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Hulk Smash Avengers! Joe Casey Knows Avengers!

Hulk Smash Avengers #2 courtesy Marvel.com

  Hulk helped create the Avengers (thanks to Loki’s meddling) but didn’t stick around. When Marvel’s The Avengers hits the big screen the Green Goliath will be fighting with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes this May. Hulk Smash Avengers hits comic book stores that month too. The 5 part series will feature different teams telling tales of the big guy and his odd relationship with the team. Joe Casey and Max Fiumura reveal an untold tale of a clash between Hulk and the Avengers in issue two. Casey knows his continuity history and revealed when this story happens to Marvel.com.

  “This story fits in very specifically with Avengers continuity, right between issues #182 and #183,” he says. “For anyone who’s as obsessive about their Avengers continuity as I am, they would know that those were the members that would be hanging around the mansion at that point. Captain America’s in there, too, but there’s a reason why he’s not directly involved in going after The Hulk.”

Hulk Smash Avengers #2 courtesy Marvel.com

  “Like I said, I can be a nut about Avengers continuity, so I wanted to make sure this story fit perfectly into the timeline of a period that’s probably my favorite run of Avengers comics, the Michelinie/Byrne issues from the late 1970s,” he notes. “Those are the comics that really hooked me when I was a kid, so to find a way to fit our story into that continuity was extremely cool.”

For his entire interview and more awesome preview art by Fiumura here’s the Marvel link.

Geek confession: I had a subscription for the Avengers in the awesome Micheline/Byrne run and could kick myself for not saving them!

For an awesome retro X-Men tale by Casey – check out his Children of the Atom series with artist Steve Rude. Casey is appearing at Emerald City Comicon in Seattle this weekend.

Comicon Guide for Virgins

Emerald City Comicon Exclusive by Alex Ross courtesy Emerald City Comicon

  I have some friends and fans going to Emerald City Comicon – this will be their first time! By special request here’s a guide to Comicons for Virgins!

1. Have fun. Bring cash. You never know when you’re find an awesome back issue or amazing print!

2. Do a little homework to maximize your con time. I have a wish list of stars and creators I hope to meet and panels I want to attend.

3. You know what they say about best laid plans! If you miss something don’t worry, there’s always something cool around the corner.

4. When it comes to autographs from writers/artists. Know when they have panels booked so you’re not waiting in line and then they have to leave for a panel. Autographs/photos from media guests (TV and movie stars) are on a schedule and do have fees.

5. I take only a max of 4-6 books to be signed by a writer/artist. Respect the other fans waiting just like you. Don’t drop dozens of books to be signed. You can buy books new at their table usually. This is your chance to talk with the creators. If you’re going to be critical, be constructive and respectful. If the writer killed off your favorite character, don’t worry, they’ll be resurrected eventually. This is your moment with the creator but remember your fellow fans are patiently waiting for their moments too.

6. Sketches. Most artists charge a fee – it’s worth it! Ask the guys ahead of you what they’re charging. Sometimes you might catch an artist in a mood and sketches are free but most have a fee – many have already been commissioned. Even if they’re drawing they will still autograph your books. Be patient.

7. Let your geek flag fly! Don’t be self-conscious. If you want to go all out with a costume – go for it or just wear a cool t-shirt celebrating your favorite comic, sci-fi or fantasy thing. This is your chance at a second Halloween so go for it!

8. Panels – If it’s a big name star or show the expect a huge crowd so get there early.

9. Expand your horizons! This is a great time to discover a new artist, book, writer. If you’re just a superhero comic fan, try a crime, western or indie series.

10. Have fun! Bring cash! Be Patient!

Hope to see some of you at Emerald City Comicon this weekend. If not, come back to this site for coverage, photos and more.

 

DC Creators at Emerald City Comicon

 

Emerald City Comicon Exclusive by Alex Ross courtesy Emerald City Comicon

I’m excited! Emerald City Comicon is almost here! DC Comics always has a big presence here at the Seattle event. The Source just provided this update of the DC creators and panels.

  Friday’s DC COMICS ALL ACCESS and Sunday’s DC COMICS-THE NEW 52 panels will be moderated by editors Mike Marts, Ben Abernathy, Brian Cunningham and Rachel Gluckstern – with special guests from the DC Comics creative teams. And Saturday’s VERTIGO: NEW BLOOD panel will be moderated by editor Shelly Bond, who will also be joined by notable Vertigo creators.

   The DC Entertainment booth will have some of your favorite writers and artists from both Vertigo and DC Comics, including Mike Allred (IZOMBIE), Brian Buccellato (THE FLASH), Chris Burnham (BATMAN INCORPORATED), Greg Capullo (BATMAN), Aaron Lopresti (JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL), Francis Manapul (THE FLASH), Dustin Nguyen (JUSTICE LEAGUE BEYOND UNLIMITED), Chris Roberson (IZOMBIE), Gail Simone (BATGIRL), Marcus To (BATWING), Joshua Williamson (VOODOO) and Bill Willingham (FABLES).

