Robert Downey Jr is expressing his hopes for the next solo adventure of the Iron Avenger while promoting Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.
“I think that we have an opportunity with the third Iron Man to make the best of the three, and maybe one of the better superhero movies that’s ever been made. But I think we have to remember what made the first one good. It was very character-driven. It was very odd. It was kind of outrageous. And so I think we have to have the courage to trust that the audience is really kind of cool, and smart” Downey told the Omelette.
No word on the villain of the next film. I personally hope we might see the Mandarin. This Chinese master of magic, alien technology and martial arts is a classic character that I think could be given a modern spin. The Mandarin is known for his ten power rings. You may recall the terrorist from the first Iron Man film belonged to a mysterious group called the Ten Rings.
Wolverine and the X-Men is one of my favorite new titles. Logan and Kitty Pryde are the new headmasters at the Jean Grey School. Marvel is giving you a chance to attend.
Here’s your assignment: Wednesday, January 11th at 2pm EST, log on to Twitter for Future History 101 taught by Kitty and guest instructor Deathlok! My favorite new character Broo will be in the class too.
Marvel reveals two more exciting Avengers Versus X-Men match-ups today:
AVX image courtesy Marvel.com
Storm Versus Thor – Can the mutant weather manipulator face the God of Thunder? Storm is an X-Man and recently joined the Avengers. During the Asgardian Wars Loki enhanced Ororo’s power. As much as I love Storm, I said in a earlier post that I was afraid an X-Woman may be sacrificed in this cross-over. Ororo’s connections to both teams creates great drama and I don’t think she can survive the full force of Thor.
AvX image courtesy Marvel.com
Spider-Man Versus Iceman – The resident funny man of each super-team in a brawl? Peter Parker has bested a variety of foes but Bobby Drake is an omega-level mutant who recently reached a new level of power control in Wolverine and The X-Men #2. Spidey gets iced.
Avengers #25 cover by Daniel Acuna courtesy Marvel.com
A big announcement from Marvel’s Next Big Thing Press Event today: The legendary Walt Simonson will join Brian Michael Bendis on The Avengers! Simonson’s The Mighty Thor run alone is the stuff of legends. Here are some highlights:
Avengers #25 will feature art from Walt Simonson. This issue will be part of an Avengers Versus X-Men tie-in arc. That cover sure looks like Cap is deflecting a blast from Cyclops!
“This is truly one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me at Marvel. When I was a young, strapping lad trying to break into comics, I’m talking years and years ago, I met Walt at a convention. I showed him my childish sketches and he treated me like a peer. He was so generous an empowering and set me on a course to be where I am now. He would keep sending me letter of encouragement and critique. That was the moment I knew I wanted to do this. He is one of the most important people in my creative life. I always made it very clear if he was ever back at Marvel I would love to work with him. I’m so happy he decided to come join us and when I asked what he wanted to do, Avengers was a big pile of everything he wanted to do.” Bendis said.
Thor #337 by Walt Simonson starring Beta Ray Bill courtesy Marvel.com
“I’m in comics myself because of the work that Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Don Heck and those guys did back in the 60’s. I was devouring everything Marvel had to offer. It was a treat for me to get into comics, to work at Marvel and to do Thor. I really enjoyed the Marvel Universe and had a lot of fun.” Simonson said.
“I got to write Avengers back in the late 80’s with John Buscema and Tom Palmer. I didn’t really get to draw the book though. I’ve never really gotten to draw the Avengers. I’m excited to draw them. But really, I wanted to work with Brian. We’ve always said it would be fun to work together, but I’ve been at DC. Now I’m back on the freelance trail and called Brian up. I did not expect to be handed a whole story arc. And when Brian said ‘There are a lot of characters’ I didn’t really realize how many characters.” Simonson continued.
“When we were building AvX, I kept referencing Walt’s X-Men/Teen Titans crossover for bombast and excitement.” Bendis said of the classic cross-over in which the two young teams faced a Darkseid/Dark Phoenix alliance.
“I’m really interested in drawing cool looking stuff. Quake looks really cool to me. The Jim Cheung AvX poster that Brian sent me looks great. I’m pretty excited to draw Wolverine again. I enjoy referencing and researching. It will come out looking like my stuff. I’m interested in the challenge. And drawing the guys from A.I.M.” Simonson said of the new characters and new looks for old favorites. Quake is a Bendis creation from Secret Warriors.
Thor #380 by Walt Simonson courtesy Marvel.com
“I get to draw Thor. His new threads might be old by now, but they’re new to me.” Simonson added.
“There are elements to this story that are so powerful on their own as far as who the Avengers are and why they can do things nobody else can do that they really stand out from the main event. This storyline is from the Avengers point of view, dealing with where they’ve been and where they’re going as a team” Bendis said of this 6 issue arc.
“I was a giant Gene Colan Iron Man fan back from Tales of Suspense. Iron Man has always been one of my favorite three or four Marvel characters. I’m delighted to have a chance to draw that guy.” Simonson said of the Iron Avenger.
For a great retrospective on Simonson’s classic Thor run click this Marvel.com link to see the interview and images.
Yours truly will be appearing on Smart Talk KVI 570 Wednesday around 2:20pm bringing Geek Speak to Seattle Talk Radio on The Buzz with Scott Carty!
I survived my first week and received some positive feedback so I’m back for this weekly segment on all things comic, sci-fi and all around geek related!
Richard Schiff is joining the cast of Superman reboot The Man of Steel currently shooting in Vancouver, Canada. Variety reports Schiff will portray “Dr. Hamilton” which is likely based on the comic book character Dr. Emil Hamilton.
In the DC Universe Dr. Hamilton is a former S.T.A.R. lab scientist driven insane by Lex Luthor. Hamilton later recovered and became Superman’s scientific advisor but later became a villain again.
Schiff won an Emmy as Toby Ziegler on The West Wing.
Wolverine #300 cover by Adam Kubert courtesy Marvel.com
Wolverine #300 Logan travels back to Japan to face his most dangerous enemy yet. The evil hits home when a brand new Silver Samurai claims Wolverine’s daughter as his own. Jason Aaron’s final arc on Logan’s solo series begins here. Bring the pain!
The Incredible Hulk #4 It’s freaky to think that Bruce Banner’s mind may be more dangerous than the Hulk! It’s the Green Goliath versus an army of Hulked out monsters that call Bruce dad!
Batgirl #5 Batgirl is reeling from the shocking return of a ghost from her past but there’s no time for therapy because a new killer is stalking Gotham City. No man can resist the power of Gretel not even guest star Bruce Wayne.
Amazing Spider-Man #677 Spidey and Daredevil team up in what Marvel is calling the next great love triangle. Matt Murdock is on the case when Black Cat is arrested. This is part one of a cross-over in which the femme fatale gets her claws into Spider-Man and Daredevil.
Cobra Annual 2012 The Origin of Cobra G.I. Joe’s archenemy gets the spotlight! A new Cobra Commander emerges in the aftermath of the Cobra Civil War. All this classified info is ripped and revealed in a first ever all Cobra issue from legendary writer Chuck Dixon.
I found something that just made me say “ahhhhhhhhhhwwwwwww.” Just because you’re grown up with kids doesn’t mean to have to give up your super hero collection.
courtesy Etsy
Take a look at these Batman and Robin crochet baby costumes. This image on today’s BuzzFeed is pretty adorable. Calleigh’s clips creates and sells this baby clothes for the tiniest members of your Bat-family on Etsy.
