Tag: Spider Man

Black History Month Favorite Comic Heroes

As we celebrate Black History Month in North America and the United Kingdom I was inspired to think about my favorite African-American superheroes. While these fictional characters are not as important as civil rights leaders, boundary breaking athletes and artists or scientists who made a powerful contributions to our world I think seeing diversity in comic books makes an impact…on everyone.

Before I reveal my top 10 I want to say this was tough and I know some of you have your favorites like Steel aka John Henry Irons, Batwing, Shadowhawk, Spawn, Photon, Static and not to mention non-superhero characters like Michonne and Tyreese of The Walking Dead, but these are the ten characters (+ one because I just couldn’t leave her off!) that I’ve loved and stayed with me.

11  Vixen  Mari Jiwe McCabe grew up in remote village in the fictional African country of Zambesi. Mari’s family were holders of a mystical totem but he uncle killed her parents and stolen the totem. Mari moved to America, became an international supermodel, built a fortune and traveled to her homeland to take back her family’s totem and became known as Vixen. With the totem Mari can mimic the abilities of any animal on Earth. Mari a member of the Justice League. In the DC Comics New 52 relaunch Vixen was injured but recently seen as one of the possible new recruits Cyborg will call on to join the new Justice League.

Vixen: Return of the Lion #3 courtesy DC Comics
Vixen: Return of the Lion #3 courtesy DC Comics

10  Spider-Man Miles Morales became a media sensation when Marvel revealed the new Ultimate Spider-Man was of African-American and Latino descent. Like Peter Parker, Miles is a science nerd bitten by a radioactive spider but his powers are slightly different. Miles recently met the Peter Parker of “our” Marvel Universe in the crossover smash, Spider-Men.

Spider-Men by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel
Spider-Men by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel

9.  Patriot  Elijah Bradley is the grandson of Isiah Bradley, the first Captain America. (Isiah was among the black men who served as test subjects before the Super Soldier Serum was given to Steve Rogers. This story was told in the series Truth: Red, White & Black.) Eli became a founding member of the Young Avengers. These teen heroes wanted to fight crime and carry on the legacy of the Avengers who had disbanded at the time. I don’t want to give away the secet of Eli’s powers (told in the Young Avengers series) but his is a great story of young man trying to do right and honor his past. Eli is a great leader and strategist in the tradition of Captain America. A brand new Young Avengers series just relaunched but Eli is not on the team. I’m hoping Patriot will soon be appearing in the Marvel Now, maybe even joining the main Avengers?

Young Avengers Presents: Patriot #1 courtesy Marvel
Young Avengers Presents: Patriot #1 courtesy Marvel

8.  Falcon  Sam Wilson was the first mainsteam African-American superhero and the first Continue reading Black History Month Favorite Comic Heroes

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN Kissing Mary Jane!

 

Superior Spider-Man #2 courtesy Marvel

   Imagine the ick factor of Mary Jane Watson making out with…Doctor Octopus? If Spidey fans are upset on the big switch in Superior Spider-Man #1 this shot of the new webslinger kissing Peter Parker’s girlfriend will make them go wild.

Artist Ryan Stegman shared why his style is perfect fit for writer Dan Slott’s darker spin on the webslinger Marvel.com.

“My style has been edging darker anyway. My favorite styles are sort of cartoony with a certain amount of looseness to the finish. It allows your work to cover a wide range of expression. So when it needs to be light it can and when it needs to be dark it can.

  I’ve found that my style slightly changes on almost every book I do to suit what it is that I’m working on. It’s not always overt, and it’s certainly not conscious. But I just finished a run on FANTASTIC FOUR and I think my style on this has been different even though I never consciously decided that. It’s just that the tone of the writing is different.”

Slott and Stegman are throwing a new Sinister Six at the Superior Spider-Man.

“I re-designed Overdrive. But for the most part we stuck with classic designs. I think one of the great things about the villains in this book is that the ones that stick generally have pretty cool designs. For example, the Living Brain is something that I would never design. It’s blocky and crazy looking. But somehow it’s awesome. So I didn’t want to fiddle with it. I just wanted it to look exactly like it always did.”

Back to that famous redhead, Stegman calls MJ the most important supporting cast member.

“I’ve always wanted to draw her. And I want to do her justice as all the great Spidey artists have done. Especially Romita Sr. That’s a huge part of Spider-Man to me. Without Mary Jane this book probably wouldn’t be everything that it is.”

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

Superior Spider-Man #2 swings into comic shops this week with the kiss that’s sure to create controversy.

