Month: December 2012

All-New X-Men #3 Mutant Rebirth Equals Death?

All-New X-Men #3 courtesy Marvel

In All-New X-Men #1 Brian Michael Bendis set up the new status quo of the mutant race in the Marvel Universe. In Issue #2 past met present when Beast brought the original five X-Men into the our time in order to save the future. This week’s All-New X-Men #3 focuses on the future cast of the soon-to-be relaunched Uncanny X-Men. Cyclops and Magneto have a bitter reunion with Emma Frost. It’s going to be fun seeing the former lovers forced to work together after what happened in AvX. We also learn in this issue that the former Phoenix Five may be paying a terrible price for hosting the entity during AvX.

I really enjoyed the scenes between Cyclops and Magneto. The former enemies are now allies. The Master of Magnetism became a follower of Scott in recent years. In this issue the Master delivers a powerful lesson to Scott. The appeal of Magneto as a great villain is that he believes his motives are just and he’s willing to play the villain. Cyclops has been on that same journey but accepting that role is not as easy. There’s a moment when Erik basically calls Scott out and it shows Bendis’s great understanding and handling of these characters.

The previous issues were packed with more joy and action. It’s appropriate this chapter is darker and shows how Scott, Erik and Emma are paying for their sins but still pushing for revolution. The final panel is exciting and sets the stage for a huge showdown next issue.

After this issue I have a theory:

Are the new post AvX mutants killing the pre AvX mutants?

The mutant race was reborn because of the Hope/Scarlet Witch/Phoenix act in AvX #12. New mutants are emerging at an alarming rate. Beast is mutating again and it’s killing him as we learned in All-New X-Men #1. In this issue Cyclops, Magneto and Emma’s mutant powers are weaker? It was a stuggle for Scott to generate his optic blast.

Did that energy surge in AvX #12 that re-ignited the mutant race start a genetic transfer among Earth’s mutants? Could it be that for every new mutant now born it will cost the powers and maybe lives of the existing mutants before AvX? It would be an interesting long-term story element for Bendis to explore and something to watch for as he chronicles the future of the X-Men.

By Editor

Batman Gets Dirty

 

Detective Comics #15 courtesy DC Comics

This week’s Detective Comics #15 has the Joker cut cover and is billed as a tie-in to Death of the Family. I wouldn’t call this issue an essential part of the crossover. The Joker’s recent encounter with Penguin certainly has an impact on this book but Clayface is the star of this issue.

Clayface is raging across Gotham City in search of Poison Ivy who is buried alive. Batman uncovers the truth and tries to beat it into Clayface. I love how John Layman has twisted all the plots of several villains working with and against each other.

You have to read Batman #14 to learn of the Penguin’s connection to the Joker but this issue sets the stage for big shakeup in the Penguin’s criminal empire and a new villain’s rise to power in this book. You may get this book for the Joker tie-in but I think you’ll enjoy it for the fun story and great visuals by Jason Fabok.

By Editor

Avengers #1 Review

 

Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

Here’s what I love about reading Jonathan Hickman. His storytelling is packed with big, bold, ambitious ideas that you find in the most epic science fiction novels. It’s smart but lean storytelling that still moves you. He challenges you while entertaining you. I was thrilled when I learn Hickman would take over based on his previous (SHIELD, Fantastic Four, FF) and current work (Manhattan Projects.) Marvel chose well.

 

In Avengers #1 Hickman throws Earth’s Mightiest Heroes into an epic new conflict with high level cosmic stakes and high drama. I didn’t just feel like I was reading a relaunch of a superhero book. This is the creation of a new mythology.

 

Imagine our heroes up against the “Space Gods” from Prometheus blended with Jack Kirby’s “New Gods.” A squadron of favorites (the movie Avengers if you will ) go on a mission to Mars in which we encounter the new threats to Earth and learn why the roster will explode with 18 or more members.

Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

 

This premiere issue is built on big ideas but still packed with action, fights and heart and humor. Hickman and Opena craft a pitch perfect series of moments in the Avengers showdown on Mars. Some characters barely speak in the issue but when they do it has impact. It shows how Hickman is careful with his dialogue and lets Opena’s pencils carry the story.

 

You can’t tell me you didn’t feel a chill when Cap “waked the world” and in that final panel we saw the future of the Avengers. Marvel has chosen well – I’m excited for the Avengers World Hickman and Opena have created.

 

By Editor

Doctor Who Star’s ARROW Role Revealed

 

courtesy The CW

John Barrowman (Doctor Who, Torchwood) is one of the many scif-fi genre favorites (Tahmoh Penikett, Ben Browder, Kelly Hu, Seth Gabel) to guest star on The CW’s Arrow. Now we know who Barrowman is playing so I better give you this…

 

SPOILER WARNING!

 

 

IF YOU DIDN’T SEE LAST WEEK’S ARROW YOU WANT NOT WANT TO KEEP READING!

 

 

OK – HERE IS IS:

 

 

  Barrowman is playing Malcolm Merlyn – father of Tommy, Oliver Queen’s best friend. Will Malcolm or Tommy evolve into infamous Green Arrow villain Merlyn?

