Bryan Hitch art from Ultimates #13 courtesy Marvel.com
A major clue to the the Bryan Hitch Countdown mystery revealed. The artist announced via Twitter he was leaving Marvel Comics after 10 years.
“In two days time, an amazing decade at Marvel closes for me. What a wonderful time to have joined the party. Very proud and honoured.”
Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch were frequent collaboratrs on Marvel’s Ultimate Line with the Ultimates and Ultimate Fantastic Four then later the Marvel line’s Fantastic Four.
Ultimates 2 #7 cover by Bryan Hitch courtesy Marvel.com
Hitch will apparently end with the Ultron War.We know where Hitch is leaving but where he’s going…stay tuned. A reunion with Millar on Millar World titles is the big speculation.
Fantastic Four #559 cover by Bryan Hitch courtesy Marvel.com
The X-Men have been drawn into the nightmare reality that is the Age of Apocalypse time and again. Today Marvel revealed a new series set in the horrific alternative timeline that spins out of The Dark Angel Saga in Uncanny X-Force #18 which wraps today.
David Lapham and Roberto De La Torre are the creative team on Age of Apocalypse launching in March.
“We start sort of spinning out of Uncanny X-Force. There are events that happen there that we directly fall out of. Basically, we open with Weapon X, who’s the Big Bad Overlord of the Age of Apocalypse world, and he’s just sort of wiped out the last enclave of humanity.” Lapham said in today’s presser.
The roster of characters includes alternative versions of William Styker, Graydon Creed, Donald Pierce and Bolivar Trask – all mutant hating X-Men enemies in the Marvel universe but are could they be seen as heroes in this dystopian world ruled by Apocalypse?
Age of Apocalypse #1 variant courtesy Marvel.com
Lapham confirmed the AoA versions of Wolverine, Jean Grey and Sabretooth will be part of the series is about “humans versus the mutants.”
The Age of Apocalypse is a cool place to visit but an ongoing series? I love the AoA Jean Grey, she’s ruthless and definitely Wolverine’s match. What do you think? The adventures begin this March.
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.
Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega preview art by Mark Brooks courtesy Marvel.com
Marvel had a presser today with Brian Wood about his upcoming Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega limited series.
While Logan’s team is fighting off the new Hellfire Club to save the school in the new series, this 5-parter will focus on an enemy within. Psychic teen Quentin Quire picks a huge fight with Logan kicking off a showdown between the Headmaster and student.
“I know people think Quentin is a brat or annoying, that’s why I love him” Wood said.
In this earlier post I talked about the sudden return of Quentin AKA Kid Omega to the X-Men front burner in Schism and gave you a primer on the rebellious mutant.
Wolverine and The X-Men Alpha and Omega preview art courtesy Marvel.com
The presser confirmed an earlier post that Armor will be caught in the clash between Logan and Quentin and expect to see Rachel, Toad, and Bling ensnared into Quentin’s agenda.
On writing Logan,”I find him very intimidating to write, just because everyone on the planet has written Wolverine, ” Wood said and added that he and Jason Aaron see Logan as the “weary old man” but don’t expect Wolverine to be as button down in this 5 parter as he is on the ongoing series. Moderator James Viscardi called Logan the “grumpy old man of the X-Men.”
When Wolverine and the X-Men #1 debuted I posted how much I enjoyed seeing this side of Logan and the other surprises in this new book.
This series marks Wood’s return to Marvel after years writing his own creations like DMZ and Northlanders. Wood said it feels totally new and he gravitates to the X-Men.
Wolverine and the X-Men Alpha and Omega preview art courtesy Marvel.com
This is one of my most anticipated series of 2012. How will such a physical brawler like Wolverine handle matching wits with an Omega level psychic mind like Quentin? Emma Frost proved she can take down Quentin so maybe she’ll make a guest appearance?
Wolverine and The X-Men: Alpha and Omega #1 preview art courtesy Marvel.com
Brian Wood is coming back to Marvel Comics with a new limited series: Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega. Wolverine is trying to play is cooler now that he’s headmaster of the reopened Westchester school. Quentin Quire aka Kid Omega is the certainly one character that can infuriate Logan. This clash of the titanic personalities will be the focus of Wood’s new series.
Brian Wood talked with Marvel.com about his new project. He revealed that Quentin will be driving the series and Armor will be caught in the crossfire of his clash with Wolverine. Mark Brooks and Roland Boschi will share art duties on the series. Mark Brooks was at Emerald City Comicon this year and I was lucky enough to have some issues autographed.
One of the year’s biggest surprises was the return of Quentin Quire to the X-Men. Jason Aaron put the omega level mutant on the front burner of the Schism storyline. Quentin’s mind manipulation of world leaders ignited a new wave of hatred and hear against mutants. You might call his act telepathic terrorism.
Wolverine and the X-Men #1 by Chris Bachalo courtesy of Marvel.com
Quentin is now part of the Wolverine and the X-Men cast. As Wolverine tries to evolve and be a leader for the next generation, Quentin is the perfect foil to rattle Logan’s cage. Kid Omega was created by Grant Morrison during his New X-Men era. Quentin went from top student to dangerous rebel after learning a family secret and seeing one of his heroes victimized. Quentin formed his own Omega Gang and staged a riot at Xavier’s.
Quentin encountered the Phoenix Force in Greg Pak’s Phoenix Endsong limited series. The kid had been left on the back burner until Jason Aaron brought him back in Schism and now Wolverine and the X-Men.
Quentin may make Logan regret all the wisecracks he made to Cyclops and all the times he called Professor X Chuck.
