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Uncanny Avengers #2 Review

Uncanny Avengers #2 courtesy Marvel

The Children of the Atom may have won over the hearts of two of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes but they have a new enemy that is pure evil and possibly the most powerful new villain in the Marvel Universe. Welcome to the Uncanny Avengers.

Here’s what you need to know: Captain America wants you Alex Summers! The Star-Spangled Avenger asks Havok to lead a team of human and mutants heroes. A mutant terrorist attacks New York City. Havok, Cap, Wolverine and Thor fight to stop the madman and save lives. Scarlet Witch and Rogue are attacked by a mysterious squad of freaks at Professor Xavier’s grave. The Red Skull has been reborn and he’s stolen Xavier’s brain.

Rick Remender and John Cassaday continue the shock and awe in this week’s issue #2 picking right up where the last issue left off. The Red Skull is using the Professor’s brain as a weapon to inflame anti-mutant rage. The creators deliver more “oh —-!” moments involving the Red Skull and his manipulations.

I’m really excited by the way Remender portrays Rogue from her clash with Scarlet Witch, her discovery of Xavier’s remains and her recollection of joining the X-Men.

This book is definitely working for me and I’m excited for what’s next. Remender and Cassaday have me hooked!

By Editor

My X-MEN: Days of Future Past Wish List

Uncanny X-Men #141 courtesy Marvel.com

With the exciting news that Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen will join the cast of X-Men: Days of Future Pastmy geeky brain starting thinking of what else would make this sequel even more thrilling for longtime X-fans:

Hugh Jackman leading the real Last Stand! In the classic Days of Future Past storyline Logan leads the underground resistance in a future North America ruled by Sentinels.  Magneto, Storm, Colossus and Kitty Pryde (now Kate Rasputin) are the only surviving X-Men. The heroes eventually break out of their concentration camp and join Logan on a suicide raid on Sentinel headquarters. Hugh Jackman is now in talks to join the film.

 

Uncanny X-Men #466 courtesy Marvel

Rachel Summers! The daughter of Scott and Jean is the key to the story. Rachel is telepathic and telekinetic like her mother and uses her psionic powers to send Kate’s mind into the present day body of a younger Kitty Pryde who must convince the X-Men to prevent an assassination that will lead to this dark future. Bryce Dallas Howard (yes I know she’s already been in a Spidey movie) would be perfect as tragic daughter of Scott and Jean. Rachel was forced to be a “Hound” and track down fellow mutants. In the comic books Rachel escaped the future and went into the past became the new Phoenix and joined the X-Men. She currently teaches as the Jean Grey School.

Franklin Richards! The last surviving member of the Fantastic Four is in love with Rachel. The son of Reed and Susan Storm Richards is in the camp with the surviving X-Men and I won’t reveal his final fate. Mark Millar’s new role as Creative Consultant for the Fox controlled Marvel franchises includes the upcoming reboot of Fantastic Four. This film could serve as a reboot point for both franchises similar to J.J. Abrams’s Star Trek.

Kitty Pryde/Kate Rasputin! Could Singer recruit Ellen Page to reprise her role? In the future Kate is married to Colossus (as it should be!) but agrees to have her mind travel into the past to rally the X-Men to stop a chain of events leading to the dark future. I think this is unlikely given the time period of the previous film.

Frenzy! I think the movie version will still have a Brotherhood of Mutants attempt to assassinate a Senator. The killing leads to the creation of the Sentinels. Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) will need new members of their Brotherhood. Why not have the gorgeous and formidable Frenzy aka Joanna Cargill on the roster? This would be a good way to have an African-American character in this retro time period as a way to explore race relations and the human/mutant conflict. In the comics Frenzy is a former mutant terrorist (who followed Apocalypse and Magneto) but joined the staff of the Jean Grey School.

X-Factor #243 courtesy Marvel

Polaris! Before I knew the X-Men: First Class sequel would be Days of Future Past I was hoping Magneto’s children (Polaris, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch) would appear in the sequel. Polaris aka Lorna Dane is a green haired mutant with magnetic powers and falls in love with Havok (played by Lucas Till.) Polaris is one of the most tragic characters in X-history and having her could lead to romantic scenes with Till and powerful scenes with the men who would be revealed as her father (Michael Fassbender, Ian McKellen.) I think maybe Lorna would be the mutant sent back to save the future instead of Kitty.

Halle Berry returns as Storm! Ororo joins Logan in his assault on the Sentinel HQ in the future. I would love to see Berry (and Daniel Cudmore as Colossus) join Hugh Jackman in what is one of the most gripping scenes from the comic book series as the older broken heroes go on a suicide mission to save humanity one last time.

I’m sure I’ll think of more!

By Editor

 

New Avengers Era Ends

New Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

This week’s New Avengers #34 is the final issue of the Brian Michael Bendis era. 8 years ago Bendis took over Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and made me love the Avengers again!

Avengers Disassembled: Here’s where it all began again. He blew up Avengers mansion, blew away team members and made prodigal fans like me take notice and remember why we love Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. It was more than stunts for shock value. There was great drama and emotion as Steve and Tony mourned friends and coped with the truth that one of their own had become the greatest enemy. The team ended but the call would go out again for heroes to assemble!

