UNCANNY X-MEN BATTLE OF THE ATOM Previews a New PHOENIX

Uncanny X-Men #13 courtesy Marvel
Uncanny X-Men #13 courtesy Marvel

Will Quentin Quire become the new Phoenix?

 

It sure looks like Kid Omega will become Kid Phoenix in this Uncanny X-Men #13 preview courtesy Marvel.

 

X-Men from past, present and future are locked in a Battle of the Atom. Mutants from the future including a descendant of Professor X and Jean Grey have come to the present to make sure the original five X-Men go back to the past. Continue reading UNCANNY X-MEN BATTLE OF THE ATOM Previews a New PHOENIX

X-MEN BATTLE OF THE ATOM Preview

X-Men #6 courtesy Marvel
X-Men #6 courtesy Marvel

The all-female X-Men book becomes part of the big 50th Anniversary crossover epic. X-Men #5 and #6 are key chapters in X-Men: Battle of the Atom.

 

Writer Brian Wood tells Marvel.com Rachel Grey will have an important interaction with the young Jean Grey and (while not spoiling last week’s chapter two) one of the Future X-Men:

 

“The story dictated it, really; there are crucial points in the story where it’s really a telepath’s time to shine, Continue reading X-MEN BATTLE OF THE ATOM Preview

IRON MAN On Trial In Space

Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel
Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel

Tony Stark faces the Mandarin in Iron Man 3 this May but right now in the comic books the Armored Avenger is deep trouble in deep space.

Godkiller continues this week in Iron Man #7! Tony Stark invented a weapon to contain the Phoenix Force in Avengers vs. X-Men. We know how that turned out! Will Tony pay the ultimate price for this cosmic crime? Kieron Gillen’s new arc introduces a new alien race that are related to the Shi’ar. While the Shi’ar Empire wanted to wipe out the threat of the Phoenix the Shi’ard worshiped it.

 

Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel
Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel

Marvel shared an ominous preview of next month’s Iron Man #7 by Kieron Gillen and Greg Land. Tony is accused of killing the Shi’ard’s God and only an alien machine could save him.

Continue reading IRON MAN On Trial In Space

IRON MAN On Trial!

Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel
Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel

   Tony Stark may be the man who fell to Earth in the latest trailer for Iron Man 3 but in the comic books the Armored Avenger is going into outer space!

  Godkiller kicks off this week in Iron Man #6! Tony Stark invented a weapon to contain the Phoenix Force in Avengers vs. X-Men. We know how that turned out! Will Tony pay the ultimate price for this cosmic crime?

 

Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel
Iron Man #7 courtesy Marvel

 Marvel shared an ominous preview of next month’s Iron Man #7 by Kieron Gillen and Greg Land. To some aliens the Phoenix is a harbinger of death and rebirth while others worship the entity.

   The Shi’ar Empire has been connected to the Phoenix and the X-Men Continue reading IRON MAN On Trial!

Wolverine Attacks Jean Grey?

All-New X-Men #6 courtesy Marvel
All-New X-Men #6 courtesy Marvel

  Beast brought the original X-Men into the Marvel Now hoping their influence could make Cyclops change his ways in All-New X-Men. The future truth may have been took much for the newly telepathic Jean Grey to take. By the end of the first arc a defiant Jean Grey knew her horrible future past and vowed to remain in the Marvel Now.

  Marvel shared a preview of All-New X-Men #6 with Comics Newsarama that is frightening for fans of Marvel’s most famous redhead. The original team is staying in their future to make their dead mentor’s dream a reality. Are these images nightmares, reality or hints of things to come?

 

All-New X-Men #6 courtesy Marvel
All-New X-Men #6 courtesy Marvel

  Cyclops, Magneto rush into to Jean. Scott, Erik, Emma Frost and Magik are based in the old Weapon X facility and have been recruiting new mutants for a revolution. Logan crashed into the scene killing Jean but not before the haunting image of the Phoenix flares up in her eyes.

  I suspect this is a nightmare but who’s to say another telepath could be projecting these images in Jean’s mind?

Artist David Marquez joins Brian Michael Bendis for the next chapter.

By Editor

Phoenix & Mystique’s Comic Book and Movie Futures

 

Uncanny X-Men #466 courtesy Marvel

  Is Rachel Summers ready for a big comeback? X-Men: Days of Future Past is based on the classic story that introduced the daughter of Scott Summers and Jean Grey from a future timeline so it’s possible the character could appear in director the Bryan Singer directed sequel.

