Tag: Avengers

SPOILER ALERT Avengers vs X-Men Unexpected Game Changer!

  Marvel teased that the final chapter of the AvX first act would be a game changer. After reading Avengers vs. X-Men #5 I was left stunned and surprised.

 

WARNING

 

SPOILERS AHEAD

 

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ AVX #5 STOP READING NOW

 

SERIOUSLY

 

HERE IT COMES

 

OK – I DID WARN YA!

 

  Iron Man made have showed off why he’s a genius badass but he made a serious miscalculation. The Phoenix Force was meant to bond with Hope but it’s now bonded with five of the most powerful X-Men: Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus and Magik. The Avengers now have to deal with five cosmic powered mutants who were already pretty ticked off at them – guess we know why Marvel has been teasing No More Avengers.

Avengers vs X-Men #6 courtesy Marvel

“The mutants are now the Earth’s mightiest heroes, capable of doing all this cosmic-scale, epic (stuff). And the Avengers are scrambling to keep up and keep things in perspective,” writer Matt Fraction told USA Today. “They’re wildly evolving the world overnight. They’re doing the work of a Phoenix, only instead of one there’s five and each one has their own personality and thoughts, and things are great at first. But they’re the X-Men. They’re going to stop getting along at some point, and batten down the hatches.”

“There’s a specific reason it resonates that it would be these five,” Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso added. “It has to do with what our master plan for these characters has been for some time.”

Avengers vs X-Men #6 interior art courtesy Marvel

Thanks to Comic Book Resources for the quotes and preview images – you can read and see even more there.

I feel like you really have to read Uncanny X-Men #13 this week too. I have to wonder if the Five Lights (the mutants of Generation Hope) were intended to be the Phoenix Five instead of the adult members of Cyke’s Extinction Team. Maybe Kieron Gillen’s use of the extinction team moniker was appropriate because Cyclops and company certainly have the power to destroy and reshape the human race.

  As I read this week’s AvX issues I could help think back to Greg Pak’s Warsong and Endsong epics. I hated them – hear me out – because the stories were so gut wrenching the watch because I loved these characters – which is the sign of great writing. I sense we’re going to that kind of storytelling with act two. 

  John Romita Jr deserves huge accolades for his final chapter in the epic. The smaller cast in the moon battle allow the artist to show his best work of the story so far. The determination of a scorched Wolverine, the fear in Hope’s eyes, Tony Stark’s sense of awe as he tries to kill a God like force are standout moments.

  The act one twist takes us into new territory (maybe darker shades of House of M?) The writers have shown us anything can happen next.

By Editor

Black Panther Solo Movie?

Black Panther returns in Fantastic Four #606 courtesy Marvel.com

 

  The next Marvel hero to get a solo movie…Black Panther? Latino Review is reporting based on what they call several sources that T’Challa will get his own movie. The cinematic Captain America’s shield is made from vibranium, a metal found only in Wakanda, home of the Black Panther.

  T’Challa was introduced in Fantastic Four, became a member of the Avengers, has his own solo series and married Storm of the X-Men. T’Challa was King of Wakanda a fictional nation in Africa that’s the only source of a metal called vibranium. T’Challa was dethroned and became the star of Daredevil’s title and briefly held his role as protector of Hell’s Kitchen in New York City.

  The Black Panther recently appeared in Fantastic Four #606. Writer Jonathan Hickman discussed the status of the fan favorite hero. Black Panther and Storm’s romance has turned rocky since they are on opposing sides of Avengers vs X-Men so I expect T’Challa to be a single King again and ready for a solo comic book series.

  My dream cast is Idris Elba as Black Panther, Mads Mikkelsen as Klaw and Paula Patton as Monica Lynne. The storyline could follow T’Challa as the Prince sent by his father as an Ambassador to the United Nations and have urban adventures in New York City then have him brought home when Ulysses Klaw and ROXXON invade Wakanda to exploit the vibranium.

By Editor

 

Top 5 Picks for 6/6/12

Matt Fraction at AvX party @ Excalibur Comics photo by Kyle Helstien of Happy Robot Photography

Avengers vs X-Men #5 Two rival super hero teams battle on the moon. One team fights for the survival of their face. One team fights for the fate of the Earth. The Phoenix Force arrives for the fiery climax to Act One. Who becomes the host of the cosmic entity and how does this lead into the next act: No More Avengers?

Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1 One of the most controversial decisions in recent comic book industry. DC Comics is going back into the Watchmen universe to tell new prequel stories with some of the biggest names in comics on board. Love or hate the idea – it’s time to judge the story. This is the first series focusing on the team of heroes from the 1940’s that led to the Watchmen. 

Earth 2 #2 Classic Silver Age heroes reborn. Fan favorite Alan Scott is now reintroduced as a gay super hero and the only Green Lantern of this world. This issue reveals the origin of this world’s Flash, Jay Garrick and the threat that would wipe out this alternative Earth.

Harbinger #1 Pete is a young guy struggling to make it. Toyo Harada is a billionaire with a global empire. Both share a mental based power that could reshape the world. A kid off the streets is offered the alliance of a lifetime with a man who has everything…but there’s got to be a catch! Valiant Comics is back. Harbinger was my favorite book and Harada was the best villain of that universe.

Invincible Iron Man #518 Tony Stark may be celebrating a victory in The Avengers and Iron Man 3 on the big screen but there’s a new man in the armor in the comics. The new Iron Man blasts in after the Spymaster leaves a bloody trail in Stark Resilient and Marvel is teasing the assassination of Tony Stark?

I use this photo because Matt Fraction is the writer of AvX #5 and Invincible Iron Man #518. 

