Excalibur – COMICS BLEND

More X-MEN ResurrXion Books For Your Consideration

ResurrXion marks a rebirth for the X-Men books in 2017. Marvel announced new titles starring Iceman, Jean Grey, Cable, Weapon X, Generation X and two flagship books: X-Men Gold, X-Men Blue.

If the news has your feeling nostalgic for more ’90’s excitement we’re with you. After all Blue and Gold teams were the stars of the first X-Men #1 by the legendary team of Chris Claremont and Jim Lee and Uncanny X-Men #281 by Claremont and Whilce Portacio.

If was the age of a new mutant genesis, Claremont brought all the long lost X-Men and their allies together and launched the first “second” X-Men book. Fans also welcome a new X-Factor (a government backed mutant team) by Peter David, New Mutants become X-Force and Excalibur by Claremont and Alan Davis merged X-Men and Marvel UK heroes into a new team. As the 1990’s continued Scott Lobdell joined and co-created Generation X. Cable, Bishop and Gambit scored solo books, Age of Apocalypse was born leading to the introduction of X-Man.

As the mutants experience a rebirth next year, we can’t help but hope for a return of more mutants, books and teams. Here are our more mutant books for your consideration: Continue reading More X-MEN ResurrXion Books For Your Consideration

CHRIS CLAREMONT On Future X-MEN Movies

Chris Claremont’s vision of the X-Men is the core of Fox’s film franchise. The legendary writer guided the Children of the Atom for nearly two decades in comics. The Dark Phoenix Saga, God Loves Man Kills, Days of Future Past, The Wolverine are iconic stories that inspired the film franchise. Claremont is now working on a treatment for Gambit for Fox.

After X-Men: Apocalypse how does Claremont think the film franchise could evolve?

“With New Mutants, you can appeal to kids and explore the tensions and pressures of young mutants trying to get a handle on their powers and their lives,” Claremont told The Hollywood Report Heat Vision. Continue reading CHRIS CLAREMONT On Future X-MEN Movies

NIGHTCRAWLER VILLAINS For Your Consideration

Nightcrawler (my personal favorite X-Man) is not just back in the land of the living – he’s fun again. Jason Aaron’s Wolverine and the X-Men run built up Amazing X-Men and the return of Kurt Wagner.

Now writer Chris Claremont and artist Todd Nauck are bringing us Kurt’s new adventures in a solo series starring the Fuzzy Elf. Nightcrawler #3 is out this week as Kurt races across the globe trying to rescue loved ones from his past. The legendary writer takes great supporting characters from Kurt’s pages like Amanda Sefton and Margali Zdardos to spin a fast paced and fun new thriller. Continue reading NIGHTCRAWLER VILLAINS For Your Consideration

Nightcrawler the Warlord in Friday Flashback

Excalibur !6 — Excalibur #16 courtesy of Marvel.com

Feeling like Flashback Friday!

In honor of Nightcrawler’s upcoming return I want to share one of my favorite issues starring the Fuzzy Elf.

At San Diego Comic Con last weekend Marvel announced Wolverine will lead a team of Amazing X-Men to find the one true Kurt Wagner in a new book by Jason Aaron and Ed McGuiness.

Nightcrawler will always be my favorite X-Man. Kurt was born looking like a fearsome demon but with a gentle soul. I was moved by how some writers played upon the tragic irony of Kurt’s life. A caring man of faith hated and feared because of genetics he couldn’t control.

Continue reading Nightcrawler the Warlord in Friday Flashback

Marvel UK Comeback in Revolutionary War

Remember when Captain Britain, Pete Wisdom and other British heroes filled the comic book racks in the 1990’s? Get ready for a flashback!

Marvel announced Revolutionary War, a new series reviving the characters from the Marvel UK imprint by Andy Lanning and Alan Cowsill.

“The biggest surprise has been rereading the old issues and rediscovering how cool the characters and their stories were,” Lanning tells Marvel.com.

“Many of the stories revolved around the evil machinations of a shadowy organization called Mys-Tech, Continue reading Marvel UK Comeback in Revolutionary War

Who Will Star In Marvel Now Wave 2?

Who will be riding the Marvel Now! Wave 2? Marvel Editor-In-Chief Axel Alonso told Comic Book Resources new series will launch this July. Uncanny Avengers, All-New X-Men, Indestructible Hulk were some of the new titles in the aftermath of Avengers vs. X-Men.

Wave 2 will launch in the aftermath of Age of Ultron. Marvel already revealed the epilogue of that event will be co-written by Neil Gaiman and introduce Angela into the Marvel Universe and the finale will have a dramatic event on Hank Pym.

Will we see new concepts like Uncanny Avengers and Fearless Defenders and new takes with new creators like Avengers by Jonathan Hickman and Fantastic Four/FF by Matt Fraction?

Who deserves to star in their own Marvel Now! series next?

Here are my picks for Marvel Now! Wave 2:

Doctor Strange: The Oath cover courtesy Marvel.com

Doctor Strange Stephen Strange could be starring in his own Marvel movie but the Master of the Mystic Arts hasn’t been able to sustain his own solo book. I loved Matt Fraction’s take on Strange in The Defenders so I’d love to see Fraction or Continue reading Who Will Star In Marvel Now Wave 2?

Nightcrawler: Warlord! From the Vaults

I’m posting to you from Eastern North Carolina for the holidays where I’ve had time to dig into my comic vaults – those comics I couldn’t take with me to Seattle 13 years ago – but thankfully I have a Mom who understands what’s important to a good geek son so she packed them away carefully. Here’s a flashback I want to share.

I still miss Kurt Wagner. Nightcrawler will always be my favorite X-Man. Kurt was born looking like a fearsome demon but with a gentle soul. I was moved by how some writers played upon the tragic irony of Kurt’s life. A caring man of faith hated and feared because of genetics he couldn’t control.

My favorite Nightcrawler stories were when he was portrayed as a swashbuckling adventurer. Excalibur #16 featured Kurt Wagner, Warlord. Kurt was in fun form in sword battles with monstrous warriors and seductive encounters scantily clad princesses. This was Chapter Five on The Cross-Time Caper which found Excalibur swirling through multiple dimensions trying to find a way home. In this world – the Excalibur lost their powers and became sword wielding heroes right out of John Carter, Warlord of Mars. The team all has their moments but this issue was a showcase for the dashing, swashbuckling Kurt – including an encounter with a blue skinned beauty. Chris Claremont and Alan Davis partnership on Excalibur still remains a favorite of mine filled with action, fantasy, humor and one of my favorite portrayals of Nightcrawler.

Stay tuned for more From the Vault posts next week! Merry Christmas.

COMICS BLEND

Escape. Engage. Enjoy.