Category: Books

The Horror of Avengers vs The Marvel Universe

 

Marvel Universe vs. The Avengers courtesy Marvel.com

  Author Jonathan Maberry is taking you back to a horrific future filled with heroes turned zombies. The man behind Marvel Universe vs. The Punisher and Marvel Universe vs. Wolverine returns with Marvel Universe vs. The Avengers.

  What’s left of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes fights to survive a plague ravaged planet. Maberry tells Marvel.com the horror hits home for Hawkeye.

  “The story is intensely personal, as all stories of great cultural trauma,” the writer asserts. “These are horror stories, and MARVEL UNIVERSE VS THE AVENGERS takes the horror down to a very personal level. We are no longer witnessing the world’s hurt or the cultural hurt, we’re inside the head –and heart—of a man who is experiencing the most personal kind of hurt.”

  “The story is told from Hawkeye’s perspective, but most of the big guns are there: Thor, Hulk—red and green versions—Iron Man, Giant Man, Luke Cage, Black Widow, Mockingbird, Spider-Man, and others,” reveals Maberry. “We also check in on the kids at Avengers Academy.  The events in these four issues cut a bloody swath across the entire Avengers landscape.”

  Leandro Fernandez is the artist on this four part series coming this October. For more of his interview here’s the Marvel.com link. 

By Editor

The Punishing Answer to “THIS IS WAR!”

Punisher War Zone courtesy Marvel.com

  A week of teaser images with Avengers under fire is capped off with this reveal by Marvel.com: The Punisher War Zone featuring the previous images of Captain America, Wolverine, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor and Black Widow surrounding a silhouette of Marvel’s most infamous vigilante anti-hero.

  Is Frank Castle going to take on the Avengers? More will be revealed at the Amazing Spider-Man panel at Comicon International on July 15th.

 This is not what I was expecting. What do you think?

By Editor

X-Treme X-Men Reunion

 

X-treme X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel.com

  This new X-Treme X-Men #1 variant revealed on Marvel.com inspires great X-memories for me. Salvador Larroca is one of my favorite artists and this marks a homecoming of sorts for the Spanish creator. The new X-Treme X-Men debuting in July is a team of mutants from various dimensions by Greg Pak and Stephen Segovia. Dazzler, Kid Nightcrawler, Emmiline Frost and Captain Howlett (an alternate version of Wolverine) will venture through time and space to save the multiverse. This series is a spinoff of Pak’s Astonishing X-Men run.

X-Treme X-Men #1 Vol 1 courtesy Marvel

 Larroca teamed with legendary Chris Claremont on the first incarnation of X-Treme X-Men featuring Storm, Gambit, Rogue, Psylocke, Sage, Bishop as globetrotting team in search of Destiny’s Diaries. I have this #1 issue in a frame on my mantle. Larroca later joined Peter Milligan on X-Men with weird tales like Golgotha, The Blood of Apocalypse and Bizarre Love Triangle: Mystique’s “foxxy” infiltration of the team. Larroca even worked on Chuck Austen’s X-Men’s run.

Uncanny X-Men #174 courtesy Marvel

Ed Brubaker welcomes Larroca back on Uncanny X-Men for his Morlock storyline. Larroca always seems to be evolving his style. His interpretation of Storm in particular.

Since 2008 Larroca has worked with Matt Fraction on Invincible Iron Man. I highly recommend newuniversal by Warren Ellis. With the rumored creative changes coming to Marvel’s main books perhaps Larroca will return to an X-Men book but until then let’s Marvel at this gorgeous cover.

By Editor

Disney Animates Big Hero Six Into Big Movie

Big Hero Six #1 courtesy Marvel.com

  Disney Animation Studios is developing Marvel’s Big Hero Six as an animated feature film according to It’s on the Grid. Scott Lobdell created the first version of this team of Japanese super heroes led by former X-Man Sunfire: Go-Go Tomago, Honey Lemon, Baymax and Hiro (the smartest boy in Japan.) Wolverine villain Silver Samurai was also part of this team. This cover by David Nakayama is from the relaunched book/team.

  Silver Samurai and Sunfire will likely not be part of this project since Fox controls the cinematic rights to the X-Men. Silver Samurai is said to be the villain of The Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s next film featuring Logan’s time in Japan.

I loved the first series: “Big In Japan” and can definitely imagine a cool animated version of these heroes – especially Hiro and Baymax.

 By Editor

 

Thanks to Dark Horizons.

“Guardians of the Galaxy” Is Marvel’s Next Big Movie?

