Matt Fraction at AvX party @ Excalibur Comics photo by Kyle Helstien of Happy Robot Photography
Eager fans lined up to celebrate and be the first to get Avengers Vs. X-Men #1 at more than 1,100 comic book stores worldwide. Retailers voted to stand with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes or the Children of the Atom. Customers got exclusive posters, buttons and other swag celebrating their chosen team.
AvX writer Matt Fraction and Editor C.B. Cebulski appeared at Excalibur Comics in Portland to get the party started. Thanks to Kyle Heinstiein of Happy Robot Photography. You can see more of this great shots at this Portland Pulp gallery link.
I was the first to buy at Zanadu Comics in Seattle. I “ooooooed” and “aahhhhhed” as Perry unloaded the copies, variants, buttons and lithographs!
Cyclops believes the return of the Phoenix could save his race. He is defying Captain America and triggered war. AvX will see the mutant leader tested like never before. I wanted to share more of Kieron Gillen’s new Marvel.com interview. Gillen’s response to Jim Beard’s question about who benefits and grows from AvX was revealing.
“I’ve said before, I’ve been building towards AvX. It’s meaningful for all my key cast. The big people to watch? Scott, Namor, Hope, Emma, Piotr, Illyana and Danger. My other three—Storm, Magneto and Psylocke—have important roles too, but perhaps not on the same level of redefining them. They’re actually more the people who are a half-step back from the chaos, and as such are about giving perspective on everything.
“Benefit” is an interesting word, though. I’m not sure it’s the word I’d use. It’s going to be very hard on all of them.”
Gillen’s role as the main writer for Scott for past year prepping him for AvX:
“The key arc for cementing Cyclops as a man who would go to war with the Avengers was the Fear Itself arc, just prior to the relaunch. There he works side with side with the humans of San Francisco, only to discover that they were considering—if all went wrong—to deal with the threat to them both and sell out the mutants, sinking Utopia.
Cyclops goes and saves the day anyway, only to return to actually openly threaten the mayor with murder if she ever thinks of it ever again. It’s a “Just because we save you, don’t go thinking you get to sacrifice us”.
It’s a hardened line—willing to be an implicit threat while still acting in an entirely morally upright fashion—which is where we find Scott. He’s pretty much said this Extinction Squad is a nuclear weapon which he’ll fire if someone crosses them. AvX is, in a real way, them calling his bluff.”
For the entire interview here’s the Marvel.com link.
This Geek’s Opinion: Cyclops has been the leader the mutants need in a desperate time. Scott will pay a heavy price in AvX but he’s right and I’ll back Cyclops every time.
Avengers Vs. X-Men #1 This is the it! Earth’s Mightiest Heroes against the Children of the Atom with the fate of the universe hanging in the balance. The Phoenix Force is speeding to Earth. Cyclops and Captain America clash over how to respond and two teams go to war.
Wolverine and the X-Men #8 A Beast Vs. The Beast! One of Logan’s best friends in a feral furious showdown with his greatest enemy!
Fear Itself: The Fearless #12 Heroes defeated. The Serpent’s greatest warrior set to unleash her vengeance. Valkyrie’s world tour of the Marvel Universe leads to this final showdown with Sin.
Brilliant #3 Seattle college kids cracked the secret of superpowers. Will one of them abuse his new power a forsake his friends. This book is a unique take on brainiacs, the birth of powers and how heroes and villains are spawned.
Archie Meets Kiss trade paperback A spell backfires unleashing monsters on Riverdale. Rock and Roll legends team up with the Archie gang to save the town in a supernatural showdown.
On Tuesday, April 3, be among the first to see the first salvo of Avengers VS. X-Men! Over 1,100 stores worldwide will be participating in Avengers VS. X-Men early release parties, and some of them will host your favorite Marvel creators!
Participating comic shops with Avengers or X-Men-themed exclusive mini posters, buttons, variants, lithographs and more, but the only way to get them is to be there!
Showing my Mutant Pride with Emma Frost at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
I will be at my neighborhood shop, Zanadu Comics, in downtown Seattle! There even have a special deal from 6-8pm, here’s a link to their Facebook page. I’m proud to say that Zanadu stands with the X-Men!
