You may call it a variant cover. I call it a love letter to an epic run.
Marvel gave Comics Newsarama a first look at a ton of gorgeous variants to Marvel Now titles coming in November.
This one is my favorite. David Yardin (X-Factor covers) created this beautiful variant for New Avengers #34. Brian Michael Bendis is wrapping up his 8 year run with End Times.
This cover represents – to borrow a famous line – the best of times, the worst of times for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes: The evil Dark Reign of Norman Osborn, The Secret Invasion of the Skrulls, The Tragedy of Robert Reynolds aka The Sentry and the infusion of new blood. Bendis brought in Luke Cage, Spider-Woman, Iron Fist, Wolverine and Daredevil to make the Avengers franchise new and exciting. The only person missing is the beautiful Jessica Jones aka Mrs. Cage.
Storm and Black Panther are so over. Cyclops and Emma Frost are at each others throats as the Phoenix Force consumes the X-Men leaders. Hawkeye and Spider-Woman are the one Marvel couple that seem to be heating up due to action of Avengers vs. X-Men.
Marvel revealed art from Avengers #30 by Walter Simonson. Leinil Yu provides the cover showing the lovers on the run.
I think Clint and Jessica’s new romance will survive and thrive because of the conflict. Here’s hoping the hot duo will be part of Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers or New Avengers in the Marvel NOW relaunch.
Avengers #30 courtesy Marvel
Brian Michael Bendis did bring Jessica back from back burner status. Could she be a casualty of war and change of writers? Stay tuned? Avengers #30 is out September 19th.
One of the big topics at GeekGirlCon in Seattle this past weekend was the lack of female comic book writers and lead characters. Somebody is listening. This week two creative announcements should geek girls and (any fan of great writing and characters) celebrating.
Marvel Comics revealed Kelly Sue DeConnick will be the new writer on Avengers Assemble. This a newer comic book designed to appeal to fans of the blockbuster movie.
“These are the AC/DC Avengers. When I saw the movie, I managed to keep in together until Iron Man came onscreen and Back in Black blared. I bounced up and down in my chair. That’s the moment I’m writing for,” declares DeConnick.
DeConnick will be the first female writer on an Avengers title.
“I’m very interested in making sure women knowing that wanting to work in this industry is not peculiar. There is not anything in heroism or sci-fi that is exclusively masculine. The hero ideal is as important to my daughter as it is to my son. But I don’t want to represent all women in comics…particularly because I blow things sometimes!” says DeConnick.
For longtime Executive Editor it’s about having the right writer on Marvel’s biggest franchise.
“It’s a nice factoid, but I didn’t hire a woman to write Avengers, I hired Kelly Sue to write Avengers for the same reasons I’ve hired and will continue to hire writers,” said Brevoort
DeConnick will add Spider-Woman and Captain Marvel to the team. Last month Ms. Marvel was promoted to Captain in a brand new book written by DeConnick too. Captain Marvel #1 was a sold out smash.
Journey Into Mystery #646 courtesy Marvel
Marvel made another announcement this week. Kathyrn Immonen will take over writing Journey Into Mysterywith issue #646. Lady Sif will be the new lead character of this book set in the Thor universe. Kid Loki was the previous lead character. Lady Sif is an Asgardian warrior and Thor’s great love.
“We talked at length as far as what her story could be, and it came down to a single question: What does she want? For Sif, what she wants above all is to be a better warrior. How far would she go for that? She makes some terrible decisions and puts a lot of people in peril,” Immonen spoke of her protagonist.
At GeekGirlCon 2012 there were a few geek gals in Thor costumes. Maybe next year we’ll see a Lady Sif or the new Captain Marvel?
Two of the biggest success stories celebrated at the con were Batwoman and Wonder Woman. Along with Batgirl these three DC Comics books starring female leads are solid sellers which could lead to more female driven books. These two iconic heroines are joining forces. Wonder Woman guest stars in this week’s Batwoman #12.
Batwoman #12 courtesy DC Comics
After attending GeekGirlCon I thought this week’s announcements were ironic and inspiring. The big publishers appear to be listening to the fans.
Kelly Sue DeConnick and Stefano Caselli are the new creative team on Avengers Assemble. Spider-Woman and the new Captain Marvel are joining up too. DeConnick and Executive Editor Tom Brevoort talked with Marvel.com about new members and tone of the movie-friendly title.
