A shakeup for the team in Birds of Prey #15. A member flies off. A new member lands. The Source revealed the cover and hints at a strange, dark turn for Black Canary. But the big question: Who the new girl flying with the Birds of Prey?
Looks like Batgirl, Starling and Katana are sticking around. This issue features art by Romano Molenaar who delivered a knockout Detective Comics Annual last month.
By Editor
The Joker returns in Batman #13 next month in Death of the Family. The villain’s campaign of terror will continue into the December Batman family of books. The Source shared new preview images and teasers for the December titles.
The Joker’s attacks have hit Batman and his allies hard but Batman #15 reveals “the final madness” of the Joker’s plan and his confrontation with the Riddler! Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo promise a terror ride for their take on the classic rogue.
Death of the Family continues in Detective Comics #15. John Layman and Jason Fabok bring in guest stars Poison Ivy and Clayface as Batman tries to discover what the Joker has done with the Penguin.
Will the Joker finally meet his match in Damian? The Clown Prince of Crime has a showdown with the Robin trained by the League of Assassins and Batman. Batman and Robin #15 by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason could feature one of the best fights of this crossover!
How many funerals and a wedding? Barbara Gordon faces the Joker for the first time since he shot her in Batgirl #15. What kind of sick wedding does the Joker have planned for Barbara? I hope she gets her shot at revenge. Gail Simone and Ed Benes just knocked it out of the park with Batgirl #0.
Can Dick Grayson stop the Joker’s next murder attempt? Death of the Family hits home when the Joker strikes Haly’s Circus in Nightwing #15 by Kyle Higgins and Eddy Barrows.
Death of the Family continues in these Batman books this December. DC noted these images are not the final covers.
By Editor
Members of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the Children of the Atom team up against a reborn Red Skull. Marvel shared this stunning cover and teaser for Uncanny Avengers #3 by Rick Remender and John Cassaday.
From the teaser: The Red Skull has new powers and is using them to incide anti-mutant violence around the world. Is Cap’s classic foe now a telepath? Scarlet Witch and Rogue make a shocking discovery. The team faces the might of Red Skull’s S-Men.
I’m thrilled to have John Cassaday (artist on the Joss Whedon Astonishing X-Men era) back at Marvel. I really love Cassaday’s artistic take on the characters and his almost Steranko vibe on the covers.
Uncanny Avengers #3 is out this December.
By Editor
Dive in to a Justice League and Aquaman crossover. DC Comics shared the previews and covers of the December event. In Throne of Atlantis can the Justice League rally to save Aquaman’s undersea kingdom? Justice League #15 features the new art team of Ivan Reis and Joe Prado and a backup story in which Shazam meets Black Adam. Jim Lee created this amazing cover with Aquaman leading the charge with trident ready!
Throne of Atlantis continues in Aquaman #15 by Geoff Johns and Adrian Syaf. This cover is by Eddy Burrows.
Throne of Atlantis surfaces this December.
By Editor
Kieron Gillen (Uncanny X-Men, soon to be Iron Man) explores what happens right after the final chapter of Avengers vs. X-Men. What will be the fate of the mutant leader and race? Marvel revealed this variant cover to AvX: Consequences #4 by Mark Brooks.
Magneto is full of rage. Erik pledged his allegiance to Scott and admired what he build on Utopia…until the Phoenix took control. Will the reformed Master of Magnetism go back to his more villainous ways in the aftermath of AvX #12?
Scarlet Witch will join Rick Remender’s Uncanny Avengers to fight a reborn Red Skull and his anti-mutant agenda. I hope Magneto joins his daughter in the fight. I just hope the crafty and cunning Quicksilver finds a home in the Marvel NOW too.
By Editor
Northstar made Marvel history, generated a ton of media attention and sold a lot of comic books. Jean-Paul’s wedding to Kyle Jinadu in Astonishing X-Men #51 was a huge success story. But will Northstar and Kyle’s story continue in the Marvel NOW? What about other GLBT characters in the relaunch?
Faithful followers of this blog have been sharing their concern over the fate of GLBT characters in the upcoming relaunch. So based on their suggestions and a Marvel NOW tally of announcements so far here are some great characters that will hopefully survive and thrive in the relaunch.
Striker: Several members of the soon to be departed Avengers Academy will graduate and appear in the recently announced Avengers Arena but Striker is missing from those kids.
Wiccan and Hulkling’s romance was a fan favorite element of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. Wiccan does appear on the cover of the an upcoming Marvel Now Point One issue. Anole is a background character as a student of the Jean Grey School in Wolverine and the X-Men. The romance of Rictor and Shatterstar has been a fan favorite storyline in Peter David’s X-Factor which sure seems like it’s ending with the current Breaking Points arc.
One fan’s idea is a team of all GLBT characters. A storyline in which GLBT heroes use their powers to patrol and prevent bullying could have strong potential. I think it’s important to have more than just an all-gay cast. I remember how much I enjoyed Anole and Rockslide’s team up in the X-Men: Manifest Destiny series. Wiccan and Hulkling have always had the support of their straight friends in the Young Avengers.
Hopefully there will be more Marvel NOW announcements about books with GLBT characters. (I really hope Marjorie Liu’s Astonishing X-Men run continues and Peter David on X-Factor.) The publisher has shown a commitment to showing diversity in the Marvel Universe. It is the comics business. Publishers are willing to invest in GLBT characters and stories if readers invest in the books. You have the power.
By Editor
The greatest enemy of Star Trek: The Next Generation return this week in a new comic book mini series from IDW Publishing. Veteran writer/producer Brannon Braga and Terry Matalas create Star Trek: The Next Generation- Hive.
“There’s no easy way to say it… the Borg are back. The cubes, the Queen, Locutus, and their intractable stance on resistance have reared their ugly heads once again to jeopardize the fate of our Galaxy,” said IDW.
“It’s a thrill and privilege to be writing in the Star Trek universe again,” said Braga. “This graphic medium will provide the narrative ambition and visual scope this story deserves — the final chapter in The Borg saga!”
Here’s the description from IDW: “In a distant future, where the deadly Borg have assimilated the entire Galaxy, Picard, his crew, and some unexpected allies must prove once and for all that resistance is not futile! Packed with mind-bending twists, time-jumping action, and revered, genre-defining characters, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION: HIVE promises to be a must-read event for fans of the TNG’s intrepid legacy.”
The cover features fan favorite Seven of Nine from Star Trek: Voyager and the likeness of the Borg Queen (Alice Krige) from Star Trek: First Contact.
Resistance is Futile. I will buy this.
By Editor
Storm and Black Panther are so over. Cyclops and Emma Frost are at each others throats as the Phoenix Force consumes the X-Men leaders. Hawkeye and Spider-Woman are the one Marvel couple that seem to be heating up due to action of Avengers vs. X-Men.
Marvel revealed art from Avengers #30 by Walter Simonson. Leinil Yu provides the cover showing the lovers on the run.
I think Clint and Jessica’s new romance will survive and thrive because of the conflict. Here’s hoping the hot duo will be part of Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers or New Avengers in the Marvel NOW relaunch.
Brian Michael Bendis did bring Jessica back from back burner status. Could she be a casualty of war and change of writers? Stay tuned? Avengers #30 is out September 19th.
By Editor