Tag: Marvel

X Marks Diversity: How Northstar’s Gay Wedding Continues A Long Tradition

Astonishing X-Men #51

  The upcoming wedding of Northstar to Kyle in Astonishing X-Men #51 next month is the latest reason to celebrate our love of the mutant super heroes. From the beginning the X-Men represent diversity and overcoming differences. These heroes don’t just fight bad guys. They fight discrimination and intolerance.

  When Stan Lee created X-Men #1 his young heroes had powers because of genetics. Stan the Man conceived  “Born This Way” before Lady Gaga made it an anthem. Professor Xavier taught his students how to use their powers for the good of all humanity. Magneto was a Jew and his horrific experiences in World War II brought him into direct conflict with Xavier’s teachings.

  In the 1970’s Len Wein and Dave Cockrum helped introduce the “all new, all different” X-Men. The team’s new additions reflected the changing world. Ororo Munroe aka Storm was an African woman. John Proudstar/Thunderbird was an Apache Native American. His brother James would eventually take the code name Warpath. Shiro Yoshida was the first Japanese X-Man code-named Sunfire who later had his own team and title: Big Hero Six.

  German Kurt Wager is still my favorite X-Man. Nightcrawler lived the ultimate in irony. Kurt was a compassionate, devoted Catholic, sweet soul but genetics gave him the appearance of a demon. My other favorite is Kitty Pryde, a Jewish girl from Chicago who joined the X-Men as a teenager. Kitty was frightened of Kurt for years and their evolving friendship was one of my favorite ongoing storylines.

 Writer Chris Claremont was the creative force behind the X-Men for nearly two decades. Claremont made Storm leader of the team. In the early 1980’s having an African-American female in charge of the team was a big breakthrough. Storm would fall in love with Forge, a Native American mutant and Vietnam veteran. Storm would later become leader of X-Treme X-Men, the Queen of Wakanda (she married the Black Panther) and became an Avenger.

  Claremont explored the issue of apartheid with the creation of Genosha. On this island nation off the African coast mutants were enslaved and considered natural resources not equal citizens. The X-Men were involved in liberating the mutants of the nation over several storylines. 

The New Mutants graphic novel cover courtesy Marvel.com

  Claremont was creator of the future generation of X-Men. The New Mutants continued the legacy of creating diversity. Danielle Moonstar was a Cheyenne Native American and became team leader. Karma was a devout Catholic from Vietnam. Shan later came out as a lesbian. Sunspot was Brazilian. 

  John Byrne was a co-plotter and artist on the early Claremont era. Byrne created the Canadian team Alpha Flight including Northstar. Byrne said he intended to have Jean Paul come out back in the 1980’s but it was against editorial policy at the time and the comics code authority. In 1992 Northstar came out in Alpha Flight #106 under writer Scott Lobdell.

  Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza were the primary writers of the X-Men in the 1990’s. Lobdell co-created Generation X which included Skin, a Hispanic American who escaped from gang life in Los Angeles to join the team. M (Monet St. Croix) is Algerian, Muslim and became a popular member of X-Factor. 

Generation Hope #10 courtesy Marvel.com

  The X-Men welcomed Bishop, an African-American mutant from the future. Dr. Cecilia Reyes is a doctor of Puerto Rican background. She reluctantly joined but focused on her career as a surgeon instead of being a superhero. Neal Shaara is a Hindi from India who joined the team. Jubilee is an Asian-American “mall rat” who joined the X-Men and Generation X. Wolverine’s former sidekick is now a vampire. This is yet another example of how X-writers explore differences while telling a compelling action story.

  The 21st century saw the creation of more mutant heroes from diverse background. Dust is a devout Muslim Wolverine rescued from Afghanistan. Oya of Generation Hope is from Kenya and her religious beliefs make her think of herself as a monster. Frenzy is an African-American ex-villain who recently joined X-Men Legacy.

X-Factor's Shatterstar and Rictor courtesy Marvel.com

  Peter David pushes boundaries in X-Factor. After years of hinting that they were attracted to each other Shatterstar (a warrior from another dimension) and Mexican mutant Rictor fell in love. It’s not all perfect for this mutant couple because they often fight because of Shatterstar’s flirting. X-Factor has been nominated by GLAAD for Outstanding Comic Book Series. Other GLBT characters in the X-family include Anole, Bling and Graymalkin.

  The X-Men writers and editors have always reflected our world. Characters and storylines have been a way to directly or indirectly explore the issues of race, religion and sexual orientation. X-Men will always be a best-selling title because we can see ourselves, the conflict and the hope that we’ll learn from our differences, survive and thrive.