   “We start off in the pilot with Tommy being … a little bit suspicious [of Oliver], and we haven’t seen that [since],” Amell tells TV Line, “And one of the things I like about this episode is… if he wereeventually going down a darker path, this is a nice way to sort of push a character in one direction.”

 “He’s certainly the most nefarious character we’ve met so far,” Amell says of Malcom. “We don’t know a ton about him, just that whatever that symbol means in [Robert Queen’s] book, and however that list was constructed, he’s not necessarily behind it but he’s the closest to the center we’ve gotten.

“He’s obviously the biggest threat that Oliver has,” Amell continues, “which is ironic, because they’ve never come together. So far.”

Tonight’s Arrow continues the storyline with Helena/Huntress.

Manu Bennett (Spartacus) is joining the show as Deathstroke in an upcoming episode.

By Editor

X-Men vs. X-Men in X-Termination

 

X-Termination: Alpha #1 courtesy Marvel

       X-Termination Revealed!

  The teams Astonishing X-Men, X-Treme X-Men and Age of Apocalypse will clash in a major crossover in March 2013. Marjorie Liu, Grek Pak and David Lapham (writer of the three books) tell Marvel.com about the collision of X-Men from alternate realities. The talented trio is writing X-Termination Alpha #1 together before the story hits each title.

  “I think we each write our X-Family books from a non-standard perspective. We’re exploring areas outside of the usual X-Men dynamic. Alternate worlds, alternate takes on characters,” said Lapham, “I’ve never met either Marjorie or Greg before and what made this engaging are these story sessions, e-mails, and conference calls we’ve had to develop this crossover event. That has been enormously fun and engaging with everybody playing ideas off each other. I had never really done that, and was a bit wary about it. So far AGE OF APOCALYPSE has operated in its own space. But the plan always was once we established the AoA series to start to tie it to the regular Marvel Universe.”

  X-Termination: Alpha #1 will focus on the Age of Apocalypse Nightcrawler trying to get back to his own universe. As we’ve seen from Uncanny X-Force: The Final Execution this Kurt is ruthless and willing to betray his own teammates to achieve his goal.

   “It’s a cliché, but ever so true: Home is where the heart is. And AoA Nightcrawler’s heart is in another world. In fact, our world still doesn’t feel all that real to him. It’s not where he grew up, where he made friends, fell in love, and lost his love. All these people aren’t his people. And that lack of connection and empathy will prove to be incredibly dangerous,” said Liu.

Age of Apocalypse #13 courtesy Marvel

  “The AoA is Nightcrawler’s home. That’s where his family and friends are, that’s where he’s spent his whole life fighting Apocalypse and then Weapon Omega.  That’s what he was trying to liberate. Just because he leaves to another place and has an adventure doesn’t mean he turns his back on all that and says “this new universe is a lot safer and cushier. I think I’ll stay here while my loved ones suffer.

 We see that in the real world all the time, a political exile from another country comes to the safety of the United States only to return to fight in their homeland even at the price of their life. And with Nightcrawler it’s a step further; as much sympathy as he’s had for what he’s seen and done here in the Marvel Universe, he just can’t bring himself to feel it’s a completely real place. The Marvel Universe is some kind of dreamland. The AoA is real,” said Lapham.

“As far as the greatest damage he could cause. Well, that’s part of our crossover event…”

X-Treme X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel

“As I intimated back when we launched X-TREME X-MEN, eventually our story curls back around to the Marvel Universe. The stakes are huge—multiple realities are at risk, including our own, and something’s definitely gonna break,” said Pak.

 Age of Apocalypse #13 will serve as a prologue to the event. In that series – Wolverine of that reality is Apocalypse and Jean Grey is still alive. X-Treme X-Men #12 picks up the story. Pak’s book stars Dazzler (along with alternative reality versions of Emma Frost, Wolverine and Nightcrawler) on a mission to kill ten evil variations of Professor X.

  Logan has worked with the AoA Nightcrawler but in Astonishing X-Men other members of team meet this version of their beloved team member who died in Second Coming to save Hope.

  “None of them will have an easy time. Imagine your best friend died, and then you found him again, alive, except he has no memory of your friendship, lived a totally different life, and doesn’t want to have anything to do with you? That would hurt,” said Liu, “You might tell yourself it shouldn’t, that it all makes perfect sense, that this isn’t the same person you loved, but that wouldn’t really matter, would it?”

Astonishing X-Men #60

  When asked if we might see Wolverine vs. Wolverine?

  “There’s more than one Wolverine in the multiverse, and who is to say they will all get along?” teased Liu.

For more from the writers here’s the Marvel.com link.

By Editor

(All this Nightcrawler talk makes me miss the real Fuzzy Elf! I want him back – I don’t care how they explain it!)

This is where it all began: the original Age of Apocalypse still rocks.

 

 

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Director on MAN OF STEEL

 

Man of Steel courtesy Warner Brothers

  Christopher Nolan says Man of Steel is not exactly like The Dark Knight Trilogy but starring Superman. Nolan is the Executive Producer of the Superman reboot. Zach Snyder is directing. Nolan tells The Playlist.

