Nick Spencer on AVENGERS to INFINITY

Avengers #12 courtesy Marvel
Avengers #12 courtesy Marvel

Marvel has recruited a big gun for a big story starring the biggest team in comics. Nick Spencer (Secret Avengers, Morning Glories) will join Jonathan Hickman on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes starting with Avengers #12 this May. That issue takes the team to the Savage Land. Spencer spoke with Comics Newsarama about his co-writing assignment with the very busy Hickman and what the current stories are driving towards.

“It’s the big lead-up to Infinity. One of the coolest things about the gig is that it wasn’t just, “Come in and kill time for a few issues, and do some filler.” The lion’s share of what I’m working on is the direct lead-in and the prelude to Infinity, and setting the stage for all that, so it’s a big, important story. It wasn’t just an opportunity to be a part of the book, but to be a part of the book at a really crucial juncture.”

The roster of Hickman’s Avengers has expanded to include New Mutants Sunspot and Cannonball along with heavy hitters Continue reading Nick Spencer on AVENGERS to INFINITY

New Threat in Avengers #7 Preview

Avengers #7 courtesy Marvel
Avengers #7 courtesy Marvel

Captain America and Iron Man recruited powerhouses Captain Universe, Hyperion and a new Smasher to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Writer Jonathan Hickman is revealing the back story of these incredible new members of the team and the fallout from the epic first arc on Mars.

Avengers #7 courtesy Marvel
Avengers #7 courtesy Marvel

Hickman reunites with his SHIELD series partner on Avengers #7. Marvel shared some of Dustin Weaver’s work on the upcoming issue. In this issue we see the New Adam, a new threat and Continue reading New Threat in Avengers #7 Preview

ComicsBlend’s Top Picks February 13, 2013

 

Batman #17 courtesy DC Comics
Batman #17 courtesy DC Comics

Batman #17  Showdown in Arkham Asylum! Are Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo going to show what I think they’re going to show? Who will survive the Joker’s bizarre plot? The sadistic and shocking finale of Death of the Family! (This week watch for Batgirl #17 and Batman and Robin #17. These tie-ins to the storyline.)

Fatale #12 The addictive supernatural/crime noir series goes way back in time! Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips take us to the Dark Ages in a stand-alone chapter of Josephine and Fatale curse!

Manhattan Projects #9 Jonathan Hickman’s tale of weird science and twisted history launches a new arc! The scientists of the super secret government think tank made their bid to control the world.

Secret Avengers #1 Perfect for old school Marvel fans or you want more after The Avengers movie! Nick Fury leads Hulk, Hawkeye, Continue reading ComicsBlend’s Top Picks February 13, 2013

AGE OF ULTRON Trailer

Age of Ultron #1 courtesy Marvel
Age of Ultron #1 courtesy Marvel

A comic book event so big it deserves a big trailer! Marvel has premiered this sneak peek for what could be the biggest story of 2013! Age of Ultron #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Bryan Hitch! The greatest Avengers villain (in my opinion) takes over! Evil wins. The machine monstrosity and his army of robots have conquered  Continue reading AGE OF ULTRON Trailer

Black History Month Favorite Comic Heroes

As we celebrate Black History Month in North America and the United Kingdom I was inspired to think about my favorite African-American superheroes. While these fictional characters are not as important as civil rights leaders, boundary breaking athletes and artists or scientists who made a powerful contributions to our world I think seeing diversity in comic books makes an impact…on everyone.

Before I reveal my top 10 I want to say this was tough and I know some of you have your favorites like Steel aka John Henry Irons, Batwing, Shadowhawk, Spawn, Photon, Static and not to mention non-superhero characters like Michonne and Tyreese of The Walking Dead, but these are the ten characters (+ one because I just couldn’t leave her off!) that I’ve loved and stayed with me.

11  Vixen  Mari Jiwe McCabe grew up in remote village in the fictional African country of Zambesi. Mari’s family were holders of a mystical totem but he uncle killed her parents and stolen the totem. Mari moved to America, became an international supermodel, built a fortune and traveled to her homeland to take back her family’s totem and became known as Vixen. With the totem Mari can mimic the abilities of any animal on Earth. Mari a member of the Justice League. In the DC Comics New 52 relaunch Vixen was injured but recently seen as one of the possible new recruits Cyborg will call on to join the new Justice League.

Vixen: Return of the Lion #3 courtesy DC Comics
Vixen: Return of the Lion #3 courtesy DC Comics

10  Spider-Man Miles Morales became a media sensation when Marvel revealed the new Ultimate Spider-Man was of African-American and Latino descent. Like Peter Parker, Miles is a science nerd bitten by a radioactive spider but his powers are slightly different. Miles recently met the Peter Parker of “our” Marvel Universe in the crossover smash, Spider-Men.

Spider-Men by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel
Spider-Men by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel

9.  Patriot  Elijah Bradley is the grandson of Isiah Bradley, the first Captain America. (Isiah was among the black men who served as test subjects before the Super Soldier Serum was given to Steve Rogers. This story was told in the series Truth: Red, White & Black.) Eli became a founding member of the Young Avengers. These teen heroes wanted to fight crime and carry on the legacy of the Avengers who had disbanded at the time. I don’t want to give away the secet of Eli’s powers (told in the Young Avengers series) but his is a great story of young man trying to do right and honor his past. Eli is a great leader and strategist in the tradition of Captain America. A brand new Young Avengers series just relaunched but Eli is not on the team. I’m hoping Patriot will soon be appearing in the Marvel Now, maybe even joining the main Avengers?

Young Avengers Presents: Patriot #1 courtesy Marvel
Young Avengers Presents: Patriot #1 courtesy Marvel

8.  Falcon  Sam Wilson was the first mainsteam African-American superhero and the first Continue reading Black History Month Favorite Comic Heroes