DAREDEVIL: END OF DAYS Begins

A story that’s been years in the making arrives this week! Daredevil: End of Days by writers Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack with Klaus Janson and Bill Sienkiewicz on art. This is the final fate of The Man Without Fear as told by reporter Ben Urich’s last story.

 

Daredevil End of Days courtesy Marvel.com

“This takes place in the not-too-distant future and we get to see what the Marvel Universe may look like. In the vein of Daredevil, it’s a more realistic future. In the very first issue, some very large things happen, including Daredevil’s very public murder, which sends Ben Urich on his final assignment, once again telling the story of Matt Murdock,” said Bendis

“This is the Daredevil all-star team, but in order to get everybody together, we needed to dance between the raindrops. We think it’s worth the wait. It’s beautiful,” Bendis explained.

“We wanted to get a lot of people associated with Daredevil through the years together on one book and use it as the culmination of our passion for this character. We see almost every character who has been associated with Daredevil through the years as well,” Klaus Janson added.

 

Daredevil End of Days #1 courtesy Marvel.com

Although set in the near future the creators reflect on the retro cinematic feel of the project.

“The idea of doing a ‘Mean Streets’ version of Daredevil, with all the characters we love and loath, ups the excitement factor for me as a fan,” said Bill Sienkiewwicz

“This is like 70’s film. Even though it exists in the near future, it has an old style New York City grit to it,” David Mack added.

Mark Waid’s current tone is more heroic and upbeat so this project may be a shocker to new readers.

“Our book will be dark and violent and shocking to people who followed our runs on Daredevil. To people reading Daredevil now, it will be doubly so. This is not Mark Waid, who is doing a phenomenal job. I was trying to shock readers of our stuff!” explained Bendis of the tone.

 

Daredevil End of Days courtesy Marvel.com

Bendis and Mack delve into Matt Murdock’s past and supporting cast.

“Just about every major girlfriend and every rogue of Daredevil plays some role in the story,” says Mack.

“You’ll see how all of Matt’s interactions with women affected them 10 years down the line,” adds Bendis.

Daredevil End of Days courtesy Marvel.com

“One of the more intriguing characteristics of this project is the little glimpses of the Marvel Universe in the future. They’re not in your face, but they’re around the corner. I find that as important a part of the story as the main plot. My curiosity is always piqued,” says Janson.

“You get the story from Ben Urich’s point of view, so you get the story from his point of view as far as what characters he encounters. One of my favorite pieces Klaus and Bill have done thus far is of Nick Fury,” adds Bendis.

“Daredevil has been a comic that has always enable a lot of experimentation by very different artists. There’s something really interesting about the character that allows for a lot of interpretation. With this project we’re trying to let all the different styles shine in service of the story,” says Mack

 

Daredevil End of Days courtesy Marvel.com

“In life, Daredevil had questions he could never answer, itches he could never scratch. Some characters get to a point where they’re ok, but Daredevil is not like that. He’ll never get over what happened to his parents, he’ll never save enough people. His battles with forces of nature like Kingpin, Bullseye and Elektra force him to become a force of nature. To give it 10 years and see the fallout of that is very interesting to write about. Also, we’re not getting it from Daredevil’s perspective, we’re getting it from perspective of somebody who may be willing to dig deeper than Matt even would have,” says Bendis

For more quotes from the creative team here’s the Marvel.com link. Daredevil End of Days #1 of 8 arrives this week.

By Editor

ComicsBlend One Year!

 

 

photo by ComicsBlend.com

Today is the one year anniversary of ComicsBlend.com! I want to thank all the friends, fans and followers who have supported and shared my dream. I’ve met legendary comic book creators, some of the biggest writers and artists working today and some major movie stars this year but it’s all about fellow fans.

I owe my success to you for embracing my blog. I love that connection at a con or in the shop when you meet a fellow fan who shares you passion.

A big thanks to my Mom and Dad for buying my first comic book and for always believing in me.

Thank to you for your support and shares. I hope you will keep enjoying ComicsBlend.com.

Will

Revenge & X-Men Crossover?

New X-Men #131 cover courtesy Marvel.com

Tonight the new season of REVENGE begins on ABC so I thought it was a perfect time to revisit this crazy idea I had:

They’re rich, powerful, blonde, manipulative and can deliver razor-sharp one liners like Hand assassin throwing daggers.

Emma Frost is the reformed White Queen of the Hellfire Club and now co-leader of the X-Men.