  “Well, somewhat,” he said when asked if Superman fits into the brand of standalone superhero universe we’ve come to know from him. “But I wouldn’t want people to think we’re doing for Superman what we did for Batman.”

“It’s very much Zack’s film and I think people are going to love what he’s done,” he continued. “I think it’s really remarkable to take on that character. Superman is a completely different character than Batman. So you can’t in anyway use the same template. But David Goyer had this, I thought, brilliant way to make Superman relatable and relevant for his audience. Zack has built on that and I think it’s incredible what he’s putting together. He’s got a lot of finishing to do on that. Superman is the biggest comic book character of them all and he needs the biggest possible movie version which is what Zack’s doing. It’s really something.”

Man of Steel opens in 2013.

By Editor

How Hickman Assembled His AVENGERS

Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

Jonathan Hickman launches Earth’s Mightiest Heroes into a new era this week with a brand new Avengers #1 with Jerome Opena. The team will be bigger than ever packed with old favorites, new recruits and brand new characters. Hickman tells Marvel.com how he assembled his powerhouse new team.

  “Well, it all starts with Iron Man and Captain America, with Tony and Steve. They can smell it in the air. They sense in the same way that we in our everyday lives know that something is not right with society. We know that things aren’t functioning properly. We have an impending sense that it’s possible that calamity is right around the corner. It’s a very real thing in society right now. Whether that’s a result of too much dystopian fiction, whether that’s a result of too many horror movies, or whether that’s financial calamity, whatever it is, it’s a very real thing in society, and this book very much starts with that: the idea that very bad things are on the horizon. As a result, they begin constructing a failsafe against that, and what happens is it is triggered, and that means they have to assemble the Avengers World.

  They enact the Avengers World scenario where they have to gather all the guys together. That’s kind of the first three issues, the inciting incident and the team-has-assembled kind of deal, and then we back off for three issues and we reintroduce some of the newer characters, and then we have another three-issue arc after that where the whole team is together again, and then we have three issues after that where it’s more an introduction to the other characters again, the ones that we haven’t visited yet. Anyway, it’s kind of a way to keep the velocity of the book up and at the same time introduce everyone that people may not be familiar with or brand-new characters that the readers don’t know anything about. Again, all of that is leading to something further down the road.”

 

Avengers #5 courtesy Marvel

Hickman is pushing for more female heroes and explains his goal to build a team reflecting greater diversity.

  “I would say sometimes it’s hard and sometimes it’s very very easy. I think that there are certain characters that are obvious and easy choices. I think Captain Marvel right now is an easy and obvious choice, because she’s not only popular but well-loved and everybody understands how important of a character that is. When I do something like add Smasher, which is now a human female, to the cast, obviously what I did is I took what was a traditionally male character and I made it a female character. The reason why I did that is because I needed a character that fit that type, that fit that scale, and by that what I mean is a quote unquote “cosmic” character, and on top of that I needed a way to tie that character into the Earth as opposed to being an alien or whatever, and so I made the changes there. But yes, it’s much more difficult than it should be because the vast majority of Marvel characters are white male super heroes. Part of our job is to protect that IP and move it forward. We always try new things, and we fail a lot, and sometimes we succeed. The hope is that our successes outweigh our failures.
”

Avengers #3 courtesy Marvel

Hickman revealed which characters are surprising him now that he’s writing them:

  “I wish I didn’t have a propensity for falling in love with bad guys so much. [Laughs] I do that. I don’t know why I’m surprised by it, but of course that’s happening. I really like writing Iron Man a lot. I like writing Bruce Banner a lot. It’s not going to mean anything to anybody yet, but I like writing Smasher a lot. I love writing Sam and Roberto, Sunspot and Cannonball. Shang-Chi is a lot of fun. It’s just a cool cast.

  Part of the thing, we even say it in the second issue, is these guys have been together six hours. What kind of teamwork could we possibly expect, right? It’s something that they kind of grow into. Right now everybody’s nice and happy and getting along, but everybody’s still trying to figure out where they stand and all that kind of stuff. Beyond the first big thing that happens, where I’m at in writing the book I’m doing the second big thing right now. Dealing with that has been much more difficult because they’re having to work together. So they haven’t found it yet. I haven’t found it yet, but we’ll get there.”

What’s your favorite Avengers roster? Here are mine.

Avengers World begins in Avengers #1 this week.

By Editor

More Death in Daredevil: End of Days

Daredevil: End of Days #3 courtesy Marvel

One of the darkest, most brutal stories I’ve read this year continues this week. In Daredevil: End of Days #3 reporter Ben Urich is tracking down Matt Murdock’s great loves. You can see by this Alex Maleev cover how Elektra may be the latest character of Daredevil’s essential cast to die. While Urich tries to solve the mystery of Matt Murdock’s dying word and final days a new Daredevil is stalking him. Who is wearing the red costume now?

Brian Michael Bendis, David Mack, Klaus Janson, Bill Sienkiewicz are crafting the epic final story of Daredevil – this is a modern classic in the making! Don’t miss it. Be warned – it’s brutal and addictive.

By Editor