Defenders: Wannabes Gone Wild!

Defenders #63 courtesy Marvel.com

  An outrageous comic book story that was way before it’s time (and predicted the super hero reality show concept) is collected in a new trade out this week. Marvel presents Defenders: Tournament of Heroes #1.

  In my In Defense of the Defenders post I relived my memory of the crazy 1972  storyline Defender for a Day. Dollar Bill is producer who puts out an ad for new members to join the non-team with hilarious results.

  This collects Defenders #62-#65. I haven’t read this in a long time but the cover takes me way back when I thought if Captain Ultra has a shot on getting on a superteam maybe so could I?

Iron Fist Feels Phoenix Force?

  “Say What!?

 

New Avenges #25 courtesy Marvel.com, Comics Newsarama Exclusive

  Comics Newsarama received an exclusive image and preview from Marvel that will be blowing minds and buzzing message boards today:

  New Avengers #25 is being called an Avengers Versus X-Men tie-in where “Iron Fist Discovers The Shocking Connection Between Himself And The Cosmic Phoenix Force.”

  Here’s what we know: The Phoenix Force is coming to Earth in search of a new human host. The entity has previously been attracted to mutants with Jean Grey being the most infamous host. A shocking decision related to the return of the Phoenix is what ignites the war between the super teams. I’ll have to do some digging but the entity has been hosted by non-mutants (Alan Davis’ Excalibur run) and aliens like the Shiar.  

This image is definitely a surprise – maybe New Avengers will be of an exploration of possible candidates as host for the Phoenix?

 

 

Idris Elba in THOR 2

THOR DVD Cover courtesy Marvel Films

  I’d love to see the absolutely badass Idris Elba play T’Challa in a Black Panther movie. Until then we can see the recent Golden Globe winner reprise his role as Heimdall in Thor 2.

Elba told MTV News on the red carpet for The Golden Globe Awards that he’s definitely in Thor 2 but not The Avengers. 

Would you love to see Chris Hemsworth and Elba fighting Fafnir?

Star Wars The Phantom Menace 3D Posters

Courtesy Movieweb

Can a poster make you forget Jar Jar?

Lucasfilm released 5 posters for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 3D which is coming to theaters February 10th.

This one is my favorite: Darth Maul, your on-screen time was all too brief!

Thanks to Movieweb for capturing all the Force coming at you in 3D posters.

The Walking Dead Season 3 Details

courtesy AMC

  AMC announced the third season of The Walking Dead will be 16 episodes (Season 2 is 13 episodes) and split in half like this season according to Zap2It. 

  The news came at the Television Critics Winter Press tour where creator/Executive Producer Robert Kirkman dismissed rumors about the appearance of fan favorite character Michonne joining the second half of the current season.

  Co-Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd says 2 new writers will join the team and the writing for season three begins the next week.

Avengers Versus X-Men #1 Cover Revealed

 

AvX #1 cover by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel.com

  Marvel revealed the cover to Avengers Versus X-Men #1 by Jim Cheung. This is the first issue of the 12 part event kicking off in April.

  Very interesting to note that Wolverine and Beast are seen on the Avengers side. Logan and Scott split the X-Men during Schism but Wolverine is always the wild card. If one of his mutant students or Hope needs his protection due to the return of the Phoenix Force, Logan may switch sides.

  Beast felt betrayed by Cyclops and left before Schism. But as the Dark Phoenix saga proved Hank would side with his fellow mutants if they need him.

  Jim Cheung’s work is always stunning. Avengers: The Children’s Crusade is one of the most beautifully drawn books Marvel publishes.

A Legend Joins T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.

THUNDER Agents cover courtesy DC Comics

  DC Comics recruits a legend for the modern version of a classic concept. Nick Spencer and Wes Craig welcome Walter Simonson on board T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #3. Spencer talked exclusively with DC’s The Source.

  “If it weren’t for Walter Simonson, I wouldn’t be writing (or maybe even still reading) comics — and that’s no overstatement,” Spencer told THE SOURCE. “He’s been my favorite creator pretty much the entirety of my life, so please believe me when I say working with him on T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #3 was the biggest honor of my career so far.”

 

  Since I enjoyed Spencer’s Ultimate Comics: X-Men, my comic book guy recommended T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents and I’m so glad he did! A great book!

 

Fantastic Four Reboot

20th Century Fox is moving forward with a reboot of Marvel’s First Family. Variety reports that Josh Trank is the front runner to direct a next big screen appearance of The Fantastic Four.

Fox is reportedly waiting to see how Trank’s upcoming film Chronicle does at the box office before making an official offer. Michael Green of Green Lantern is penning the script. Chronicle follows the story of three high school friends who gain super powers.

  Dark Horizons makes a great point that Fox had success with the X-Men: First Class reboot so there’s an opportunity to start over with this franchise. Here’s the Chronicle trailer to give you an idea of what might be…