By Editor

Marvel Comics Most Anticipated 2013

Age of Ultron #1 courtesy Marvel
Age of Ultron #1 courtesy Marvel

Marvel Now continues with more new relaunches and brand new series in 2013 but this year will mark the return of the Avengers’ greatest enemy!

Age of Ultron! No planning. No build up. The robotic menace hase already won on page one of Age of Ultron. The long-awaited epic series reunites Brian Michael Bendis and Bryan Hitch.

Young Avengers! Kid Loki gets a new group of young heroes together to kill Wiccan? The Scarlet Witch’s son and his boyfriend Hulkling and Kate Bishop are joined by new recruits Miss America and Noh-Varr. Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie (Phonogram) are the new creative team on the new Young Avengers coming January 23.

Marvel Goes Cosmic and Gets Spacey! Brian Michael Bendis and Steve McNiven relaunch Guardians of the Galaxy with new member Iron Man. Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuiness blast a brand new Nova series with a new young hero under the helmet.

Fearless Defenders! Cullen Bunn assembles Marvel’s finest female heroes in a brand new series starring Valkyrie, Misty Knight and Dani Moonstar! I’m hoping he’ll bring back Hellcat for a reunion with Val!

X-Termination: Alpha #1 courtesy Marvel
X-Termination: Alpha #1 courtesy Marvel

X-Termination! Mutants from multiple dimensions clash in the crossover between X-Treme X-Men, Astonishing X-Men and Age of Apocalypse in March.

Superior Spider-Man! Apologies to hardcore Peter Parker fans but imagine how much fun this could be? Feel the ick when Doc Ock kisses MJ! Root for Otto to get busted or is it possible you could end up rooting for this new “hero” in the suit?

Uncanny X-Men! Brian Michael Bendis and Chris Bachalo relaunch the flagship X-book starring Cyclops, Emma Frost, Magneto and Magik after the finale of the first arc of All-New X-Men starring the original X-Men.

By Editor

Here are my most anticipated 2013 DC Comics books and events.

Superior Spider-Man Revealed

Superior Spider-Man #1 courtesy Marvel

SPOILER ALERT!

 

 

THIS POST REVEALS THE ENDING OF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #700 AND THE IDENTITY OF SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN!

 

 

YOU MAY NOT WANT TO CONTINUE READING!

 

HERE IT IS:

 

   Amazing Spider-Man #700 marked a radical change in the dynmaic of one of the greatest comic book rivalries in history. The final (?)battle of Peter Parker and Doctor Octopus in this week’s milestone issue spins a whole new web of story potential in 2013 and beyond. 

 Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will be feeling Superior in the new year. The mad genius Otto Octavius will be the new webslinger in a brand new series. Marvel will unleash Superior Spider-Man #1 in January with writer Dan Slott and artist Ryan Stegman spinning the tales of a new Spidey.

  In recent issues of Amazing Spider-Man we learned Doc Ock has switched bodies with Peter Parker. In issue #700 the enemies shared a mindlink as Otto (in Peter’s body) was killing Peter (trapped in Ock’s body). Octavius experienced and felt the pivotal moments (Uncle Ben’s death, Gwen Stacy’s death) that made Peter Parker the hero we all knew and loved. Did this brain blast of Parker’s past have a positive impact on the classic villain? Doc Ock (in Peter’s body) is vowing to live as Peter did and to be a “Superior” Spider-Man.

  This was the big reveal Spidey writer Dan Slott has been building towards. The big question for readers is how Peter’s extended cast of friends and enemies will react to the new Spider-Man.

  “This is still very much the world of Spider-Man. There may be a new Spider-Man here, doing things in a new and different way, but you’re going to see the Spider-cast reacting to this,” Slott told Marvel.com, “You’re going to see how this Spider-Man will deal with our Spider-Man’s villains. How will hereact to this Spider-Man’s supporting cast? Whoever makes it out of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #700 will find a different Spider-Man waiting for them when Superior Spider-Man starts.”

 “For many characters, and for many things in Spider-Man’s world, there are dark days ahead,” Slott revealed about Parker’s friends at Horizon Labs.

  It’s become dark for Slott on the internet. Fuming fans have expressed their outrage over the twist. Slott has even received death threats. If hardcore Spidey fans are furious now wait until they see the new Spider-Man kissing Mary Jane? 

