14 Comic Characters to Watch in 2014

Here’s the complete list of our 14 comic book characters to watch in 2014 revised with new images and more details on the heroes and villains I think will make an impact this year at comic book shops and the box office:

 

 

 

Captain America: The Winter Soldier courtesy Marvel
Captain America: The Winter Soldier courtesy Marvel

1. Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier

 

I sighed when Bucky’s solo series ended last year but Captain America’s sidekick turned deadly enemy turned ally will have a huge 2014.

On the big screen Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky in Captain America: The Winter Soldier coming April 4. The Star-Spangled Avenger’s sequel is based on my all-time favorite Cap stories by Ed Brubaker.

Bucky co-stars in the All-New Invaders by James Robinson. The World War II heroes reunite against the Kree in the upcoming book. The Winter Soldier: The Bitter March by Rick Remender is a Nick Fury retro story set back when Bucky was the brainwashed assassin. Continue reading 14 Comic Characters to Watch in 2014

14 Characters to Watch in 2014 Part One

Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #1 courtesy Marvel
Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #1 courtesy Marvel

1. Bucky Barnes

Captain America’s sidekick turned deadly enemy turned ally will have a huge 2014. Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky in Captain America: The Winter Soldier coming April 4. The Star-Spangled Avenger’s sequel is based on my all-time favorite Cap stories by Ed Brubaker.

Bucky co-stars in the All-New Invaders by James Robinson. The World War II heroes reunite against the Kree in the upcoming book. The Winter Soldier: The Bitter March by Rick Remender is a retro story set back when Bucky was the brainwashed assassin. Continue reading 14 Characters to Watch in 2014 Part One

14 Geek Wishes for 2014 Movies & Television!

X-Men #183 courtesy Marvel
X-Men #183 courtesy Marvel

2014 will be superstar year for comic book and sci-fi fans with Marvel movies, a new Doctor Who, The Walking Dead returns and Godzilla’s comeback!

 

But a geek can dream – here’s what I hope to see or announced in 2014.

 

1. All New Cast for X-Men: Apocalypse!

Bryan Singer revealed he’s on board for 2016 film set to star the First Class cast. After the time twisting elements of X-Men: Days of Future Past – it’s  a perfect opportunity for Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) to start over and discover a young Cyclops, Jean, Storm and even the impossible task of recasting a wild loner named Logan!

 

Wolverine #11 courtesy Marvel
Wolverine #11 courtesy Marvel

2. Hugh Jackman in Wolverine and Kitty Pryde.

I know I’m countering my previous wish but if Hugh Jackman and director James Mangold return for a solo Wolverine movie I hope it’s based in part on this other classic tale by Chris Claremont set in Japan. Ellen Page as Kitty could join Jackman in this supernatural tale of family, honor and demons.

 

3. Daniel Craig returns as James Bond 007 in SPECTRE!

Don’t “Khan” it! Producers have the rights to bring back the classic S.P.E.C.T.R.E. and their sinister leader, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, back to the big screen for the first time since the Sean Connery era! I want to see Craig’s Bond kill and seduced his way up the S.P.E.C.T.R.E. food chain until a final showdown with the bald, bad criminal genius with a fondness for white kitties.

 

4. Fantastic Four teaser in X-Men: Days of Future Past!

I think Fox’s Marvel movie team (including Mark Millar) have a “Fantastic” teaser moment in the post-credits sequence for us! How about Dr. McCoy calling on a young Reed Richards in class or Logan and Ben Grimm sharing a brew?

 

The Massive #1 courtesy Dark Horse Comics
The Massive #1 courtesy Dark Horse Comics

5. The Massive will become a movie or television series!

Brad Pitt as sniper/professional soldier turned conservationist Callum Israel and executive producing a big-screen version of Brian Wood’s epic series of pacifist environmentalists now fighting for survival and searching for their sister ship in a post-apocalyptic world. With Naomi Campbell as Mary, Callum’s tough devoted lover and Dwayne Johnson as Mag, Callum’s fellow soldier turned activist.

