As a fan I’m carefully dodging sites here and there to avoid learning who died in AvX #11. As a blogger I vow to make sure I give you plenty of spoiler warning so I don’t ruin the story for you.
I’m about to head to my local comic book shop now – I’m excited and dreading what might happen! Stay tuned for my opinion and news from Brian Michael Bendis and more on this week’s Fatality and what it means for the future of the X-Men, Avengers and fans.
By Editor
The creative team that gave us the Court of Owls unleash Batman’s ultimate enemy this October! The Joker returns in Batman #13 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo in Death of the Family.
DC Comics revealed a variant cover by Aaron Kuder showing the rogue at this sinister and dark humored best…or should I say worst!
Batman #13 arrives October 10.
By Editor
Dan Slott is been taking Peter Parker to new heights as the latest in the long line of creators keeping Spider-Man swinging. Marvel revealed a legendary creator will be back for a milestone issue and 3 covers for huge event. J.M. DeMatteis will write a story for Amazing Spider-Man #700 out this December.
“I think it’s because Peter Parker is the most psychologically real character in any super-hero universe—and I almost hesitate to use the word character,” he explains of his affinity for Spidey. “I believe in Peter. I identify with him. His trials and tribulations reflect my own and that’s allowed me to pour so much of myself into Peter when I’ve written him. A kind of mind-meld happens and we become one person,” reveals DeMatteis.
“I think the readers react similarly; there’s something about Peter that resonates with them, that feels true. He is, first and foremost, the everyman of super heroes. He’s one of us. That’s why I’m always happy to revisit the character: it’s like getting a chance to hang out with one of my oldest and dearest friends.”
The legendary creator gives a hint of what his story will be.
“What I will say is that I wanted to do a story that was special and unlike any Spider-Man story I’d done before. One that was a suitable for this big anniversary celebration. I think my story, “Spider Dreams,” fits the bill. It’s a stand-alone story that—well, if I say anything more about it, I’ll spoil the surprise, so I’ll shut my big mouth now.”
I wonder if Spider Dreams is inspired by one of my favorite Spidey stories you could call nightmarish! Kraven’s Last Hunt by DeMatteis and Mike Zeck is just one of the classic storylines by this incredible writer.
By Editor
Op/Ed:
Avengers vs. X-Men could be retitled Operation: Hate Cyclops. When AvX was first announced I was on fully on board with Cyclops and the mutants. I posted “Cyke Is Right!” on my blog and all over rallying my fellow X-Men fans. X-Men were my first comic book and I’ve always identified with them. Captain America and the Avengers were yanking away the one Hope the mutants had to save their species.
The architects of AvX turned the greatest hero and leader in comic books into an arrogant, power mad egomaniac. The Marvel masterminds even did the unthinkable – turn me against Scott! I’ve actually rooting for the Avengers. Cyke was right. Now I’m not so sure.
AvX is a dark and critical chapter in Scott’s life. The man Professor Xavier chose to lead the mutants has never had it easy. He’s been put in incredible scenarios against impossible odds and faced tragedy after tragedy. His fellow mutants have constantly been under attack and he’s been forced to make tough calls without a single Avenger coming to his aid. That’s what I love about him.
Scott Summers must always been in control. Holding back his optic blasts is a symbol of the life Scott has been forced to lead. Professor Xavier made him team leader. Cyke pushed himself to be a better leader while the other X-Men got to laugh and escape from training at Harry’s Hideaway. Scott is always living in the Danger Room.
Scott has lost Jean, Madelyne, Nathan. Cyke has hold firm despite insults from Wolverine and wavering support from longtime friends. He’s a better X-Man than any mutant…including Logan.
This week’s AvX #11 sees the Phoenix possessed Cyclops and Emma Frost turn on each other because there can be only one. AvX appears to be the end of a powerhouse Marvel romance. Grant Morrison slowly separated Scott and Jean and paired Cyke with the reformed Emma Frost during his New X-Men run. Joss Whedon united Scott and Emma as the mutant power couple in his Astonishing X-Men epic. As much as I love Jean, Emma is the one true woman for Scott.
The Phoenix Force is now divided between Scott and Emma. Scott has been transformed into arrogant cosmic level zealot. The God-like power of the Phoenix Force has twisted Scott’s intense dedication to save his race. Emma’s behavior is now dangerously similar to the Dark Phoenix. The reformed White Queen has always kept her ruthless streak and it’s been necessary and easy for her to slip back into the role of a villain (Dark Reign & Dark X-Men Saga) to use it for the sake of saving the mutants.