 Enter Spider-Woman: Jessica Drew was lifted out of the comic book void and right into the middle of the action in Breakout in New Avengers #1. Bendis made us fall madly in love with the reborn heroine then pulled the rug out of from under us! Turns out this Jessica was really the Skrull Empress and mastermind of Secret Invasion. The real Jessica came back during that epic and started rebuilding her reputation and life. There were huge action packed events that were building blocks, plots within plots that led to bigger events. Jessica was at the center of them all.

New Avengers Annual #1 courtesy Marvel

  Luke Cage Is The MAN: Bendis must have loved the Power Man & Iron Fist series too because he put Cage on the front burner. Luke’s comeback started in the excellent Alias series when he became the love interest of Jessica Jones. In Breakout Luke answered Captain America’s call for help and soon Cap made Luke leader of the New Avengers.  The course of true love never runs smooth but Luke, Jessica and their baby became the tortured heart of the series for me.

  The Illumanati: A brilliant concept! Turns out there was a secret society of super heroes that had played key roles in major Marvel events through history. The covert alliance of Iron Man, Professor X, Namor, Doctor Strange, Black Bolt and Reed Richards would eventually shatter and ghosts of the past would come back to haunt them.

  Love to HATE Norman Osborn: One of Spidey’s greatest enemies became Marvel’s most powerful villain. The former Green Goblin’s rise to power began when he started running the Thunderbolts. In the aftermath of Secret Invasion Osborn seized power with control of the Avengers and SHIELD, which he renamed HAMMER. The Dark Reign began with a madman disguised as a hero (the Iron Patriot) with his own Dark Avengers and Dark X-Men. Osborn’s obsession for power led to an invasion of Asgard in SIEGE.and that was his downfall – and we were reminded just how bat—- crazy Norman really is!

 

New Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

  Who’s An Avenger? Bendis said what a lot of fans had been saying for years – if the Avengers are the best and most powerful heroes then why aren’t Marvel’s biggest guns on the team! He did something about it! Wolverine, Luke Cage, Thing and Doctor Strange were assembled along with the tragic powerhouse, the Sentry. Daredevil, Iron Fist would later join the team. Hawkeye’s lost love Mockingbird even returned.

I could go on and on but I will end here with a huge thank you to Brian Michael Bendis for an incredible run and for making me love the Avengers again!

New Avengers #34 is out this week! Thank you and good luck with the X-Men!

By Editor

Meet the Fantastic New FF

FF #1 courtesy Marvel

Matt Fraction is taking the Fantastic Four on a family vacation through time and space with artist Mark Bagley. While Marvel’s First Family is away the Earth will be protected by the new FF by Fraction with artist Mike Allred. FF #1 is out this week. The Madman creator tells Marvel.com why he joined the FF.

“When I was approached with a project starring one of my all-time favorite, and vastly under-rated, characters, Ant-Man, I leapt out of my shoes. Literally. Those shoes are ruined now. Ant-Man has been there from the beginning. One of the very first Marvel heroes, folks; I think the first or second behind the Fantastic Four. Most people don’t know that.

  Then add claiming the Baxter Building with my fave Marvel lady, Medusa, big and sexy She-Hulk, and one of the cleverest creations in recent memory, Miss Thing—now I’m almost out of my skin. Fortunately that’s just a figure of speech. I’m still tucked nicely away into my skin.

  Seriously, I’m going nuts with excitement. I’m living the dream I dreamt when I was a kid, laying on the living room floor making comics with my big brother Lee.”

FF #1 courtesy Marvel

Reed and Scott are bonded by their roles as fathers, scientists and connection to Doctor Doom. If you read Fantastic Four #1 you know the real reason for the trip and Reed’s big secret. Maybe Scott can help Reed solve the mystery that could mean the end of Marvel’s First Family?

Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

FF #1 courtesy Marvel

This Ant-Man was destroyed by the Scarlet Witch in Avengers Disassembled then brought back to life to see his daughter killed in Avengers: The Children’s Crusade. Fraction previously teased how Lang will carry out a plan of revenge against Doctor Doom for Cassie’s demise.

 

FF #1 courtesy Marvel

Medusa shares a bond with Susan Storm Richards. Both women are devoted wives to husbands with tremendous responsibilities and are mothers (technically Medusa isn’t a mom but as Queen of the Inhumans she must offer tough love and compassion to her extended family.) After Jean Grey I think Medusa is my favorite Marvel redhead (sorry MJ.)

She-Hulk and She-Thing are the final two of the new FF!

Thanks to Marvel.com for these new images by the Astonishing Allred! Here’s the link to Matt Fraction revealing his take on the new Fantastic (Four & Four.

By Editor

Wolverine vs. Nightcrawler in X-Termination

courtesy Marvel

  X-Termination. Worlds Collide. March 2013.

  Looks like there might be unfinished business between Wolverine and the treacherous Nightcrawler from the Age of Apocalypse in this Marvel teaser!

