COMICS BLEND

Marvel Comics Most Anticipated 2013

Marvel Now continues with more new relaunches and brand new series in 2013 but this year will mark the return of the Avengers’ greatest enemy!

Age of Ultron! No planning. No build up. The robotic menace hase already won on page one of Age of Ultron. The long-awaited epic series reunites Brian Michael Bendis and Bryan Hitch.

Young Avengers! Kid Loki gets a new group of young heroes together to kill Wiccan? The Scarlet Witch’s son and his boyfriend Hulkling and Kate Bishop are joined by new recruits Miss America and Noh-Varr. Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie (Phonogram) are the new creative team on the new Young Avengers coming January 23.

Marvel Goes Cosmic and Gets Spacey! Brian Michael Bendis and Steve McNiven relaunch Guardians of the Galaxy with new member Iron Man. Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness blast a brand new Nova series with a new young hero under the helmet.

Fearless Defenders! Cullen Bunn assembles Marvel’s finest female heroes in a brand new series starring Valkyrie, Misty Knight and Dani Moonstar! I’m hoping he’ll bring back Hellcat for a reunion with Val!

X-Termination! Mutants from multiple dimensions clash in the crossover between X-Treme X-Men, Astonishing X-Men and Age of Apocalypse in March.

Superior Spider-Man! Apologies to hardcore Peter Parker fans but imagine how much fun this could be? Feel the ick when Doc Ock kisses MJ! Root for Otto to get busted or is it possible you could end up rooting for this new “hero” in the suit?

Uncanny X-Men! Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo relaunch the flagship X-book starring Cyclops, Emma Frost, Magneto and Magik after the finale of the first arc of All-New X-Men starring the original X-Men.

By Editor

Here are my most anticipated 2013 DC Comics books and events.

Flashback to the Future With Flash Gordon

Experience Science Fiction icon Flash Gordon in his pure pulp fantasy glory in Flash Gordon: The Tyrant of Mongo. This second Flash Gordon volume from Titan Books collects Alex Raymond Sunday strips from 1937-1941 and restored from the original tearsheets.

You may know the story from the movie (thank you Seth McFarlane for Sam Jones’s comeback in Ted) or the 1980’s cartoon. Flash and Dale Arden join Dr. Hans Zarkov on an adventure into space. The trio land on Mongo ruled by Ming the Merciless. Ming wants Dale. Ming’s daughter wants Flash. The lovers are on the run through the planet’s warring kingdoms of Lion Men and Hawk Men. As we learn in this volume Mongo’s menagerie of monsters include horned Ape Men, Tusk Men and bizarre ostriches that reminded me of Tauntauns from Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. This adventures begins with Flash and Dale in the forest kingdom of Barin.

Turning the pages of his volume is turning back to classic serial storytelling with dramatic cliffhangers. The art is spectacular as we venture into strange new kingdoms of Mongo. Alex Raymond was a visionary and you can feel his influence on current sci-fi creators. You can feel the reverence for Raymond in how collection was lovingly produced.

Here’s a link to the first volume: Flash Gordon On the Planet Mongo.

By Editor

All-New X-MEN #5 Review

Everything old is All-New after the first X-Men arc of Brian Michael Bendis. In this week’s All-New X-Men #5 an original X-Man gets a makeover and two X-Women take charge.

Professor X was murdered by Cyclops. Scott, Magneto, Emma and Magik are recruiting new mutants for a revolution. A dying Beast went into the past to bring the original Scott, Jean, Warren, Bobby and Hank into the Marvel Now. Hank’s dream of inspiring Cyclops takes a dramatic twist in this chapter. In the finale of the first arc Beast is reborn, Jean Grey learns entire truth about her future history and Kitty Pryde takes on a new role with Xavier’s original teenage dream.