By Editor

I know there’s probably a favorite mutant I may have left out of this story. Please add a comment or email me who you think deserves to be added.

Avengers vs X-Men Changes the Marvel Universe

Avengers vs X-Men #4 courtesy Marvel

  Avengers vs X-Men is Axel Alonso’s first big event as Marvel Editor in Chief. The mega series wraps as marquee creators (Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman) end their runs on flagship books (Avengers, Fantastic Four.)

  Comics Newsarama asked if the timing is coincidence or sign of an effort to change the Marvel Universe.

  “We have some moves planned. The Marvel Universe is changed by AvX. It is not a reboot or a retcon. It is the Marvel Universe that you grew up in. But this story in many ways sort of serves as an endcap to a decade’s worth of stories that we’ve been telling, and I think it begins a great first chapter for the next decade’s worth of stories we’re going to tell.”

 “I’m very excited about what we’re doing. We had a fantastic summit. Some long-running creative shifts are occurring — you’ve heard about Brian, for instance; there may be others. We’re very excited about where we’re headed.”

  A big question is who will takeover the Avengers franchise after Bendis? How different will the franchise be after the events of AvX – especially with the No More Avengers story twist coming?

By Editor

Why Joss Why? Avengers Death Explained – SPOILER WARNING

Marvel's The Avengers courtesy Marvel

  If you haven’t seen Marvel’s The Avengers yet you may not want to keep reading this post.

 

WARNING

 

SPOILER AHEAD

 

SERIOUSLY

 

IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE AVENGERS MOVIE DON’T KEEP READING

 

OK

 

HERE IT COMES

 

 Joss Whedon always kills the ones we love and we love him for it. Death has meaning, impact and drama in Buffy, Serenity, Angel, and The Avengers. Earth’s Mightiest Heroes needed someone to avenge. Agent Phil Coulson had to die. But Whedon tells io9 it wasn’t completely on him this time.

  In our first meeting Kevin Feige said, this is what we’re gonna do and I said, “Oh but you have to go out there and tell everybody that it was your idea because this is going to get me so much s—. Because they are all going to be like, “Oh he did it again!” It was stipulated from the beginning, and I completely agree that it was the right thing to do, and so did Clark. Who said in the early days, when I was busy apologizing for it, “In a movie like this, with what’s going on if there isn’t some toll, it’s just irresponsible story telling.”

This Geek’s Take: It never occured to me that Agent Coulson would die because I was so caught up in the movie. Phil, you will be missed. I’m glad Coulson will live on in the Marvel comic universe.

 

Comics, Cosmetics and SpyGal

Spygal #1 courtesy Marvel.com

 Get ready for a new action heroine! Marvel and Benefit Cosmetic intoduce the first ever beauty inspired hero, SpyGal.

 “The superpowers of our bestselling pore minimizer, the POREfessional, created such an international sensation, we knew it was destined for greatness!,” said Julie Bell, EVP Global Marketing at Benefit Cosmetics. “Marvel, the world’s top storytellers, helped us bring our action hero SpyGal to life in the first ever beauty-inspired comic book.”

  Writer James Asmus (Captain America & Bucky, Generation Hope, Gambit) and artist Phil Noto will chronicle SpyGal’s adventures to inspire women.

“Marvel and Benefit both know that humor and intelligence can be a heroes’ greatest strength, especially when faced with life’s modern problems,” said Marvel Custom Solutions Editor Bill Rosemann. “SpyGal dispenses justice, beauty tips and witty life advice with an effortless grace, while also grappling with work and dating worries. Can SpyGal ever find Mr. Right…or must she sacrifice romance to the demands of her job helping powerful women spread their influence around the world? Writer James Asmus and artist Phil Noto reveal all in SPYGAL #1!”

For the entire story here’s the Marvel.com link.

This is definitely a unique merging of comics, marketing and makeup and will maybe lead more females into the comic shops. Asmus and Noto are a dynamite team for this character.

By Editor

The Avengers Ending Explained – SPOILER!!!

Marvel's The Avengers courtesy Marvel

  With a $200.3 million dollar opening it’s hard to imagine (and if you’re coming to comic book site) that you didn’t see The Avengers on the big screen.

  Let’s talk about that ending and have some fun geek-speculation! J

  Just in case you didn’t see Earth’s Mightiest Movie here’s a WARNING!!!

