Marvel Editor in Chief Axel Alonso was asked about the future of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes as Brian Michael Bendis plots his departure and how AVX affects the exit strategy. How do you cap the writer’s huge era.
“All I can say is that there will be one. “AvX” did not derail Brian’s plans; he’s been down for this event since day one — which is why he, along with Jason Aaron, is one of the core plotters of the event. Brian will be wrapping up his Avengers run the way he wants to — we wouldn’t have it any other way. Who’ll follows him on “Avengers” and where he’ll land in the future is going to blow readers away.
Does this mean Aaron could assume the role? I’m betting on Matt Fraction.
Avengers #25 cover by Daniel Acuna courtesy Marvel.com
A big announcement from Marvel’s Next Big Thing Press Event today: The legendary Walt Simonson will join Brian Michael Bendis on The Avengers! Simonson’s The Mighty Thor run alone is the stuff of legends. Here are some highlights:
Avengers #25 will feature art from Walt Simonson. This issue will be part of an Avengers Versus X-Men tie-in arc. That cover sure looks like Cap is deflecting a blast from Cyclops!
“This is truly one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me at Marvel. When I was a young, strapping lad trying to break into comics, I’m talking years and years ago, I met Walt at a convention. I showed him my childish sketches and he treated me like a peer. He was so generous an empowering and set me on a course to be where I am now. He would keep sending me letter of encouragement and critique. That was the moment I knew I wanted to do this. He is one of the most important people in my creative life. I always made it very clear if he was ever back at Marvel I would love to work with him. I’m so happy he decided to come join us and when I asked what he wanted to do, Avengers was a big pile of everything he wanted to do.” Bendis said.
Thor #337 by Walt Simonson starring Beta Ray Bill courtesy Marvel.com
“I’m in comics myself because of the work that Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Don Heck and those guys did back in the 60’s. I was devouring everything Marvel had to offer. It was a treat for me to get into comics, to work at Marvel and to do Thor. I really enjoyed the Marvel Universe and had a lot of fun.” Simonson said.
“I got to write Avengers back in the late 80’s with John Buscema and Tom Palmer. I didn’t really get to draw the book though. I’ve never really gotten to draw the Avengers. I’m excited to draw them. But really, I wanted to work with Brian. We’ve always said it would be fun to work together, but I’ve been at DC. Now I’m back on the freelance trail and called Brian up. I did not expect to be handed a whole story arc. And when Brian said ‘There are a lot of characters’ I didn’t really realize how many characters.” Simonson continued.
“When we were building AvX, I kept referencing Walt’s X-Men/Teen Titans crossover for bombast and excitement.” Bendis said of the classic cross-over in which the two young teams faced a Darkseid/Dark Phoenix alliance.
“I’m really interested in drawing cool looking stuff. Quake looks really cool to me. The Jim Cheung AvX poster that Brian sent me looks great. I’m pretty excited to draw Wolverine again. I enjoy referencing and researching. It will come out looking like my stuff. I’m interested in the challenge. And drawing the guys from A.I.M.” Simonson said of the new characters and new looks for old favorites. Quake is a Bendis creation from Secret Warriors.
Thor #380 by Walt Simonson courtesy Marvel.com
“I get to draw Thor. His new threads might be old by now, but they’re new to me.” Simonson added.
“There are elements to this story that are so powerful on their own as far as who the Avengers are and why they can do things nobody else can do that they really stand out from the main event. This storyline is from the Avengers point of view, dealing with where they’ve been and where they’re going as a team” Bendis said of this 6 issue arc.
“I was a giant Gene Colan Iron Man fan back from Tales of Suspense. Iron Man has always been one of my favorite three or four Marvel characters. I’m delighted to have a chance to draw that guy.” Simonson said of the Iron Avenger.
For a great retrospective on Simonson’s classic Thor run click this Marvel.com link to see the interview and images.
Who will take over the Avengers franchise once Brian Michael Bendis moves on? A fan asked Marvel Editor in Chief Axel Alonso on today’s Axel-In-Charge on Comic Book Resources.
“We have a plan…” Alonso responded, ” Let’s just say the Avengers franchise will be in excellent hands. As for Brian, if you’re a fan of his work, you won’t believe what he’s writing next for us. My lips are sealed.”
Speculation:
Could Matt Fraction inherit the Avengers franchise? Fraction’s era on Uncanny X-Men was phenomenal and he’s been steering Iron Man and Thor’s solo books. Could his current Defenders run be leading up to a takeover of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Avengers Versus X-Men courtesy Marvel.com
If Avengers Versus X-Men and the return of the Phoenix lead to the destruction and rebirth of the X-Men – could we see an Age of Bendis for the Marvel’s mutants?
The Phoenix is coming. Marvel’s biggest teams are going to war. The men behind the event of 2012 took fan questions and delivered details and teases sure to generate excitement.
Marvel presented the Avengers Versus X-Men writing team (Brian Michael Bendis, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman) along with X-Men Editor Nick Lowe and Avengers Editor Tom Brevoort.
Here are some of the rapid fire highlights. My thoughts follow in italic:
“Wolverine and Storm have to redefine themselves in the Marvel Universe.” Bendis. This could be an opportunity to rethink their decisions after Schism which could be sever or mend their friendship with Cyclops.
“New armor for Iron Man with a specific foe in mind.” Fraction. Could this be a suit that can take a beating from the Juggernaut powered Colossus or a stab from Wolverine’s adamantium?
Thor gets up to come big time cosmic colossal shenanigans. Fraction. Now that Colossus is nearly God like thanks to Cytorrak, he could be a match for Thor.
“Cyclops is willing to make more sacrifices than Steve Rogers.” Brubaker.
“A new reader friendly take on the Phoenix.” Aaron.
X-Sanction starring Cable is a prelude and leads up to AVX. “Specific events Cable has come back in time to prevent are connected to AVX. It’s the opening shot of AVX.” Brevoort. Cable will do anything to protect his daughter Hope. This could be a clue that Hope is the target host for the Phoenix Force.
AVX #0 is in March. The Prelude is brand new material. Not a recap. Art by Frank Cho. Bendis.
Black Panther and Storm’s marriage. “Storm’s allegiance is very much split down the middle. Her choice will be heard very loudly. A big one for Storm.” Bendis. Storm is my all time favorite female hero. I have an ominous feeling Bendis could sacrifice her. There’s a reason she joined Avengers.
“Storm joining the Avengers was a separate decision” not predicated on AVX. Bendis
“The end of Avengers: Children’s Crusade will set up and calibrate how the X-Men, Avengers and the world feels about Scarlet Witch.” Yesterday I posted my thoughts on a Dark Phoenix Versus Scarlet Witch battle.
Professor X stayed out of Schism. “He can’t just stand on the sidelines.” Aaron. I immediately thought of the classic psi war between Charles and Jean in the Dark Phoenix saga. Can the greatest mutant mind – if Professor X still is – take on the Phoenix and win if needed? Charles has stayed out of Cyclops way but this conflict could lead to a showdown between the Professor and Scott.
How will SHIELD be involved? “There’s an opportunity for a lot of players in Marvel universe to pick new allegiances” Bendis hinted there could be a “potential reinvention” of a law enforcement group like SHIELD.