Bendis delivers drama, action, intrigue and humor but the most important element is heart. A psychic exchange between newly telepathic Jean and the older Beast shows the sense of love and loss these characters are feeling. The storytelling has inspired great moments of nostalgia while still moving the Children of the Atom forward. There’s just a sense of the writer’s love and awe of these classic characters, their history and their relationships. I think I was in a psychic rapport with Bendis and Stuart Immomen as I read this arc!

In these first five chapters Bendis has established the new mutant order with new leaders, new agendas, new mutants, new powers and the potential for exciting new directions. X-Men really is All-New.

By Editor

Comicon for Virgins 2013

ECCC — Emerald City Comicon Exclusive by Alex Ross courtesy Emerald City Comicon

This is the year! You know you want to go. You cheered in The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises. You may have said “say what?” when the picture of Superman smooching Wonder Woman hit mainstream news sites.

Geek has gone global! Nerd is no longer niche. There’s no better geek experience than a comic book convention! Make 2013 the year you attend one!

In just two months the city I call home will host my favorite 3 days of the year! This March Emerald City Comicon will bring Sir Patrick Stewart, Billy Dee Williams, Carrie Fisher, Adam West, Burt Ward, stars of The Walking Dead and a huge roster of comic book creators to Northwest fans.

If you’re a sci-fi or comic fan but have never gone to a con this post is for you. By special request here’s a guide to Comicons for Virgins!

1. Have fun. Bring cash. You never know when you will find an awesome back issue or amazing print!

2. Do a little homework to maximize your con time. I have a wish list of stars and creators I hope to meet and panels I want to attend.

3. You know what they say about best laid plans! If you miss something don’t worry, there’s always something cool around the corner.

4. When it comes to autographs from writers/artists. Know when they have panels booked so you’re not waiting in line and then they have to leave for a panel. Autographs/photos from media guests (TV and movie stars) are on a schedule and do have fees.

5. I take only a max of 4-6 books to be signed by a writer/artist. Respect the other fans waiting just like you. Don’t drop dozens of books to be signed. You can buy books new at their table usually. This is your chance to talk with the creators. If you’re going to be critical, be constructive and respectful. If the writer killed off your favorite character, don’t worry, they’ll be resurrected eventually. This is your moment with the creator but remember your fellow fans are patiently waiting for their moments too.

6. Sketches. Most artists charge a fee – it’s worth it! Ask the guys ahead of you what they’re charging. Sometimes you might catch an artist in a mood and sketches are free but most have a fee – many have already been commissioned. Even if they’re drawing they will still autograph your books. Be patient.

ECCC 2012 Day 2 046 — Claremont/Byrne era Phoenix & Nightcrawler at ECCC, ComicsBlend.com

7. Let your geek flag fly! Don’t be self-conscious. If you want to go all out with a costume – go for it or just wear a cool t-shirt celebrating your favorite comic, sci-fi or fantasy thing. This is your chance at a second Halloween so go for it!

8. Panels – If it’s a big name star or show the expect a huge crowd so get there early.

9. Expand your horizons! This is a great time to discover a new artist, book, writer. If you’re just a superhero comic fan – why not try a crime, western or indie series.

10. Have fun! Bring cash! Be Patient!

Hope to see some of you at Emerald City Comicon March 1-3, 2013. Keep checknig out this site for updates and coverage.

By Editor

X-Man Makeover in All-New X-Men

Spoiler Alert:

Do NOT read this post until you’ve read All-New X-Men #5

Seriously.

Here it comes.

OK.

All-New X-Men #1 opened with Beast dying from his mutating mutation. In this week’s All-New X-Men #5 Henry McCoy survives (thanks to help from the young McCoy) and emerges with a new look. The Ape looking beast is back but without haircut that looks like Wolverine or the Owl. Stuart Immonen designed the new look.

This is a big shift from the feline Beast that debuted in the Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely New X-Men era. X-Men Editor Nick Lowe talked about Hank’s transformation with Comics Newsarama.