 

 

SPOILER AHEAD

 

 

SERIOUSLY

 

 

IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW THE POST CREDIT SCENE/ENDING OF THE AVENGERS DON’T SCROLL DOWN ANY MORE

 

 

FOR REAL

 

OK HERE IT IS…

 

  I have to admit I was shocked to see the mystery villain appear every so briefly but sporting a sinister grin. The Chitauri leader is seeing talking to a menacing figure saying the humans are not to be underestimated and to face them would be “to court death itself.”

Avengers Annual #7 courtesy Marvel.com

 The figure turns. Thanos is revealed! I think I exclaimed “oh s…!”  My non-comic book reading friend said “who is that supposed to be?”

 Thanos is the Mad God of Titan and he’s obsessed with death. In the Marvel Universe Death is an entity and he courts her. Thanos debuted in the pages of Iron Man but you need a lot more than the Avengers if you take on this cosmic monster.

  Thanos was born on Titan, a moon of Saturn. He’s a member of the Eternals (a God-like but human looking race ) but was born with a Deviant (their monstrous looking cousins) gene so in a way Thanos is a cosmic mutant.

  Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Doctor Strange, The Silver Surfer and many more heroes banded together in The Infinity Gauntlet when Thanos wiped out half the universe as an offering to Mistress Death. The gauntlet holds 5 gems of power. The artifact was seen briefly in Odin’s vault in Thor. 

Infinity Gauntlet #4 courtesy Marvel.com

  Adam Warlock and Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) are key players in any Thanos storyline so can we expect them to appear in upcoming sequels to Thor, Iron Man and Captain America? 

  Warlock is an artificial warrior created by the Enclave, a team of scientists, and fought Thor. Warlock became a hero, member of Guardians of the Galaxy and the Infinity Watch.

  Mar-Vell is a Kree warrior who turned against his alien empire and became a champion of Earth and an Avenger. Thanos was at Mar-Vell’s side as he died of cancer in the classic The Death of Captain Marvel, Marvel’s first graphic novel.

  But what about Silver Surfer last seen in Fox’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer? Not sure about the rights to this character but Norrin Radd is a key player in a battle against Thanos. 

 After the amazing portrayal of the Hulk in The Avengers I can see the same process turn an actor like in the cosmic big bad guy. Thor displayed the Infinity gauntlet in Odin’s vault so expect more cosmic seeds for a cosmic showdown with the Mad God planted in the sequel.

  If you’d like to read more about the Mad God here’s his bio link on Marvel.com. A huge credit goes to the legendary Jim Starlin, who revitalized Thanos, Adam Warlock and wrote the classic Avengers Annual #7, The Death of Captain Marvel and The Infinity Gauntlet. Starlin’s contributions to the Marvel Universe are majestic and maybe the most appropriate word – COSMIC!

  If you’re familiar with Thanos who do you think should play him? Do you like the idea of a cosmic size Avengers sequel?

 By Editor

Avengers for Virgins – Updated

Marvel’s The Avengers courtesy Marvel.com

You may have heard a little something about a movie called The Avengers. You can’t escape the promotion. Hype is high. It’s the first time this many iconic super heroes from other blockbusters are in the same big movie. Here’s what you need to know if you’re never seen opened an Avengers comic book or seen the previous Marvel films: The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America or Thor.

Spoiler Warning: this guide gives away the endings of those previously named movies.

1. SHIELD is an international agency charged with protecting Earth led by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson.) The Avengers Project is a gathering of super powered heroes to fight the global threats no single hero can handle alone – that big threat is here.

2. Captain America: The First Avenger Chris Evans plays Steve Rogers, a skinny, weak Brooklyn kid with a big heart who wanted to serve his country in World War II. Steve volunteered to be part of a top-secret experiment to create Super Soldiers. Steve was chosen because “a weak man knows the value of strength” and he became Captain America. Cap stopped a rogue Nazi scientist known as the Red Skull. The super serum transformed the man into an insane monster. Cap saved America from the Skull’s flying superweapon by crashing it into the arctic. Cap was frozen. SHIELD scientists discovered and revived Steve who was shocked to learn decades of his life are gone. He’s alone in a modern world he doesn’t understand.

Iron Man from Marvel.com

3. Iron Man Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is an arrogant genius inventor/playboy. Tony was kidnapped in Afghanistan and learned that his company’s weapons were being sold on the black market against the terrorists that U.S. forces were fighting. While in captivity Tony builds a suit of armor to escape his captors and protect the world as Iron Man.

