Today the 50th Anniversary issue of Amazing Spider-Man arrives in comic book stores. Marvel celebrates issue #692 with an overstuffed issue by fan favorite Spidey writer Dan Slott and artist Humberto Ramos. Slott spins a new story with a new twist on Uncle Ben’s “with great power comes great responsibility” motto.
Spider-Man is getting a sidekick. This Anniversary issue’s introduction of Andy McGuire/Alpha moves Peter Parker forward into all new story possibilities.
Daredevil artist Marcos Martin created variant covers celebrating Spidey’s past through the decades. I have to say this 70’s variant is my favorite because it’s one of Peter Parker’s most emotional and vulnerable moments with his (and our) beloved Gwen Stacy.
The 80’s variant is basic black and white just like the costume that defined that era. Each decade has a color theme. Happy Anniversary Spidey! Thank you Stan Lee and Steve Ditko! Thanks to Dan Slott for continuing the legacy!
While talking up The Amazing Spider-Man producers Avi Arad and Matthew Tolmach called their upcoming Venom film a “cousin to Spider-Man” according to CraveOnline.
“As you know, Venom is defender of the innocent,” Arad said. “The only guy he really, really hates is Peter Parker, Spider-Man. The reason you didn’t see more development on Venom in the comics is because this power that he was given, he knew who Peter was, he knew who Spider-Man was, so go kill him already. We always struggle with storylines and you see the new Venom books. It’s Flash in Iraq. We know that if we put him in a certain position and concentrate on the human, not on the creature, which I thought was a really good beginning in 3.”
Venom courtesy Marvel.com
Topher Grace played Eddie Brock/Venom in the Spider-Man 3. In the comic books former high school bully Flash Thompson is now Venom and part of Secret Avengers.
Sony controls cinematic Spidey. Disney controls cinematic Avengers and owns Marvel Comics. Spider-Man has become a popular member of the comic book Avengers. Could the studios work it out so the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man team up with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes?
“Everything is possible,” Arad said. “If something like that happens, it’s great for Disney, it’s great for Sony. If the right story comes in, we are now working on Venom first. It’s our first out. So our thinking is in the right direction. Avengers to me was an expected success so I never looked at it because Avengers was successful.”
3 friends given super powers by the same mysterious source. What makes one a become a hero. What makes one become a villain? In a year packed with iconic superheroes Chronicle was an original story of power and responsibility. Chronicle is out of dvd/blu ray today and MTV has exclusive test footage from director Josh Trank. This is what got the film made. The success of Chronicle is what got Trank working on a Fantastic Four reboot and linked to a Venom film.
I loved this film. I live in Seattle and it really looks like this film is set in the Seattle area, it looks like a fight on the real Space Needle but it was all filmed in South Africa. Here’s the Amazon link if you’re interested.
When Chronicle hit the big screen buzz was building that director Josh Trank would take over a reboot of Fantastic Four for Fox. Now comes word that Sony is recruiting the director for a Spider-Man spinoff starring Venom according to the Los Angeles Times.
The story would focus on Spidey villain played Topher Grace in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3. The project has been spinning for 5 years. No word if this Venom will based on Eddie Brock, Mac Gargan or Flash Thompson versions.
Rick Remender had an incredible 2011 with Uncanny X-Force. 2012 sees the writer take on another of Marvel’s covert teams: The Secret Avengers. In today’s Marvel presser Remender and artist Gabriel Hardman revealed their plans for the team.
Secret Avengers 21.1 (with artist Patrick Zircher) will introduce the new Masters of Evil who have set up their own sovereign nation. This issue will be bringing new team leader Hawkeye into the book.
“In Clint’s eyes, he’s the direct approach kind of guy, he doesn’t like spy work, but cap thinks this fits his skill set. An archer or a sniper needs to be covert and deadly. Cap’s only concern is Clint’s temper, so the Point One issue is a test, ” Remember says of Clint Barton.
Secret Avengers #22 interior preview art by Gabriel Hardman courtesy Marvel.com
“The first big story is based around a guy named father, who readers of Uncanny X-Force will be familiar with. He had a hand in creating a race of descendants from all the robots in the Marvel Universe who live in the core of the Earth. The threat is actually much bigger, and we’ll reveal it as we go. It’s something I’ve been working on for some time.” Remender said of the growing mech threat.
“Adaptoids are like Sentinels for Avengers. They have a deep hatred for the Avengers. They view them as the bad guys. They protect humanity at the expense of other species like mutants or these guys” Remender added about the frequent Avenger foes.
Arthur Adams will provide covers. Gabriel Hardman will handle variant covers and interior art. With such a diverse team (Hawkeye, Valkyrie, Venom, Black Widow, Human Torch, Beast, Captain Britain) who is the big challenge?
Secret Avengers #22 interior art courtesy Marvel.com
“It’s fun drawing this characters I’ve never worked with. I need to find individual personalities for these guys. Beast is probably the biggest challenge because the way he is visually interpreted varies a lot and I needed to nail down my way to draw him. I basically draw him as Lemmy from Motorhead, so hopefully that will work,” Hardman said.
Secret Avengers #22 cover Gabriel Hardman courtesy Marvel.com
“I haven’t gotten to draw Venom in action yet, but I love that costume and am excited to do it. I like the more down to earth, gritty look for Hawkeye. It’s more practical…though the fan in me would have had a lot of fun drawing the goofy purple costume,” Hardman continued.
Secret Avengers 21.1 on sale January 25th. Secret Avengers 22 on sale February 8.
