Month: March 2012

Hulk Smash Avengers! Joe Casey Knows Avengers!

Hulk Smash Avengers #2 courtesy Marvel.com

  Hulk helped create the Avengers (thanks to Loki’s meddling) but didn’t stick around. When Marvel’s The Avengers hits the big screen the Green Goliath will be fighting with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes this May. Hulk Smash Avengers hits comic book stores that month too. The 5 part series will feature different teams telling tales of the big guy and his odd relationship with the team. Joe Casey and Max Fiumura reveal an untold tale of a clash between Hulk and the Avengers in issue two. Casey knows his continuity history and revealed when this story happens to Marvel.com.

  “This story fits in very specifically with Avengers continuity, right between issues #182 and #183,” he says. “For anyone who’s as obsessive about their Avengers continuity as I am, they would know that those were the members that would be hanging around the mansion at that point. Captain America’s in there, too, but there’s a reason why he’s not directly involved in going after The Hulk.”

Hulk Smash Avengers #2 courtesy Marvel.com

  “Like I said, I can be a nut about Avengers continuity, so I wanted to make sure this story fit perfectly into the timeline of a period that’s probably my favorite run of Avengers comics, the Michelinie/Byrne issues from the late 1970s,” he notes. “Those are the comics that really hooked me when I was a kid, so to find a way to fit our story into that continuity was extremely cool.”

For his entire interview and more awesome preview art by Fiumura here’s the Marvel link.

Geek confession: I had a subscription for the Avengers in the awesome Micheline/Byrne run and could kick myself for not saving them!

For an awesome retro X-Men tale by Casey – check out his Children of the Atom series with artist Steve Rude. Casey is appearing at Emerald City Comicon in Seattle this weekend.

Comicon Guide for Virgins

Emerald City Comicon Exclusive by Alex Ross courtesy Emerald City Comicon

  I have some friends and fans going to Emerald City Comicon – this will be their first time! By special request here’s a guide to Comicons for Virgins!

1. Have fun. Bring cash. You never know when you’re find an awesome back issue or amazing print!

2. Do a little homework to maximize your con time. I have a wish list of stars and creators I hope to meet and panels I want to attend.

3. You know what they say about best laid plans! If you miss something don’t worry, there’s always something cool around the corner.

4. When it comes to autographs from writers/artists. Know when they have panels booked so you’re not waiting in line and then they have to leave for a panel. Autographs/photos from media guests (TV and movie stars) are on a schedule and do have fees.

5. I take only a max of 4-6 books to be signed by a writer/artist. Respect the other fans waiting just like you. Don’t drop dozens of books to be signed. You can buy books new at their table usually. This is your chance to talk with the creators. If you’re going to be critical, be constructive and respectful. If the writer killed off your favorite character, don’t worry, they’ll be resurrected eventually. This is your moment with the creator but remember your fellow fans are patiently waiting for their moments too.

6. Sketches. Most artists charge a fee – it’s worth it! Ask the guys ahead of you what they’re charging. Sometimes you might catch an artist in a mood and sketches are free but most have a fee – many have already been commissioned. Even if they’re drawing they will still autograph your books. Be patient.

7. Let your geek flag fly! Don’t be self-conscious. If you want to go all out with a costume – go for it or just wear a cool t-shirt celebrating your favorite comic, sci-fi or fantasy thing. This is your chance at a second Halloween so go for it!

8. Panels – If it’s a big name star or show the expect a huge crowd so get there early.

9. Expand your horizons! This is a great time to discover a new artist, book, writer. If you’re just a superhero comic fan, try a crime, western or indie series.

10. Have fun! Bring cash! Be Patient!

Hope to see some of you at Emerald City Comicon this weekend. If not, come back to this site for coverage, photos and more.

 

Mutating My Radio Host Into A X-Men Geek!

ComicsBlend.com

  Every Wednesday I bring geek speak to Seattle Smart Talk Radio 570 KVI on The Buzz with Scott Carty. I share the latest in comics, science fiction and all things geeky with Scott – who is very non-geeky but I’m winning him over! As you can see – he’s siding with me and the X-Men when it comes to AvX! Here’s this week’s segment from my YouTube channel.

SHIELD Agent Coulson on The Avengers

Marvel's The Avengers courtesy Marvel.com

  Clark Gregg plays it cool and professional as SHIELD Agent Coulson in the cinematic Marvel universe (Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor). Gregg tells Collider he’s a cut of The Avengers.

  “I’m very excited for people to see this movie. I think the fans, like me, will be as excited as I was, when I saw it. From the minute I read Joss Whedon’s script, I thought, “Oh, man, this is going to be fun to do!” The hardest thing to get right is to figure out how to bring all those characters together, and to fulfill the promise of The Avengers. They really set a very high bar for themselves because you’ve been setting this coalition up, for these five movies, and they better deliver. And in my opinion, they thoroughly deliver.”

