The secret is out! Jim Lee’s cover to DC Comics The New 52 Free Comic Book Day Edition. The big three: Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman share the cover with what I assume is the mystery woman, Pandora.
Here’s your first look at the until-now top-secret cover by DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee. The legendary artist will also be illustrating five pages for the comic book’s interior, including a four-page JUSTICE LEAGUE gatefold to accompany a brand new story by New York Times bestselling writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns.
Lee also created custom art for the Free Comic Book Day t-shirt, featuring his redesign of the JUSTICE LEAGUE for DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 in an homage to a classic piece by José Luis García-López. Free Comic Book Day is May 5th.
Avengers The Children’s Crusade comes to an end with a powerful story about identity, responsibility and what it means to be a hero. The Young Avengers deal with an ironic loss after their showdown with Doctor Doom only to experience another shocker. The young heroes proved themselves to the Avengers and X-Men but the impact of their actions drives the team apart.
This issue is an extended epilogue giving Wanda and the Young Avengers time to rethink their actions and future. I don’t think we get a complete answer about the Scarlet Witch/Doom romance and the final word on M-Day but I did enjoy how Wanda is set up for her new mission and place in the Marvel Universe.
This series is an artistic showpiece. Jim Cheung delivered with action packed panels filled with Marvel’s greatest heroes and ultimate bad guy. This issue gives Cheung the opportunity to equally show emotion and key relationship moments for these two generations of heroes. I look forward to his AvX covers.
Marvel’s ladies in green are about to throw down as Avengers Vs X-Men hits the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. She-Hulk and a team of Avengers arrive to “secure” the school in X-Men Legacy #266.
Christos Gage says knowing AvX was coming affected his direction for the book in a new Comics Newsarama interview.
“I have certainly been aware that AvX was coming, and been preparing for it, but it’s not as if we’ve been solely focusing on that. I think in Uncanny, there was more of a continuity of purpose… the roster was smaller, and there was some change of focus, but the Utopia X-Men are doing more or less what they did before.
It’s been a bigger shake-up for the Grey School X-Men, and I wanted to examine that, as well as the Schism‘s effects on the characters. Over in Avengers Academy, I’ve been continuing with ongoing stories for the kids, and having a blast with the Runaways guest appearance in #27 and 28. So I think each story is its own thing, but with an awareness of where we were headed, and the character journeys will continue during AvX.”
The Avengers task force coming to the school includes She-Hulk, Falcon and Moon Knight. Gage revealed how he picked these heroes.
“I’ll be honest, it was partly to do with who I could use in a way that made sense given where else they’re showing up and who’s off in space and so on. But of those who were available I picked these three because they work well in the context of the story. I can’t get too much into why without venturing into spoiler territory. But it’s a fun mix! She-Hulk and Frenzy have battled before… and Moon Knight vs. Gambit just sounded cool to me. I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I’m digging writing it!”
Secret Avengers #22 interior preview art by Gabriel Hardman courtesy Marvel.com
Emerald City Comicon updated their guest list with a big addition. Gabriel Hardman will join the Seattle event March 30th-April 1st. Hardman is currently working with Rick Remender (also coming to ECCC) on Secret Avengers. Hardman’s previous work includes Hulk, Agents of Atlas, and Betrayal of The Planet of the Apes.
His work as an accomplished motion picture illustrator includes Spider-Man 3, X2: X-Men United, Superman Returns, Tropic Thunder and Inception.
Emerald City Comicon revealed their stellar lineup of programming for this year’s big event including more than 120 panels! I seriously need to look into cloning.
Here’s my top 5 panel picks for each day of the con:
One of my favorite Marc Silvestri covers from Marvel.com
Friday, March 30th
ECCC Spotlight: Marc Silvestri An intimate hour devoted to Top Cow founder, Image founder, movie producer and top artist Marc Silvestri. The legend’s career spans three decades and he’s drawn Wolverine, X-Men, Cyberforce, Witchblade, The Darkness and Incredible Hulk.
Robert Kirkman Q & A The is the chance get into the creative mind behind The Walking Dead comic book, television series and soon to be videogame is sure to be a packed house. Kirkman’s other successful comics include Invincible and Super Dinosaur. Kirkman is true creative force and innovator blazing his own path.
Spotlight on Edward James Olmos Award-winning actor, director and activist Edward James Olmos reflects on his incredible career including Miami Vice, Blade Runner and the reimagining of Battlestar Galactica. Olmos is a true Hollywood original. He is appearing Friday.
Drawing Inspiration: The Art of the WhedonverseBuffy, The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Faith, Dollhouse and Serenity live on in comics by Portland’s Dark Horse Comics. This behind-the-panels look with the amazing artists is a must for Joss Whedon fans with creations from past, present and future, including exclusive first looks!
Marvel: Breaking Into Comics Marvel’s Talent Scout along with some of their top writers and artists are here to help make comic book dreams come true.
Saturday, March 31st
Talkin’ Dead with Jon Bernthal and Laurie Holden. Stars of the acclaimed television series talk their experience filming The Walking Dead and the future of their characters Shane and Andrea. Two of the show’s most polarizing characters played by fan favorite actors should mean a packed house of geeks hungry for answers to all the rumors about Shane and what the show will do next.