  Love it or loathe it – this “Superior” status quo shakeup is ambitious and could mean a wide “web” of dramatic story possibilities. As a devout X-Men fan it was difficult to see Cyclops’s fall from grace in Avengers vs. X-Men (Scott killed Professor X?!) but as a reader I’m loving the new storylines.

   There’s no way Peter Parker is completely dead. Peter’s journey back from oblivion and Doc Ock’s eventual payback will make this new spin in Spidey worth it. Peter Parker Fans don’t fret. You can bet Peter will be swinging again in the comics in time for Amazing Spider-Man 2 on the big screen.

By Editor

Legendary Writer In AMAZING SPIDER-MAN Finale

 

Amazing Spider-Man #700 courtesy Marvel

Dan Slott is been taking Peter Parker to new heights as the latest in the long line of creators keeping Spider-Man swinging. Marvel revealed a legendary creator is back for the milestone final issue. J.M. DeMatteis wrote a story for Amazing Spider-Man #700 out today.

“I think it’s because Peter Parker is the most psychologically real character in any super-hero universe—and I almost hesitate to use the word character,” he explains of his affinity for Spidey. “I believe in Peter. I identify with him. His trials and tribulations reflect my own and that’s allowed me to pour so much of myself into Peter when I’ve written him. A kind of mind-meld happens and we become one person,” reveals DeMatteis.

  “I think the readers react similarly; there’s something about Peter that resonates with them, that feels true. He is, first and foremost, the everyman of super heroes. He’s one of us. That’s why I’m always happy to revisit the character: it’s like getting a chance to hang out with one of my oldest and dearest friends.”

 

Amazing Spider-Man #700 courtesy Marvel

The legendary creator gives a hint of what his story will be.

“What I will say is that I wanted to do a story that was special and unlike any Spider-Man story I’d done before. One that was a suitable for this big anniversary celebration. I think my story, “Spider Dreams,” fits the bill. It’s a stand-alone story that—well, if I say anything more about it, I’ll spoil the surprise, so I’ll shut my big mouth now.”

I wonder if Spider Dreams is inspired by one of my favorite Spidey stories you could call nightmarish! Kraven’s Last Hunt by DeMatteis and Mike Zeck is just one of the classic storylines by this incredible writer.

By Editor

 

 

Top Picks for 12/26/12

Amazing Spider-Man #700 courtesy Marvel

Amazing Spider-Man #700 The final issue of the series. How will Dan Slott end his run and relaunch Superior Spider-Man in 2013?

Aquaman #15 Atlantis attacks the surface world! The crossover with Justice League continues in part two of Throne of Atlantis. Aquaman is torn between his past and present as Ocean Master rises from the depths with an army behind him!

Mara #1 Brian Wood (Ultimate Comics: X-Men, The Massive, Northlanders) blends superpowers, celebrity worship and feminism in a new science fiction limited series from Image. Mara Prince is a superstar in a reality show obsessed world. She uses her supernatural powers on live television but is she just a pawn?

By Editor

Kitty Pryde and Iron Man?

A+X #2 courtesy Marvel

Will Tony Stark hit on Kitty Pryde?

A+X is a fun new series in the spirit of old school team-up books like (Marvel Team-Up which starred Spidey and a different guest star each issue and Marvel-Two-In-One which co-starred the Thing.) In the aftermath of Avengers versus X-Men this is a way to let the healing begin and for fans to enjoy some unlikely duos in action together.

This week A+X #2 brings together Iron Man and Kitty Pryde against the Brood! How will the genius inventor and the X-Men’s computer wiz defeat the alien invaders? Will playboy Tony Stark resist flirting with Kitty? Good thing she’s got a dragon to burn away Brood and unwanted suitors!

A+X #2 will feature Spider-Man and the Beast against…zombies? Maybe they should call Doctor Strange for a consult?

By Editor

Amazing Spider-Man Sequel Talk

Andrew Garfield as The Amazing Spider-Man courtesy Columbia Pictures

Amazing Spider-Man is out on dvd/blu ray but fans are buzzing about the sequel! Director Marc Webb, Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone will return.

The biggest casting rumor is that Jamie Foxx may play Electro according to Variety.     Electro’s real name is Max Dillon. The villain gains control of electricity after being struck by lightning.

Shailene Woodley is reportedly in talks to join the cast…as Mary Jane Watson?

I still think Dr. Michael Morbius (The Living Vampire) would make an excellent villain in the darker, edgier Spideyverse Webb has created but Morbius’s story may be too similar to Curt Connors/The Lizard.

What do you think of having Jamie Foxx as Electro?

By Editor