered. The only way off is for Riddick to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty.

The first ship to arrive carries a new breed of merc, more lethal and violent, while the second is captained by a man whose pursuit of Riddick is more personal. With time running out and a storm on the horizon that no one could survive, his hunters won’t leave the planet without Riddick’s head as their trophy.”