Heroes of the Marvel Universe are about to be devastated by the Avengers’ greatest enemy. This March Brian Michael Bendis and Bryan Hitch usher in the Age of Ultron.
Bendis has revealed that Ultron has already won when the series begins. The big question is which heroes will survive the insane android’s wrath? From the new Marvel images is appears Black Widow and Red Hulk are leading the resistance. Before the series is over which heroes will submit or perish?
By Editor
No courts. No jails. No problem.
General Thunderbolt Ross (Red Hulk) recruits Elektra, Punisher, Venom and Deadpool to take on and take out Marvel’s most dangerous villains.
Get ready for a brand new Thunderbolts #1 this week by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon.
Way told Marvel.com his past experience with solo books is what drew him to this team concept.
“My work on solo characters has probably been my strongest, and it’s definitely what I’m most comfortable writing. That being said, the idea—and the challenge—of writing a team book had been steadily moving to the front of my mind for several years. When I was presented with this team, in particular—a team of “lone wolf” characters—it was like a dream come true.”
With this kind of roster and concept expect Way to be unleashed on this book.
“This is the team that takes on the big problems others can’t or won’t. The easiest way to explain this is to look at the real world. Though there are atrocities committed all over the world, why is it the U.S. government intervenes in only some of these cases, rather than all? The reasons, sadly and invariably, are rooted in politics. The Thunderbolts have no politics. Of course, this being a comic book with an unlimited special effects budget, rest assured that any conflict into which this team enters will definitely be on the epic side of the scale. With this cast of characters? There’s no way I’m going to hold back.”
Way delivers this tease making Thunderbolts #1 a book you can’t refuse.
“By the time the first story arc concludes, the Thunderbolts will have done something that will have everyone—everyone—in the Marvel universe screaming for their blood. What that is and how it happens starts on the first page of the first issue.”
How’s that for a tease?
By Editor
The tragedy of Colossus: Let’s start with Joss Whedon bringing him back from the dead. He gets Kitty Pryde back. He finally has sex with Kitt then loses Kitty when she’s trapped in a speeding bullet through space. He loses Nightcrawler. Deals with the never-ending limbo/dead/limbo/back/no soul drama of his sister Magik. He becomes the Juggernaut and Kitty dumps him.
I love Colossus because the mighty mutant of steel is the emo whipping boy of several Marvel writers but he can take it. The poor guy is coping with the emotional abuse of losing Kitty, having a psycho demonic sister and fighting a demon of his own.
In Avengers vs X-Men writers have poured on the physical abuse. Colossus took a beating from the Red Hulk in AvX and AvX Versus plus that fight with Spidey.
In this week’s AvX Vs #3 Peter goes fists to fists with the Rulk then the Thing on the moon! Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness clobber us with a brutal steel vs rock showdown. The art is powerhouse and Peter’s inner dialogue is powerful. The former innocent Russian farm boy is long gone. A cold steel warrior with a devil inside is fighting an inner battle that he’s losing with every physical victory.
SPOILER
IF YOU HAVEN’T READ AVX #5 STOP READING NOW
SERIOUSLY
OK HERE IT COMES
In Avengers vs X-Men #5 the Phoenix Five (Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Colossus and Magik) were born as the entity seized them as hosts. If there’s one thing I hope from this is the Phoenix burns the Cyttorak out of Peter and Limbo out of Illyana. Since the entity represents death and rebirth, I hope Colossus and Magik can be cleansed and reborn.
By Editor
Kieron Gillen is on a wicked roll with Uncanny X-Men #11. UNIT was established in the previous issues as a powerful new threat to the mutants. I call him the X-Men’s version of Ultron. Gillen calls him a cross of “C3PO and Hannibal Lecter” and that’s perfect description given the eerie moment in the latest issue.
UNIT may be caged under Utopia but he’s still a real menace. There’s a scene between Hope and the alien/machine that reminds me of Hannibal and Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs when his finger touched hers.
