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Top 5 Comics Week of November 16

Generation Hope #13

Generation Hope 13 cover from Marvel.com. Art by Ibraim Roberson

Hope leads her team of young mutants to find a new recruit in China. They find Sebastian Shaw. Is one of the X-Men’s greatest villains redeemable? As I posted earlier, the youngest X-team loses a member and gets a new creative team. New writer James Asmus delivered excellent one shots in the X-Men: Manifest Destiny collection. His Nightcrawler story is a must for all fans of the fuzzy elf!

Avengers #19

Norman Osborn is back with his Dark Avengers and H.A.M.M.E.R. Captain America is ready for him – in this issue see the new Avengers line-up in action! Here’s a quick recap: Osborn fooled the world by claiming his criminal past was over and only he could protect humanity. The ex-Green Goblin was handed the keys to the Avengers HQ and S.H.I.E.L.D. which he renamed H.A.M.M.E.R. Think that’s insane? Osborn assembled vicious criminals to pose as his own Avengers. But Osborn’s Dark Reign led to the Siege of Asgard and Osborn’s downfall…until now. You just can’t keep a psychotic criminal mastermind down.

New Mutants #34

Blink is back? You could call her the James Dean of X-Men. During the search for Generation X, Claire made only a few appearances before dying young and that made her a legend.  Blink was recently resurrected by the vampiric mutant Selene in the Necrosha epic. Now the teleporting mutant is being spotted at random disasters around the world. Is Blink back as a villain? The New Mutants continue their ongoing mission to tie up loose ends and finding the long lost teleporter in the next arc.  

Batman # 3

The new Batman series uncovers the twisted history of Gotham City and how the Wayne family is intertwined. A series of brutal murders is leading to Batman’s closest ally. Bruce Wayne’s death is predicted. The Court of Owls is the creepy force behind it all. We’ve seen the Owl assassins. In this issue, the Court is revealed.

Justice League #3 

 DC’s biggest heroes are meeting for the first time in Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s reboot. A demonic army invades STAR labs. Wonder Woman is unleashed. Batman, Green Lantern and Superman have already clashed. What happens when the Amazon warrior crashes the party?

Justice League #3 from DC Comics. Cover by Jim Lee

 

 

X Marks Northstar

 

Northstar to the rescue. Courtesy Marvel.com

Northstar belongs in the X-Men now. Seeing Jean Paul reunited with this sister and the rest of Alpha Flight was enjoyable. Now that the title is cancelled, it’s time for Jean Paul to rejoin the X-Men but which team?

While Alpha Flight was on duty, the X-Men were choosing sides between Cyclops and Wolverine.  Both mutant leaders would benefit from having a mutant with multiple powers on one of their squads. Northstar has superhuman speed, durability, can fly and manipulate light. Jean Paul was the first openly gay superhero character. The X-Men have always been a metaphor for minorities, anti-discrimination and acceptance of others who may be different. Northstar is a hero and a positive role model as a confident gay man.

Cyclops could have many different roles for Northstar on his Utopia based team. Given Jean Paul’s speedster powers, he would be perfect for tactical and recon on the Extinction Team or Security Team. When the X-Men first relocated to San Francisco, Northstar proved himself during battles like Secret Invasion and the rescue of Illyana from Limbo.

Logan should welcome Jean Paul to his senior staff at Westchester. Northstar was recruited by Professor X to teach business, economics, French and flying.  Jean Paul’s experience as an Olympic skier and entrepreneur make him a perfect academic instructor. He could be a flying and physical education instructor too. Jean Paul could continue to be a mentor to the younger mutants, especially young gay teens like Anole and Graymalkin.

It would be stereotypical to assume a gay hero would automatically want to be based in a gay mecca like San Francisco. I would love to see Jean Paul and Emma have a night away from Utopia delivering icy barbs and enjoying the finer things in life. The White Queen and the icy Prince out on the town would be fun, clever and expected. I will give Marvel credit. Jean Paul could have been portrayed in various gay clichés over the years.

I hope Marvel will move Northstar to Logan’s team. Jean Paul would be a great fit as a mentor and role model for all the students at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning and for all the scared young kids out there in the real world to see that it gets better – even in comic books.

By Editor

Don’t Mess with The Watcher

Point One #1 from Marvel.com

Marvel Point One lets you peer inside the mind of the Watcher! I assume the Watcher in the just released issue is Uatu. This Watcher has been observing us from the moon for decades and appeared in adventures of the Fantastic Four and X-Men. As I watched the mystery men invade the Watcher’s sanctum I couldn’t help but remember Uncanny X-Men #137 when Wolverine met his match in a brief but funny encounter with Uatu. For more of the Watcher’s encounters in the Marvel Universe visit Marvel.com.

Top Picks for November 9, 2011

Top 5 Comics This Week – November 9, 2011

Point One #1 from Marvel.com

Point One #1

This is a perfect time to jump into the Marvel Universe. These are seven brand new stories from the fan favorite writers and artists. This collection sets the stage for all the big storylines and changes coming in 2012. From the cover, it appears the original Doctor Strange is back with a new style but is he the Sorcerer Supreme again?

Battle Scars #1

In the wake of “Fear Itself’ heroes and villains are after Army Ranger Marcus Jones. Why does this man have to power to turn the Marvel Universe upside down?

Fear Itself 7.2 Thor  

During “Fear Itself” Tony Stark challenged Odin to save Earth. Did Iron Man make a deal with the devil by using the power of the King of Gods? Fear Itself 7.1 delivered an emotional shocking twist.  Will this issue expose another dark secret?