Nolan Ross (played by Gabriel Mann) is the witty, scheming, brilliant high-tech billionaire with too much time, money and tech on the hit ABC show Revenge.

If ever too characters from similar worlds but different mediums should cross over it’s these two. As I watch Revenge I can’t help but think if Emma had a long-lost twin it might be Nolan. I could even picture Conrad Grayson sipping cocktails in the old school Hellfire Club – an exclusive cabal of ultra rich power brokers who have clashed with the X-Men.

This is what happens when a geek has too much time his hands – spinning two of my favorite vices into a twisted idea. Disney does own both companies behind these properties and I can see Frost on holiday in the Hamptons crossing paths with Ross, Emily Thorne – and can you imagine Emma taking out Victoria Grayson!

After all – most comic books are soaps in spandex – so why not let the characters fo Revenge feel a touch of Frost.

By Editor

 

 

Doctor Who Shows Captain Picard The Future

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #5 courtesy IDW Publishing

Warning: This review contains spoilers!

The unholy alliance of the Borg and Cybermen has shattered. The Federation’s greatest enemies are asking the Enterprise for help?

Can Doctor Who convince Captain Jean-Luc Picard to make the right decision that will save the Federation and entires universes?

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who Assimilation 2 #5 is a break in the action of the crossover but still every bit as enjoyable of previous chapters. You could call this a “show my yours and I’ll show you mine” chapter.

Guinan convinces Captain Picard to reveal his experience with the Borg taking us back to the classic “Best of Both Worlds” episodes giving the Time Lord context of why Picard refuses to aid the Borg. The Doctor presses on trying to convince the Captain of the greater evil.

The Doctor fails. It’s up to Amy Pond and it’s a great moment that you could just picture Karen Gillan saying on television.  Soon Captain Picard is saying the classic line “it’s bigger on the inside. How it this possible?”

A trip in the Tardis shows Picard the future of the Federation and leads to a course correction.

I commend the writers for capturing the essences of each character from each franchise. Rory, Deanna Troi and Dr. Crusher share moments that make this crossover work. The Borg and Cybermen are battling each other. This issue was a battle of wills between Captain Picard and Doctor Who. The stage is set for an incredible alien encounter for the Doctor and an epic battle with universes at stake.

By Editor

Astonishing X-Men: A Fight to the Death? A Villain Revealed!

Astonishing X-Men #54 courtesy Marvel

Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins deliver a big revelation, big fights and set the stage for a huge showdown in this week’s Astonishing X-Men #54.

Susan Hatchi appears to be a greedy corporate type that’s oozing evil. She could have easily fit right in with the old school Hellfire Club. Hatchi has forced New Mutant Karma to attack her teammates, blew up Wolverine at Northstar’s wedding and left the rest of the team in a hellhole.

Hatchi reveals her connection to Karma and gives the team an impossible mission with deadly consequences if they fail – all to prove a point.

I give Liu huge kudos for using Wolverine in just the right dose and giving other characters equal time. Cecilia Reyes never wanted to be an X-Man but she’s caught up in an adventure with them again. With the team in a deathtrap, Reyes pushes her power to new levels while pondering if her past choices have been wrong.

While Logan is recovering Liu shows that Remy has just as many underworld connections. Hatchi’s orders take the team to Madripoor and Gambit makes a move on Logan’s ex Tyger Tiger in a move to accomplish their mission.

Tension has been building between Iceman and Northstar. Liu continues to explore what it’s like for a hero to have a loved one always in the line of fire. Jean-Paul’s husband and all of New York City is in jeopardy. Bobby and Jean-Paul’s conflict leads to a huge fight and shocking cliffhanger – has an X-Man accidently killed an X-Man?

If you want a thrilling adventure not tied to AvX and a chance to see other mutants in action then this is a great X-Men book. I’m enjoying Liu and Perkins run and I’m excited for the showdown in Madripoor next issue.

By Editor

Batman Incorporated Begins

Batman Incorporated #0 courtesy DC Comics

Are you ready for the war? We have to wait but it’s worth it. Batman’s global team of crimefighters vs. Talia Al Ghul’s Leviathan army are about to battle for Gotham City. This week’s Batman Incorporated #0 shows how Bruce Wayne assembled his network of heroes.

