FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2015 Preview

All-New, All-Different Avengers courtesy Marvel
All-New, All-Different Avengers courtesy Marvel

Free Comic Book Day is almost here. This unofficial geek holiday is like Christmas and your local comic book shop and major publishers are Santa Claus and his elves.

The first Saturday in May is when you can pick up FREE comic books. Different stores have different rules. For example, you may be limited to only two or you may have to buy a comic to get a free one. Just because they’re free doesn’t mean they’re just extra unsold copies. These FCBD issues are new and often connected to each publisher’s big events of summer.

Marvel’s Free Comic Book Day issue will lead into Secret Wars, the major event heralding “the end of the Marvel Universe.” Avengers, New Avengers, Secret Wars writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Paul Renaud are the creative team on Secret Wars #0 – the prologue to the first chapter of Marvel’s universe changing event.  This FCBD issue includes a preview of Attack on Avengers by the creator of Attack on Titan. Continue reading FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2015 Preview

DOCTOR WHO: THE NINTH DOCTOR Writer CAVAN SCOTT

Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #1 courtesy Titan Comics
Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #1 courtesy Titan Comics

The Ninth Doctor (as played by Christopher Eccleston) is back in brand new comic book adventure by Cavan Scott from Titan Comics. Ten years after the Time Lord’s television comeback, The Ninth Doctor along with his fan-favorite companions are together again in a new story: Weapons of Past Destruction.

Scott has written a series of Doctor Who spinoff radio plays, short stories and co-authored Doctor Who: Who-ology. In our interview I asked about the impact of The Ninth Doctor and how his new story fits into the timeline:

Congratulations and how does it feel to bring back the Ninth Doctor as Whovians celebrate 10 years of the new generation of the Time Lord? Continue reading DOCTOR WHO: THE NINTH DOCTOR Writer CAVAN SCOTT

How AGENTS OF SHIELD Is AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Prequel

Agents of SHIELD Afterlife by Dave Johnson courtesy Marvel
Agents of SHIELD Afterlife by Dave Johnson courtesy Marvel

The original team is back together again in an action-packed, drama-filled episode that all builds up to Earth’s Mightiest Sequel.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. bridges Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron.

This week a seismic shift in the Coulson’s S.H.I.E.L.D. vs. Real S.H.I.E.L.D. vs. Hydra war led to strange alliances, visions and is a direct prequel to this weekend’s big sequel.

Mike Peterson aka Deathlok and Lincoln the Inhuman are captured by Hydra. Traitor Grant Ward, Skye with her new powers and Agents of both S.H.I.E.L.D. teams unite to get them back.

Forget hints and Easter Eggs, producers drop huge direct hits that set up the opening action in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Before we continue here’s a SPOILER ALERT! Continue reading How AGENTS OF SHIELD Is AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Prequel

YOUNG NEW MUTANTS of X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

Angel designs from X-Men: Apocalypse, an Empire exclusive
Angel designs from X-Men: Apocalypse, an Empire exclusive

Director Bryan Singer is filming X-Men: Apocalypse now in Montreal. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicolas Hoult from First Class and Days of Future Past return for the cinematic showdown with an ancient enemy.

The sequel is set in the 1980’s with new actors playing younger versions of Jean Grey, Storm, Scott Summers, Nightcrawler and Angel or is it Archangel if you go by this preview art?

Producer Simon Kinberg explains these are not cameos but part of the larger story. Continue reading YOUNG NEW MUTANTS of X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

VALIANT FREE COMIC BOOK DAY Preview

Valiant Free Comic Book Day courtesy Valiant
Valiant Free Comic Book Day courtesy Valiant

Valiant is celebrating its 25th year. The silver anniversary celebration continues on Free Comic Book Day. Bloodshot, X-O Manowar and more of Valiant’s heroes take the stage for a star-studded anniversary issue celebrating 25 years of Valiant comics.

The Valiant FCBD issue includes two all-new stories and never-before-seen special features chronicling Valiant’s place in comics history.

Jeff Lemire and artist Butch Guice reveal the fallout of THE VALIANT as Bloodshot rises from the ashes to unleash a never-before-seen prelude to BLOODSHOT REBORN. Continue reading VALIANT FREE COMIC BOOK DAY Preview

Top Comics Picks for April 29, 2015

Avengers #44/New Avengers #33 courtesy Marvel
Avengers #44/New Avengers #33 courtesy Marvel

Avengers #44, New Avengers #33 Time Ran Out! Heroes and villains have fought to save Earth from parallel Earth’s crashing into ours. The final incursion is upon us. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes can’t stop the end of everything. Jonathan Hickman’s epic run comes to a universe shattering finale with artist Mike Deodato and Kev Walker. When everything dies, Secret Wars begins! Continue reading Top Comics Picks for April 29, 2015

After THE END of FANTASTIC FOUR

Fantastic Four #645 courtesy Marvel
Fantastic Four #645 courtesy Marvel

A milestone issue for Marvel’s First Family this week but it’s a bittersweet moment.

Fantastic Four #645 is the final issue of the cancelled title as the publisher returns to its original numbering. This is the conclusion of The End of 4Ever.

In two months the Fantastic Four star in a new film adventure with a new cast but the iconic comic book ends with this final issue by James Robinson and Leonard Kirk.

Is this ending about sales, studio rivalry or maybe it’s just time for a creative break as the entire Marvel Universe ends before the start of Secret Wars event? Continue reading After THE END of FANTASTIC FOUR

Comic Book Spy SCARLETT COUTURE Preview Review

Scarlett Couture #1 courtesy Titan Comics
Scarlett Couture #1 courtesy Titan Comics

A new spy swings into comic book shops this week. Should you accept the mission and join her?

Sexy, stylish and dangerous, CIA agent Scarlett Carver operates in the glamorous world of high fashion and the dark underworld of global espionage. Carver is the security chief of her mother’s fashion empire but it’s a cover for her covert operations. She’s the star of Scarlett Couture #1 by writer/artist Des Taylor (Doctor Who cover artist) from Titan Comics.

When models are kidnapped, Scarlett goes rogue to find them and uncover the conspiracy behind it in a fast-paced, fun thriller. Des Taylor’s gorgeous art feels like you’re in a sexy 1960’s spy flick but with a cool, confident female leading the chase. You’ll be tempted by the art but hooked by the fast escapist fun and a leading lady you want to cheer for. Continue reading Comic Book Spy SCARLETT COUTURE Preview Review