4. Thor What the Vikings hailed as Norse Gods were mighty beings from a mystical realm called Asgard. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) was the God of Thunder and son of Odin, King of Asgard. Thor’s arrogance ignited an ancient war with the Frost Giants (a rival race that almost destroyed Earth eons ago) and Odin stripped Thor of his powers and sent him to Midgard or Earth. Thor learned lessons of humility, love and what it meant to be a true hero.

Marvel’s Avengers The Hulk courtesy Marvel Studios

5. Hulk Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) is a scientist exposed to an experimental treatment that turns him into a monstrous, childlike Hulk. Anger triggers the change so Bruce has tried to live a secluded existence while trying to discover a cure. Bruce will be recruited back to use his brains and Hulk like strength to fight the alien army – the big question – how do you control a rampaging Hulk?

6. Black Widow Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) is a Russian super spy recruited to SHIELD by Nick Fury. She has no super powers but is highly skilled in combat and weapons. Natasha was working undercover as Tony’s assistant in Iron Man 2. In the comic books, Natasha has dated Hawkeye.

Hawkeye & Black Widow in Marvel’s The Avengers courtesy Marvel

7. Hawkeye Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) is a tough, resourceful SHIELD agent and an expert archer. You saw Barton briefly in Thor. In the comic books, Clint is a former criminal turned good guy with a sarcastic sense of humor.

7. SHIELD Agents Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) is the no-nonsense government operative who appeared in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America. Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) is Nick Fury’s second in command.

8. The Big Bad Guy = Loki Thor’s half-brother is the treacherous Loki (Tom Hiddleston.) The God of Mischief is a master of manipulation and sorcery who orchestrated Thor’s banishment. Thor defeated Loki but the spiteful brother refused to let Thor save his life so we last saw him falling out of Asgard into deep space. Loki is back and has declared war on Earth and he’s allied with an army of aliens – this leads to the formation of the Avengers.

If you’re in the Seattle area like myself and want to catch up SIFF Cinema presents Avengers Assemble! You can see all the previous Marvel movies each night! The Incredible Hulk Monday, Iron Man I & II Tuesday, Thor in 3D Wednesday and Captain America: The First Avenger in 3D Thursday. Each night members of the cast (and local heroes) of Citizen Heroes will be introducing the films.

You don’t have to be an Avengers expert to enjoy the movie – just come, have fun and feel like a kid again! Hope you have a great time!

If you have any Avengers related questions please contact me by leaving a comment, email or following me on Facebook or on Twitter @comicsblend.

By Editor – thanks to Marvel for the images, the characters and for making this movie happen!

Updated: How do these characters tie together? Captain America. The Red Skull was obsessed with myths and the supernatural. He recovered a lost Asgardian artifact called the Tesseract (in the comic books it’s called the Cosmic Cube) that fueled his super army’s  weaponry. The artifact is in SHIELD custody. Another fact:  Tony Stark’s father Howard was a part of the team that helped turn Steve Rogers into Captain America.

New Iron Man Picture

Iron Man in Marvel's The Avengers courtesy Marvel.com

  What’s cooler than Iron Man? Iron Man blasting bad guys with rockets and lasers! Here’s a new pic from Marvel.com showing the Armored Avenger showing off some new Stark Tech! The Avengers opens May 3rd.

Invincible Iron Man #515 arrives in comic book stores this week with the ominous tease “a hero falls.”

Thor & Kid Loki Crossover- Updated

Everything Burns promotional art by Stephanie Hans courtesy Marvel.com

  Thor & Kid Loki team up to save the Nine Realms from Surtur in Everything Burns a 7 part crossover between The Mighty Thor and Journey Into Mystery by Matt Fraction, Kieron Gillen, Alan Davis and Carmine di Giandomenico. Marvel revealed the story, cover and promotional art at C2E2. 

  Updated: The crossover will kick off this August in The Mighty Thor #18-#22 and Journey Into Mystery #642-#645.  Fraction and Gillen talked with Marvel.com about the event.

 “It’s an epic,” Gillen says, explaining who will take on a prominent role in the story. “Thor and Loki are the heart of it all, but everyone else is the circulatory system around them, pumped full of fiery blood, ready to explode. Any significant player in JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY at least has a moment, and several are absolutely key.”

The Mighty Thor #18 cover by Alan Davis courtesy Marvel.com

 “This story is about asking the question ‘What can break the bonds of brotherhood?’” Fraction asserts. “How long can Thor stand at Loki’s side? How many angles can Loki play at once? What Thor and Loki share is inconceivable to everyone but themselves. So whatever breaks it would have to be beyond comprehension, right?”

 For the entire interview here’s the Marvel.com link.