Magneto: Not a Hero #1

Magneto returned from space pledging his allegiance to Cyclops and wanting to make amends. Eric has demonstrated over and over why he deserves to be an X-Man. New evidence shows the Master of Magnetism back to his extremist ways. Skottie Young and Clay Mann (who met fans at Emerald City Comicon 2011) create a new four part series about the X-Men’s greatest enemy.

Batgirl #3

This is one of my favorite titles in DC’s New 52. Barbara Gordon as Batgirl crosses paths with Nightwing. Will romantic sparks or fists fly? The Mirror raises the stakes in his war on Gotham. Gail Simone has created a fierce heroine, spooky villain in an exciting ride through Gotham’s dark side.

And one more! Earlier this week I previewed the return of Joe Madureira in Avenging Spider Man out this week!

 

Phoenix Rising?

X-Men Origins: Jean Grey courtesy Marvel
X-Men Origins: Jean Grey courtesy Marvel

I love you Jean Grey. I hope you stay dead. Two X-Men books arrived this week with perhaps two different signs. Uncanny X-Men #1 featured an image of the Phoenix and Hope in a preview double spread titled Things to Come. Since before Hope’s birth, the clues have been dropping of a possible return. This week’s image was the latest in the line of hints that the Phoenix Force could be rising again.

In Wolverine and the X-Men #1 Logan rebuilds the Westchester school in Jean’s honor. The Jean Grey School for Higher Learning is the new academy for young mutants. This is a fitting tribute to one of Xavier’s most gifted and most tragic students. I hope it’s a sign that Jean will continue to rest in peace.

Jean has been killed and resurrected too many times. Scott and Logan have both moved on. A reunion with the Phoenix Force can only end in destruction again. During Here Comes Tomorrow Jean demonstrated her ability to put Scott, Logan and all humanity first. Jean is the greatest heroine not only because of her tremendous power but of her heart.

By Editor

 

Top 5 Picks for the Week of November 2, 2011

Uncanny X-Men #1

Uncanny X-Men #1 variant cover by Dale Keown from Marvel.com

It’s tough to be Scott Summers. The leader of the X-Men has endured more than his share of defeats and deaths. Some of his oldest friends have left him after the Schism conflict. His dream of united nation of mutants on Utopia is over.

With Regenesis, Cyclops rallies his troops and soldiers on but will the new team be ready for a newly resurrected Mister Sinister? Carlos Pacheco joins Kieron Gillen on this restart. It’s not Xavier’s dream anymore, it’s all Scott.

 

Fear Itself #7.1 Captain America

It was the biggest heartbreak of the “Fear Itself” epic. This issue is a chance to say goodbye. Ed Brubaker delivers a eulogy to this fallen soldier.

 

X-Men #20

Cyclops’ field team (Storm, Psylocke, Warpath, Domino, and Jubilee) debuts as part of Regenesis. What’s the threat that takes them abroad and into a clash with War Machine?

 

Fear Itself: The Fearless #2

Valkyrie is a longtime favorite of mine and I’m excited to see her on the front burner. The Norse warrior woman was an absolute smash in issue one by defying the Avengers and going rogue to capture the mystical hammers brought to Earth by the Serpent. Valkyrie, Sin and Crossbones continue their race to collect the evil artifacts and a zombie army attacks.

The 100 Sexiest Women in Comics

Comic Buyer’s Guide presents a new special collecting the hottest females in comics. Red Sonja is on the cover. I’m hoping to see Black Widow, Storm, Rogue, Emma Frost, and Psylocke in the top ten.

Wolverine and Kitty’s New School

Wolverine and the X-Men #1 by Chris Bachalo courtesy of Marvel.com

Wolverine and the X-Men #1

I’m launching my blog as a brand new era for the X-Men begins. I’m excited to see where Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo take this team of teachers and students. I was expecting violent action but here are the top surprises from a fun filled first issue:

1. Logan suits up.  Sporting a jacket and tie, Logan is sweating out bureaucrats inspecting the new school as everything that could go wrong – does.

2. Wolverine and Kitty’s new dynamic. Apologies to Jubilee and Armor fans but my favorite Wolverine sidekick will always be Kitty. Now the two are co-headmasters. The scared teen who was once spooked by Wolverine is now his equal trying to keep their new school open and facing some unlikely enemies.

3. A Brood without bite is one of the new students. His appearance was brief but hilarious. This nerdy mutant Brood could be the next Doctor Nemesis.

4. Not your father’s X-Mansion. Beast has built a strange hybrid of old school and high tech moon colony. The new school reminds me of Cable, a Frankenstein like mix of organic and heavy metal. There’s still a danger room but with a twist – watch out for the bathroom!

Visit this section on Marvel.com to learn about more big changes as part of the Regenesis event!

By Editor

Kitty’s Nightmare Before Christmas!

 

Uncanny X-Men 143 cover from Marvel.com. An uninvited guest at Xavier’s!

Uncanny X-Men #143 is a classic confrontation that’s perfect for Halloween. This issue titled “Demon” is one of the most my favorite comic book chillers.  It’s a true nightmare before Christmas as a rookie X-man is alone in the mansion being stalked by a N’Garai, a nasty hybrid of Alien and Michael Myers.

The youngest X-Man terrorized by a relentless demon then learns the painful way that her mutant phasing power will not save her from the otherworldly predator. Just like the cinema horror heroines, Kitty uses the adrenaline and thinks on her feet to find way to kill the monster. I’m not giving anything anyway obviously because we know Kitty is alive and well – until the next villain goes after her.

You should give this one issue thrill ride a go to see how Kitty survives.  If you can’t find this single issue, this story is collected in Essential X-Men Volume 2, which includes another creepy one issue story with Cyclops facing the demon, D’Spayre, and features a guest appearance by Man-Thing.

This creepy cover image above features the art of John Byrne and Terry Austin. Check out Marvel.com for more of the X-Men’s clashes with these demons.