Here’s the link of stores hosting AvX launch parties worldwide courtesy of Marvel.com. Have fun, enjoy AvX and thanks for supporting your local comic shop!
Iron Fist will play a significant role in the upcoming Avengers Vs. X-Men epic. Marvel has revealed images hinting at Danny Rand’s connection to the Phoenix Force and Hope Summers.
Iron Fist fan at Emerald City Comicon, ComicsBlend.com
In earlier Emerald City Comicon post I revealed the fanboys who dressed up as Iron Fist in Seattle. The fan favorite character was on the top of many minds. The mention of him generated talk from creators on panels and applause from the audience.
Ed Brubaker made an excellent casting choice. During the AvX panel with C.B. Cebulski, Matt Fraction and Brubaker a fan asked about a Marvel film they would like to see.
Brubaker responded with Armie Hammer as Iron Fist referencing how when he saw The Social Network that Danny Rand could have been the third Winklevoss. (Hammer played the billionaire twins who sued the founder of Facebook in David Fincher’s movie.)
“And Jeremy Renner as Steel Serpent. Of course he’s already Hawkeye in The Avengers but have you seen Renner in the new Jason Bourne movie trailer.”
I apologize for not having exact quotes. I was so thrilled as a fanboy by this idea I didn’t have my camera on to record!
This Geek’s Opinion: I still want a Marvel Knights trilogy: Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist solo movies with Jessica Jones as the character who appears in all three. Then Matt, Luke and Danny team up against the Hand – this would be like the game plan Marvel has used for the Avengers movie.
And if you’ve never experienced Brubaker and Matt Fraction’s Iron Fist series or trade – get it!
Note: As far as I know Marvel Studios and Marvel Publishing are two different entities. I don’t know of an Iron Fist film in development. This casting idea above is simply hypothetical…but very cool.
The final day of Emerald City Comicon started with my moment with a sci-fi icon. When the doors opened I started feeling nostalgic and rushed down to the media guest level to meet George Takei. I chose a photo of Hikaru Sulu from Star Trek The Undiscovered Country in which the U.S.S. Enterprise helmsman was now Captain of the U.S.S. Excelsior.
I thanked him for being a trailblazer in his career and in his personal life. It’s amazing to think how he could be a cultural breakthrough decades ago as the first Asian American on a network television series and now being a champion for equality as an openly gay and married man. Sulu is just cool – then, now and forever.
I'm Mutant and Proud with Emma Frost at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
Back up to the show floor in search for rare comic book finds I was sporting my “Mutant and Proud” t-shirt starring the X-Man Beast and it really attracted the X fans in costume including Emma Frost and Gambit.
Gambit at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
I went in search of autographs from some of my favorite writers and artists including Chris Yost, Dustin Weaver, Georges Jeanty and I got a sketchbook from DC Comics star Phillip Tan.
I had the opportunity to meet up and coming writer Sam Humphries. I bought a copy of his Fanboys Vs. Zombies (about a zombie outbreak at the San Diego Comic-Con) and talked about his new work for Marvel. Humphries will be co-writing with Jonathan Hickman then taking over the Ultimates.
Writers of the Marvel Next Big Thing Panel at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
I was surprised to see him again on the Marvel: Next Big Thing panel with other favorite writers (of Punisher, Hulk, Spider-Man, X-Force, Secret Avengers) in a no holds barred question and answer session. I think these panels are the real pulse of a con. It’s the real interaction between fan and creator that leads to praise, pans and always passion about comics.
As the final hour approached I was almost ready to head home when a friend invited me to see Star Trek: Phoenix. This is a fan film written, produced and starring Seattle fans that takes place 42 years after the Star Trek: Nemesis. I went in to the screening on a whim but was really impressed. I left wanting more of the crew of the U.S.S. Phoenix and hope the voyage of these local fans continues. I didn’t plan it but my final day began and ended with Trek.
The ECCC Crusader and Crusaderette, ComicsBlend.com
Emerald City Comicon was beyond my expectations. When it comes to cons, always have a game plan but be ready for the unexpected: a moment with a new friend as you bond over the fate of the X-Men, discover a new comic book you want to try or experience the joy of seeing fanboys and girls express their love in costumes and cheers.
