Category: Uncategorized

Storm and Brian Wood Take Command of X-Men

 

X-Men #30 courtesy Marvel

  Brian Wood took over X-Men #30 with a new mission and mystery for Storm’s team. This issue felt so good because it took me back to the Chris Claremont and Paul Smith era. As much as I love the mutants and creative teams all the X-books can seem too big with too many characters tied to way to many plot threads.

  Cyclops has made Storm leader of a security task force to defend mutants. Ororo leads a small team where everyone has a purpose, every mutant’s power fits into making them an effective unit and everyone gets screen time. Wood definitely demonstrates this team is under Storm’s authority.

  Blank Generation begins with the discovery of what might be a new mutant race, a murder, two monsters and Storm defiantly keeping secrets from Scott. Wood sets a strong tone and pace. The art reminds me of Paul Smith but more nuanced. David Lopez draws the X-Women feminine yet strong without the typical cheese. This book reminded me of when there was just one book – and it felt nostalgic and exciting but with a dark tone.

By Editor

Hugh Laurie As Robocop Villain

 

Robocop courtesy MGM

 Hugh Laurie (House) is in talks to play the villain the Robocop remake according to Heat Vision. Laurie will play the ruthless head of the company that created Robocop. Joel Kinnaman (The Killing) plays the heroic cop turned cyborg. Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight Rises) plays the creator. Samuel L. Jackson plays a media mogul.

  In the original I loved the villain Clarence Boddicker played with ruthless glee by Kurtwood Smith. No word if that character will be in th remake.

  Marvel and Dark Horse both produced comics based on Robocop.

KISS Rocks In New Comic Book

KISS #1 courtesy IDW Publishing

Rock and Roll legends KISS are back in a brand new ongoing comic book from IDW this week. KISS #1 kicks off with a story called Dressed to Kill by Chris Ryall and Jamal Ingle.

From the publisher:

“Four ordinary humans in 1920s Chicago find themselves caught up in a battle of epic proportions that will reverberate across time and space in “Dressed to Kill,” part 1!”

 This “Demon” variant cover is my Michael Gaydos.

Detective Comics writer/artist Tony Daniel revealed his love of KISS at Fan Expo Vancouver. Daniel may be acclaimed for Batman but he reveals how KISS inspired him and first paid work. I asked if he shared my love for the movie KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park.

 


“I did and when I was a kid man I loved that show. I like 7-year-old – it was a long time ago. As a kid those guys are like superheroes. They’re more than like rock stars. Every kid in my class loved KISS just because they look crazy and had the makeup on – dragons and space guys and what not. What I remember it was so weird. But back then you didn’t have video recorders, Tivo – you watch it once and when it’s over you’re like, man what did I just see. Today you can rewind and watch it again. It was such a weird – you know maybe that screwed me up or something it was very…I just remember it being very bizarre. I’m sure if I watched it now I might feel disappointed in it (laughs) but it was super cool back then as a child.

(I interject asking about how KISS art was his first paying work so to speak)

Yeah it was my first commission. I drew a giant poster size picture of all of four characters. One kid was gonna buy it from me for like two dollars and another kid was gonna give me a big giant stack of basically the entire collection of KISS trading cards and I went with the trading cards and ended up getting into a brawl afterwords with the guy that lost. So yeah, you know blood, sweat and tears from age 7 on with the art.”

You can see my entire interview with Tony Daniel here.

By Editor

All Hail The Black Panther in Fantastic Four

 

 

Fantastic Four #607 courtesy Marvel.com

Black Panther is back in the book that introduced him to the world. In this week’s Fantastic Four #607 by Jonathan Hickman Marvel’s First Family travels to Wakanda when the world runs out of vibranium. Mike Choi created this regal cover showing the former King in his glory.

