I’m a little late but our tradition continues of 15 Geek Wishes for 2015.
Here’s what we hope will happen this year with some of our favorite comic book characters, creators and publishers.
Batman: The Next Generation Rises
As we await the finales of Batman: Endgame and Batman Eternal and the impact of Convergence one thing is for sure – we want the Batman family. Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have introduced a compelling cast of new heroes (Harper Row, Duke Thomas, Lark, Cullen Row.)
Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason have resurrected Damian Wayne and introduced Carrie Kelly. Let’s not forget the much anticipated New 52 debut of Stephanie Brown aka The Spoiler in Batman Eternal. I want ’em all to survive and thrive in 2015. While it looks like Damian is as the new Robin- will it last?
It’s a comic conundrum for fans. We want exciting new characters but we love our old favorites. I commend DC’s Team Batman for letting Dick Grayson (now starring in Grayson) Tim Drake/Red Robin in Teen Titans and Jason Todd/Red Hood of the Outlaws move on out from under Batman’s shadow. I’d love to see this new generation working together – maybe a new take on Batman and the Outsiders?
Avengers Reborn
Jonathan Hickman is taking a break from Marvel after a stellar Avengers, New Avengers run ending with this summer’s Secret Wars event. Who will take over writing Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? Could it be one or more of the recent Marvel exclusive writers Charles Soule, G. Willow Wilson or Sam Humphries? Who will survive Secret Wars to be on the team? Hickman really expanded the Avengers lineup with greater diversity and fresh faces (Sunspot, Cannonball, Smasher, Captain Universe, Shang-Chi, Hyperion) and I hope the rookies stay on board.
Black Panther Takes the Lead
Black Panther (as played by Chadwick Boseman) will star in his own Marvel movie with likely appearances in Captain America: Civil War and possibly Avengers: Age of Ultron. T’Challa played a huge covert role in Hickman’s run as the dethroned ruler of Wakanda and founder of the new Illuminati. T’Challa’s rivalry with Namor the Submariner and tense relationship with his sister Shuri was Game of Thrones worthy drama. With high-profile movie plans I’m hoping we’ll see Black Panther get a brand new solo series and I’d like to see him become leader of the Avengers.
Doctor Strange Will See You Now
Benedict Cumberbatch is signed on play the Master of the Mystic Arts on the big screen. Like Black Panther, I can see a brand new solo series launched ahead of the movie. The Doctor played a huge role in Hickman’s New Avengers but it’s time to come out of the dark and join the main team. I always wanted the Doctor to become a Professor X for the supernatural set. With Strange in the lead, Marvel could reintroduce new versions of iconic heroes of horror like Werewolf-By-Night, Gargoyle and the Nightstalkers. If you’ve been reading Uncanny X-Men you’ll see Magik is now a student of the Sorcerer Supreme.
Final Four
Only Marvel knows why they are cancelling the Fantastic Four ahead of the 2015 reboot. Disband the team and tile but I hope they keep the characters. If you’re reading Avengers, New Avengers: Time Runs Out – you can see why Susan Storm would make an awesome member of the team. I loved Sue and Wolverine working together in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Maybe split Marvel’s First Family among the teams. Sue in Avengers, Reed joining S.H.I.E.L.D., Thing in a new Defenders and Johnny Storm in the Guardians of the Galaxy? Given the success of the all-female X-book, how about Sue and Medusa leading an all women Avengers squardron?
X-Men: Time For Professor X?
Time travel is a mutant mainstay from Days of Future Past to Battle of the Atom. Just when I thought I wanted Marvel to wipe out all the mutants out of time (Cable, Rachel, Bishop) along comes Brian Bendis with All-New X-Men. Having bring the past into the present was a brilliant twist leading to the return of Jean Grey and incredible stories. In Uncanny X-Men #29 it looks like Tempus is turning back time again by visiting Professor X in the past to save the present. In Avengers and X-Men: AXIS the spirit or conscious of Professor X appears to be alive. Are these signals that Professor X is returning to the Marvel Universe after his murder by a Phoenix possessed Cyclops in AvX?
Excalibur: Draw the Sword Again
Nightcrawler by Chris Claremont and Todd Nauck is pure pleasure to read and makes me nostalgic for the fantasy and fun of Excalibur by Claremont and Alan Davis. While the X-Men books are dark and dramatic, Excalibur was always a joyride. I’d love to see Kurt reunite with Captain Britain, Meggan and more of that cast of characters for a limited series.
Titans Forever
One of big wishes of DC’s Convergence event already came true: a New Titans book. It’s only a two-part limited series but it gives us the great Marv Wolfman team including Donna Troy, Starfire, Nightwing and Beast Boy. Of all the pre-New 52 concepts and characters that didn’t make the reboot – Donna Troy and the New Titans are the one I miss the most.
Wonder Woman ’77 Meets Batman ’66
Lynda Carter, Adam West and Burt Ward starred in the series that were a gateway to the world of comics for a generation. The adventures of Lynda Carter’s Amazon Princess live on in Wonder Woman ’77 this month. Series writer Marc Andreyko even hopes he can do a crossover with Jeff Parker with Batman ’66. Holy Time Hijinks, Batman – these two classic television shows together would be a geek dream come true.
Super Friends ’87
Based on the smash success of Batman ’66 and anticipation for Wonder Woman ’77 why not keep the nostalgic fan frenzy going with a digital first continuation of the animated series that first ignited geek dreams for many kids. Super Friends by Hanna-Barbera ran from from 1973 to 86 on ABC. Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Wonder Woman were the core members with guest appearances by Atom, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, The Flash and heroes created just for the series (Apache Chief, Samurai, Black Vulcan, El Dorado) and of course the Wonder Twins: Jayna and Zan! While veering off comics continuity this series was great fun and featured classic DC villains in the Legion of Doom.
Peggy Carter Jumps Into the Future
I love Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter. Apparently so do fans and Marvel. The breakout star of Captain America: The Winter Soldier is starring in her own television series, Agent Carter, and a new comic book Operation S.I.N. Who would have ever thought Cap’s girlfriend from World War II would be the first female Marvel hero to have her own television series. Atwell’s performance and great creative teams have demonstrated why Peggy is more than a love interest. Could Carter jump into the future to appear in Captain America: Civil War, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or Avengers: The Infinity War? Hey, there is a time gem!
Missing THE MASSIVE
I see why it had to come to an end but I miss Brian Wood’s thoughtful epic about the end and rebirth of the world from Dark Horse Comics. I’m still holding out on last year’s wish that Brad Pitt will produce and star in a film based on the series. I’m now looking for that post-apocalyptic, sci-fi with heart and soul series. Any suggestions?
Wolverine and Kitty Pryde: The Movie
Yes, I’m cheating – this one is a leftover from 2014 but it’s a great one! If Hugh Jackman comes back one more time after X-Men: Apocalypse let him reunite with Ellen Page for another cinematic trip back to Japan. I loved the original limited series by Chris Claremont in which Kitty became Shadowcat and helped Logan fight his former mentor turned enemy – the demonic Ogun.
Doctor Who Meets?
The Eleventh Doctor’s crossover with Star Trek: The Next Generation was on one of my giddy scif-fi pleasures of 2014. Scott and David Tipton captured the spirit of both franchises in the IDW series. The duo just launched a Star Trek vs. Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directective. I hope Titan Comics will recruit for Tiptons for a crossover starring the Twelfth Doctor and another sci-fi icon…but who?
Be a Hero for Make-A-Wish
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Thanks for your continued support of us.
By Editor