Marvel’s Point One arrives today! If the Watcher is on the cover you know it’s going to be big! As I mentioned in this week’s Top 5, this one shot includes 7 stories by some of the biggest names at Marvel.
I’ve heard for years about how a single issue is a perfect jumping on point for new readers. This collection is a way to dive into an entire universe. Marvel is great at the cross-company events. Although it gets expensive, it’s part of the fun to follow all the story threads. See you at the shop to get the point.
Oh what might have been! If anyone could take DC’s Amazonian Princess from comics to the big screen it was the man behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While the world counts down to The Avengers, Director Joss Whedon is revealing his vision for the Wonder Woman film that never happened.
Spinoff Online via Vulture talked with Joss about the failed project. After learning Whedon’s take on the character is reminds of how Brian Azzarello is portraying Diana in his new series that’s part of DC’s New 52. As much as I loved Lynda Carter, Diana is an aloof, cold warrior Goddess far above men. Seeing how Joss planned to have Steve Trevor make Wonder Woman more human could have made for a sizzling on screen romance.
Wonder Woman #1 Courtesy DC Comics, Art by Cliff Chiang
I always wanted to see Diana in Amazonian warrior wear in a Superman sequel. Maybe if The Man of Steel is a hit, we’ll see Superman meet his match in Wonder Woman.
This is a perfect time to jump into the Marvel Universe. These are seven brand new stories from the fan favorite writers and artists. This collection sets the stage for all the big storylines and changes coming in 2012. From the cover, it appears the original Doctor Strange is back with a new style but is he the Sorcerer Supreme again?
Battle Scars #1
In the wake of “Fear Itself’ heroes and villains are after Army Ranger Marcus Jones. Why does this man have to power to turn the Marvel Universe upside down?
Fear Itself 7.2 Thor
During “Fear Itself” Tony Stark challenged Odin to save Earth. Did Iron Man make a deal with the devil by using the power of the King of Gods? Fear Itself 7.1 delivered an emotional shocking twist. Will this issue expose another dark secret?
Magneto: Not a Hero #1
Magneto returned from space pledging his allegiance to Cyclops and wanting to make amends. Eric has demonstrated over and over why he deserves to be an X-Man. New evidence shows the Master of Magnetism back to his extremist ways. Skottie Young and Clay Mann (who met fans at Emerald City Comicon 2011) create a new four part series about the X-Men’s greatest enemy.
Batgirl #3
This is one of my favorite titles in DC’s New 52. Barbara Gordon as Batgirl crosses paths with Nightwing. Will romantic sparks or fists fly? The Mirror raises the stakes in his war on Gotham. Gail Simone has created a fierce heroine, spooky villain in an exciting ride through Gotham’s dark side.
And one more! Earlier this week I previewed the return of Joe Madureira in Avenging Spider Man out this week!
AP Photo/Joel Ryan. Daniel Craig and the new Bond girls.
Daniel Craig’s new James Bond movie has a title. What does Skyfall mean? It’s definitely not an Ian Fleming book or short story. Pierce Brosnan’s first film, Goldeneye, took the name of Fleming’s estate. The World Is Not Enough is the motto on the Bond family crest. Skyfall doesn’t ring a bell from any Fleming book I read.
SFX has some clever and funny theories. I suspect producers are taking a cue from Thunderball which was the code name of 007’s mission in the film. It could be the code name for the villain’s operation.
In this previous post I revealed the James Bond graphic novels published by Dark Horse Comics. Serpent’s Tooth is a fun read. Quasimodo Gambit is an interesting title. These books could be nice diversions as you await the next big screen adventure.
Dreaming up a title is always tough. Everyone is a critic. I really thought the producers would choose the Fleming short story, The Property of a Lady, but now we have Skyfall. What do you think Skyfall means?
I love you Jean Grey. I hope you stay dead. Two X-Men books arrived this week with perhaps two different signs. Uncanny X-Men #1 featured an image of the Phoenix and Hope in a preview double spread titled Things to Come. Since before Hope’s birth, the clues have been dropping of a possible return. This week’s image was the latest in the line of hints that the Phoenix Force could be rising again.
In Wolverine and the X-Men #1 Logan rebuilds the Westchester school in Jean’s honor. The Jean Grey School for Higher Learning is the new academy for young mutants. This is a fitting tribute to one of Xavier’s most gifted and most tragic students. I hope it’s a sign that Jean will continue to rest in peace.