Grant Morrison and artist Chris Burnham conceived this thrilling story – it’s fast with perfect pitches of humor. Frazier Irving creates a different tone for this origin story. The characters really pop because the backgrounds are almost not there but the hero’s action is featured over moody color tones. I think it works as we learn the many unique profiles of various agents of the Batman.

I’m not sure if we really need a zero issue for a book that hasn’t been out that long but I enjoyed it and it made me hungrier for the Batman/Talia war!

By Editor

Mark Millar Will Consult on X-Men and Fantastic Four

The Cast of X-Men: First Class courtesy Marvel.com

Hoping you will see an Avengers team up with the X-Men or Fantastic Four on the big screen – think again. Looks like Twentieth Century Fox is looking to hold on to the film rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchise and they’ve hired a comic book powerhouse to guide those franchises forward.

Writer Mark Millar has been hired as a creative consultant on the studio’s upcoming projects: Director James Mangold is now shooting The Wolverine with Hugh Jackman in a story based on the classic Chris Claremont/Frank Miller story of Logan in Japan. Matthew Vaughn is directing the X:Men First Class sequel X-Men: Days of Future Past. Josh Trank (Chronicle) is attached to direct a reboot of Fantastic Four.

Mark Millar co-created Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. Millar’s The Ultimates were a modern take on the Avengers and he created that line’s version of Nick Fury based on Samuel L. Jackson. You could say Marvel’s The Avengers were more like Millar’s Ultimates than old school Avengers. Millar also created Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four.

The Ultimates #1 courtesy Marvel

In main Marvel Universe Millar wrote the epic Civil War and Old Man Logan, Enemy of the State arcs of Wolverine.

Millar went on to create Millarworld titles Kick-Ass and Wanted – both went to become box office hits.

  “As someone who has spent his entire life obsessed with both comic books and movies, this is essentially my dream gig as it’s a unique combination of both,” said Millar. “I spent ten years working at Marvel and am really happy with the work I did on the comic side of things so the idea of working with these characters now in a brand new medium is enormously exciting for me. I really like the Fox team, love this bold new direction they have for their franchises and am proud to be working alongside some of modern cinema’s biggest talents. James Mangold is incredible, Matthew Vaughn’s one of my closest pals and Josh Trank gave us, in my opinion, one of the greatest superhero movies of the last decade with ‘Chronicle.’ The invitation to join this crew was maybe the coolest phone call I’ve ever had.”

Op/Ed: Before directing X-Men: First Class, Matthew Vaughn directed the big screen version of Kick-Ass so if Millar has that kind of creative relationship with Vaughn then I’m excited to see how they will develop the X-franchise. I think Millar will guide the Fantastic Four reboot into darker territory instead of the most comedic tone of the previous films.

Ultimate X-Men #2 courtesy Marvel

If you want to experience some of the work of the man who will help guide the future of Marvel’s biggest heroes at Fox? Here are some recommendations: Ultimates: Super Human, Ultimate Comics Avengers OmnibusUltimate X-Men: The Tomorrow People, Civil War, Old Man Logan  and Wolverine Enemy of the State. I highly recommend Millar and Frank Quitely’s arc on Wildstorm’s The Authority.

Thanks to Marvel.com for the story.

By Editor

Doop – The Untold Story! Why the X-Men Need Him!

Wolverine and the X-Men #17 courtesy Marvel

Everything you wanted to know about Doop but were afraid to ask! It’s actually more like everything Doop does that makes you scared he’s around0 kids. Mike and Laura Allred reunite with the lovable mystery (man, thing, it?) that co-created with Peter Milligan back in X-Force/X-Statix.

Doop is now working (mostly sleeping on the job) for Logan at the Jean Grey School. In this week’s Wolverine and the X-Men #17 the Allreds join writer Jason Aaron for Doop- the untold story. Now we know why Logan recruited the green ball and why he’s asleep a lot. One of the most obscure characters in comics receives a hilarious, colorful back story. What’s even better is the other outrageous and forgotten character who makes a surprise appearance in Doop’s tale. We see just how crucial a role Doop has been playing all this time and the sacrifices (sexual and otherwise) the great green one has made to protect the future of mutantkind.

This Doop-centric story isn’t just comic relief. This issue forwards the elements of this amazing series and reinforces what I love about the eclectic cast. Aaron continues to perfectly mix action, drama and humor. This is an offbeat and welcome break from the doom of AvX. Wolverine may be the only character who can understand Doop’s language but the green guy speaks volumes on the pages of this issue – maybe the funniest of the year.

By Editor