Here’s the complete list of our 14 comic book characters to watch in 2014 revised with new images and more details on the heroes and villains I think will make an impact this year at comic book shops and the box office:
1. Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier
I sighed when Bucky’s solo series ended last year but Captain America’s sidekick turned deadly enemy turned ally will have a huge 2014.
On the big screen Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky in Captain America: The Winter Soldier coming April 4. The Star-Spangled Avenger’s sequel is based on my all-time favorite Cap stories by Ed Brubaker.
Bucky co-stars in the All-New Invaders by James Robinson. The World War II heroes reunite against the Kree in the upcoming book. The Winter Soldier: The Bitter March by Rick Remender is a Nick Fury retro story set back when Bucky was the brainwashed assassin.
I absolutely love Bucky and hope the success leads to a new solo comic book series and movie pairing Bucky and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson.)
2. Nightwing
Keeping with my favorite sidekicks turned awesome solo heroes…Richard Grayson is beaten, broken and battered.
Nightwing’s identity was exposed to the world by the Crime Syndicate in the pages of Forever Evil. Batman feels terrible guilt over Dick’s life being ruined. DC Comics is teasing Forever Evil #6 as the final fate of Nightwing. Batman and Lex Luthor are leading the resistance against the Crime Syndicate but will Richard be ultimate hero who makes the ultimate sacrifice?
I enjoyed Kyle Higgins’ Nightwing series that sent Richard to Chicago out of Bruce’s shadow in Gotham and I loved the pre-New 52 Titans. Personally, I’d love to see Nightwing recruit Starfire, Raven and form a New 52 version of the Titans and have him back in the classic black and blue costume!
3. Lois Lane
Superman: Lois Lane is a one-shot starring the daring journalist by Marguerite Bennett. I’ve declared it before and I’ll do it again – Lois Lane deserves a shot at her own series.
The success of this February one-shot could signal a solo series. Lois is the most iconic female comic book character after Wonder Woman. Lois could lead readers into the danger zones and inner circles of power in the DC Universe in search of truth and justice. Lois may not have super powers but this extraordinary heroine could be a breakthrough character all over again after 75 years.
4. Peter Parker, Amazing Spider-Man
Replacing Peter with Otto Octavius as a Superior Spider-Man was a creative gamble that’s paying off in compelling stories but after a year, it’s time for Peter’s comeback.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 swings into cinemas in May. Andrew Garfield reprises his role as Peter Parker opposite Jamie Foxx as Electro, Paul Giamatti as Rhino and Dane DeHaan as the new Harry Osborn. The trailer teases us with more Spidey rogues on the horizon and Sony is charging ahead with Venom and Sinister Six spinoffs. Even with Sony controlling the movie rights, Spidey is Marvel’s flagship hero and after a year in the afterlife it’s time for a comeback and payback for Doc Ock!
I have to believe Peter will be back swinging in a new Marvel comic by May.
5. Thanos
The Mad God of Titan ravaged planet after planet in search of his greatest secret. The Avengers took Earth back from Thanos and his Black Order and the Mad God suffered one hell of a father/son moment in the Infinity finale.
Don’t count him out!
The Mad God of Titan will reunite with Adam Warlock and his creator. Jim Starlin is writing a new graphic novel: Thanos: The Infinity Revelation, dealing with the aftermath of the Infinity mega-series. I chose this awesome image of Thanos from the classic Infinity Gauntlet because it sums up the evil arrogance of the Mad God.
Marvel is building up to a big screen showdown between the Avengers and Thanos. We’ve already seen hints of the Infinity Gauntlet in Thor and the gems in Thor: The Dark World and watch for even bigger cosmic treats in Guardians of the Galaxy in August.
6. Lex Luthor
Keeping with the tradition of big, bald and badass…Lex Luthor is leading the resistance against the Crime Syndicate in the pages of Forever Evil.
Keeping with the tradition of big, bald and badass…Lex Luthor is leading the resistance against the Crime Syndicate in the pages of Forever Evil. Could the ruthless C.E.O. come out of this event as the greatest hero of the DC Universe? When the dust settles from this villain vs. villain showdown, I suspect Luthor will reestablish himself and his power base in the DC Universe.
In Man of Steel we saw hints of Lexcorp and it’s only a matter of time before we have an announcement that the classic villain will be cast in the sequel in which Superman faces Batman and includes Wonder Woman.
7. Captain Marvel
Never underestimate the power of the Carol Corps! The devoted fan base was rewarded with a special Carol Corps issue of Captain Marvel last year. Carol Danvers will go beyond in a brand new Captain Marvel #1 as part of the All-New Marvel Now campaign. Carol even inspired a brand new hero, the all-new Ms. Marvel takes the code-name and look once used by Carol.
The popularity of the fan-favorite Avenger is undeniable and the hunger for a solo superheroine movie is strong. I’d love to see Carol as part of Guardians of the Galaxy and transform into Captain Marvel in time for Avengers 3. Here’s writer Kelly Sue DeConnick on the possible journey from page to screen for Captain Marvel.
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?
Here’s the Queen bravely staring down members of the Black Order just before Thanos’ invasion of Attilan from Infinity #2.
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. Fans got a preview of the new series in this week’s All-New Marvel Now Point One giving us a preview of Norrin and Dawn’s romantic adventures in space and time.
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.
Who’s on your list? Join the conversation with a comment below or on Twitter.
By Editor