Comic book pros Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie will be dealing with Amateurs in the Marvel Now. Marvel is teasing this new team’s book is coming out in January 2013 but what will it be?
Gillen is leaving Journey Into Mystery which starred Kid Loki but Lady Sif will take over the lead character when writer Kathryn Immonen takes over the book. There’s no word on a book starring the Young Avengers yet either.
courtesy Marvel
Gillen and McKelvie were the creative team on this Point One teaser showing Kid Loki getting smacked by Miss America Chavez from Joe Casey’s Vengeance series. This anthology comes out later this month.
Kang the Conqueror (as Iron Lad) played a critical role in the creation of the Young Avengers. It would be an interesting parallel to have Kid Loki be a factor in the rebirth of the team. I loved Gillen’s work on Generation Hope and would definitely enjoy his take on the younger generation of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Famke Janssen as Jean Grey/Phoenix in X-Men: The Last Stand courtesy 20th Century Fox
Famke Janssen holds a very special place in the heart of this devoted geek. The beautiful Dutch born actress beautifully played two roles in two genres that are very important to me. I’m thrilled to see her back on the big screen in Taken 2 out this week.
In Pierce Brosnan’s first 007 film Goldeneye, Janssen played my all time favorite James Bond villainess. Xenia Onnatop was a Russian femme fatale who could slink across a casino in an evening gown, pilot a military helicopter, get turned on while she’s killing and strangle a man with her thighs. Pure evil.
Janssen brought Jean Grey to life in X-Men, X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand. She was perfect as the good girl attracted to the bad boy and always holding her power and passion in check – until the final film.
Janssen reprises her role as Liam Neeson’s ex-wife in Taken 2 but will we see her as Jean Grey in a future X-Men role? Janssen talked about her directorial debut Bringing Up Bobby with MTV News and was asked about returning to the X-Men movies.
“One never knows,” she said coyly. “Jean Grey, the Phoenix … she finds a way to reincarnate herself constantly, so one never knows.”
“I have no idea,” she said. “Stay tuned.”
In the comic books – the original pre-Phoenix Jean Grey is returning to the Marvel Now in All-New X-Men.
The X-Men: First Class sequel is based in part onDays of Future Past. Patrick Stewart has hinted he may appear in that film. If the film follows the comic story Hugh Jackman could appear as a Wolverine of the future. I’d love to see Janssen and James Marsden return to erase the events of The Last Stand and restart the franchise. If all this talk is making you nostalgic let’s take a look at Famke as Dr. Jean Grey in the trailer for the first X-Men movie.
For giving us Jean and Xenia I will always love and welcome Famke Janssen on the big screen!
This Op/Ed followup should not be read unless you’ve read Avengers vs. X-Men #12.
Avengers vs. X-Men could be retitled Operation: Hate Cyclops. When AvX was first announced I was on fully on board with Cyclops and the mutants. I posted “Cyke Is Right!” on my blog and all over rallying my fellow X-Men fans. X-Men were my first comic book and I’ve always identified with them. Captain America and the Avengers were yanking away the one Hope the mutants had to save their species.
The architects of AvX turned the greatest hero and leader in comic books into an arrogant, power mad egomaniac. The Marvel masterminds even did the unthinkable – turn me against Scott! I’ve actually rooting for the Avengers. Cyke was right. Now I’m not so sure.
AvX is a dark and critical chapter in Scott’s life. The man Professor Xavier chose to lead the mutants has never had it easy. He’s been put in incredible scenarios against impossible odds and faced tragedy after tragedy. His fellow mutants have constantly been under attack and he’s been forced to make tough calls without a single Avenger coming to his aid. That’s what I love about him.
Scott Summers must always been in control. Holding back his optic blasts is a symbol of the life Scott has been forced to lead. Professor Xavier made him team leader. Cyke pushed himself to be a better leader while the other X-Men got to laugh and escape from training at Harry’s Hideaway. Scott is always living in the Danger Room.
Scott has lost Jean, Madelyne, Nathan. Cyke has held firm despite insults from Wolverine and wavering support from longtime friends. He’s a better X-Man than any mutant…including Logan.
