Didn’t 2015 go by like a Flash or Quicksilver?
It was a year of Secret Wars, Convergences, replacement heroes and rebirths in epic crossovers with a multiverse of heroes and villains.
Beloved characters made major comebacks in new comics and massive superhero movies.
We picked our 15 comic book characters to watch in 2015. What happened and how did they make an impact on the books, shows and movies that thrilled us this.
Here’s what we said and what went down:
Starfox
The half-brother of Thanos appeared in the Avengers: Rage of Ultron original graphic novel. The Eternal had been off the grid for years after brief appearances in She-Hulk. Rick Remender (Uncanny Avengers, AXIS) was the architect of this cosmic clash and Eros’s comeback.
Ultron took over Titan, the moon homeworld of Thanos and the Eternals bringing Earth’s Mightiest Heroes into a three-way war. Starfox’s comeback was brief and didn’t spin into the Avengers books but with Thanos as the big bad in comics and movies, we could still see Eros again.
Howard the Duck
The beloved Steve Gerber creation stole the post-credits ending of Guardians of the Galaxy and was king of our unexpected comebacks of 2014. The Duckworld refugee returned to Marvel Comics in 2015 as a private investigator the hilarious series by Chip Zdarsdky (Sex Criminals) and Joe Quinones.
Peggy Carter
This year Peggy co-starred with Howard Stark in Operation S.I.N., a limited series by Kathryn Immonen. Hayley Atwell reprised her role as Peggy in Avengers: Age of Ultron and lead her own series, Marvel’s Agent Carter on ABC. Peggy and Edwin Jarvis go Hollywood for the second season this January. With all the time travel and twists could we see Peggy leap into the Marvel Now in comics or movies?
Spider-Gwen
One of the most tragic characters in comics is enjoyed a fascinating comeback – sort of. Gwen Stacy is the Spider-Woman of her world in the multiverse. The breakout star of Spider-Verse will have her own series by Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez. Gwen inspired an army of cosplayers and is starring in a new volume as Latour reveals more of her world’s backstory including the Osborns of Gwen’s dimension.
Miles Morales
The Ultimate Universe came to an end this year but the Ultimate Spider-Man is now swinging in the All-New, All-Different Marvel Now with is own series by Brian Michael Bendis and as a member of the new Avengers by Mark Waid.
Daken
Will the son of Wolverine follow in his father’s legacy? Daken’s chapter of Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy was our favorite. After a lifetime of hate, rage and seeking revenge – Daken seemed to find a new purpose in Logan’s death. Daken, Sabretooth, Mystique and X-23 starred in Wolverines in, a weekly series by Charles Soule, Ray Fawkes and Nick Bradshaw. Daken was depowered and suffered at the hands of Mr. Sinister. Daken is the one villain capable of change and redemption as seen in the chapter by James Tynion. Daken has a lot of blood to answer for and he’s MIA in the All-New, All-Different Marvel Now. What will happen if he learns X-23 is now the new Wolverine and Old Man Logan is in the present?
Ant-Man
The smallest hero hit the big time in a huge movie starring Paul Rudd as Scott Lang and Michael Douglas as Hank Pym. The comic book Lang starred in his own series by Nick Spencer. Lang reunited with his daughter Cassie (aka Stature) and launched his own security services company in his comic book. Paul Rudd will portray Lang on the big screen in Ant-Man with Michael Douglas as Hank Pym. Watch for Rudd in in Captain America: Civil War. and will have his own sequel: Ant-Man and the Wasp in development.
Ultron
The greatest Avengers enemy makes a double impact comeback in 2015. Director Joss Whedon and actor James Spader brought the evil A.I. to monstrous life in Avengers: Age of Ultron in May. The Avengers and Ultron’s actions will continue to haunt Marvel’s heroes. In the aftermath of the victory over Ultron, world governments passed the Sokovia Accords which will be a huge part of Captain America: Civil War.
In comics the classic villain became a planet in Avengers: Rage of Ultron. This original graphic novel by Rick Remender and Jerome Opena featured Ultron seizing control of the home planet of Thanos and reaching a status quo changing moment for creator Hank Pym.
Avengers
Jonathan Hickman wrapped up his epic Avengers, New Avengers run with the destruction of the Marvel multiverse and birth of Secret Wars event this year. The final chapter arrives in early 2016 and there’s no doubt on the historic impact Hickman had on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the Marvel Universe.
The cinematic version of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes defeated Ultron but at a huge price that will haunt them in Captain America: Civil War. With Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Captain Marvel and Inhumans on the way could one of the current heroes fall be replaced as the Avengers march towards The Infinity War?
Damian Wayne
Bruce Wayne literally went to hell (Apokolips) and back to resurrect his son. When Batman vanished in Endgame, Damian revisited the Year of Blood in a brand new book written and drawn by Patrick Gleason who continued the emotional and epic Batman and Robin run (he did with Peter Tomasi). Damian is back in Gotham City and caught up in the Robin War crossover as all of Batman’s sidekicks and an army of teen vigilantes become pawns of the Court of Owls.
Superman
New costume. New power. New villains. Then no secret identity and no powers? 2015 was a year of massive change for the Man of Steel. Geoff Johns wrapped up his with a new ability that ultimately burned out all of Kal El’s powers.
Clark Kent no more? Superman’s secret identity was exposed and de-powering forced the Man of Steel of change his approach to heroism and struggle with human weakness. Superman’s return to glory begins next month in Savage Dawn and it looks like the Man of Steel is back to full power in March but what about his alter ego?
Telos
In the summer event Convergence begins Brainiac unleashed his collection of lost worlds with heroes and villains from across the DC Multiverse and this new villain. The envoy of Brainiac was so popular he scored his own ongoing series.
Donna Troy
Once Convergence was announced Wonder Girl was one of our top characters we wanted to see return. Donna was be part of a New Titans two-part tie-in to Convergence by legendary writer Marv Wolfman. After Convergence, Donna and the fan-favorite, old school incarnation lived on in a new Titans Hunt series.
A very different Donna Troy emerged in Wonder Woman as a Diana’s rival for leadership of the Amazons.
Bluebird
Harper Row became an instant fan-favorite in the pages of Scott Snyder’s Batman. The tough teen from the Narrows may not be the long-rumored new Robin but assumes her own costumed identity as Bluebird.
Harper returned in Batman and Robin Eternal, as all of the Dark Knight’s sidekicks were targeted by a mysterious villain named Mother. With Bruce Wayne back as the Dark Knight in 2016 will Harper finally become his official sidekick?
The Anti-Monitor
The villain made his New 52 debut in the final page of Forever Evil. The Anti-Monitor destroyed Earth 3 and declared “Darkseid shall be mine.”
The cosmic entity was first introduced in the classic Crisis of Infinite Earths as the Multiverse was devastated. The New 52 Anti-Monitor launched The Darkseid War in the pages of Justice League. The Lord of Apokolips was kiled off and the League was transformed into the New Gods after the Anti-Monitor’s assault.
Who was your favorite hero, villain or what was your most shocking moment in 2015?
By Editor