AVX promo art courtesy Marvel
Marvel: Pint O’ C.B. The is THE panel for Marvel fans. Anything goes as Marvel’s C.B. Cebulski along with superstars Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Dan Slott and Rick Remender take your questions and hopefully make some big surprise announcements about the future of the X-Men, Avengers, Spidey and more.
DC Comics: The New 52 It was controversial but commercial smash. Top editors and talent face the wrath and praise of fans while discussing last year’s game-changing revamp of DC Comics and what’s next from the home of Batman, Superman, Justice League and more iconic heroes.
A Candid Conversation with Katee Sackhoff The actress who rocked as Starbuck on the reimagined Battlestar Galatica reflects on her role at Lt. Kara Thrace and previews her new role opposite Vin Diesel. Sackhoff plays a bounty hunter tracking down Diesel in the next Riddick movie.
Fatale #1 cover courtesy Image Comics
Crime Comics Eisner Award Winning writers Greg Rucka (Stumptown, Gotham Central, White Out)and Seattle’s Ed Brubaker (Criminal, Scene of the Crime, Fatale) talk with fans about their hot series and the amazing resurgence of the classic crime genre.
Sunday, April 1st
Marvel: The Next Big Thing Top talent including Greg Rucka, Rick Remender, Jeff Parker, Chris Yost and Dan Slott take on your questions about your favorite heroes,villains and maybe make some surprise announcements.
A Conversation with Summer Glau She’s played a Terminator and Joss Whedon’s innocent girl who could turn into a killing machine in a snap. This gorgeous actress reflects on her roles in Firefly, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse, The Cape and new film, Knights of Badassdom.
Star Trek: State of the Franchise Is the new movie enough to satisfy fans? Bryan Fuller and Bryan Singer are reportedly interested in developing a new Star Trek series but what would a new television series be like? A Trek historian and experts debate the possible future of the beloved franchise.
Thunderdome! The Artist Duel Two artists. Every few minutes a new twist is delivered and each artist must incorporate it into their work. The final design is judged by a team of pros and a winner is declared. The art will be auctioned benefitting Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Star Wars Craft Time From Chewbacca sock puppets to Ewok flower vases, the woman behind the Star Wars Craft Book shows you how to use the Force to create unique gifts. I got to see this!
There are so many amazing panels including the best of webcomics, a Star Trek/Star Wars ballet and a Family Feud style geek game show. Seattle will become GEEK Utopia March 30th-April 1st.
Christos Gage answered fan questions about the future of X-Men Legacy and Avengers Academy revealing how both teams will be impacted by Avengers Vs. X-Men. The mutant kids of Utopia will be held at Avengers Academy leading to an odd reunion for X-23 and her former teammates.
“There are indeed scenes between X-23, Surge and Dust, and they were fun — for me, not for the characters involved! This storyline definitely looks at X-23 and how she has developed as a person since her days with the New X-Men, as well as how she is continuing to develop. As for the Westchester kids coming to break them out, they’re going to have their own problems…”
The situations are different. I can only say so much to avoid spoilers, but in Avengers Academy, what has happened is that various X-kids from Utopia end up in the custody of the Avengers, and it’s decided the best thing to do with them to keep them out of the conflict is to house them at Avengers Academy. It’s not an internment camp per se (the cover of Avengers Academy #29 is more symbolic of how the X-kids feel), it’s more like Child Protective Services, where kids who have nowhere else to go are placed — presumably for their own good.
X-Men Legacy #264
I’m not saying it’s right — there’s a lot of debate about that in the book itself — but it’s with good intentions. As for the situation in X-Men Legacy, events there are more reaction to the larger conflict — the Avengers send a team to keep an eye on the X-Men and make sure they don’t escalate matters by joining the Utopia crew, but they are more watching from outside, like cops at a Mafia wedding. Oh, and don’t assume it was Cap who made the decision in all these cases!”
I’ve enjoyed Gage taking the reigns of X-Men Legacy especially the brewing passion between Gambit and Frenzy. I hope this book survives the reboot that’s surely coming after AVX.
Comic books have always been escapism while reflecting issues in our world. Archie Comics has pushed boundaries with groundbreaking stories about gay marriage with new character Kevin Keller. Now the publisher will present a story about breast cancer starring a character familiar to Riverdale fans.
Cheryl Blossom left the Archie gang for Hollywood. Cheryl will be diagnosed with breast cancer and come home to Riverdale.
“One of the things that comes out is that she feels she’s very fortunate that she can have all this treatment because she has medical insurance, the money, to be able to do it,” Editor in Chief Victor Gorelick tells the AP.
The story “opens the door that there are a lot of people who cannot afford this kind of treatment and we have to see where that’s kind of going to lead.”
For the entire story including other real world issues tackled by comics here’s the Associated Press story.
This is the showdown of the week! Bucky Barnes is the toughest, coolest hero in the Marvel universe but is he ready for the ultimate villain or is he Doomed?
Russian super soldiers on ice have been thawed and sold to a sinister buyer. Bucky and Black Widow’s mission has gone bust. Machine gun-toting gorillas were bad ass but now Bucky faced a seriously angry Doctor Doom. The Winter Soldier #3 is out this week by Seattle’s Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice.