Avengers vs. X-Men #11 courtesy Marvel.com
In AvX #11 the Phoenix possessed Cyclops and Emma Frost turn on each other because there can be only one. AvX appears to be the end of a powerhouse Marvel romance. Grant Morrison slowly separated Scott and Jean and paired Cyke with the reformed Emma Frost during his New X-Men run. Joss Whedon united Scott and Emma as the mutant power couple in his Astonishing X-Men epic. As much as I love Jean, Emma is the one true woman for Scott.
The Phoenix Force is now divided between Scott and Emma. Scott has been transformed into arrogant cosmic level zealot. The God-like power of the Phoenix Force has twisted Scott’s intense dedication to save his race. Emma’s behavior is now dangerously similar to the Dark Phoenix. The reformed White Queen has always kept her ruthless streak and it’s been necessary and easy for her to slip back into the role of a villain (Dark Reign & Dark X-Men Saga) to use it for the sake of saving the mutants.
I kept hoping Scott and Emma’s extreme and ruthless behavior was a result of having slivers of The Void (The Sentry’s evil alter ego) in their minds. It was these two mutants who sacrificed to trap the Void when the Avengers couldn’t stop him. I wanted some excuse so it would be easy to redeem Scott and Emma for their actions. Alas, I can blame the Phoenix Force but isn’t the entity just feeding off and empowering the emotions and motivations existing in my favorite Marvel power couple?
Avengers vs. X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel
Cyclops betrayed Emma and stole her Phoenix Power, killed Professor X, became Dark Phoenix and began burning the earth. In this week’s final chapter Hope and Scarlet Witch (with an assist from Jean Grey?) forced the Phoenix out of Scott. The leader of the X-Men now sits in prison as the most hated man in the Marvel Universe. Cyclops is taking all the blame even though he was right about Hope, The Phoenix and how to save the mutant race.
Every hero falls. Every fan loves redemption. I hope Scott and Emma survive AvX to rise to greatness again in the Marvel NOW.
The Wolverine solo book is ending this December but don’t bet on a Logan solo title being left out of the Marvel NOW reboot. Who will take over Wolverine? The teaser for Savage by Frank Cho supports the fan theory that Cho will steer Logan’s solo adventures in 2013.
Remember back when Wolverine starred in the Marvel Comics Presents book which gave us the classic Weapon X by Barry Windsor-Smith. Back in the day there was excellent one shots like The Jungle Adventure by Mike Mignola and Blood Lust by Alan Davis.
Logan is already starring in multiple X-Men and Avengers books in the Marvel Now so why not a Wolverine book with arcs in the past, present and future with rotating all-star creative teams?
Origin #6 courtesy Marvel
These ideas pop into my mind:
Paul Jenkins (Origin) with a tale of James Howlett in Alberta.
Mike Carey (X-Men Legacy) takes Logan to hell with Doctor Strange.
Jeff Parker (Hulk, Dark Avengers) with Logan as a mercenary in Wakanda
Paul Cornell (Excalibur) with a Logan on assignment with MI-13 and Spitfire in WWII.
John Byrne (Alpha Flight, Wolverine) crafting a long-lost Patch story in Madripoor.
Mike Mignola (Hellboy) returning to The Jungle Adventure one-shot of Logan versus Apocalypse in the Savage Land and the child he left behind.
Chris Claremont and Frank Miller returning the era of the Wolverine in Japan adventure in time for Hugh Jackman’s next film The Wolverine, based on that story.
I’m sure we’ll soon see plans for a new ongoing Wolverine solo book but a geek can dream of a more anthology book with the best of the best writing stories of Logan being the best there is!
Did Brian Michael Bendis insert a teaser for this upcoming All-New X-Men run in the first issue of Daredevil: End of Days?
Daredevil End of Days courtesy Marvel.com
Bendis and David Mack are telling the final story of The Man Without Fear set in the near future. Reporter Ben Urich is writing a tribute to Daredevil and is reflecting on superhero related events he’s covered including Avengers Disassembling, The House of M, The Civil War and Xavier’s Rebellion.
Bendis is taking over the X-Men franchise and bringing the original five students from the past and into the here and Marvel Now in All-New X-Men #1. Xavier is dead. The former Xavier School is now the Jean Grey School. So what is the Xavier’s Rebellion? A hint of storylines to comes in the upcoming Bendis X-Men era?