I kept hoping Scott and Emma’s extreme and ruthless behavior was a result of having slivers of The Void (The Sentry’s evil alter ego) in their minds. It was these two mutants who sacrificed to trap the Void when the Avengers couldn’t stop him. I wanted some excuse so it would be easy to redeem Scott and Emma for their actions. Alas, I can blame the Phoenix Force but isn’t the entity just feeding off and empowering the emotions and motivations existing in my favorite Marvel power couple?
Avengers vs. X-Men made me side against Scott and Emma. This week’s chapter is teasing a fatality. Will Cyclops destroy his lover or his father figure and mentor? Can Scott live with it if he does kill Emma or the Professor?
Every hero falls. Every fan loves redemption. I hope Scott and Emma survive AvX to rise to greatness again in the Marvel NOW.
By Editor
Robert Kirkman takes you inside “The PRISON!” AMC shared this new video of creator Kirkman touring the prison set. Rick and his band of survivors think they have found a safe refuge inside this fortress but soon learn the living can be just as dangerous as the dead.
The Walking Dead Season Three with the prison, The Governor and Michonne begins October 14, 2012.
By Editor
The Avengers sequel is two and half years away but that won’t stop fans from geeking out over every morsel, comment and hint between now and then. Director Joss Whedon does promise assembling the team in the first film was just the beginning.
“The creation of the team is not the happy ending,” he tells 24 Hours. “It is the beginning of something that is complex and difficult, and now I get to dig a little deeper. And maybe, while I’m digging, just twist that knife. And that’s exciting for me.”
While Whedon will write and direct the sequel that assembles Earth’s Mightiest Heroes don’t expect him to be the Grandmaster (to pay homage to a Marvel villain) over the solo films coming out before the mega-sequel.
“Very talented people are writing and directing these movies, and what I don’t want to be is the guy they dread, who’s going to come in and say” — here, Whedon reportedly affected a “pompous British accent” — “‘Oh, well I have the power to say change this,’” he said. “I’m not that.”
Thanks to Spinoff Online. The Avengers 2 assembles May 1, 2015.
By Editor
DC Comics One Year Anniversary of The New 52 continues with more zero issues. The Source shared an early look at covers for next week’s releases.
My most anticipated issues are Batwoman, Birds of Prey, Nightwing and Wonder Woman.
The stand-alone stories reveals how Kate Kane became the Batwoman, the first meeting of Batgirl and Black Canary, the origin of Dick Grayson and Wonder Woman’s connection to Ares will be explored.
All these zero issues are out September 19th.
By Editor
Buffy, The Vampire Slayer Season Nine #14 will introduce a new twist on the vampire killer. Jane Espenson and Drew Greenberg will introduce Billy: a gay male without “slayer” powers.
The series went off the air in 2003 but adventures in “Buffyverse”continue in Dark Horse Comics. Joss Whedon (The Avengers) executive produces the continuing comic book series. In Buffy mythology only young girls are “chosen” to become slayers so why Billy?
Espenson says she developed the character while working on her web series Husbands.
“I already knew [the character] Cheeks, and he has a line in Season 1 of Husbands, that Brad [Bell] wrote, that really struck me about how Cheeks has an ‘exotic femininity’ that’s equated with weakness,” she told OUT.
“I thought: ‘Gee, all the work we’ve done with Buffy is about being female, and how that doesn’t mean that you are lesser’. It suddenly struck me: If being feminine doesn’t mean that you’re lesser, then liking guys also doesn’t mean you’re lesser.”
“For very good reason, we’ve focused on the female empowerment part of Buffy, but I wondered, ‘Did we leave something out? What if someone in high school is looking up to Buffy as a role model, and we’re saying: You can’t be a slayer’.”
Billy is a new character who trains himself to fight like a slayer.
“He may not have the actual powers of the slayers, but he’s determined to be his own kind of hero, one who’s sort of modeled after those who do have the power, and he sets out to make due with what he has,” said Greenberg.
“Batman doesn’t have super powers. He wasn’t gifted with an exotic foreign birth. So we take the Batman route; Billy is earning the Slayer mantle,” Espenson adds.
Billy’s introduction is the latest chapter in GLBT characters (Willow and Tara)and storylines of the “Buffyverse.”
“We’re hardly pandering when we make a comic book,” Espenson said. “There’s always growing pains when making progress, but I think cynicism in the face of inclusion may not be a profitable route in making progress.”
Here in Seattle, GeekGirlCon welcomed Espenson and the cast of Husbands earlier this year. Dark Horse Comics will bring Husbands to comic books later this year.
Thanks to OUT.
By Editor