By Editor

Avengers Versus X-Men: Rogue/Ms. Marvel Rematch

 

X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com

  One of the most anticipated fight scenarios in the Avengers vs. X-Men epic has to be Rogue against Ms. Marvel. The two women have a history but Marvel is showing us the future with new art of the upcoming rematch in X-Men Legacy #269. 

 

X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com

  Back when Rogue was a bad girl under orders from Mystique she took on the Avenger in a battle that dramatically changed both their lives. Rogue permanently absorbed Ms. Marvel’s powers and for years lived with Carol Danvers inside her mind. The aftermath of this tragic battle led Rogue to ask Professor X for help and she eventually became a member of the team. Ms. Marvel was comatose for years but thanks to Professor X’s help she recovered and eventually became a high-flying hero again.

 

X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com

In recent issues of X-Men Legacy Avengers arrived at the Jean Grey School and fighting erupted. Rogue has been pushed to the limit and reminded of what her mutant power can do. Rogue’s battle with She-Hulk was just a warm-up. The bad blood of the past is sure to be in the minds of Rogue and Carol as they battle again.

X-Men Legacy #269 courtesy Marvel.com

  Christos Gage and David Baldeon chronicle this AvX rematch in X-Men Legacy #269 out June 27th.

This is probably my toughest battle to pick a winner. While I love the X-Men and Rogue, I really love Ms. Marvel. Carol Danvers is one heroine who’s overcome incredible obstacles.

By Editor

First Official Iron Man 3 Set Photo

Iron Man 3 courtesy Marvel Studios

  The Avengers is still soaring and breaking records but Robert Downey Jr is back on the job. Marvel Studios revealed the first official set photo of Iron Man 3. Tony Stark is looking at his many versions of the Iron Man armor. Shane Black is directing this time but Jon Favreau is back on camera as Happy Hogan. Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle are back too.

  Guy Pearce, James Badge Dale, Ashley Hamilton, Rebecca Hall and Ben Kingsley (is he or isn’t he the Mandarin?) are new to the series. The film is said to be based on Iron Man Extremis. Dale is playing Coldblood but sporting the Iron Patriot armor and Hamilton is playing Firepower.

 

Iron Man Armor Wars courtesy Marvel.com

Seeing the photo above and all those heavy metal bad guys make me wonder if the classic Armor Wars story may play a part in this new film. The Iron Man armor had been stolen to create weaponry for various super villains. The David Micheline penned storyline saw Tony Stark go after the foes using his stolen tech.

  For the entire press release here’s the Marvel.com link.

By Editor

Marvel Heroes Screen Shots

 

Marvel Heroes courtesy Marvel.com

  Gaming gone green! The Green Goliath in his Planet Hulk gladiator gear and a pre-Juggernaut Colossus are two of my favorite characters in the new Marvel Heroes video game. Colossus just took on the Red Hulk in the Avengers vs X-Men series.

Marvel Heroes courtesy Marvel.com

   Marvel.com revealed these images along with screenshots. One of my favorites could be right out of The Avengers movie as Hulk, Captain America and Black Widow fight alien warriors. It’s still amazing the reaction to the Hulk in the movie – even my non-comic book reading friends rave about the Hulk more than anything else from the movie.

 

Marvel Heroes courtesy Marvel.com

For more characters and screenshots here’s the Marvel.com link.

By Editor

Hulk Makes Crushed Ice Out of An X-Man?

Wolverine and the X-Men #11 courtesy Marvel

  Wolverine and the X-Men #11 may be my favorite chapter (even if it’s a tie-in) in Avengers vs. X-Men so far. The issue is packed with action and humor with AvX battles on six fronts. Jason Aaron must love a challenge because not only does he balance all these story threads but he brings on the Shiar is a big way.

  Logan is haunted by the Dark Phoenix Saga and questions if he really can be the best at what he does – if it means killing a child. Aaron writes Wolverine like no one else. Logan doesn’t know if he should save Hope or kill her to save humanity. The debate is interrupted by the Shiar Death Commandos. The alien assassination squad is on Earth to eliminate the potential joining of the Phoenix Force to its human host. The battle is brutal, inventive and reveals the true threat Hope poses.

  One of my favorite elements of Aaron’s run is how he handles Bobby Drake. The original Iceman still provides comic relief but he’s maximizing his power like never before. Bobby is an Omega level mutant and now he’s flaunting it. The Red Hulk tries to make crushed ice out of Bobby but Iceman’s new power level and cool factor smashes the Rulk.

  Kid Gladiator is a breakout new star of the series. Aaron is pitch perfect with how he writes the arrogant, brash heir to the Shiar Empire who defies his father and frustrates his classmates. Lord Kubark may have taken on more than he handle but we’ll have to wait until next issue plus his daddy dearest arrives for one helluva parent-teacher conference!

By Editor

Avengers Vs X-Men Makes Rogue Lose It

X-Men Legacy #266 courtesy Marvel

  It’s awesome yet a little scary to see Rogue cut loose and tap into a dark side of her power in X-Men Legacy #267. This AvX tie-in issue is a thrilling showdown between a squad of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and teachers at the Jean Grey School.

  Rogue and Iron Man trade memories while trading punches. The Armored Avenger taunts Rogue about their last clash. Back in the classic Avengers Annual #10 Rogue was still a bad girl and took on the entire team at Avengers mansion at the direction of Mystique. It’s cool to see Rogue use a darker aspect of her power to kick She-Hulk and Iron Man’s arrogant a—-. For a longtime fan who knows the price Rogue paid for her past crimes seeing this is bittersweet.

  I’ve been wondering when Kitty Pryde would join the fight and this issue Kitty’s quick action reveals an advantage that turns the tide in the fight. Rogue may have wanted to stay out of AvX but this battle has made her eager to take on more Avengers.

  By Editor