“These are the AC/DC Avengers. When I saw the movie, I managed to keep in together until Iron Man came onscreen and Back in Black blared. I bounced up and down in my chair. That’s the moment I’m writing for,” Kelly Sue DeConnick said.
“These will be tight ‘get in, get out’ adventures, focused mostly on the classic, ‘public’ Avengers from the movie, drawing in other characters as it demands. Big impact.” – Tom Brevoort added.
The inclusion of Spider-Woman on the teaser image sparked excitement for a bigger role…movie role…for Jessica in the Avengers sequel.
“I really really like Jessica Drew. I like how crazy and broken she is. She’s a character I really wanted to write,” DeConnick revealed.
“I don’t ever want to be in direct competition with Brian Michael Bendis. I might be able to beat him up, that’s possible. We’re different writers with different takes. We do have a similar sense of humor and love for banter-y dialogue. I have been a fan of Brian’s for many years long before I knew him. But I’m writing my Avengers book,” DeConnick said of following Bendis.
“The first arc is kind of an Amazing Race thing where the Avengers are teaming up and competing with each other. Spider-Woman is with Hulk and Thor with Iron Man,” DeConnick said of her initial story.
DeConnick just relaunched Ms. Marvel as the new Captain Marvel and now becomes the first female writer on an Avengers title.
“I’m very interested in making sure women knowing that wanting to work in this industry is not peculiar. There is not anything in heroism or sci fi that is exclusively masculine. The hero ideal is as important to my daughter as it is to my son. But I don’t want to represent all women in comics…particularly because I blow things sometimes!” DeConnick said.
“If Cap or Thor or Hulk are there, you can have Quasar or Machine Man or Triathlon standing next to them in context. They may not be in the movies now, but wait until Avengers 9!” – Tom Brevoort said of upcoming guest stars.
For the entire livelog here’s the Marvel.com link.
After a week of reveals the Marvel tease machine cranked back up with a new image that sparks a ton of speculation over the future of the Avengers and which new hero may join an Avengers 2 sequel.
This Marvel.com teaser looks like Kelly Sue DeConnick (Captain Marvel) and Stefano Caselli are taking over Avengers Assemble in November. This is the “movie friendly version” of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes book.
Could this be a sign that Spider-Woman may join the lineup in the Avengers 2 sequel or series being developed by Joss Whedon?
Avengers Women of Marvel variant featuring Spider-Woman courtesy Marvel.com
One of my favorite elements of the Brian Michael Bendis Avengers era is how he brought the original Spider-Woman back in the spotlight and made her an Avenger. Sure the Spider-Woman who joined New Avengers #1 was actually a Skrull but the real Jessica Drew finally came back.
Jonathan Hickman is taking over Avengers and New Avengers in 2013 as part of the Marvel NOW! relaunch. Hickman revealed his Avengers will start with 18 cast members. Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso now confirms Spider-Woman will be part of the relaunched team.
In today’s Axel-in-Charge column on Comic Book Resources a fan asked if more female characters like Spider-Woman will have a place the Marvel NOW! world.
“Spider-Woman will remain part of the Avengers, and may turn up in Avengers Assemble,” Alonso responded.
Spider-Woman on New Avengers #15 courtesy Marvel
“As for Black Widow, while she won’t have a new Marvel NOW! title, she’s currently appearing Secret Avengers, Avengers Assemble and Winter Soldier,” he added.
This is just speculation on my part but could Spider-Woman appearing in Avengers Assemble mean Marvel Films could be considering have Jessica join an Avengers sequel or star in her own movie? Given Joss Whedon’s stunning track record of writing and directing female heroes can you imagine how Whedon would translate the tragic and triumphant life of Jessica Drew!?
Spider-Woman Versus Gambit? I really like this matchup because the powers are similar and both heroes have swayed down the dark path so they could both fight dirty if necessary. Humberto Ramos created this showdown of venom blast and kinetic cards.
Daredevil and Archangel by Salvador Larroca is a wild card simply because of Warren Worthington’s recent transformation in Uncanny X-Force: The Dark Angel Saga. Murdock could take Angel but a clash with Archangel – not so sure Matt could survive.
