Category: Uncategorized

Astonishing X-Men’s Explosive Issue

Astonishing X-Men #53 courtesy Marvel

  Wolverine goes boom. The new villain proves she’s one stone cold —–. Beast references Frank Herbert’s Dune. I love you Marjorie Liu!

  Mystery woman Susan Hatchi forced Karma to attack her own teammates and Northstar’s partner Kyle and blew up Wolverine. Controlling someone who controls minds is a pretty impressive feat then Susan made Logan explode from the inside out. Now Hatchi is just showing off!

 In this week’s Astonishing X-Men #53 the honeymoon is over as this X-team tries to find Hatchi and Karma and uncover a deadly new tech that inspires Hank’s Dune reference.

  Liu does the unexpected when the X-Men confront Hatchi at a corporate presentation. Hatchi admits her guilt, gloats and teases the X-Men over what she did to them. Hatchi belittles them and basically calls them guineau pigs. Hatchi reveals she’s much more than just a ruthless businesswoman. I’m curious to see how Liu will tie Hatchi’s actions and revelation to a huge moment in mutant history. 

  Northstar and Kyle’s wedding was not just a one issue stunt. Liu takes us into the newlyweds’ bedroom. Liu continues to give us a unique perspective on what it would really be like to be a superhero’s spouse. This isn’t the only couple Liu has masterfully written. The hilarious flirtation between Warbird and Iceman continues in this chapter. Beast and Cecilia Reyes have a scientific John Steed and Emma Peel tension. In the lab or in the field Hank and Cecilia share an easy rapport, clever banter and mutual dedication to medical science.

  The search for Karma moves to a Russian complex where we see just how cruel and massive Hatchi’s experiments are evolving. Liu and Mike Perkins take a dark turn from Northstar’s wedding day and make this mutant soap opera great fun with realistic touches. I hope this creative team and title continue in the Marvel NOW.

Just remember X-Men:

“Fear is the mind-killer. You must not fear.”  The Bene Gesserit Litany in Dune.

  By Editor

Star Trek Legend & NASA’s Mohawk Guy: An Out of This World Ballet?

 UPDATE: PNB is offering ComicsBlend fans a 10 percent discount to this event. Here’s the link. See you there?

image courtesy pnb.org

 Original Story: Star Trek, NASA and Ballet? Only in Seattle – I love this geeky cool town I proudly call home! 

  Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura) and Curiosity Mars rover flight director Bobak Ferdowski aka “Mohawk Guy” are special guests at a futuristic space extravaganza with dance, music, video and song.

  Celebrate Seattle is September 16th at Pacific Northwest Ballet celebrating PNB’s 40th Anniversary and the 50th Anniversary of the Seattle World’s Fair – when the Space Needle and Seattle aimed for the stars and ushered in the Space Age!

  The Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra takes the spotlight with dancers, video flashbacks, and special guest appearances for a double anniversary salute to PNB, the Seattle World’s Fair, and NASA’s race to outer space.

  This one-of-a-kind performance includes:

  • PNB Orchestra performances of Silvestre’s Back to the Future, Holst’s Saturn & Jupiter, Dvorak’s Song to the Moon & selections from Beethoven’s Symphony no. 9 and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite
  • Apollo pas de deux  and Circus Polka starring Artistic Director Peter Boal as the Ringmaster
  • Astronaut Cady Coleman
  • NASA’s Mars Curiosity landing film
  • Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols, introduced by June Lockhart of Lost in Space
  • Curiosity Mars rover flight director Bobak Ferdowsi (aka “Mohawk Guy”)
  • Video histories of  Pacific Northwest Ballet and the building of the Seattle World’s Fair
  • Angry Birds at the Seattle Center

  I’ll be there celebrating the past, present and future and cheering for science fiction, fact and this unique culture combination! To learn more and for tickets visit pnb.org.

Some Seattle creative minds created this salute to Bobak and the Mars Curiosity team and here’s the link to see it.

By Editor

Batman Incorporated #3 Worth the Wait?

Batman Incorporated #3 courtesy DC Comics

  Matches Malone is back in the underbelly of Gotham City and a new crime fighting vigilante is born in Batman Incorporated #3. This issue was delayed out of respect for the victims of the Aurora, Colorado tragedy. It was an appropriate decision. On the very first page there is a shocking act. It’s a disturbing image. As you turn the pages you see the massive scope and frightening agenda Leviathan is creating in Gotham City.

  This issue’s theme is infiltration. Bruce Wayne slips into a different identity so he can go deeper into the city’s criminal underworld to uncover the plans of Leviathan. Leviathan is immersing itself into the city, seizing control of ordinary people for a terrible purpose. In just the first three pages Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham show you just how insidious Leviathan is and how easy its agents insinuate themselves into every institution we honor and trust.

  Bruce Wayne’s journey through the underworld takes a violent twist thanks to a damsel in distress. The issue ends with the introduction of an extreme new hero that may be Batman’s only hope.

  GoatBoy and Bat Cow from the premiere issue are back. The bovine’s creepy connection to Leviathan is revealed. It’s scary how easy Leviathan is infiltrating Gotham City. It’s scarier how good Morrison and Burnham are at creating one of the most insidious Batman tales ever.