For Gregg’s entire interview including his voice work on Ultimate Spider-Man here’s the Collider link.

DC Creators at Emerald City Comicon

 

Emerald City Comicon Exclusive by Alex Ross courtesy Emerald City Comicon

I’m excited! Emerald City Comicon is almost here! DC Comics always has a big presence here at the Seattle event. The Source just provided this update of the DC creators and panels.

  Friday’s DC COMICS ALL ACCESS and Sunday’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 panels will be moderated by editors Mike Marts, Ben Abernathy, Brian Cunningham and Rachel Gluckstern – with special guests from the DC Comics creative teams. And Saturday’s VERTIGO: NEW BLOOD panel will be moderated by editor Shelly Bond, who will also be joined by notable Vertigo creators.

   The DC Entertainment booth will have some of your favorite writers and artists from both Vertigo and DC Comics, including Mike Allred (IZOMBIE), Brian Buccellato (THE FLASH), Chris Burnham (BATMAN INCORPORATED), Greg Capullo (BATMAN), Aaron Lopresti (JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL), Francis Manapul (THE FLASH), Dustin Nguyen (JUSTICE LEAGUE BEYOND UNLIMITED), Chris Roberson (IZOMBIE), Gail Simone (BATGIRL), Marcus To (BATWING), Joshua Williamson (VOODOO) and Bill Willingham (FABLES).

Hope you get to meet your favorite! If you’re not in the Seattle, I hope you’ll come back to this site next week for updates.

“Prometheus” Ridley Scott on the Space Jockey

Prometheus cover of Empire Magazine May 2012

  Prometheus marks Ridley Scott’s return to the Alien universe. In an upcoming issue of Empire the director reveals his passion to return to explore the back story especially the Space Jockey – an obsession of mine too.

“[I’ve wanted to revisit it for] years! Years, years, years,” he stresses of Alien‘s space traveller subplot. “I always wondered when they did [Aliens] 2,3 and 4 why they hadn’t touched upon that, instead of evolving into some other fantastic story. They missed the biggest question of them all: who’s the big guy? And where were they going? And with what? Why that cargo? There’s all kinds of questions.”

Prometheus is out June 1st. The Empire issue is out March 29th.

Astonished By Marjorie Liu’s X-Men – Updated

Astonishing X-Men #48 courtesy Marvel

  Marjorie Liu makes a powerful first impression with her first issue of Astonishing X-Men this week. The action kicks in with a peak into the near future where Northstar is being stalked by his new teammates. I have a theory about what’s behind the possible betrayal.

 The story jumps back to the present where Northstar is settling in to domestic bliss – until a fellow Canadian mutant calls – with boyfriend Kyle. Gambit is entertaining a surprise guest at his home away from the school. I’m thrilled to see this former X-woman back. After an entertaining look into the personal lives of  X-Men the drama explodes literally with the new version of a classic team of villains.  

  I feel like I’m experiencing a cool slice of life with these mutants in city. Mike Perkins style has a grit that feels right for this X-Men in New York City story. His talent really shines in the facial expressions. It’s amazing to see how much character and relationship development Liu weaves in one issue while still packing action and intrigue.

Update: I must have been so excited to have Northstar back that I missed the fact that Jean Paul is called Jean Claude three times in the issue. Mon Dieu!

Concrete Martians

Concrete MartiansbyMitch Cook

  Martians invaded Concrete, Washington back in the 1930’s or so the legend goes! Concrete is in the beautiful North Cascades north of Seattle. This old tale is the inspiration for a comic book just waiting for publisher.

  Mitch Cook is a good friend, fellow comic book reader and co-worker (our day jobs) with a dream of being published. I’m hoping this shout out will help. To all the editors and indie publishers at Emerald City Comicon – if you get approached by Mitch please give him a shot.

  This story of small town nightmares inspired by true events is chilling and fun. It’s the kind of creepy cool story Mulder and Scully of The X-Files would have loved digging into and you will too. If you enjoyed the stories of real panic inspired by the radio broadcasts of The War of Worlds this story has that flavor but with its own dark and clever twists.

Concrete Martians by Mitch Cook

    I love how the artist captured the small town 1930’s feel.  Enjoy this tale of paranoia, bizarre circumstances and the power of mass media on a small town. Hopefully Concrete Martians will be invading your comic book shop one day soon! Good luck Mitch! He also wrote a heckuva cool Kitty Pryde X-Men script that would be a perfect for an X-Anthology.