Hope you get to meet your favorite! If you’re not in the Seattle, I hope you’ll come back to this site next week for updates.

Astonished By Marjorie Liu’s X-Men – Updated

Astonishing X-Men #48 courtesy Marvel

  Marjorie Liu makes a powerful first impression with her first issue of Astonishing X-Men this week. The action kicks in with a peak into the near future where Northstar is being stalked by his new teammates. I have a theory about what’s behind the possible betrayal.

 The story jumps back to the present where Northstar is settling in to domestic bliss – until a fellow Canadian mutant calls – with boyfriend Kyle. Gambit is entertaining a surprise guest at his home away from the school. I’m thrilled to see this former X-woman back. After an entertaining look into the personal lives of  X-Men the drama explodes literally with the new version of a classic team of villains.  

  I feel like I’m experiencing a cool slice of life with these mutants in city. Mike Perkins style has a grit that feels right for this X-Men in New York City story. His talent really shines in the facial expressions. It’s amazing to see how much character and relationship development Liu weaves in one issue while still packing action and intrigue.

Update: I must have been so excited to have Northstar back that I missed the fact that Jean Paul is called Jean Claude three times in the issue. Mon Dieu!

Concrete Martians

Concrete MartiansbyMitch Cook

  Martians invaded Concrete, Washington back in the 1930’s or so the legend goes! Concrete is in the beautiful North Cascades north of Seattle. This old tale is the inspiration for a comic book just waiting for publisher.

  Mitch Cook is a good friend, fellow comic book reader and co-worker (our day jobs) with a dream of being published. I’m hoping this shout out will help. To all the editors and indie publishers at Emerald City Comicon – if you get approached by Mitch please give him a shot.

  This story of small town nightmares inspired by true events is chilling and fun. It’s the kind of creepy cool story Mulder and Scully of The X-Files would have loved digging into and you will too. If you enjoyed the stories of real panic inspired by the radio broadcasts of The War of Worlds this story has that flavor but with its own dark and clever twists.

Concrete Martians by Mitch Cook

    I love how the artist captured the small town 1930’s feel.  Enjoy this tale of paranoia, bizarre circumstances and the power of mass media on a small town. Hopefully Concrete Martians will be invading your comic book shop one day soon! Good luck Mitch! He also wrote a heckuva cool Kitty Pryde X-Men script that would be a perfect for an X-Anthology.

“Prometheus” Talking Empire Cover

 

Prometheus cover of Empire Magazine May 2012

  Prometheus star Noomi Rapace is gracing the cover of the May issue of Empire Magazine. The cover proclaims Ridley Scott’s return to the Alien universe as “the movie of the year.”

  The cover comes with its own special effects: Empire promotes that their holographic cover will shout “We were so wrong!” at you when you open it.

  That’s the line from Dr. Elizabeth Shaw (Rapace) from the trailer which you can see again below:

Avengers Vs. X-Men Effect on X-Kids at The Jean Grey School

 

Wolverine and the X-Men #9 courtesy Marvel.com

  I’m happy to share that Jason Aaron is staying on Wolverine and the X-Men for a while. The writer made that announcement and answered fan questions on Comic Book Resources X-Position. Aaron is juggling Logan’s adventures in that title, wrapping up his final solo story in Wolverine and is co-writing Avengers Vs. X-Men.

  “The kids at the Jean Grey School won’t be allowed to get out and about and get involved in “AvX.” Well, most of them won’t, at least. But that’s not to say they’ll go untouched by the events. “AvX” will have some huge ramifications for at least a couple of our students; whether Quentin is one of them remains to be seen.

  Quentin’s connection to the Phoenix will be referenced, but no, it won’t be playing a role in “AvX.” The Phoenix Force obviously has a very long and complicated history, and in order to make “AvX” new-reader friendly, we wanted to distill as much of that down as we could. So we focus in on Hope, and the recent history of the Phoenix. That means someone like Rachel Summers won’t play a big role in the main series, but she most definitely will have her moments in the “Wolverine & the X-Men” tie-ins.”

  I love Rachel and think she would be most affected by the return of the Phoenix. This event may even make Rachel and Scott reconcile…if they survive.

Michael Fassbender on “Prometheus” and the “Alien” Essence

Michael Fassbender in Prometheus courtesy 20th Century Fox

  At the Empire Awards Michael Fassbender spoke with Red Carpet News TV about his role in Prometheus. The interviewer asked if the star playing an android saw anything from the previous Alien films on set.

  “There are certain elements of the spaceship. There are threads of it there, there’s almost an aftersmell of it in the air, there’s the essence of it there,” Fassbender said.

  You can see the interview below including a joke about wearing Magneto’s helmet from X-Men: First Class.

Fassbender is playing an android named David. You can see a “commercial” for his character here. His android voice in the trailer is still chill inducing because you know David has “special” programming from “the company!”