By Editor

 

 

Emerald City Comicon Adds New Creator Guests

 

The ECCC Crusaderette and Crusader at ECCC 2012, photo by ComicsBlend.com

Emerald City Comicon added to their growing list of guests for the 2013 event in Seattle:

 Christos Gage (writer of Avengers Academy, X-Men Legacy, Angel and Faith)

  Mark Waid (writer of Indestructible Hulk, Daredevil, Kingdom Come, Captain America)

  Fiona Staples (artist of Saga, Northlanders, Jonah Hex, 30 Day of Night, Deep Sleeper)

  Skottie Young (writer/artist OZ, A-Babies vs. X-Babies)

  Larry Hama (writer G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Wolverine)

  Daniel Way (writer Deadpool, Punisher, Daken: Dark Wolverine, Venom, Hit-Monkey)

Showing my Mutant Pride with Emma Frost at ECCC 2012 photo by ComicsBlend.com

  These creators join previously announced guests including Peter David, Michael Golden, Mike Mignola, Brandon Peterson, James Robinson.

  Sir Patrick Stewart and Billy Dee Williams are the celebrity guests announced so far. 

  Emerald City Comicon is March 1-3 in Seattle. Tickets go on sale September 5th.

By Editor

Captain Marvel – A Guest Review

Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel courtesy Marvel

  Carol Danvers is soaring as the new Captain Marvel. Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy have given the former Ms. Marvel a new mission in a new costume designed by Jamie McKelvie.

  Here’s a guest review of Captain Marvel #1 and #2 by Mitch Cook – the mind behind Concrete Martians, soon to be in your collection! Cook’s sci-fi tale is based on a local legend. Cook reveals his hope for Danvers & DeConnick.

  “I love Carol Danvers.  I love her spunk and her strength.  She almost doesn’t need Kree powers of Mar-Vell.  As a force of nature all her own, Ms. Marvel, now Captain Marvel, could sustain a book all her own.  Her current series pretty much proves that.  Kelly Sue DeConnick “gets” Carol Danvers.  I just wonder if she also “gets” Captain Marvel.  After two issues of her new series I see no real exploration of Captain Marvel or even Carol Danvers other than her undying attitude as a flyer and as a woman.  Taking her back in time to WW2, (explanation forthcoming?) Danvers defends a small group of female pilots stranded on a Pacific Island from some sort of super Japanese tech?  I had hoped for more after the inaugural edition.  Danvers has always had internal monologue that drives books in a way that no other Marvel universe mainstream comic can or does.  DeConnick nails that part.  Exploring her own feelings of inadequacy, rejecting the name Mar-Vell, rejecting her role as Captain Marvel, fighting for the damaged reputation of a recently deceased pilot, are all classic Danvers attributes.  I am hoping for more from both Danvers and DeConnick in the coming issues.  There is promise here.”

Thanks Mitch. I love Carol and I’m loving DeConnick’s flight plan for the new Cap!

By Editor

Batman vs. Black Mask Showdown

Detective Comics Annual #1 courtesy DC Comics

  The first New 52 Detective Comics Annual features a showdown between Batman and the Black Mask. Artist Roman Molenaar joins writer Tony Daniel on Detective Comics Annual #1. The artist talked with The Source about joining the Batman family.

  “He knows exactly how to write for an artist which makes it a delight setting up the pages,” says Molenaar of Daniel, “Fans can expect fast-paced action and details all over the place as far as the art goes. Batman will need all of his physical and mental strength for this Annual and be ready for the return of one of his most diabolical villains!”

  “The first DETECTIVE COMICS ANNUAL features the return of one of Batman’s most dangerous adversaries – the Black Mask!” adds editor Mike Marts. “Picking up from where readers last saw him in the ‘Night of the Owls’ storyline, gangster Roman Sionis has once again donned the maddening mask and formed his False Face Society. How will the Dark Knight combat this unique threat? And is there an even greater villain lurking in the shadows?”

Detective Comics Annual #1 arrives August 29th.

By Editor

 

Astonishing X-Men: Northstar

Astonishing X-Men #51 courtesy Marvel

  It was the comic book wedding of the year that made mainstream news. Openly gay X-Man Northstar married Kyle Jinadu with the X-Men and Alpha Flight watching in New York’s Central Park. The road to the altar was sidetracked with human and superhero drama – including the return of the Marauders.

  Astonishing X-Men: Northstar collecting the first arc of Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins on the book. An elite team of X-Men (Gambit, Northstar, Wolverine, Iceman and Warbird) are in New York City when a new version of the Marauders attack. This arc brought back Cecelia Reyes and Karma. The New Mutant’s return came with a plot twist that’s still turning in the title.

  The gay wedding made huge news, inspired a short-lived protest and inspired some gay X-men fans to tie the knot…in a comic book store on the day of the wedding issue’s arrival.

  Here’s a link to Astonishing X-Men: Northstar if you missed the issues or would like to have the entire collection in this hardcover edition.

By Editor

New Love Interest For Captain America?

 

Captain America #16 courtesy Marvel

  Chris Evans will be back at Steve Rogers in Captain America: The Winter Soldier but who will be his leading lady? If Marvel Films follows the modern-day storyline Cap will fall for SHIELD agent Sharon Carter (niece of his World War II lost love Peggy.)

  Anna Kendrick, Imogene Poots and Felicity Jones are reportedly in the running for the role according to the New York Post.

  Anthony Mackie will play Sam Wilson aka the Falcon. Sebastian Stan will reprise his role as Bucky. To find out more about his role click here but warning! There by spoilers!

By Editor