Marvel Point One lets you peer inside the mind of the Watcher! I assume the Watcher in the just released issue is Uatu. This Watcher has been observing us from the moon for decades and appeared in adventures of the Fantastic Four and X-Men. As I watched the mystery men invade the Watcher’s sanctum I couldn’t help but remember Uncanny X-Men #137 when Wolverine met his match in a brief but funny encounter with Uatu. For more of the Watcher’s encounters in the Marvel Universe visit Marvel.com.

 

I’m adding a new book to my list in 2012! I’ve been on and off Secret Avengers since it launched. Rick Remender takes over the title next year. Hawkeye is the new team leader. It’s a one, two punch I can’t resist.

With Uncanny X-Force, Rick took the superhero team formula, tossed into nitro and mixed in a wind tunnel. I never knew what to expect. So I have huge expectations for Secret Avengers.

 Comics Vine reveals the new lineup and mission. Black Widow and Valkyrie are sticking around. Captain Britain is an odd choice but Remender make Fantomex work on X-Force. I really love the old school flavor Giant-Man brings. I’m intrigued about Venom. Looks like Remender assembled another wild bunch of rogue heroes for some insane new adventures with the promise of a villainous new alien race.

 Gabriel Hardman is on art. Legendary Arthur Adams will provide covers. To catch up on the Secret Avengers previous covert missions visit Marvel.com.

Batfans will soon be rewarded! The first six minutes of Christopher Nolan’s final chapter is coming December 16^th before Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol. Today Batman News reports that The Dark Knight Rises IMAX prologue have been rated PG-13 according to Box Office Mojo.

The Joker’s multi-cross bank heist set the stage for The Dark Knight. Will the upcoming prologue introduce Bane? We know the cast of characters includes a young Henri Ducard. I’m hoping the prologue includes the Lazarus Pit of Ra’s al Ghul.

Marvel’s Point One arrives today! If the Watcher is on the cover you know it’s going to be big! As I mentioned in this week’s Top 5, this one shot includes 7 stories by some of the biggest names at Marvel.

I’ve heard for years about how a single issue is a perfect jumping on point for new readers. This collection is a way to dive into an entire universe. Marvel is great at the cross-company events. Although it gets expensive, it’s part of the fun to follow all the story threads. See you at the shop to get the point.

Oh what might have been! If anyone could take DC’s Amazonian Princess from comics to the big screen it was the man behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While the world counts down to The Avengers, Director Joss Whedon is revealing his vision for the Wonder Woman film that never happened.

Spinoff Online via Vulture talked with Joss about the failed project. After learning Whedon’s take on the character is reminds of how Brian Azzarello is portraying Diana in his new series that’s part of DC’s New 52. As much as I loved Lynda Carter, Diana is an aloof, cold warrior Goddess far above men. Seeing how Joss planned to have Steve Trevor make Wonder Woman more human could have made for a sizzling on screen romance.

I always wanted to see Diana in Amazonian warrior wear in a Superman sequel. Maybe if The Man of Steel is a hit, we’ll see Superman meet his match in Wonder Woman.

 

 

Top 5 Comics This Week – November 9, 2011

Point One #1

This is a perfect time to jump into the Marvel Universe. These are seven brand new stories from the fan favorite writers and artists. This collection sets the stage for all the big storylines and changes coming in 2012. From the cover, it appears the original Doctor Strange is back with a new style but is he the Sorcerer Supreme again?

Battle Scars #1

In the wake of “Fear Itself’ heroes and villains are after Army Ranger Marcus Jones. Why does this man have to power to turn the Marvel Universe upside down?

Fear Itself 7.2 Thor  

During “Fear Itself” Tony Stark challenged Odin to save Earth. Did Iron Man make a deal with the devil by using the power of the King of Gods? Fear Itself 7.1 delivered an emotional shocking twist.  Will this issue expose another dark secret?

Magneto: Not a Hero #1

Magneto returned from space pledging his allegiance to Cyclops and wanting to make amends. Eric has demonstrated over and over why he deserves to be an X-Man. New evidence shows the Master of Magnetism back to his extremist ways. Skottie Young and Clay Mann (who met fans at Emerald City Comicon 2011) create a new four part series about the X-Men’s greatest enemy.

Batgirl #3

This is one of my favorite titles in DC’s New 52. Barbara Gordon as Batgirl crosses paths with Nightwing. Will romantic sparks or fists fly? The Mirror raises the stakes in his war on Gotham. Gail Simone has created a fierce heroine, spooky villain in an exciting ride through Gotham’s dark side.

And one more! Earlier this week I previewed the return of Joe Madureira in Avenging Spider Man out this week!

 

Daniel Craig’s new James Bond movie has a title. What does Skyfall mean? It’s definitely not an Ian Fleming book or short story. Pierce Brosnan’s first film, Goldeneye, took the name of Fleming’s estate. The World Is Not Enough is the motto on the Bond family crest. Skyfall doesn’t ring a bell from any Fleming book I read.

SFX has some clever and funny theories. I suspect producers are taking a cue from Thunderball which was the code name of 007’s mission in the film. It could be the code name for the villain’s operation. 

In this previous post I revealed the James Bond graphic novels published by Dark Horse Comics. Serpent’s Tooth is a fun read. Quasimodo Gambit is an interesting title. These books could be nice diversions as you await the next big screen adventure.

Dreaming up a title is always tough. Everyone is a critic. I really thought the producers would choose the Fleming short story, The Property of a Lady, but now we have Skyfall. What do you think Skyfall means?