Hookups, zero-g kung fu, and doing shots with a red-hot mama. Matt Fraction brings the action, humor and creepy twists in Defenders #1.
Earlier this week I raised the question of why another reboot of the Defenders and a little back story of Marvel’s oddest team. I assumed Doctor Strange brings this odd mix of loner heroes together but I was wrong. I won’t spoil who is behind the team building.
Knowing their history (even though you don’t have to) and the new specific mission you quickly realize why these outsiders are perfect for the latest version of Marvel’s non-team.
Fraction captures each character and blends them up in a fun mix. Terry Dodson’s art is bold with strong expressions that will convey the enthusiasm and fun Fraction is pouring into the story.
If at first you don’t succeed, relaunch with a hot creative team after a huge crossover event. Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson made mutant magic on Uncanny X-Men. Fraction’s Fear Itself epic unleashed supernatural forces on earth courtesy of The Serpent.
Now Doctor Strange recruits a new team to face threats unleashed by the Asgardian God of Fear . Namor the Submariner, Red She Hulk, Iron Fist and Silver Surfer join the Doctor’s mission against mystical monsters threatening the planet.
When you’ve got teams of Avengers and the X-Men plus the Fantastic Four, why does the world need The Defenders? I’ve always been puzzled why the “non-team” keeps getting reboots.
Fraction joins a fraternity of writers including Roy Thomas, David Anthony Kraft, Steve Gerber, Kurt Busiek, Keith Giffen and Joe Casey that have crafted the adventures of a team of outsider/lone wolf types.
Doctor Strange, Hulk and Namor are the most iconic members that have appeared in most versions of the series. My favorites have always been Valkyrie and Hellcat. The steely noble warrior woman and the sexy crimefighter were odd couple that worked great together.
Defenders #63 courtesy Marvel.com
My earliest memory of The Defenders is their most outrageous storylines. You could say Kraft’s Defender for a Day was ahead of its time. Long before reality shows took over television, this story showed how slick producers and wannabes could exploit and tarnish the most heroic ideas.
In Defenders #62-#65 a promoter exposes the team to the world and announces a membership drive and videotapes the whole thing for a documentary. Some of the lamest back burner characters and villains invaded the Defenders home hoping to join the team. It was great fun with hilarious moments especially from the Hulk. The story is infamous now but as a little kid I loved seeing so many costumed characters all packed into one issue. And if Captain Ultra has a shot maybe I could be a Defender?
Does the world really need another variation of the Defenders? Maybe not. But with this creative team and membership it’s definitely worth finding out.
Captain Cold preview design courtesy The Source, DC Comics
The Flash’s Rogues Gallery is a collection of the most iconic evil in the DC Universe. No one is colder than the Captain!
Artists Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellatto reveal their brand new design for the iconic villain. The new series has only shown brief glimpses of the icy killer but in Flash #7 Captain Cold is back with a vengeance leading the Rogues.
DC Comics Blog The Source provided the design preview. What do you think of the muscled up, showing some skin version of the classic villain?
AP Photo/Joel Ryan. Daniel Craig and the new Bond girls.
Daniel Craig reveals his bigger behind the scenes role in the new 007 film Skyfall because of his experience on the last film Quantum of Solace to Time Out London.
Daniel Craig says he pushed for Sam Mendes as director of the next James Bond film.
“He’s English. He’s Cambridge educated, he’s smart. He’s lived with Bond his whole life. He grew up with Bond the way I did. I said to him, “We have to do this together, we have exactly the same reference points. We both like the same Bond movies. We both like the same bits in the same Bond movies we like.”
Craig referenced From Russia, With Love and Live and Let Die as films he talked about with Mendes.
Daniel Craig talks about working with David Fincher on his new film, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo in the exclusive interview with Time Out London.
The Phoenix is coming. Marvel’s biggest teams are going to war. The men behind the event of 2012 took fan questions and delivered details and teases sure to generate excitement.
Marvel presented the Avengers Versus X-Men writing team (Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman) along with X-Men Editor Nick Lowe and Avengers Editor Tom Brevoort.
Here are some of the rapid fire highlights. My thoughts follow in italic:
“Wolverine and Storm have to redefine themselves in the Marvel Universe.” Bendis. This could be an opportunity to rethink their decisions after Schism which could be sever or mend their friendship with Cyclops.
“New armor for Iron Man with a specific foe in mind.” Fraction. Could this be a suit that can take a beating from the Juggernaut powered Colossus or a stab from Wolverine’s adamantium?