  Before I give you my theory I feel like I must give you a:

 

SPOILER WARNING:

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ RECENT ISSUES OF UNCANNY X-FORCE YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ THIS THEORY!

 

SERIOUSLY

 

OK HERE IT IS

 

Uncanny X-Force #33 courtesy Marvel

  The alternate dimension version of Kurt joined Logan’s Uncanny X-Force team. The AoA Nightcrawler was tracking down the AoA Blob who murdered Kurt’s wife.

  In The Final Execution storyline Wolverine’s team were trying to rescue Evan before the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (including the AoA Blob) could trigger the child into becoming Apocalypse.

  Kurt was manipulated by Mystique, stabbed Wolverine and betrayed the team to get his revenge on Blob. There’s only one more issue of Uncanny X-Force by Rick Remender. The book is relaunched with a new creative team and roster in 2013.

What does X-Termination mean?

1. Logan and the traitor will have a rematch in Rick Remender’s Uncanny Avengers storylines since Wolverine is a member?

2. More Age of Apocalypse characters will spill into our universe or vise-versa?

3. This AoA Kurt will get a fatal case of SNIKT from Wolverine and the real Nightcrawler will be brought back from the dead?

 4. There will be a new X-Terminators series in 2013 (or Uncanny X-Terminators?)

5. Since Age of Ultron is the big Marvel event (also in March 2013) I think this will be a crossover in the second-tier X-books.

I just want the real Fuzzy Elf back!

By Editor

 

SIF Journeys Into Mystery

 

Journey Into Mystery #646 courtesy Marvel

Lady Sif takes you on a new journey this week!

Kathryn Immonen takes over Journey Into Mystery with issue 646 and talked with Marvel about her take on the new lead character for the series.

“We talked at length as far as what her story could be, and it came down to a single question: What does she want? For Sif, what she wants above all is to be a better warrior. How far would she go for that? She makes some terrible decisions and puts a lot of people in peril,” explains Immonen of the lead change.

“One of the really interesting things about Sif to me is that she’s defined by absence, with her lover, Thor, and brother, Heimdall, always away from her.

‘What’s most interesting to me about the Asgardians is the inevitability of them. So much of their conflict is internalized because they don’t have alter egos. They’re also almost more human because of that.”

Immonen sets out the journey she’s planned for Sif and the change in tone of the title.

“Sif is not just a warrior. We’ve often seen her leading the charge, but I don’t feel like we’ve ever seen her in charge. Bear with me, but she’s kind of like my dog. He’s very committed to his pack, but never looks back because he assumes everybody else is as committed as he is. Sif is the same way.

I see a similarity between Sif and Loki because neither of them can ever be Thor. I think that has more effect on her then she’ll admit. She’s been told she’s capable of anything, but at the end of the day, she will never be Thor. It’s a matter of finding out how to be enough anyway.”

Sif is an action hero. Loki is not. They’re fundamentally different. I don’t use the talking to get to the fighting, I use the fighting to get to the talking.” says Immonen.

  Journey Into Mystery #646 out this week with Valerio Schiti as the new artist.

Jaime Alexander played Sif in Thor on the big screen. With this kind of higher comic book exposure could we see a bigger role for Sif in Thor: The Dark World.

By Editor

Which Avenger Kills? Who Dies?

 

Uncanny Avengers #5 courtesy Marvel

A major character will die in February 2013 according to the Marvel Solicitations. The victim will be killed by an Avenger in Uncanny Avengers #5. This is the same issue that brings Sunfire, Wasp and Wonder Man to the team. The Grim Reaper strikes and Havok’s leadership is called into question is this issue too.

Is the killer a member of the Rick Remender’s Uncanny Avengers or Hickman’s Avengers? Who bites it? Who kills?

My first guess is Rogue takes a life. Here’s what Remender said in a pre-launch interview about the X-Woman and her history. Rogue seems like the wild card of the team…and she took out an Avenger before (ok she didn’t kill Ms. Marvel but left her in a coma.)

What are your theories?

By Editor

Batgirl #14 Review

 

Batgirl #14 courtesy DC Comics

The Joker’s is attacking and shocking Batman’s allies in Death of the Family but in this week’s Batgirl #14 Gail Simone crafts a killer revelation I didn’t see coming. Barbara’s mother has been kidnapped in a way design remind the heroine of last life changing encounter with the Joker. The villain’s creeps come after her but this is a very different Batgirl. After a year of fighting damaged enemies Barbara sees a chance to really let loose on the kind of criminals that choose to follow a madman – and it’s sweet to see her in action.

I love this issue’s waves of action and emotion. Barbara is crushed by a mysterious caller and flashes back to her worst nightmare but rallies to face the Joker. Barbara’s goodbye to Alysia is symbolic of the end of her life as we know it.

Barbara is no longer a victim but will she take a dark turn in her showdown with the Joker? Could she kill him? Could this be the real meaning of Death of the Family ?

As Batgirl confronts the Joker she learns the real enemy that set her up. This is a huge reveal for fans of the series. Simone takes this long running plot thread, wraps and tugs hard. The biggest twist comes in the form of a sick move by the Joker in the final panel.

By Editor