Stormtroopers keep the crowd in line at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
My second day at Emerald City Comicon in Seattle was packed with geek fun, great moments and exclusives. Any tiredness from day one was suddenly gone as we got the signal to enter the hall after an hour plus wait packed among hundreds of fans.
Robert Kirkman get a thank you gift from a fan at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
I immediately raced to the Image/Skybound booth for a chance at getting a ticket to get an autograph from Robert Kirkman, the creator and Executive Producer of The Walking Dead. His story is a geek dream come true. A few cons ago you waited a little while to get his autograph. Now he’s got a hit television series, successful imprint producing hit after hit series, has several con panels dedicated to his work, and you need a ticket for an autograph. Ask any of Kirkman’s fans and you’ll agree he’s earned all his success.
Multiple lines for several media stars at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
Edward James Olmos from his panel at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com, photo by Cliff Olmstead
I descended into lower level where eager geeks lined up for autographs and photo opportunities with their favorite sci-fi celebrities from television and movies (for a fee.) Edward James Olmos was my number one. The veteran actor of Blade Runner and Admiral William Adama on Battlestar Galactica had a rugged but regal presence. I chose the cast photo and he signed along with writing the quote “Roll the Hard Six…So Say We All…” Admiral Adama. I’m rarely speechless but I finally expressed my love of his performance and the episodes he directed. A handshake, smile and exchange back and I think I was floating, glowing and certainly grinning as I walked away and down the exit line. Fellow Galactica followers still in line smiled back at me knowing their upcoming moment with the Admiral could be just as satisfying.
A young trooper at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
The 501st is a Northwest group of Star Wars fans who dress up like the iconic characters and take fan photos for donations. After years of trying to meet up with him I finally saw Chewbacca! I’ve always wanted a photo with the coolest Wookie in the galaxy. Luckily this Chewbacca was visiting from the Oregon branch of the 501st. A big win on my geek checklist!
Chewie Rules! at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
Terry and Rachel Dodson (X-Men, Defenders) Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy) Chris Burnham (Batman Inc) Brian Wood (X-Men, Northlanders) Matt Whitlock and Shane Houghton (Peanuts) Joe Eisma (Morning Glories) were the creators on my quest for autographs and exclusive prints.
A big thank you to DC Comics who gave away so many free issues, posters, buttons and swag. Once again, I had great timing with Dustin Nguyen (Batman, Batman Beyond) offering free sketches for a brief time. I had Chris Burnham sketch Batgirl the day before so I kept it in the Bat family. I was thrilled with Nguyen’s sketch of the Huntress.
Iron Fist raises his hands for a question at a panel at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
Marvel definitely offered their fans access to top talent: Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Rick Remender, Dan Slott were among the writers answering fan questions and giving teases about the future of Avengers, X-Men and Spider-Man in multiple panels.
Marvel favorites at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
Saturday is always the busiest day with a variety of panels and the most cosplay since the big costume competition is that night. From popular choices like Avengers, Batman, Superman to rare surprises like Dazzler (from the disco era) and the worlds of Star Wars, Trek, and Firefly. Saturday was a star packed, panel filled and costumed crazy day at Emerald City Comicon. The fun doesn’t slow on Sunday with more photo ops, signings and more.
Stay tuned for most posts including a gallery of costumed craziness!
Colossus and Kitty Pryde together again at Emerald City Comicon, ComicsBlend.com
Colossus and Kitty Pryde are my favorite mutant couple so I was charmed and impressed by this couple at Emerald City Comicon. During the Marvel: Pint O’ C.B. Panel, the costumed X-fans approached the microphone to ask the panel about Marvel’s most on again and off again mutant couple. The young man asked with a Russian accent, “vat’s going to happen wiv Peterrrr and Kitty?”
Writer Matt Fraction responded, “You are going to love Avengers Vs. X-Men #5.”
Moderator and Marvel Talent Scout/Editor C.B. Cebulski asked, “Hey Kitty, have you told Colossus about Iceman?” which triggered laughs from the panel and audience.
Colossus and Kitty question the Marvel panel at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com
Just in case you’re not caught up with the X-books, Kitty broke up with Peter after he assumed the power of the Juggernaut. Kitty moved back east with Wolverine to reopen the Jean Grey School in Wolverine and the X-Men. Iceman recently made a move and planted a big frosty kiss on Kitty.
