New mission and new look for a classic heroine in spectacular summer for fans of the women of Marvel!
X-Men starring an all-female squad by Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel launched to critical and fan acclaim. Captain Marvel starred in a stunning crossover with Avengers Assemble by Kelly Sue DeConnick. The all-female heroes of Fearless Defenders by Cullen Bunn may not have inspired as much hype as X-Men but it’s definitely a book you should try out.
Valkyrie assembled Earth’s Mightiest Women into Asgard’s new Shieldmaidens. Cullen Bunn writes action and humor packed storylines as Val, Misty Knight and Dani Moonstar raced across the globe in search of ancient relics while fighting Viking zombies and Doom Maidens and a wicked new villainess. Continue reading FEARLESS DEFENDERS New Mission
Valkyrie is recruiting Earth’s finest females to become the new Shieldmaidens of Asgardia. Misty Knight and Valkyrie became a globe-trotting odd couple fighting Viking zombies in the premiere. Dani Moonstar and a sinister new enemy joined the action and Hela was raised in Fearless Defenders #2. The Death Goddess unleashed a reborn Warrior Woman in the final page!
Writer Cullen Bunn will keep building the roster as the rollercoaster ride continues.
“This is not a traditional team. They don’t have a headquarters. There’s a whole slew of characters who will pass in and out of the book. Valkyrie, Misty Knight and Dani Moonstar are there for the long haul. It’s different from the average Marvel group book” explained Executive Editor Tom Brevoort.
The Fearless Defenders #2 keeps the thrills and humor up as Marvel’s newest odd couple journeys to Asgardia for some Hela-raising! In the premiere – private eye Misty Knight kicked mercenary ass after recovering some stolen artifacts. The bionic badass crossed paths with the Asgardian warrior woman just in time to fight off an army of Viking zombies. And Valkyrie kissed a girl and we liked it.
Cullen Bunn and Will Sliney throw New Mutant Dani Moonstar into the action in this week’s second issue. No powers. No problem. Dani shows why she’s still a formidable female and worthy of becoming a Shieldmaiden – if the new mystery villain Continue reading Fearless Defenders #2 My View
New Mutant Dani Moonstar joins Marvel’s new team book in Fearless Defenders #2 this week. Talk about action figures – check out Mark Brooks’s clever cover!
Dani was once a Valkyrie. I wanted to share part of writer Cullen Bunn’s recent interview teasing more female favorites joining the series:
“The basic idea of the book is that Valkyrie is choosing a new team of Valkyrior, and she’s been asked to choose all these women from the heroes of Midgard, instead of from Asgard. She has completely failed Continue reading Dani Moonstar Joins Fearless Defenders
Marvel’s newest odd couple come crashing into the Marvel Now and you don’t want to miss this joyride. Valkyrie is noble warrior woman. Misty Knight is badass bionic private eye/martial arts master. Val is from Asgard. Misty is from New York. They are going to be so good together!
The hunt for Asgardian artifacts and an army of undead Vikings bring the two unlikely partners together in Fearless Defenders #1. Cullen Bunn’s new series has the ingredients of a buddy cop/Tomb Raider/Lord of the Rings mashup.
I’ve loved Valkyrie since her days in The Defenders and Misty since she stole the show in Power Man & Iron Fist. The two are an unlikely but Continue reading FEARLESS DEFENDERS #1 Review
As we celebrate Black History Month in North America and the United Kingdom I was inspired to think about my favorite African-American superheroes. While these fictional characters are not as important as civil rights leaders, boundary breaking athletes and artists or scientists who made a powerful contributions to our world I think seeing diversity in comic books makes an impact…on everyone.
Before I reveal my top 10 I want to say this was tough and I know some of you have your favorites like Steel aka John Henry Irons, Batwing, Shadowhawk, Spawn, Photon, Static and not to mention non-superhero characters like Michonne and Tyreese of The Walking Dead, but these are the ten characters (+ one because I just couldn’t leave her off!) that I’ve loved and stayed with me.
11 Vixen Mari Jiwe McCabe grew up in remote village in the fictional African country of Zambesi. Mari’s family were holders of a mystical totem but he uncle killed her parents and stolen the totem. Mari moved to America, became an international supermodel, built a fortune and traveled to her homeland to take back her family’s totem and became known as Vixen. With the totem Mari can mimic the abilities of any animal on Earth. Mari a member of the Justice League. In the DC Comics New 52 relaunch Vixen was injured but recently seen as one of the possible new recruits Cyborg will call on to join the new Justice League.
Vixen: Return of the Lion #3 courtesy DC Comics
10 Spider-Man Miles Morales became a media sensation when Marvel revealed the new Ultimate Spider-Man was of African-American and Latino descent. Like Peter Parker, Miles is a science nerd bitten by a radioactive spider but his powers are slightly different. Miles recently met the Peter Parker of “our” Marvel Universe in the crossover smash, Spider-Men.
Spider-Men by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel
9. Patriot Elijah Bradley is the grandson of Isiah Bradley, the first Captain America. (Isiah was among the black men who served as test subjects before the Super Soldier Serum was given to Steve Rogers. This story was told in the series Truth: Red, White & Black.) Eli became a founding member of the Young Avengers. These teen heroes wanted to fight crime and carry on the legacy of the Avengers who had disbanded at the time. I don’t want to give away the secet of Eli’s powers (told in the Young Avengers series) but his is a great story of young man trying to do right and honor his past. Eli is a great leader and strategist in the tradition of Captain America. A brand new Young Avengers series just relaunched but Eli is not on the team. I’m hoping Patriot will soon be appearing in the Marvel Now, maybe even joining the main Avengers?
Young Avengers Presents: Patriot #1 courtesy Marvel
This week Marvel unleashes a new force of female fury in Fearless Defenders starring Valkyrie and Misty Knight. More of Marvel’s finest women (including Dani Moonstar of New Mutants) will join the team as the book progresses. Writer Cullen Bunn, Editor Ellie Pyle and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort talked about the new team on Marvel.com.
“The team will come together slowly over time, but Valkyrie and Misty Knight are in the forefront. They are the co-leads. If ever there an odd couple, I can’t imagine more of one than Brunhilde and Misty. They’re fun to write individually, but they’re so much fun to write when they’re interacting with one another. They immediately set this team apart from any other super hero group out there.
Fearless Defenders #1 courtesy Marvel
“We’re introducing a new villain right off the bat from the first issue. She’s seen an opportunity because there are no shield maidens in operation right now. There’s a void. This woman starts working some very bad mojo that puts Valkyrie on the defensive immediately; it’s her fault. We’ll meet the Doom Maidens who are exceptionally bad news,” said Bunn.
“This is not a traditional team. They don’t have a headquarters. There’s a whole slew of characters who will pass in and out of the book. Valkyrie, Misty Knight and Dani Moonstar are there for the long haul. It’s different from the average Marvel group book” explained Brevoort.
Valkyrie and Misty will be joined by a new warrior designed by Phil Jimenez.
Fearless Defenders #3 courtesy Marvel Comics
“The character on the cover to issue #3 is a new member of the group, Hippolyta, somebody we’re bringing back from the dead but with a new approach. We’re playing with what was there before and are introducing her in a different way.”
“She will be going by the hero name Warrior Woman–whether she wants to or not,” added Ellie Pyle.
Fearless Defenders #3 courtesy Marvel Comics
Valkyrie was the lead of Fear Itself: The Fearless. Bunn co-wrote Val’s epic quest that took her on a world tour of the Marvel Universe and interacting with heroes, villains and demons of all genres. This new book will same the same versatility and variety.
