Northstar is married. Marjorie Liu’s Astonishing X-Men #51 made history and headlines with the wedding of an openly gay X-Men to his human partner. Romance and social significance are just part of the story. Liu is equally spinning action and mystery on her X-Men run. It looks like a short honeymoon for the team as the manipulator was revealed.
Karma is the other openly gay mutant character Liu is using in a surprising way. Last issue’s shock ending and the cover of this week’s issue has me intrigued. The former New Mutant is the traitor playing deadly mind games with her fellow X-Men?
There are times when a fan may exclaim there are “too many X-books!” When you have a writer like Liu on her game and giving underused characters the spotlight I’m thrilled to add another to the pull list.
I’m trying to keep this post spoiler free so if seems vague I’m trying to not give away the ending of The Dark Knight Rises or The Court of Owls.
How do you top Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale? I humbly suggest Warner Brothers wait at least 7 or more years and give Mr. Nolan the Court of Owls epic by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo for inspiration.
As I read each chapter of this dark epic I often thought how Nolan would translate the conspiracies and mind games of Snyder’s storylines and Capullo’s Owl designs to the big screen.
While the other New 52 Bat books focused on classic rogues Snyder created a dark new enemy and history for Bruce Wayne and Gotham City. The Court of Owls is a secret society that had been manipulating Gotham City for decades. The Owls have a ruthless assassin known as the Talon. The secret society has their talons gripped into the Wayne family and Gotham City history.
Batman #8 courtesy DC Comics
The storyline included Night of the Owls crossover. The Court unleashed an army of Talons on Gotham all at once with specific targets. While Bruce was under siege in the Batcave he called on his Batman family to prevent the Court’s deadly agenda. Only Bruce could ultimately uncover and face the mastermind behind the Court. A revelation that rocked the Wayne family legacy and Bruce’s memory of his parents.
In The Dark Knight Trilogy Bruce learned you must become a symbol and anyone could be Batman. In this potential film Bruce returns to see the young heroes inspired by him and he must confront a symbol of evil and the Bat’s natural enemy – the Owl.
Superman fans may be surprised what was chosen fo the Man of Steel teaser. The Dark Knight Rises and Man of Steel producer Charles Roven tells Absolute Radio how the Dark Knight Trilogy team is involved.
“Chris [Nolan] came up with the story with David Goyer, so a lot of the same team is in place,” said Roven. “I’m really excited about the picture. There’s an announcement piece that’s on the current ‘Dark Knight Rises’ when it comes out and I think people will be a little bit surprised to what we decided to do with it, but also recognize we’re doing something completely different and creating a Superman that has never been seen before.”
Carol Danvers is sporting a new look as the new Captain Marvel. The premiere issue of the new series by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy sold out in the first week!
This week’s X-Men Legacy #270 clears up unfinished business between Carol and Rogue in this Avengers vs. X-Men tie-in. The powerhouse women share a tragic connection. The rivalry flared up again last issue but writer Christos Gage gave us twist. This was far more than an old grudge match. Marvel teases one woman will switch sides in the AvX before the issue is over.
Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy comes to an end. Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon is one of the many beloved characters of the series. The British actor made Gotham City’s “one honest cop” into the everyman hero and one of Batman’s greatest allies. Cillian Murphy brought the criminally brilliant Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow to menacing life in the franchise. The trilogy and those performances are part of cinematic history.
In the comic books those classic characters live on in a new storyline by Gregg Hurwitz. Scarecrow is back in this week’s Batman: The Dark Knight #11. Dr. Crane uses Commissioner Gordon as the bait in a new trap for Batman. The past of both villain and hero came racing back to haunt them. David Finch continues his dark reign as artist on the title.
Marvel NOW! shows the bold direction the publisher is taking post AvX. We know some creative teams and new titles but there are ton of questions still out there. Here are my top burning questions:
Emma Frost? The original Jean Grey is returning. Scott and Emma’s shaky relationship is getting rocked by the Phoenix Force possessing both of them. AvX 11 shows them attacking each other. I hope Emma survives to form her own Avenging X-Men.
Matt Fraction Here’s hoping his Defenders keeping going on their strange trip and I’d like see Fraction’s take on the Fantastic Four.
Jason Aaron and the kids? Wolverine and the X-Men is my favorite post Regenesis title. What will happen to Broo, Kid Gladiator, Kitty Pryde, Idie and all the kids and staff that call the Jean Grey School home? Jason Aaron even made me love Quentin Quire!
Kieron Gillen?His Thor run was brief. He managed to reinvigorate Mister Sinister and created what I think is the best new Marvel villain – UNIT. I’d love to see him take on the Avenging X-Men idea of mine or head back to Asgard.
Professor X? The leader recently united with Cyclops on Pax Utopia and questioned his Phoenix fueled agenda. All New X-Men by Bendis stars the original five X-Men transported to a future they don’t like. How will Professor X react to seeing his original students?
Brian Wood The X-Men “security team” led by Storm is perfection. It’s a cool hybrid of the Chris Claremont/Paul Smith era X-Men blended with Torchwood. Storm reigns under Wood and Lopez.
Winter Soldier? Ed Brubaker is leaving Marvel after an incredible run with Captain America and Bucky. I think Cap’s solo title will become more upbeat, larger than life adventures like Daredevil’s recent revival leaving Winter Soldier to continue his role as the spy on covert missions across the Marvel underground.
Young Avengers? I would love to see an ongoing by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung. The Children’s Crusade was epic, thrilling and moving but was is Heinberg’s final story starring the teens? Given the huge cast Jonathan Hickman is planning his new Avengers may some of the teens will graduate to the big league.
The Thunder God’s next film is now called Thor: The Dark World. Madds Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Clash of the Titans) dropped out due to his commitment to play Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal. A new report reveals the villain he would have played. That means it’s time for….
SPOILER WARNING
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW THE POSSIBLE VILLAINS STOP READING
SERIOUSLY
HERE IT COMES
An interview on I Review Too with stuntman James Grogan reveals the enemies facing Thor and his fellow Asgardians..
Grogan says “I had a load of stunt guys in and the director came in and he said ‘Look, we want you all to be elves,’ and I was like ‘What the hell is an elf anyway?’ and he said ‘I want you all to walk around like these supernatural animals,’ honestly it was the most ridiculous thing ever but you just have to not be self aware and get on with it.”
Back to comic book lore – those elves could be the Dark Elves of Svartlalfheim. Malekith the Accursed is the leader. This was my guess when it was first announced that Mikkelsen was cast. I’m still hoping Amora the Enchantress will bewitch Thor in the sequel!
Jessica Biel won’t be playing the Viper in The Wolverine. The actress was offered the role but talks broke down and the studio is looking at other stars according to Collider.
Now Svetlana Khodchenkova is in talks with Fox according to Twitch. The Russian actress recently appeared in the remake of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
Hugh Jackman’s next film is based on the limited series by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller and focuses on Logan falling in love with a crime lord’s daughter in Japan.
The Viper is a mercenary of Eastern European descent who works for the Silver Samurai. He is mutant, half brother of the woman Logan loves, and heir to the clan. The Viper eventually becomes Madame Hydra, leader of the organization led by the Red Skull in the Captain America movie. In the Wolverine comic book Viper forced Logan to marry her in an effort to avoid an all out war between Hydra and The Hand.
