The biggest Marvel story of 2012 is the inspiration for the return of What If?Avengers vs. X-Men was a game-changing event for the Marvel Universe but what if other heroes became the Phoenix Five?
Jimmy Palmiotti and Jorge Molina create a four part story starring Earth’s Mightiest Heroes fighting the Children of the Atom…with a new twist!
Iron Man tried to kill the Phoenix before it could possess Hope but the entity split into five hosts: Cyclops, Emma Frost, Colossus, Magik and Namor – with devastating results.
Jimmy Palmiotti tells Marvel.com why the original epic is a perfect inspiration for What If?:
X-Men: Battle of the Atom kicks off in September with a special issue by Brian Michael Bendis and Frank Cho then run through the core X-titles (All-New X-Men, Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine and the X-Men and Brian Wood’s X-Men) then wrap in a final bookend by Jason Aaron and a “mystery artist.”
John Stewart takes center stage in Green Lantern Corps #21 out this week. Robert Venditti and Van Jensen take over the book in a month of new creative teams on all Green Lantern books. DC Comics shared this look Bernard Chang’s art featuring John Stewart and Star Sapphire. For many GL fans Stewart was their first Lantern so it will exciting to see him take command of the title. Green Lantern Corps #21 picks up after the Wrath of the First Lantern storyline. John Stewart becomes the lead character of the series.
Let’s just call this Scott Snyder week! In a new twist on the top 5 comic book picks of the week let’s begin in the first position with 3 highly anticipated books by one of the best writers in comics today:
American Vampire: The Long Road to Hell #1 courtesy DC Comics
American Vampire: The Long Road to Hell #1Vampire killer Travis Kidd is back hunting the “Heartbreak Killers!” Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque reunite for this horrific tale of vampire lovers caught on a road trip from with Kidd and a pack of vamps after them.
Batman #21 courtesy DC Comics
Batman #21Zero Year begins! The New 52 origin of the Dark Knight! Snyder and Greg Capullo reveal Bruce’s first year in his war on crime.
Superman Unchained #1 courtesy DC Comics
Superman Unchained #1 13 satellites come crashing to Earth in one day. Lex Luthor is locked up. If the Man of Steel didn’t stop the final satellite’s deadly descent – who did? Superstar creators Snyder and Jim Lee launch a brand new series with a decades old mystery that will haunt and hurt Superman!
So for this week indulge me and let those three count as one!
Doomsday.1 #2 Astronauts watched the Earth scorched by massive solar flares. What do they find after the Apocalypse? How will they survive in a new world ruled the worst of humanity?
Harbinger Wars #4 Las Vegas is burning in the war between Bloodshot, the Renegades and Harbinger Foundation! Project Rising Spirit unleashes a new army to control the chaos: the H.A.R.D. Corps make their Valiant comeback!
True Lives of Fabulous Killjoys #1 Who says rock stars can’t write comic books? Did you not devour Umbrella Academy? Gerard Way and Becky Cloonan team up for this sci-fi fantasy!
Wolverine & the X-Men #31 courtesy Marvel
Wolverine and the X-Men #31 A school rivalry like you’re never seen before! The Hellfire Saga begins! One young mutant is risking their life going undercover at the evil academy. The Hellfire brats have recruited Logan’s students and teachers from Hell! Wonder what subject Mystique, Sauron and Sabretooth are teaching?!
Michael Shannon as Zod in Man of Steel courtesy Warner Brothers
Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire) plays Superman villain General Zod in Man of Steel. The indie actor known for his creepy roles is featured in this month’s GQ. Shannon was asked if Zod is pure evil or will the audience feel any empathy or sympathy for the revolutionary from a destroyed planet.
Don’t call Bobby Drake the class clown of the X-Men anymore!
Bobby is more powerful than ever, dating Kitty Pryde and playing an important role for Wolverine in the Jean Grey School.
But is Bobby slipping to the dark side? Just look at Phil Noto’s cover for this week’s Astonishing X-Men #63 courtesy Marvel.
Bobby has always been an omega level mutant but he recently learned to push the boundaries of his ice powers.
And let’s talk about Bobby’s love life. While Iceman and Kitty Pryde shared a kiss and date in Jason Aaron’s Wolverine and the X-Men Bobby received attention from Warbird in Marjorie Liu’s Astonishing X-Men. (And how cool is it that Iceman is in multiple booksbut Bobby will never beat Logan’s record!)
The war between Bloodshot, Toyo Harada’s forces and the Renegades has left Las Vegas burning!
The H.A.R.D. Corps are recruited to join Valiant’s Harbinger Wars! Here’s a look inside this week’s Harbinger Wars #3 by writers Joshua Dysart and Duane Swierczynski and artist Clayton Henry.
Avengers: The Enemy Within continues this week as Carol and some of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes face an alien alliance of a legendary Kree soldier and the Brood – infamous aliens from the X-Men enemies gallery.
Carol Danvers has proven herself to be a great heroes as the new Captain Marvel but a brain injury has grounded her and is threatening her sanity. Kelly Sue DeConnick is the architect of Avengers: The Enemy Within crossing over in Captain Marvel and this week’s Avengers Assemble #16.
