COMICS BLEND

STAR WARS Leia Speculation

A long time ago in a cinema far away I saw my first movie on the big screen. Star Wars is still firing my imagination all these years later. After my editorial on possibility of Harrison Ford reprising his role as Han Solo in Star Wars VII, I immediately started thinking of Leia. The Princess is currently kicking Imperial ass in a brand new Star Wars comic (set after A New Hope) by Brian Wood from Dark Horse Comics. Carrie Fisher (and Billy Dee Williams) will be appearing on my home planet of Seattle for Emerald City Comicon. I’ve got Leia on my mind.

I want Carrie Fisher in the next Star Wars too. After Return of the Jedi I think the Princess married Han and had kids (hopefully twins – hint Hollywood – Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn!) It wasn’t a happily ever after for Leia and Han. I can see Leia having a critical role in creating the New Republic while exploring her emerging Jedi powers. Han would slide back into his scoundrel ways. The kid in me wants the happy ending but the adult in me is excited about the great story potential of a bitter Han and Leia reuniting after a bitter breakup for ths sake of their kids and to save the galaxy one last time. Ford and Fisher had the best chemistry and this is the kind of story that could bring back the love/hate the actors radiated so perfectly in The Empire Strikes Back.

As for a spinoff or flashback? My vote is for Lizzy Caplan as a young Leia but I really want to see Carrie Fisher be a tough space mom to the next generation of heroes, blast lasers, match wits with Ford and unleash some Jedi power in the future that is Star Wars.

By Editor

Why Justice League of America?

JLA-561 — Justice League of America #1 courtesy DC Comics

A brand new Justice League of America series by Geoff Johns (Justice League, Green Lantern) and David Finch (Batman: The Dark Knight) hits comic book shops this week!

Former Justice League liasion and Wonder Woman main squeeze Steve Trevor has recruited an eclectic team of heroes to fight the Secret Society of Super Villains. The roster includes classic heroes, rogues, New 52 creations like Simon Baz, Justice Society icons and a blast from the past maybe no one was expecting!

How did Martian Manhunter, Catwoman, Hawkman, Green Arrow, Stargirl, Vibe, Katana and the new Green Lantern come together? Geoff Johns told MTV Geek :

“The idea of why the JLA forms, and what it is, and what it’s in reaction to… It kind of spins out of Justice League #12; what happens in that, and then subsequent issues, because JLA comes out next year some time. But the book itself is a group of heroes that aren’t necessarily coming together because they want to be together… They’ve been selected specifically. They all want, or need something that Steve Trevor, and the other person behind the scenes that’s in charge of this team can provide.

The first arc is going to deal with something they learn is called The Secret Society of Super-Villains.”

Why is Batman’s femme fatale on the team?

“Catwoman is a very different perspective, and is brought in for a very different reason. She stays because they have something that she wants… And it’s not at all what you’d expect. It’s not a big diamond, it’s not a get out of jail free card, it’s something she’s been searching for that’s going to lead to a whole exploration of a side of Selina Kyle we haven’t yet seen.

But she is going to have a lot of fun on the team, she is going to be the Veronica to Stargirl’s Betty, if you will, and she has a new dynamic because we haven’t really seen her interact much with all these characters. Some of them not at all, like Vibe, and Stargirl… There’s not a lot of interaction between her and Martian Manhunter, and I don’t think she’s ever interacted with Steve Trevor that I can remember. Catwoman has a very different reason for being on the team.”

And then let’s talk about the surprise addition of Vibe – the Hispanic super hero from the Justice League Detroit era who hasn’t been heard from since that era! Not only will the sonic powered hero be part of the team but have his own spinoff series: Justice League of America: Vibe premiering the same week!

For more from Geoff Johns here’s the MTV Geek link.

Justice League of America arrives this week.

By Editor

STAR WARS Han Solo Speculation

Star Wars Free Comic Book Day 2012 Cover courtesy Dark Horse Comics

A long time ago in a cinema far far away…

Star Wars was the first movie I ever saw on the big screen in a theater. I was so young (Tusken Raiders freaked me out!) and I don’t think my parents understood everything going on in the movie but I fell in love with sci-fi, heroes, aliens and starships. Every time there are rumblings or confirmed reports of remasterings, prequels, sequels or spinoffs I sense a disturbance in The Force. I feel excitement and trepidation but I never stop believing. For me the characters will endure just like young Anakin and Aksoka will for a younger generation. I’ve been reluctant to report on the rumors and join in the casting calls and calls for or against spinoffs but like the dark side it’s just so tempting!