The issue moves before and between the events of AvX #1 and #2. While this issue is packed with action, Gillen takes us inside the minds of these X-Men. Colossus and Red Hulk’s battle underwater continues and it’s a brutal beating on both sides. Peter has an epic war inside his mind and soul. This fight begins as a trying to defeat an Avengers but turns into a battle for what’s left of Peter’s humanity. There’s even an “oh —-” moment when the Red Hulk looks scared. The journey of the Colossal Juggernaut continues to be one of the most intriguing element of Gillen’s X-run.
I really enjoyed getting inside the mind of the arrogant and awesome Namor. I’ve loved the Atlantean being part of the X-Men world but we learn why he’s chosen to stand with the mutants and insight into the Cyclops
I think Gillen possesses a real grasp of each X-Man’s “voice.” This power packed issue really adds a vital new element to the AvX conflict.
Ever since Colossus became the Juggernaut in order to defeat a Serpent fused Cain Marko during the Fear Itself event, it’s become easier and easier for him to summon the power. Peter is slipping deeper into the dark side. In order to defeat some of the Avengers big guns like Red Hulk and Thing, Colossus will have to tap into the force and it might consume him forever.
Marvel gave fans a first look interior art from Avengers Vs. X-Men #2 by Jason Aaron and John Romita Jr. It looks like Cyclops has unleashed Colossus on what might be a SHIELD helicarrier or Avengers jet. The Red Hulk responds accordingly.
To pick a winner in this fight is easy: I want Colossus to beat the red off this Hulk! I love Peter Rasputin but I think the Cyttorak power has taken him over. The price Peter has paid for victory in Fear Itself and AvX may be his soul.
Something else to point out in these pages is Wolverine appears to be with the Avengers when Colossus attacks. Does this mean Logan switches sides or is he caught in the wrong place, wrong time while trying to play peacemaker?
This is a clash of titans when Red Hulk and Colossus fight in Avengers Vs X-Men #2 by Jason Aaron and John Romita Jr. Marvel released this new promo art with a boastful quote from the RULK.
This Geek’s Opinion: I want Peter to smash the RULK into he’s only red blood on the shores of Utopia. One Hulk is enough. I’m not a fan of the Red Hulk. I’m not a fan of the new Colossal Juggernaut but I know it makes for good development for the character. If Peter and Kitty were together in wedded bliss then I’d probably be bored. Peter is on a dark path serving as the avatar for Cyttorak. It’s becoming easier and easier for Peter to summon the evil force to enhance his power. To defeat the Red Hulk, Peter may have to reach a dark level he may never come back from.
Cyclops is coming to the Jean Grey School but not to be a guest professor. The Extinction team leader goes to the school in Wolverine and the X-Men #10 but will the staff and students join Scott against the Avengers?
Schism tore X-Men apart. I can see how the return of the Phoenix will equally divide Logan’s school family of mutants. Rachel Grey has a huge connection to the entity and this could bring back feelings of her mom and make her want to support Scott.
If that’s not enough of a reason check out this issue – the May solicit promised Iceman Vs. Red Hulk! Good thing Bobby has reached a new level of power. I’d love to see Iceman go all Omega Level and take out RULK!
Winter Soldier #1
Bucky Barnes gave the Captain America mantle back to Steve Rogers and becomes the Winter Soldier again. Partnered with the Black Widow, they are the “Mr. and Mrs. Smith of the Marvel Universe” according to writer Ed Brubaker. The Seattle writer spins new adventures of Marvel’s hottest spies as they team up to take out awakened ex-Russian sleeper agents.
Fatale #2
This is a potent brew of crime noir and supernatural horror. Two men in two time periods chasing down the same woman. Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips create dueling time crossed mysteries with the impeding dread that a poor bastard is inching closer to a demonic end.
Batman: The Gates of Gotham trade paperback
Batman assembles some of greatest detectives in the DC Universe when a mystery as old as Gotham City challenges the Dark Knight. Batman soon learns the dark history of Gotham’s past and sins of its most famous families – including the Waynes. Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgins
Assassins Creed: After the Fall trade paperback
Based on the killer video game this story follows the Russian assassin in a race against the Templars to claim a powerful artifact.
Avengers X-Sanction #3
Cable Versus Red Hulk! The mutant from the future has taken on Captain America and Iron Man – now it’s smash time with RULK! Why does Nathan have to take out the Avengers to save Hope of the X-Men?