Thor gets up to come big time cosmic colossal shenanigans. Fraction. Now that Colossus is nearly God like thanks to Cytorrak, he could be a match for Thor.
“Cyclops is willing to make more sacrifices than Steve Rogers.” Brubaker.
“A new reader friendly take on the Phoenix.” Aaron.
X-Sanction starring Cable is a prelude and leads up to AVX. “Specific events Cable has come back in time to prevent are connected to AVX. It’s the opening shot of AVX.” Brevoort. Cable will do anything to protect his daughter Hope. This could be a clue that Hope is the target host for the Phoenix Force.
AVX #0 is in March. The Prelude is brand new material. Not a recap. Art by Frank Cho. Bendis.
Black Panther and Storm’s marriage. “Storm’s allegiance is very much split down the middle. Her choice will be heard very loudly. A big one for Storm.” Bendis. Storm is my all time favorite female hero. I have an ominous feeling Bendis could sacrifice her. There’s a reason she joined Avengers.
“Storm joining the Avengers was a separate decision” not predicated on AVX. Bendis
“The end of Avengers: Children’s Crusade will set up and calibrate how the X-Men, Avengers and the world feels about Scarlet Witch.” Yesterday I posted my thoughts on a Dark Phoenix Versus Scarlet Witch battle.
Professor X stayed out of Schism. “He can’t just stand on the sidelines.” Aaron. I immediately thought of the classic psi war between Charles and Jean in the Dark Phoenix saga. Can the greatest mutant mind – if Professor X still is – take on the Phoenix and win if needed? Charles has stayed out of Cyclops way but this conflict could lead to a showdown between the Professor and Scott.
How will SHIELD be involved? “There’s an opportunity for a lot of players in Marvel universe to pick new allegiances” Bendis hinted there could be a “potential reinvention” of a law enforcement group like SHIELD.
"For God and Country" courtesy Comic Book Resources, published by GQ
A comic book based on the operation to kill Osama bin Laden?
GQ is publishing a comic in their December issue described as an “illustrated account” of the U.S. Navy Seal raid on the terrorist leader’s compound.
One of my favorite writers, Matt Fraction worked with artist Nathan Fox and colorist Jeromy Fox to create “For God and Country.”
“The original editorial directive was to tell the story from OBL’s perspective but, aside from not caring to get inside the man’s head, the more I researched that night, the more in awe I became of the DEVGRU/Seal operators who performed the raid — and the more I decided their story demanded telling, too,” Fraction writes in one annotation.
Matt Fraction is best known for his work on Uncanny X-Men, Thor, Invincible Iron Man, Fear Itself, The Defenders for Marvel Comics and his creator owned title Casanova.
Marvel assembles their big guns: Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction. This powerhouse team of writers will work with this trio of superstars: John Romita Jr., Olivier Coipel and Adam Kubert.
The Avengers and X-Men learn the Phoenix Force is speeding towards Earth and needs a new host. Why do Marvel’s biggest heroes go to war with each other?
X-Club #1 Cover courtesy Marvel.com and Comics Newsarama
X-Club #1
Beast gathered a brilliant collection of minds to become the X-Men’s first ever science team. This motley crew of geniuses has saved the day against Sentinels, Dark Avengers and Bastion. Doctor Nemesis and company get their own limited series. A gesture of goodwill goes every wrong. Can the X-Men’s egomaniac team survive each other long enough to save the day.
Defenders #1
One of my favorite creative teams takes on The Defenders. Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson reteam this new series picking up after the Fear Itself finale. Doctor Strange, Silver Surfer, Namor, Iron First and Red She-Hulk become the last line of defense against supernatural forces unleashed on the Marvel universe.
Villains For Hire #1
A new brand new limited series starring some Marvel’s motley crew of psychopaths. Misty Knight is Marvel’s sexy, super bad, martial arts mistress behind the new “Heroes for Hire” concept but she’s really a pawn of a mysterious puppet master. Misty is putting the underworld’s craziest killers on the payroll to help create a new criminal empire. Will she realize the manipulator and cut his strings in time?
Boondock Saints Volume 1
The comic book series inspired by the cult crime film collected in a trade paperback. Co-written by the movie’s director/writer – these stories include the original saint’s war on the underworld.
Spider-Man Marvel Team Up
Kick it old school with these classic teams up by one of the most legendary teams in comic history. Chris Claremont and John Byrne are known for their epic X-Men run but duo was behind these entertaining matchups in the 70’s. See Spider-Man team up with Thor, Captain Britain, Ms. Marvel, Human Torch, Iron Fist and more against an impressive rogues gallery of Marvel’s greatest villains.