All New X-Men #1 courtesy Marvel
All-New X-Men #1 arrives in November by Bendis and Stuart Immonen and the past/future of the Children of the Atom begins.
This Op/Ed/Review contains key plot points of Avengers vs. X-Men #12.
You don’t want to keep reading this post until you read AvX #12
Seriously
OK
Here it comes.
Avengers vs. X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel
The Avengers and X-Men united against Cyclops. The man trained to lead the mutant race had become the Dark Phoenix, killed Professor X and was burning the world to recreate it.
The climax came down to Scarlet Witch and Hope Summers. This showdown is the culmination of storylines starting back in House of M. We learn Hope’s purpose and why the Phoenix returned. Wanda and Hope beat the Dark Phoenix out of Cyclops. When Jean Grey reached out to Scott (from the Great White Room?) I thought Cyke was about to die and join her.
courtesy Marvel
Cyclops was right. The Avengers and Wolverine were wrong. Scott will pay a terrible price. I’m a little befuddled over Scott’s reaction. As Cyclops sits in interrogation with Steve Rogers he appears to feel like the murder of Professor X was worth it in order to save the mutant race. It makes me wonder if the dark influence has truly left Scott? I’ve always thought Cyclops could still be under the influence of The Void.
Cyclops sits in prison but is he the only guilty one? Captain America and Iron Man’s actions are what created the Phoenix Five and the Dark Phoenix Cyclops. Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus, Magik and Magneto are in hiding – is this a hint of a new mutant team. (Yes it’s time to pitch my Avenging X-Menidea again!)
The Marvel Universe is reset. New mutants are being born. A new kind of team (Uncanny Avengers) is being created. The search for a new leader of the X-Men begins. The fate of Hope is up in the air. The Phoenix brought death and rebirth.
Overall I’m mixed on the final chapter but intrigued about the aftermath and consequences.
I’ve tried my best NOT to reveal key plot points of Daredevil: End of Days #1 and #2 but I still felt like this post should have a warning.
Daredevil End of Days courtesy Marvel.com
Dark. Gritty. Brutal. Uncompromising.
Daredevil: End of Days #1 opens with Matt Murdock taking a beating from Bullseye in what could be their final showdown. Watching the relentless attack was difficult but you couldn’t look away. The creative team made you feel like you are on the street of Hell’s Kitchen watching in stunned horror.
And there’s “that” moment. I haven’t been that shocked and sickened since The Sentry ripped apart Ares in Siege.
Reporter Ben Urich is on the job for a dying newspaper. Urich is trying to write one last Daredevil story. As Urich shares his struggle to understand and share Matt Murdock’s dark days we learn of another “final” showdown between Daredevil and the Kingpin.
Daredevil End of Days courtesy Marvel.com
The art is raw: Bloody pulpy beaten faces. Dark, desperate landscapes packed with broken souls. Violent, visceral punches and attacks. This may be a story set in the near future but Klaus Janson and Bill Sienkiewicz will take you back to the old school days of Frank Miller’s Daredevil run and 1970’s crime movies.
Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack set up a mystery with multiple layers. You will leave their Hell’s Kitchen feeling down, dirty, hungry for more and wondering how the hell did Matt Murdock end up like this?
The rumors of a brand new Wolverine series by Frank Cho are sure to claw their way to the top of the buzz generated by this new Marvel Now teaser courtesy Marvel.com.
The word SAVAGE is ripped through by 3 claws. It’s easy to assume Wolverine will star in the January debuting series but just for fun let’s play name that character who it could also be:
Tigra, Frank Cho draws gorgeous women and her tenure at Avengers Academy is over.
X-23, Logan’s daughter is graduating from Avengers Academy but will appear in Avengers Arena.
Sabretooth, Logan’s arch-enemy is back in multiple X-books.
Daken, turned up as leader of a new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in Final Execution arc of Uncanny X-Force.
Shanna the She-Devil? Could Cho be taking on the warrior queen of The Savage Land? If you’ve seen the Frank Cho sketchbook you know he can really craft an amazing Shanna.
Hellcat. Ok it’s a longest of long shots but I love Patsy Walker.
Then again, who knew SURVIVE would be Avengers Arena or WANTED would be Cable and the X-Force. Marvel NOW has had some surprise reveals.
