ANGELA arrives! Neil Gaiman brings the warrior angel from the Spawn mythos into the Marvel Now. Angela makes her debut in Age of Ultron #10 today and her story will continue in Guardians of the Galaxy #5 by Gaiman and Brian Michael Bendis. Joe Quesada redesigned the iconic character for her Marvel debut. How will Angela affect the Marvel Universe and who will encounter her after the Guardians?
Clark Gregg in Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD courtesy ABC
The Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD television series hits ABC this Fall! Set in the world of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) leads an elite team of agents in the new world of Gods, monsters, aliens and heroes as seen in The Avengers. The pilot was written and directed by Joss Whedon.
Now that we’ve seen the full trailer featuring a character that many speculate (and hope) could be Luke Cage (aka Power Man) played by J. August Richards (Angel) let’s start the wish list of Marvel characters we hope to see in the new series:
Daredevil #509 featuring Iron Fist & Luke Cage courtesy Marvel
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
Defenders by Matt Fraction cover courtesy Marvel.com
Defenders# 12 is out this week. It’s the grand finale of the latest take on Marvel’s “non-team.” Matt Fraction united Doctor Strange, Iron Fist, Red She-Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor on missions against supernatural threats. Fraction is leaving to write the Fantastic Four and FF in the Marvel Now.
Fraction told Marvel.com that Betty Ross was the character that surprised him the most and “fell in love with writing her immediately”
“The whole experience was so unlike any other I’ve had at Marvel, and I got to work with so many amazing artists; the whole thing was a joy. Bittersweet at best, as they say.
And yeah; we were only just getting started. I didn’t touch on a tenth of what I had planned for that book, for the places it would go, for the characters we were going to meet. Oh well. Next time, next time,” he adds.
The Defenders #12 courtesy Marvel
Defenders #12 – final issue – arrives this Wednesday.
Never fear! Given this team’s history expect to “non-team” to reteam again – I just hope it’s as much fun as Fraction’s run has been!
The Flying Swords of Dragon Gateis an amazing spectacle starring Jet Li and directed by Tsui Hark and shot in 3D. I saw it in IMAX and I’ve never ducked and moved and jumped so much in a 3D film. Swords pierced off the screen and I swear I could see it in my peripheral vision!
Take a look at the trailer and I have a comic book connection for you after!
I left this film longing to go to Kun Lun! Marvel Films, please put Iron Fist and Shang Chi, Master of Kung Fu on the big screen!
The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate is in Mandarin with subtitles and on a limited release. Experience it if you can!
The Defenders by Matt Fraction Trade Paperback is out this week collecting the first six issues of the series.
In the aftermath of Fear Itself this odd mix of heroes is recruited to stop a monster’s rampage. I won’t spoil the hero that summons Dr. Strange, Silver Surfer, Iron Fist, Namor and Red She-Hulk into this latest incarnation of Marvel’s non-team.
The book has action, humor and strange twists. How does the idea of Dr. Strange hooking up, monsters and zero gravity kung-fu in the first chapter strike you? The misfits discover threats and mysteries on Wundagore Mountain and deep in the sea. Fraction has said the book is filled with characters he really wanted to write and you can feel the love for each of them. Dodson’s bold art captures the big screen fun, supernatural twists and enthusiasm Fraction pounds into the script.
Defenders by Matt Fraction cover courtesy Marvel.com
With so many other Marvel teams why would you need the Defenders? Why would a concept that’s been tried so many times he another reboot. Check out Defenders By Matt Fraction and you’ll see why. If only Fraction could find a way to bring Hellcat back on the team!
Batman #9 The Night of the Owls crossover continues with a battle in the Batcave. Bruce’s last safe haven is invaded by the Talons. How will he save Alfred from a strike force of the undead assassins. What has Alfred’s family kept from the Waynes. Gotham City’s darkest family secrets are revealed in a back story.
Fatale #5 This mystery noir series with twists of supernatural horror has creeped with a slow burn until last issue’s violent shocker. Josephine may be immortal but her latest lover may not survive. Are they being chase by mobsters or monsters? Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips latest collaboration will deliver a bloody showdown as the first arc races to the finish.
New Avengers #26 Answers to one of the biggest and mind tingling mysteries begins here. How is Danny Rand connected to the Phoenix Force? Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato reveal the secret history of the firebird in a book of the dead Iron Fists. This is a crucial tie-in to Avengers vs. X-Men.
Trio #1 The legendary John Byrne is back with a brand new superhero series. The world calls them Rock, Paper, Scissors. I’m hoping this will capture the spirit of Byrne’s classic Fantastic Four run.
Uncanny X-Force #25 The Final Execution begins here with new villains after Wolverine’s covert team. Rick Remender has teased a team of enemies born from Omega Red and shopping mall for assassins in the sky. I suspect this will be another violent, game changing epic like The Dark Angel Saga – definitely watch this series.