 

 This week’s comic book return of T’Challa follows the reports that Black Panther is next in line to get the big screen treatment from Marvel Studios. I’ve always pushed for Idris Elba (Heimdall in Thor.) After seeing Elba as the Captain in Prometheus I’m even more convinced. If you’re not then check out Elba in BBC’s Luther. I can see the dynamic between Elba and Robert Downey Jr now in an Avengers sequel. If there’s one bad ass who could silence Tony Stark it’s T’Challa.

By Editor

 

 

X-Man Exposed

X-Men Legacy #268 courtesy Marvel

  Avengers vs. X-Men rages on this week in X-Men Legacy #268 but Marvel promises this issue will dive into the past of Frenzy. Joanna Cargill has been a villain with the Alliance of Evil and the Acolytes but is now trying to redeem herself with the X-Men.

  I’m a huge Frenzy fan because of Mike Carey and now Christos Gage’s portrayal of her in X-Men Legacy. She left Utopia and joined Rogue and Wolverine because of falling in love with Cyclops in the Age of X pocket universe. Scott did not return her affection when reality was reset.

  Frenzy is a powerful mutant and emotional powder keg. She may have been pushed but Frenzy threw the first punch in the AvX fight in this tie-in book. Joanna’s rage has been because of emotional manipulation and disappointment after giving her all to a cause (the Acolytes, Cyclops in Age of X.) Gage has been slowly showing an attraction between Joanna and Gambit. Frenzy reminds me of Rogue when she first joined the X-Men. I look forward to seeing what Gage does in this issue with such a character that has so much potential.

  Click here to see why I think Frenzy would be perfect for an X-Men: First Class sequel.

By Editor

Catching Fire Targets Phillip Seymour Hoffman

  Who will play the mastermind behind the games of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire? Phillip Seymour Hoffman has been offered the role of Plutarch Heavensbee according to The Hollywood Reporter Heat Vision.

  Rumors are still swirling about the actor who will play Finnick Odair, another new character joining the film directed by Francis Lawrence.

By Editor

Doctor Who’s New Companion

Dr. Who and his new companion Courtesy BBC and TV Fanatic

  Almost time to say goodbye to Amy and Rory. The one constant about Doctor Who is new traveling companions. Jenna-Louise Coleman is the latest human to join the Time Lord on this adventures in time and space. TV Fanatic has this new photo of the actress with Matt Smith.

 No details yet on how the transition will happen but:

“Amy & Rory will leave in a final encounter w/ the Weeping Angels in ep 5. Not everyone gets out alive & I mean it this time,” Tweeted creator Steven Moffat in March.

 On a slightly different note but related to Doctor Who: Don’t miss the Imperial Dalek at EMP Museum in Seattle. The artifact is part of the new Icons of Science Fiction exhibit. The Opening Night party was a blast with classic episodes of Doctor Who broadcast on the walls of Skychurch.

By Editor

 

Top 5 Comic Book Picks for 6/13/12

Batman #10 courtesy DC Comics

Batman #10 The Court of Owls have manipulated Gotham City and Bruce Wayne. The sinister society’s assassins  have invaded the Batcave and threatened innocent lives. Batman takes the fight to them! DC promises that we’ll discover the mastermind behind the Court.

Avengers #27 Earth’s Mightiest Heroes betrayed by one of their own. Why this hero may have to kill his teammates to execute his own secret agenda. How the return of the Phoenix Force is tied to one of the most powerful alien empires in the Marvel Universe.

Deathstroke #10 Three words: Deathstroke, Liefeld, Lobo! Need more? Earth’s most ruthless mercenary/assassin written/drawn by Rob Liefeld out to hunt the most bad ass bounty hunter in the universe.

Uncanny X-Force #26 A clan of killers grown from one of Wolverine’s deadliest enemies. A brand new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Logan’s covert team has their hands full and Psylocke reunites with the ex-lover she killed.

Spider-Men by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel.com

Spider-Men #1 Ultimate Spider-Man Miles Morales meets Friendly Neighborhood Peter Parker. Two Spideys. One historic story.

By Editor