Tag: warbird

Warbird Soars in Astonishing X-Men

Astonishing X-Men #58 courtesy Marvel
Astonishing X-Men #58 courtesy Marvel

The hero who takes center stage in the current Astonishing X-Men arc is not a mutant but Warbird is a breakout character to watch! Warbird was introduced in Jason Aaron’s Wolverine and the X-Men as the bodyguard of Kid Gladiator (aka the heir to the Shi’ar Empire.)

When Marjorie Liu took over Astonishing X-Men Warbird joined the roster and now the wayward alien warrior is front and center. Warbird’s flirtation with Iceman has been hilarious and the flashbacks of her tragic past have been haunting. In this week’s Astonishing X-Men #58 Warbird is an enemy of Earth and the Shi’ar Empire. Can the alien artifact she’s discovered save her?

Not since Hepzibah was part of Ed Brubaker’s Uncanny X-Men run have I enjoyed such a great non-mutant hero hanging with the Children of the Atom. I hope Warbird sticks around or perhaps guests in Marvel’s space-based books like Nova or Guardians of the Galaxy.

By Editor

The X-Men’s Bird of Prey

  Wolverine and the X-Men #13 by Jason Aaron and Nick Bradshaw featured a cosmic level slugfest between Gladiator and the Phoenix fueled X-Men but the real star was Warbird. The creative team showcases the warrior’s fury and reveals Ava’dara’s tragic past. This issue proves this new character deserves to a major star in Marvel’s future.

Wolverine and the X-Men #13 courtesy Marvel.com

  Aaron and Bradshaw deliver a brutal showdown between the Phoenix Five and their former ally while revealing Warbird’s brutal upbringing and violent past. The Shi’ar have always been portrayed as regal rulers over their sprawling empire but Aaron rips away the facade and shows life growing up as a Shi’ar warrior and how an act of compassion landed her on Earth in her current role.

 

Wolverine and the X-Men #13 courtesy Marvel.com

 Aaron takes Ava’dara’s attraction to Bobby Drake that started in Marjorie Liu’s first Astonishing X-Men arc and plays with that plot here even as the allies have become enemies. 

  Here’s hoping Gladiator survives but I have a newfound obsessive love for Warbird! Jonathan Hickman’s new Avengers series is said have a huge cast and he favors the old school cosmic epics so maybe Gladiator or Warbird might turn up on his book. And given the cosmic direction Marvel movies are going maybe we’ll see the Shi’ar Empire in an Avengers sequel or if a Guardians of the Galaxy movie happens?

By Editor

Gladiator’s Cosmic Throwdown with the X-Men Updated!

 

Wolverine and the X-Men #13 courtesy Marvel.com

  An outer space army has come to earth to kill X-Men! Gladiator is here to snuff out the Phoenix Force and rescue his son. Wait until he finds out what Wolverine did to Kid Gladiator? Nick Bradshaw is bringing the cosmic conflict to life in Wolverine and the X-Men #13. Marvel.com revealed some of Bradshaw’s kinetic and color packed pages.

  Remember the first time you saw Gladiator and the Shi’ar Imperial Guard? I was a very young geek. Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Terry Austin had already blown my mind with what would become the Dark Phoenix Saga. As I opened Uncanny X-Men #137 to see my favorite heroes on an alien spacecraft surrounded by Empress Lilandra and her Imperial Guard. This elite squadron of the most powerful alien warriors dedicated was led by a muscle-bound alien with mohawk. Gladiator (real name Kallark) was created by Claremont and Dave Cockrum. He had an array of powers like Superman and carried a noble air. Gladiator remains one of the coolest creations I ever saw in a comic book.

Wolverine and the X-Men #13 courtesy Marvel.com

   Gladiator has fought with and against the X-Men to protect the universe from the Phoenix. Emperor Kallark now leads the Shi’ar Empire and his son is at Wolverine’s school – protected by Warbird. The Phoenix is back on Earth. Gladiator and his alien army have come to save his son and take on the Phoenix Five.

 

Wolverine and the X-Men #13 courtesy Marvel.com

  The tease for this issue also promises to reveal more about Warbird’s past. This is my favorite X-book. Jason Aaron has been knocking my out with each issue. Nick Bradshaw’s art has an Art Adams vibe.

  This Avengers vs X-Men tie-in chapter comes out in July. Gladiator beat down Colossus in the Dark Phoenix Saga but a Phoenix powered Colossus may be the warrior’s biggest challenge. Here’s hoping Kallark survives!

Wolverine and the X-Men #13 courtesy Marvel.com

  A post-thought: given the cosmic direction Marvel movies are going maybe we’ll see the Shi’ar Empire in an Avengers sequel or if a Guardians of the Galaxy movie happens?

By Editor

Warbird’s Reveal to Wolverine

 

Astonishing X-Men #50 by Mike Perkins, courtesy Marvel

Warbird is not a mutant but she’s a welcome addition to the X-Men family. Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo introduced the Shiar warrior women in Wolverine and the X-Men #1. Warbird is the bodyguard to Kid Gladiator, a student at Logan’s school.

 This “Kid” is the arrogant son of the Shiar Emperor. You know him as Gladiator, former leader of the Imperial Guard under Lilandra.

Warbird’s real name is Ava’Dara Naganandini. She’s an elite warrior sworn to protect the ruling family of the Shiar Empire. Warbird was assigned to protect Kid Gladiator and she’s fought with Wolverine and the teachers of the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning.

 Marjorie Liu is using Warbird on her team in Astonishing X-Men too. The first time Liu and Mike Perkins showed in that series she was holding a severed head and the last issue she announced she wanted to engage in “mating rituals” with Iceman after a battle with the Marauders.

 Warbird has super strength and exceptional fighting abilities. A fan asked Liu about the warrior woman’s other abilities in the latest X-Position on Comic Book Resources.

“She reveals a startling ability to Wolverine in issue #50” Liu responded and get my mind swirling.  Wolverine knows how to pick ’em. Will Logan engage in “rituals” with the Shiar?

  Liu transformed a ruthless killer into a character you could sympathize with during her X-23 run. I’m excited to see what Liu will do with this new character that’s already made a killer impression.

By Editor