“I’m a big Beast fan, period. I do love the Cat Beast look, as not only do I think that he looks more like a “beast” in that look rather than the classic Gil Kane/George Perez/etc… rendition but I pretty much love every line Frank Quitely has put on paper, so…

Anyway, we would often get in big disagreements (by we, I mean me and most of the room) at editorial retreats about Cat Beast vs. Ape Beast. Also, the old design doesn’t look like an ape! Anyway, my resistance was against reverting to the older version because I thought that the more beastly looking works better for the actual character. But since this is a new, still beastly design and not just a furry guy with big hair, I was all in! But my passion on the subject does open me up to lots of ridicule. But that’s OK, I’m the youngest of three in my family so I’m used to that.”

For the entire interview here’s the link.

Now that Henry is NOT dying can we expect a return of the happier, bouncing Beast? Maybe a reunion with Trish Trilby? Hank and the reporter split after his change into the Cat Beast.

I’m really showing my age here but since the Ape Beast is back – how about a limited series with Wonder Man? That would take me back to the classic George Perez days!

What do you think of the new Beast?

By Editor

BATMAN Writer at Emerald City Comicon!

2 months and counting until Emerald City Comicon in Seattle! New comic creator guests were announced today including Scott Snyder (writer of Batman, Talon, American Vampire, Swamp Thing.) Meeting Batman artist Greg Capullo was a huge highlight of the 2012 event!

Along with a huge list of comic book pros fans can meet Sir Patrick Stewart, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Gillian Anderson, Adam West, Burt Ward and many more.

Emerald City Comicon is March 1-3, 2013 in Seattle.

By Editor

Mike Carey Teases Superhero Comic

X-Men Legacy #260 cover courtesy Marvel Comics

Mike Carey teased a new superhero comic for 2013! Carey concluded a six-year run on X-Men Legacy in 2012. The new comic – still untitled – will be with a different publisher. Here’s what Carey told Robot 6.

“I’m writing another superhero book (the first since I left X-Men) for a publisher I’ve never worked with before. It’s continuity-free, high concept, and finite. And I’m really, really happy with how it’s coming along. The announcement is a while away yet, so I can’t really say any more than that. But it plays off a situation where people are starting to be given superpowers for the first time, in a way that’s both unlikely and a little bit suspect. And it’s about a guy who chooses to go down this road, and what it means for him and his family. Which, to be blunt, is nothing good.”

Carey is writing Unwritten for Vertigo. Carey crafted my favorite depiction of Rogue since Chris Claremont. Which publisher do you think has the new Carey project?

By Editor

Black Panther Takes Control of New Avengers!

New Avengers #1 Black Panther — New Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

2013 begins with the assembling of Marvel’s biggest brains! Jonathan Hickman and Steve Epting create a new Illuminati to save the world! Some of Marvel’s most brilliant minds gather to prevent our universe’s collision with another universe in this week’s New Avengers #1. Black Panther will lead Mister Fantastic, Doctor Strange, Black Bolt, Iron Man, Beast and Namor against a swarm of invading parallel realities.

New Avengers #1 Black Panther2 — New Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

Marvel shared these images by Steve Epting from inside New Avengers #1 in which Wakanda becomes ground zero for the invasion.

New Avengers #1 Black Panther3 — New Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

Black Panther’s homeland is recovering from Namor’s invasion in Avengers vs. X-Men. T’Challa is coping with the end of his marriage to Storm and the destruction of his country.

T’Challa is a formidable warrior but a brilliant scientist too. Black Panther refused to join the original Illuminanti but this time he’s leading the secret cabal of Marvel’s biggest brains.

New Avengers #1 Black Panther4 — New Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

New Avengers #1 arrives January 2, 2013. I’m thrilled to see Black Panther back on the front burner in comics and hope this is a sign T’Challa may appear in a future Avengers movie.

By Editor

Escape. Engage. Enjoy.