COMICS BLEND

AGE OF ULTRON Finale & Beyond

Age of Ultron #10 arrives this week! Brian Michael Bendis will be joined by an all-star team of artists (Bryan Hitch, Butch Guice, Carlos Pacheco, Alex Maleev, Brandon Peterson, David Marquez and Joe Quesada.)

“Everybody in the book is drawing sequences that are tailored for them.” said Marvel Executive Editor Tom Brevoort earlier this year.

The finale marks the return of Neil Gaiman to Marvel and introduction Angela (from the Image book Spawn) to the Marvel Universe in Age of Ultron #10. Angela’s Marvel story will continue into Guardians of the Galaxy #5, co-written by Bendis and Gaiman.

The Age of Ultron really began Hank Pym creating the artificial intelligence and the founding Avenger will be central to the immediate future of the Marvel Universe.

“The aftermath focuses heavily on Hank Pym,” said Brevoort, “He goes through a fairly transformative experience… given that he’s dead. Age of Ultron #10 AI is a deep dive into the history of Hank Pym.”

As a founding Avenger Pym has had a major influence on the Marvel Universe and generations of fans and writers.

“I had a full run of Tales To Astonish. Pym was my guy,” said Rick Remender, “At the retreats, there’s no shortage of Pym ideas. There’s a lot of love for the guy.”

Hank will headline Continue reading AGE OF ULTRON Finale & Beyond

MAN OF STEEL – Modern Superman

Bringing a superhero like Superman into today’s world before today’s audience is a huge challenge so I commend the men and women behind MAN OF STEEL for taking this on. There are moments in the film I absolutely loved. It some ways it worked beautifully – in some ways I could only think, “That’s…not Superman.”

It’s appropriate that MAN OF STEEL arrived on Father’s Day Weekend. Scenes with Kal-El/Clark’s parents were my favorite parts of the film. The casting and performances of Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are perfection. Kal’s search for his identity was moving and wonderfully played by Henry Cavill. I’m not ashamed to say I had tears in the scenes with young Clark and his Smallville parents. Russell Crowe was an inspiration. Jor-El was not just a visionary scientist but a man of action and compassion.

MAN OF STEEL succeeds as a realistic, darker take Continue reading MAN OF STEEL – Modern Superman

DOOMSDAY Returns!

On the same day Superman is reborn on the big screen in The Man of Steel – DC Comics shares an image sure to send a chill down the spines of Superman fans!

Editor Bob Harras teased the return of the villain that once killed Superman:

“You already know that this September, one of the Villains starring in his own special one-shot will be the infamous Doomsday. But who Continue reading DOOMSDAY Returns!

Superhero Seamstress for Sick Kids

Families with sick children can feel helpless but one seamstress is coming to the rescue with capes to celebrate the fighting spirit in those kids! It’s appropriate that a woman named Robyn is making a difference for kids in the hospital and their families. Wonder Woman Reporter Elisa Jaffe of KOMO 4 News shares the story that demonstrates the power of superheroes and of giving to others.

If you want to make a contribution to Robyn’s efforts click here. To see more pictures of Robyn and her tiny superheroes click here.

By Editor

Superman vs. H.I.V.E. Queen

Superman fights Zod in Man of Steel but a different kind of threat is coming to the pages of Superman!

Here’s a preview from DC Comics Editor Bob Harras:

“Psi War is coming. But the pieces building this puzzle have remained somewhat mysterious. Until now.

The Man of Steel has faced many grave threats in his past – but the H.I.V.E. Queen is unlike any foe he’s crossed paths with thus far. An elusive ruler with an insatiable thirst for power, the H.I.V.E. Queen has found a way to control her drones to become completely subservient to her every command. But what is she after? And how will Superman be able to fight off her army if it continues to increase at such an exponential rate?”

Watch for the femme fatale’s New 52 debut in upcoming issues of Superman!

By Editor

Celebrate MAN OF STEEL with these SUPERMAN Favorites!

Man of Steel is here! What a great week with the debut of Superman Unchained and now a spectacular new film!

The final Man of Steel trailer inspired this list of some favorite Superman stories by some of the most celebrated comic book creators to get your ready for Superman’s big screen comeback:

All-Star Superman The Man of Steel is stricken with a fatal disease and prepares for his final days and a final confrontation with Lex Luthor. The entire Superman mythos, supporting characters and enemies in a powerful 12-part series by incomparable creative team of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Superman was never portrayed so powerful, so vulnerable, so human! Go for the All-New Superman Omnibus for the complete experience.

Superman: Action Comics Volume 1: Superman and the Men of Steel Grant Morrison (with artists Rags Morales and Andy Kubert) launched an exciting new beginning for Kal-El with The New 52 relaunch. Why did this Superman wear jeans? It was just part of the bold new take on the hero and the world’s first encounter with this younger Superman. In Volume 2: Bulletproof Clark Kent dies? Why the hero ditches his alter ego and faces a new enemy!

Superman: Last Son of Krypton by the superstar team of Geoff Johns, director Richard Donner and artist Adam Kubert! A rocket lands on Earth with a boy Superman believes Continue reading Celebrate MAN OF STEEL with these SUPERMAN Favorites!

The First HARBINGER WAR Exposed!

Here’s a sneak peek at the next big chapter of Valiant’s summer showdown!

As the Harbinger Wars head toward the big climax, the moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived – Peter Stanchek and the Renegades versus Bloodshot!

Las Vegas is under siege, and the inexperienced superteam is that stand between Bloodshot and his mission. But as the Renegades battle Continue reading The First HARBINGER WAR Exposed!

And the X-Men Next Maggott Award Goes To…

Creating new mutants is hard. For every Gambit…there’s a Maggott.

Yes, there was (briefly) an X-Man named Maggott. Strange but true – and one of the oddest creations in mutant history may have a successor as the world’s strangest mutant with the oddest power!

Back to Maggott in case you missed his story:

Japheth was a South African mutant with abilities based in his digestive system. Maggott had two slugs (Eany and Meany) inside him that once released outside the body could “eat” any solid matter and transfer the energy back to Japheth. Maggott also possessed psychometric powers. This cover of his first appearance was Maggott at his full power – he was actually very frail looking and he had a heartbreaking origin. Japheth really didn’t last long with the X-Men and was later killed in the Weapon X program.

Since the rebirth of the mutant gene and emergence of new mutants in the aftermath of AvX – Jason Aaron and Nick Lowe have been creating some “interesting” new children of the atom – in I would call in the tradition of the deceased Maggott – RIP.

And the winner of the next Maggott goes to… Continue reading And the X-Men Next Maggott Award Goes To…

Escape. Engage. Enjoy.