  In comics Professor X is dead. Emma Frost is on the run. Rachel is the most powerful telepath at the Jean Grey School. Wolverine and the X-Men writer Jason Aaron teased Rachel’s future is his book:

“…she’s the top telepath at the Jean Grey School. That’s already a pretty huge role. Assuming she survives the current Murder Circus craziness, I’d expect to see Rachel getting back to what she was doing in issue #19: namely doing whatever she can to track down the Hellfire Club. For those that want to see more of Rachel unleashed, believe me, it’s coming,” Aaron told a fan on X-Position on Comic Book Resources.

 

X-Men #190 courtesy Marvel

Another movie/comic connection to ponder:

Jennifer Lawrence will reprise her role Mystique in X-Men: Days of Future Past. In the Claremont storyline the shapeshifter leads the Brotherhood of Mutants in an attack on a Senator. The X-Men must prevent the assassination to prevent a future in which Sentinels rule.

  Mystique has been a key player in Rick Remender’s final Uncanny X-Force arc The Final Execution. Raven will be a huge villain in All-New X-Men and Wolverine and the X-Men.

  “I can’t say too much about what she’s up to without spoiling one of our big arcs for next year. But she’s obviously still working with Sabretooth’s crew, along with Lord Deathstrike and the new Silver Samurai, who are all currently being contracted by the Hellfire Club to track down some of the new mutants popping up around the globe. As for what happens when they find those mutants… well, I expect we’ll have an answer soon enough,” Aaron said.

By Editor

Iron Man the God Killer

Iron Man #6 courtesy Marvel

God Killer. Now that sounds intense!

Tony Stark rockets into outer space in the second arc of Iron Man in February. Kieron Gillen talked about Iron Man’s team up with Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek fantasies, and Tony paying for his actions in AvX and more on Marvel.com.

“Tony Stark is in space. Issues #1-6 are why he leaves. This is the story between Tony leaving Earth and hooking up with the Guardians of the Galaxy,” Gillen explains.

Cyclops went to prison but I believe Iron Man is in part to blame for the destruction caused by the Phoenix Five. It was Tony’s invention that deflected the Phoenix from Hope and into Scott, Emma, Colossus, Magik and Namor.

“What Tony did to the Phoenix during AvX catches up with him,” Gillen explains, “Tony is having a crisis of his beliefs. Fans know it’s because of AvX. Newcomers may be lost. We catch up here.”

Space adventures are a big part of the Marvel Now with a brand new Guardians of the Galaxy series and movie on the way. The ultimate futurist will be part of the new space age.

“Tony is living his James T. Kirk fantasies. That’s how I put it, that’s how he puts it. He thinks he’s in a space opera, then it all turns badly,” Gillen teases, “Not only does Tony try to live out his Kirk and Han Solo fantasies, he’s keenly aware he is doing so. He wants to make out with a green lady. There’s a lot of space bar flirting in issue #6. Maybe he gets his Kirk moment, maybe it goes awesomely wrong.”

The Armored Avenger may meet the Guardians but don’t expect his fellow Mightiest Heroes around.

“You know how the Hawkeye book is about Hawkeye when he’s not in the Avengers? Iron Man is about Iron Man when he’s not with the Guardians of the Galaxy. It’s a question of what space means in the Marvel Universe. Brian Bendis and I are on the same page.”

“We are in space with Tony, so we do not find out what is going on back on Earth with the supporting cast. People have been asking me a lot about why the supporting cast was not in issue #1, and it’s because I knew he was going into space. We’ll see them when he comes back to Earth. However…there is a connection between Pepper and Tony even when he’s in space.”

“This is about the way that Tony sees the world. What can reason do? What are the limits of what my thoughts can be? That’s what I mean about Tony and faith.”

“There are a lot of real hard wake-up calls for Tony in God Killer. A lot of things will make him go ‘Hmm.’ This really picks at Tony, at who he is and why he does things.”

Uncanny X-Men #9 interior art of UNIT courtesy Marvel

I loved how Gillen used UNIT in his Uncanny X-Men run and I’ve asked if Tony will encounter the sinister android.

“You never know. There’s an interesting pairing. I will say Death’s Head shows up in this arc. He’s our Boba Fett.”

Tony will build a new suit of armor seen on the cover art above.

“He built the suit to travel. He travels with everything he needs. He’s in tune with the holistic nature of what is needed to support Tony Stark. The suit is designed to go into space as an adventurer, an explorer and a hero. The only thing he doesn’t really have is his support network. I would be surprised if we don’t see him ‘in the cave’ metaphorically speaking.”

