New Captain America and Hawkeye Series

  Marvel revealed a new Captain America and Hawkeye series (it will take over the current Captain America and Bucky in April.) in today’s Next Big Thing press event featuring writer Cullen Bunn.

Captain America and Hawkeye #629 courtesy Marvel.com

“The simple way to describe the first arc is that Captain America and Hawkeye go out and fight a bunch of dinosaurs. That’s how I pitched it.”

“Cap and Hawkeye have gone through so much together, but they have a very different approach to how they do things. I wanted to explore that relationship and how they see each other.”

“I’ve always connected with Hawkeye. He’s got that Robin Hood thing going on. For some reason archer characters are always interesting. He’s a rogue, he’s got a big personality, he’s a smart ass–all those things help him along. He’s a ‘regular guy’ but he’s also the greatest archer in the world. In the face of overwhelming odds, he never backs down, and I think people can relate to that. He’s as close to an everyman as you can get in a world where people can knock down buildings with a punch.”

Secret Avengers #22 cover Gabriel Hardman courtesy Marvel.com

  “In many ways Clint really admires Cap and they’re best of friends, but they get under each others’ skins like nobody else. I love my brothers, I’d do anything for them, but they drive me nuts sometimes. I channeled a lot of that into this book.”

 Bunn will be joined by Alessandro Vitti for the 4 issue arc.

“When you look at Alessandro Vitti’s style, it’s very distinct, and I like that. The first pages he turned is for this was a big action scene, and there’s something about they way he conveyed it in a fluid nature, really made it flow and come alive, that blew me away.”

“Captain America touches on all different corners of the Marvel Universe, so there are limitless possibilities for this book.” Bunn said of the title’s constant star. 

  Captain America & Hawkeye will run for a four-issue arc, then the title will change again. This series will be a Captain America team-up title featuring other characters.

  “Iron Man will follow Hawkeye and the Black Widow arc has been approved, but there are a number of other characters I’ve mapped out, and a lot are ones he has not interacted with in a major way. But there will also be characters who have history with Cap. And there will be new characters introduced who will have an impact not only on the arc they appear in, but on Captain America moving forward.”  Cullen Bunn

I recommend you checking out The Fearless written by Bunn along with Matt Fraction and Christopher Yost. Who do you want Cullen Bunn to pair Cap with after the Hawkeye, Iron Man and Black Widow arcs?

Robert Downey Jr on Iron Man 3

Iron Man from Marvel.com

  Robert Downey Jr is expressing his hopes for the next solo adventure of the Iron Avenger while promoting Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

  “I think that we have an opportunity with the third Iron Man to make the best of the three, and maybe one of the better superhero movies that’s ever been made. But I think we have to remember what made the first one good. It was very character-driven. It was very odd. It was kind of outrageous. And so I think we have to have the courage to trust that the audience is really kind of cool, and smart” Downey told the Omelette.

  Thanks to Dark Horizons for the story translation.

  No word on the villain of the next film. I personally hope we might see the Mandarin. This Chinese master of magic, alien technology and martial arts is a classic character that I think could be given a modern spin. The Mandarin is known for his ten power rings. You may recall the terrorist from the first Iron Man film belonged to a mysterious group called the Ten Rings.

AvX: Iron Man Vs. Magneto

AvX Iron Man Vs. Magneto preview art courtesy Marvel.com

  New art for the upcoming Iron Man/Magneto battle from AvX Vs #1. Marvel previously announced Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert will be the creative force behind this clash of the Iron Avenger and Master of Magnetism. This art was a Comic Book Resources Exclusive.

  Who will win? The edge would seem to go to Magneto but never underestimate Tony Stark’s brilliance and creativity!

Avengers in Action! New Photos

Can you hear the thunder…from geeks applauding?

 

Marvel's The Avengers courtesy Marvel.com

Marvel.com revealed two photos of the big three from The Avengers movie. Iron Man cruising the night sky and Thor & Captain American in battle. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Assemble May 4th. Just 5 months until Loki and his secret army attack Earth!

Marvel's The Avengers courtesy Marvel.com

Black Widow Solo Movie?

Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner on sete in The Avengers courtesy Marvel.com

  Scarlett Johansson returns as Black Widow in The Avengers movie in May, 2012 and says she’s ready to go back in black for a solo movie.

  “I love playing the Widow. I think she’s got a very interesting past, a lot of storylines to explore, and certainly Kevin (Feige) loves that character,” she told us when asked about a possible spin-off.  “I think that Marvel has a very personal relationship with their fans, and I think if the fans want it, and the audience wants it, nothing’s impossible. I would love to explore that option as well. Like I said, I love the character and it would be nice to see something nice and gritty” Johansson told SuperHeroHype.

Black Widow: Deadly Origin cover courtesy Marvel.com

  Black Widow is a KGB assassin turned SHIELD operative and quickly became Nick Fury’s top field agent. Natasha has been with the Avengers, Champions, Defenders, Thunderbolts and Secret Avengers – that resume alone makes her character worthy of solo screen time.

  Natasha has quite a love life with romantic partnerships with Iron Man, Hawkeye, Daredevil and Bucky Barnes (the former Captain America and Winter Soldier.)

  A possible enemy for a Black Widow solo movie would be Yelena Belova – the second Black Widow. Yelena followed the same path as Natasha until an attack left her disfigured. She was then recruited by the modern day Hydra (Red Skull’s criminal group from the Captain America movie) and given super powers.

Black Widow and The Winter Soldier from the cover of Captain America and Bucky #624 courtesy Marvel.com

  No word on if Scarlett Johansson will appear in Iron Man 3. I’m hoping Captain America 2 will be set in the modern day and be based on the Winter Soldier epic which prominently features Black Widow working with Steve Rogers and eventually falling for the back from the dead Bucky. Natasha and Bucky have the best chemistry. Both are deadly, hot and thankfully good guys now.

What do you think? Black Widow solo? Black Widow in Iron Man 3 or Captain America 2?

Avengers Versus X-Men Event Highlights

Avengers Versus X-Men courtesy Marvel.com

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.

Those are some of the highlights, more to come!