Jean has been killed and resurrected too many times. Scott and Logan have both moved on. A reunion with the Phoenix Force can only end in destruction again. During Here Comes Tomorrow Jean demonstrated her ability to put Scott, Logan and all humanity first. Jean is the greatest heroine not only because of her tremendous power but of her heart.
Uncanny X-Men #1 variant cover by Dale Keown from Marvel.com
It’s tough to be Scott Summers. The leader of the X-Men has endured more than his share of defeats and deaths. Some of his oldest friends have left him after the Schism conflict. His dream of united nation of mutants on Utopia is over.
With Regenesis, Cyclops rallies his troops and soldiers on but will the new team be ready for a newly resurrected Mister Sinister? Carlos Pacheco joins Kieron Gillen on this restart. It’s not Xavier’s dream anymore, it’s all Scott.
Fear Itself #7.1 Captain America
It was the biggest heartbreak of the “Fear Itself” epic. This issue is a chance to say goodbye. Ed Brubaker delivers a eulogy to this fallen soldier.
X-Men #20
Cyclops’ field team (Storm, Psylocke, Warpath, Domino, and Jubilee) debuts as part of Regenesis. What’s the threat that takes them abroad and into a clash with War Machine?
Fear Itself: The Fearless #2
Valkyrie is a longtime favorite of mine and I’m excited to see her on the front burner. The Norse warrior woman was an absolute smash in issue one by defying the Avengers and going rogue to capture the mystical hammers brought to Earth by the Serpent. Valkyrie, Sin and Crossbones continue their race to collect the evil artifacts and a zombie army attacks.
The 100 Sexiest Women in Comics
Comic Buyer’s Guide presents a new special collecting the hottest females in comics. Red Sonja is on the cover. I’m hoping to see Black Widow, Storm, Rogue, Emma Frost, and Psylocke in the top ten.
Wolverine and the X-Men #1 by Chris Bachalo courtesy of Marvel.com
Wolverine and the X-Men #1
I’m launching my blog as a brand new era for the X-Men begins. I’m excited to see where Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo take this team of teachers and students. I was expecting violent action but here are the top surprises from a fun filled first issue:
1. Logan suits up. Sporting a jacket and tie, Logan is sweating out bureaucrats inspecting the new school as everything that could go wrong – does.
2. Wolverine and Kitty’s new dynamic. Apologies to Jubilee and Armor fans but my favorite Wolverine sidekick will always be Kitty. Now the two are co-headmasters. The scared teen who was once spooked by Wolverine is now his equal trying to keep their new school open and facing some unlikely enemies.
3. A Brood without bite is one of the new students. His appearance was brief but hilarious. This nerdy mutant Brood could be the next Doctor Nemesis.
4. Not your father’s X-Mansion. Beast has built a strange hybrid of old school and high tech moon colony. The new school reminds me of Cable, a Frankenstein like mix of organic and heavy metal. There’s still a danger room but with a twist – watch out for the bathroom!
Visit this section on Marvel.com to learn about more big changes as part of the Regenesis event!
Uncanny X-Men 143 cover from Marvel.com. An uninvited guest at Xavier’s!
Uncanny X-Men #143 is a classic confrontation that’s perfect for Halloween. This issue titled “Demon” is one of the most my favorite comic book chillers. It’s a true nightmare before Christmas as a rookie X-man is alone in the mansion being stalked by a N’Garai, a nasty hybrid of Alien and Michael Myers.
The youngest X-Man terrorized by a relentless demon then learns the painful way that her mutant phasing power will not save her from the otherworldly predator. Just like the cinema horror heroines, Kitty uses the adrenaline and thinks on her feet to find way to kill the monster. I’m not giving anything anyway obviously because we know Kitty is alive and well – until the next villain goes after her.
You should give this one issue thrill ride a go to see how Kitty survives. If you can’t find this single issue, this story is collected in Essential X-Men Volume 2, which includes another creepy one issue story with Cyclops facing the demon, D’Spayre, and features a guest appearance by Man-Thing.
This creepy cover image above features the art of John Byrne and Terry Austin. Check out Marvel.com for more of the X-Men’s clashes with these demons.