I felt compelled to share by thoughts on Han Solo, then now and forever:

Star Wars Sequel: I’m thrilled with the (rumors) that Harrison Ford may reprise his role as Han Solo in Star Wars Episode VII. I think Han probably married Leia, tried to be a good husband, father and leader in the New Republic but always yearned for freedom and adventure. I think Han tried but failed Continue reading STAR WARS Han Solo Speculation

UNCANNY X-MEN #3 Preview!

Have you recovered from the shocker at the end of Uncanny X-Men #1? Marvel isn’t letting up and delivered these spectacular pages from Uncanny X-Men #3! Chris Bachalo’s mutant power must be his uncanny ability to make X-Men look absolutely bad-ass!

Bachalo co-created some of the Generation X kids, the darker X-Men of the Age of Apocalypse, the “rogue” squad of X-Men led by Rogue during Mike Carey’s run and helped launch Wolverine and the X-Men with Jason Aaron.

Uncanny X-Men #3 focuses on Magneto and the corruption of his powers. Can Erik prove he’s still the Master of Magnetism when it counts? Magneto led the Age of Apocalypse version of the X-Men (drawn by Bachalo) and the artist evolves Erik’s look again.

I really love the image of Emma Frost looking like an Avon Lady from Hell! Cyke, Erik, Emma and Magik continue Continue reading UNCANNY X-MEN #3 Preview!

BATMAN and Dead Robin? Updated!

Batman Incorporated #1 by Chris Burnham courtesy DC Comics

Batman fans are buzzing over the potential death of a major character in the Batman family. In this previous post I speculated that Damian could be marked for (editorial) death after a sneak peek at DC’s May solicitations!

It doesn’t look good for the latest Boy Wonder after what is supposedly the cover to Batman Incorporated #8 revealed via Twitter but who knows?

I’m choosing not to reveal the images but if you are clamoring for it I’d like to recommend this Comic Book Resources link if you want to see it. That issue hits comic book shops March 26th.

In the balancing act of blogger and hard core comic book fan I want to share news and teasers while not blatantly giving away stories.

I still want to be surprised when I read comic books! I avoided the internet on Wednesday until I could read Batman #17 and Uncanny X-Men #1. I chose not to reveal the major spoilers in Amazing Spider-Man #700.

In the Batman family characters are always a target for death and resurrection (just ask Jason Todd!) so fans, writers, blogs will always be speculating on how a story will end.

Speculation is fun, spoilers are not!

So here’s my updated post on what could be a new Death in the Family:

The last chapter of this week’s Death of the Family revealed the Joker’s final shocker! While Batman Inc is not directly tied to Death of the Family could the death we’ve been expecting be due to Bruce and Talia’s blood feud and not the Joker’s maniacal manipulations?

Here’s what we know Continue reading BATMAN and Dead Robin? Updated!

SKYFALL Director Will Return?

At the end of 007 movies the final line is “…James Bond will return.”

Will Skyfall director Sam Mendes return for duty on Bond 24?

Here’s the mission briefing:

John Logan (who wrote the Skyfall script with Robert Wade and Neal Purvis) is writing the script for the next film. Early reports were that Continue reading SKYFALL Director Will Return?

UNCANNY X-MEN Burning Questions Updated!

Uncanny X-Men #1 is out and we know the identity of the X-traitor (no spoilers here) so I thought it was a good time to revisit my burning questions!

Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo launched Cyclops’s revolution in a brand new Uncanny X-Men. It’s not quite the Avenging X-Men concept I predicted but this is Xavier’s dream with a darker edge.

Scott and Emma are paying a price for their actions in Avengers vs. X-Men.

New mutants are emerging around the globe. Three have been recruited by Scott.

Scott has established the Charles Xavier School inside the old Weapon X facility.

There’s so much intrigue and promise ahead! Here are some burning questions about Continue reading UNCANNY X-MEN Burning Questions Updated!

BATMAN After Death of the Family Preview!

Batman fans are recovering from the finale of Death of the Family and now DC Comics is offering a look inside Batman #18.

Bruce survived the Joker’s macabre mind games but will he lose his humanity in this issue by Scott Snyder and guest artist Andy Kubert. Can the return of fan-favorite Harper Row bring him back from the edge of losing it?

By Editor

Escape. Engage. Enjoy.