Let’s continue our look at the 14 characters to watch in 2014.
8. Medusa
The Inhumans are Marvel’s next big thing after years of playing supporting roles in Avengers and Fantastic Four sagas. Black Bolt and Medusa have always been one of Marvel’s greatest power couples. With her King missing, the Royal Family homeless and an outbreak of new Inhumans popping up around the globe – how will the regal Queen cope?
Medusa has stood by her man against all enemies and has powerful allies in the Fantastic Four/Future Foundation. The Queen will star in a one-shot by Matt Fraction and be part of the new Inhuman series by Charles Soule coming in April. It’s more than the power hair, Medusa is a power player ready to become front and center of the Inhuman revolution.
9. Stephanie Brown
I admit – I will always love Barbara Gordon as Batgirl and I wasn’t a big follower of Brown’s pre-The New 52 adventures but you can’t deny her passionate fan following. The daughter of a minor villain, Stephanie was the Spoiler, Robin and then Batgirl. Stephanie really did a number on Tim Drake. The New 52 reboot wiped her from continuity. Writer Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV confirmed Stephanie will be part of the new Batman Eternal weekly series and it will be a new take on the character. Let’s hope it’s a fitting reward for Stephanie’s devotees and introduce a new generation of readers to the popular heroine who will not be denied.
For the picture I chose this Batgirl cosplayer I meet at GeekGirlCon who made an impression on fans and the publishing world at San Diego Comic Con.
10. X-O Manowar
Things for from bad to worse for Aric of Dacia in 2014. The ruthless anti-hero formed his own nation and inspired the formation of Valiant Entertainment’s first superteam book. Toyo Harada leads a squad of ruthless “heroes” dedicated to taking down Aric in the pages of Unity.
This Summer Aric is front and center of Valiant’s big crossover event, Armor Hunters, as aliens come to Earth to take and destroy his X-O Manowar armor.
11. Moon Knight
Marc Spector is no Batman knockoff. He may even be slightly crazier than Wayne. The vigilante has experienced more reboots than most heroes but 2014 sees a brand new Moon Knight #1 by legendary writer Warren Ellis with artist Declan Shively.
The billionaire turned mercenary turned enforcer for the Egyptian God of Vengeance is back in New York City. He’s been an Avenger, a Defender but Moon Knight works best as an insane solo hero. Spector will be fighting what Ellis calls “weird crime” which is a perfect for the offbeat hero born in the pages of Werewolf by Night decades ago. I fondly remember my first strange images of Moon Knight in black and white in the pages of Hulk magazine.
12. Guardians of the Galaxy
The biggest gamble in the Marvel movie franchise so far. Directed James Gunn assembled an eclectic cast (Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista and the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel) to bring the Avengers of space to cinematic life.
Peter Quill (Pratt) is an Earth man who will become Star-Lord and lead this squad of alien anti-heroes against cosmic enemies. Ronan the Accuser of the Kree, The Collector and the Nova Corps will appear in the movie. I think we’ll have a cameo by Thanos and possibly Iron Man as this film leads into Avengers: Age of Ultron and then Avengers 3, rumored to be to big showdown with Thanos. Tony Stark is now a member of the Guardians comic book.
The Guardians of the Galaxy will have a crossover with the All-New X-Men. Both books are written by superstar Brian Michael Bendis. The Trial of Jean Grey will see alien races take action after learning the young woman who once hosted the destructive Phoenix Force is alive.
13. Silver Surfer
Norrin Radd soars again in a brand new series by fan-favorite creators Dan Slott and Michael Allred. When you have the Spider-Man writer teamed with a fan-favorite artist with such a signature style you expectations are high. Silver Surfer stayed out of the Infinity conflict (except for an Infinite online comic) but with such a huge push on Marvel’s cosmic characters (Guardians, Nova) expect the Sentinel of the Spaceways to be part of Marvel’s overall long-term plan.
Radd appeared in Fantastic Four 2 but fans could see him appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Avengers build towards a cosmic showdown with Thanos.
14. Aliens/Predators/Engineers
Not so much a character but a universe to watch in 2014. Dark Horse Comics launches a new shared universe of terror with brand new Aliens and Predators comic books along with a new title based on the characters from Prometheus and a new Aliens vs. Predators series. Long before the movie studio, DHC pitted the teeth within teeth monsters against the galaxy’s ultimate hunters in compelling, action packed epics. Everything you love and are scared by in the movies will be canon as an all-star roster of creators pushes the monsters and their universe into new directions.
Here’s part one of the 14 characters to watch in 2014. Who’s on your list? Join the conversation with a comment below or on Twitter.
By Editor