  Marvel Studios is definitely launching a new film franchise in May 2014. Will is be Guardians of the Galaxy? That’s been the speculation for months and two sources: The Hollywood Reporter Heat Vision and Latino Review report Marvel will make an official announcement during Comicon International. Reports also say Nicole Perlman has already turned in a script. An outer space based franchise would fit with the big cosmic-level reveal at the end of The Avengers.

 

Guardians of the Galaxy #1 courtesy Marvel.com

  Most fans have been cheering for the Guardians team by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning that debuted in the aftermath of their Annihilation epic in 2008. The team includes Star-Lord, Drax, Gamora, Groot and Rocket Raccoon. Similar to the Avengers, these individual warriors were united against a common threat after several galactic conflicts.

 

Guardians of the Galaxy courtesy Marvel.com

  Now I know I’m showing my age here but I’m fond of the old school Guardians: Vance Astro, Yondu, Martinex, Charlie-27, Nikki and Starhawk. These heroes were from the future fighting against the alien empire of the Badoon. The 31st century team went into the past to team up with the Avengers most notably in the classic Korvac saga.

  Today’s fans really love ’em some Rocket Raccoon and he would work as an action figure and stuffed animal! Maybe Mark Walhberg’s teddy bear in Ted will be an indication of how Rocket Raccoon could work on screen. Stay tuned true believers.

  As I shared this news with my co-worker (and non-comic reader) Matt Scheck he said “you know, there hasn’t been a sci-fi space epic in while.” Matt, my friend I think Marvel hears you.

By Editor

 

Thanks to Marvel.com for the images.

Doctor Who Meets the Enterprise Crew

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who Assimilation2 #2 courtesy IDW Publishing

  This is not a simulation malfunction! Two of science fiction’s greatest icons are together in a comic book crossover.

  Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #2 is out this week from IDW publishing. Chapter Two begins with an extended detour to a Federation world where a routine visit turns into a near disaster under an alien ocean for Riker, Worf and Data. We meet a new species, learn of Starfleet’s desperate deal with them and hints of what time (as in Trek continuity) this tale takes place. Chapter One began with the Doctor, Amy and Rory’s adventure in ancient Egypt. I’m assuming these jaunts will tie into the main story.

  The Enterprise crew recover from the away mission with a visit to the holodeck and a Dixon Hill program. It’s not too long before a police box of intruders appears thinking they’ve traveled to old world San Francisco. The interplay between the Doctor, his companions and the Enterprise crew is clever and charming. The writers capture the essence of these beloved characters while carefully sowing the seeds that something is very wrong.

  Before the Time Lord and Captain Picard can dive into the mystery the Enterprise is warping to a Federation world under attack from the Borg and the Cybermen. Aside from the detour this issue delivers the fun and charm I was expecting and the stage is set for a great crossover. The preview of issue #3 will really engage even older old school fans of Who and Trek!

By Editor

Magic Mike Made Me Think of The Incredible Hulk…Seriously

The Incredible Hulk #417 courtesy Marvel Comics

  Steven Soderbergh, Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey are making male stripping cool again in this week’s Magic Mike. When I saw the trailer I was reminded of a comic book Bachelorette party in the pages of The Incredible Hulk.

  Rick Jones and Marlo Chandler were friends with Bruce and Betty Banner so when the complicated couple got engaged they got the traditional stag parties courtesy of writer Peter David and artist Gary Frank.

  In the classic and offbeat The Incredible Hulk #417 Rick gets a Bachelor party complete with a stripper and stag movie with a surprise. Wholesome Captain America’s discomfort with the naughty proceedings is classic. This is back when Bruce was in control of Hulk’s body but he lost control of the party in a jaw dropping way.

  Betty, Scarlet Witch, Invisible Woman, She-Hulk and Crystal of the Inhumans take Marlo out for a wild night too at a male strip club. Betty yells for the dancer to take it off. Marlo gets pulled on stage. Susan Storm Richards wished she was invisible. Sue told Jennifer that the this is not her idea of good taste of a good time. The show is interrupted by would-be robbers who picked the wrong night to try to steal from his joint.

  This is not your typical issue and the wedding is even more fun with appearances by Death (of Vertigo Comics) and Peter David himself.  I love this Hulk era. Peter David effortlessly mixed heartbreak, humor and humanity among the superheroics and world saving.

Thanks to Marvel.Wikia for assist with the cover.

By Editor

Avengers Blu-Ray Trailer

Marvel’s The Avengers courtesy Marvel

  Marvel.com unveiled the trailer for Marvel’s The Avengers on Blu-Ray. What else is there to say? Behold:


 

Assemble September 25th!

By Editor