I personally feel Steve Rogers and Tony are partly responsible for the action of the Phoenix Five because their interference created them. Gillen reflects on Tony’s actions in the mega series.

“I’m of the position that if Tony hadn’t disrupted the Phoenix Force during AvX, it would have killed everybody on Earth. I’m not sure he would agree with me. He made leaps of faith in Fear Itself and AvX and wasn’t comfortable with either. He’s been avoiding thinking about it. He’s not depressed, but he’s hungry to discover things he hasn’t thought about previously. He’s driven.”

Iron Man #1 just came out last week with Tony trying to recover the Extemis nanotechnology. God Killer kicks off in February.

By Editor

AvX is Operation Hate Cyclops! Updated

Avengers vs X-Men #11 courtesy Marvel

Spoiler Warning:

This Op/Ed followup should not be read unless you’ve read Avengers vs. X-Men #12.

   Avengers vs. X-Men could be retitled Operation: Hate Cyclops. When AvX was first announced I was on fully on board with Cyclops and the mutants. I posted “Cyke Is Right!” on my blog and all over rallying my fellow X-Men fans. X-Men were my first comic book and I’ve always identified with them. Captain America and the Avengers were yanking away the one Hope the mutants had to save their species.

The architects of AvX turned the greatest hero and leader in comic books into an arrogant, power mad egomaniac. The Marvel masterminds even did the unthinkable – turn me against Scott! I’ve actually rooting for the Avengers. Cyke was right. Now I’m not so sure.

AvX is a dark and critical chapter in Scott’s life. The man Professor Xavier chose to lead the mutants has never had it easy. He’s been put in incredible scenarios against impossible odds and faced tragedy after tragedy. His fellow mutants have constantly been under attack and he’s been forced to make tough calls without a single Avenger coming to his aid. That’s what I love about him.

Scott Summers must always been in control. Holding back his optic blasts is a symbol of the life Scott has been forced to lead. Professor Xavier made him team leader. Cyke pushed himself to be a better leader while the other X-Men got to laugh and escape from training at Harry’s Hideaway. Scott is always living in the Danger Room.

Scott has lost Jean, Madelyne, Nathan. Cyke has held firm despite insults from Wolverine and wavering support from longtime friends. He’s a better X-Man than any mutant…including Logan.

Avengers vs. X-Men #11 courtesy Marvel.com

In AvX #11 the Phoenix possessed Cyclops and Emma Frost turn on each other because there can be only one. AvX appears to be the end of a powerhouse Marvel romance. Grant Morrison slowly separated Scott and Jean and paired Cyke with the reformed Emma Frost during his New X-Men run. Joss Whedon united Scott and Emma as the mutant power couple in his Astonishing X-Men epic. As much as I love Jean, Emma is the one true woman for Scott.

The Phoenix Force is now divided between Scott and Emma. Scott has been transformed into arrogant cosmic level zealot. The God-like power of the Phoenix Force has twisted Scott’s intense dedication to save his race. Emma’s behavior is now dangerously similar to the Dark Phoenix. The reformed White Queen has always kept her ruthless streak and it’s been necessary and easy for her to slip back into the role of a villain (Dark Reign & Dark X-Men Saga) to use it for the sake of saving the mutants.

I kept hoping Scott and Emma’s extreme and ruthless behavior was a result of having slivers of The Void (The Sentry’s evil alter ego) in their minds. It was these two mutants who sacrificed to trap the Void when the Avengers couldn’t stop him. I wanted some excuse so it would be easy to redeem Scott and Emma for their actions. Alas, I can blame the Phoenix Force but isn’t the entity just feeding off and empowering the emotions and motivations existing in my favorite Marvel power couple?

Avengers vs. X-Men #12 courtesy Marvel

Cyclops betrayed Emma and stole her Phoenix Power, killed Professor X, became Dark Phoenix and began burning the earth. In this week’s final chapter Hope and Scarlet Witch (with an assist from Jean Grey?) forced the Phoenix out of Scott. The leader of the X-Men now sits in prison as the most hated man in the Marvel Universe. Cyclops is taking all the blame even though he was right about Hope, The Phoenix and how to save the mutant race.

Every hero falls. Every fan loves redemption. I hope Scott and Emma survive AvX to rise to greatness again in the Marvel NOW.

By Editor