Heroes of the Marvel Universe prepare for their biggest battle ever in INFINITYby Jonathan Hickman, Jim Cheung, Jerome Opena and Dustin Weaver!
This event will take you to every corner of the Marvel Universe, and beyond! In Hickman’s premiere Avengers arc, Earth was been marked as an “Avengers World,” protected by Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and more. An alien race is on a collision course with our world and the only thing in their path is the Avengers!
Captain America and Iron Man rallied to create a bigger roster of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and declared Earth as Avengers World in Jonathan Hickman’s first arc. The new and improved team isn’t big enough to handle what’s coming in the six-part event Infinity.
The Avengers will need to become a universal team to face Thanos. Marvel is revealing new details about the event that will bring Black Bolt and the Inhumans into the cosmic clash with the Mad God of Titan (and the villain behind Loki’s invasion in The Avengers movie.)
Marvel is going big for this year’s Free Comic Book Day 2013!
Thanos. Hickman. Cheung.
Thanos is the big purple bad at the end of The Avengers movie.
Jonathan Hickman (Avengers, New Avengers) is the mastermind of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Jim Cheung (Avengers vs. X-Men, Young Avengers) is the artist (one of my personal favorites) that can fill panels with big screen action.
Marvel is teasing a cosmic clash with Fantastic Four, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, Avengers, Inhumans, Spider-Man and more against the universe’s ultimate threat!
Avengers: The Children's Crusade #9 courtesy Marvel
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade reached an emotional, game changing climax last week. The maxi series by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung launched in July 2010 starring the Young Avengers in search of the Scarlet Witch (she’s the mother of Wiccan and Speed.) The teens faced the wrath of the Avengers, X-Men and Doctor Doom. When it was over, heroes died, quit and the Scarlet Witch’s role in the Marvel Universe was established on the eve of Avengers Vs X-Men. I wanted to share some of Comics Newsarama’s interview with Heinberg now that the epic series is over.
“After over two years of working on the book, I felt immediate relief for a day or two after the book went off to the printer — and I’ve been sad ever since. I miss the characters. I miss my regular, sanity-restoring chats with Jim Cheung and our amazing editor, Tom Brevoort. I miss the pleasure of seeing new pencils from Jim every month. Honestly, if I could, I’d continue working with Jim Cheung the rest of my life. He’s a great friend and creative partner.”
The story was the redeeming of the Scarlet Witch for her actions (Avengers Disassembled, M-Day.) Some characters sympathized, some condemned Wanda for her actions. Comics Newsarama how he felt about her.
Avengers Children's Crusade #7 by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel.com
“We wanted the reaction to the Scarlet Witch’s story to reflect as many different viewpoints as possible — to foster continued conflict and debate among the Avengers and the X-Men — and among readers, as well.”
“My personal sympathies were obviously with Wanda, but she’s certainly not blameless — even if Doom was ultimately responsible for her transgressions. Wanda was, after all, driven by grief to ask for Doom’s help in the first place, leaving her and the Avengers vulnerable to his manipulations.”
For Allan’s entire interview (including spoilers) here’s the Comics Newsarama link.
This Geek’s Opinion: Avengers The Children’s Crusade is one of Marvel’s most beautifully drawn and written epics. Jim Cheung created dynamic action sequences packed with a huge cast and very intimate scenes where we could sense the hope, fear, regret and love of each player in this epic executed by Allan Heinberg.
Avengers The Children's Crusade #9 preview art by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel, Comic Book Resources
When the GLAAD Best Comic Book Series Nominee Avengers: The Children’s Crusade began it marked the return of the excellent Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung on the team they created. Wiccan and Speed hoped to find, save and redeem their mother, Scarlet Witch. Their devoted teammates joined them on an adventure into Latveria through time. The heroes faces the Avengers, X-Men, X-Factor and Doctor Doom. Avengers: The Children’s Crusade is one of the most perfectly written and drawn series Marvel is publishing.
I had no idea how pivotal this story would be to the entire fate and future of the Marvel Universe. When the series ends the Scarlet Witch will be set up for her role in Avengers Versus X-Men, the return of the Phoenix Force and her possible connection to the mutant messiah, Hope Summers will be revealed.
X-Editor Nick Lowe answered fan questions on Comic Book Resources. The question I found interesting was if the Avengers Editors or X-Editors determined Wanda’s fate after Avengers: The Children’s Crusade?
“It was Allan Heinberg (with input from Tom Brevoort) mapping out Wanda’s trajectory. Allan had some great ideas on the subject and somehow Tom B. didn’t ruin them all,” Lowe responded. Brevoort is the Avengers Editor.
Will Wanda be redeemed for Avengers Disassembled and M-Day/The Decimation? Wiccan and Speed may save their mother only to see her fall in AVX. Time will tell but Heinberg and Cheung have created a real Marvel classic with Avengers: The Children’s Crusade.
Wolverine #305 cover by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel.com
Jim Cheung is one of my favorite artists! I have a stunning sketch of Mystique he drew for me, an autographed The Heroic Age poster, an autographed Young Avengers promo poster and countless autographed issues.
I think I’ll have a new book for Cheung to sign if I’m lucky enough to meet him again.
Cheung is wrapping up the epic Avengers: The Children’s Crusade and is jumping to provide a cover for Wolverine. In Marvel’s April solicitations you can find his cover to Wolverine #305. Cullen Bunn and Paul Pelletier take over the creative team of Logan’s solo book.
As I look back by my favorite geek experiences of 2011 I have to share a major highlight from Emerald City Comicon 2011 in Seattle. My first stop was waiting in line to meet and get a sketch from the amazing Jim Cheung. Characters kept popping into my head as I got closer in line and my time to request a sketch. When I arrived – Mystique popped into my head and she was my request. I have it framed now as you walk in my condo.
I had several Young Avengers and New Avengers: Illuminati issues autographed and I picked up his stunning promo piece for The Heroic Age. It was an honor to meet and know that such a superstar could be such a great fan friendly guy.