 

 

6. Rian Johnson

The director of Looper should be up for any superhero movie he wants! How about Doctor Strange?

 

7. Lex Luthor in Superman vs. Batman!

Enough speculation – let’s have the charming but ruthless genius/C.E.O. manipulate the conflict between the DC titans but in a sequel having him fitted for a Lexcorp Battlesuit!

 

courtesy BBC and Facebook/DoctorWho
courtesy BBC and Facebook/DoctorWho

8. Doctor Who, Agent of ?

 

I’d like to see the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) forced to an agent of a greater power. I always enjoyed when the Time Lords forced the Third and Fourth Doctor to go on missions for them. My first Doctor Who arc was Tom Baker on a quest for The Key to Time by the White Guardian. The Time Lords forced Baker’s Who to investigate the Genesis of the Daleks. Capaldi reminds me of Jon Pertwee, who was a UNIT scientific adviser. I liked seeing the anti-authority rebel Doctor sometimes forced to work at the whim of a higher authority.

 

9. Spacey cameos in Guardians of the Galaxy!

The Collector, The Nova Corps and Ronan the Accuser will appear in the big screen adventure based on Marvel’s space faring team. I’m sure if Ronan is a villain then we’ll see the Supreme Intelligence or Yon-Rogg, the Kree officer connected to the transformation of Carol Danvers into Ms. Marvel – now known as Captain Marvel.

 

Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #2 courtesy Marvel.com
Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil That Men Do #2 courtesy Marvel.com

10. Black Cat in Amazing Spider-Man 2! Sony is spinning spinoffs starring Venom and the Sinister Six but have about Peter Parker’s femme fatale? There are some reports Felicity Jones will play Felicia Hardy – the cat burglar anti-heroine.

11. Misty Knight and Colleen Wing in Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones.

The tough private detectives (Knight Wing Restorations) aka the Daughters of the Dragon are integral players in the world of Murdock, Cage, Rand and Jones. Misty and Danny Rand always made one hot couple.

 

 

12. Steranko in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Stan Lee deserves every cameo he wants but how about giving the legendary Jim Steranko a role in the ABC series or flashback arc that salutes the groundbreaking Steranko era of Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

 

 

13. Fatale The hit horror/crime noir Image series by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips would be a smash and (would have to be on HBO, Showtime, Cinemax.) Josephine is cursed and so is every man who falls in love with her as she runs through the decades from demonic forces and killer cults.

 

 

Black Widow and The Winter Soldier from the cover of Captain America and Bucky #624 courtesy Marvel.com
Black Widow and The Winter Soldier from the cover of Captain America and Bucky #624 courtesy Marvel.com

14.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier

This is THE story that made be love Steve Rogers all over again. Ed Brubaker’s epic take on the Star-Spangled Avenger and his resurrected best friend is one of my all-time favorite comic book storylines. I hope this sequel is such a smash that we see a Winter Soldier/Black Widow movie based on Brubaker’s spinoff series.

 

 

There you have it – my 14 geek wishes I hope to see or have announced in 2014. What’s on your wish list? Comment below or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter @comicsblend and check out our Best of 2013 recaps.

 

By Editor

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER Old Friends New Foe

courtesy Empire
courtesy Empire

Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers in Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014. The sequel is based on the modern classic story by Ed Brubaker in which Cap faces an old friend turned foe.

 

On the February cover of Empire magazine Evans as Cap is flanked by Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Sebastian Stan – yes, that’s the actor who played Bucky Barnes. Continue reading CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER Old Friends New Foe

CAPTAIN AMERICA vs. IRON NAIL

Captain America #15 by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel
Captain America #15 by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel

Red Skull. Baron Zemo. Arnim Zola.

 

A new villain is joining the evil fraternity of super villains obsessed with beating the Sentinel of Liberty thanks to Captain America writer Rick Remender.

 

In Loose Nuke, Steve Rogers took on Nuke, the super soldier from the classic Daredevil epic, Born Again. Turns out a dangerous new enemy was the mastermind behind Nuke’s rampage: Continue reading CAPTAIN AMERICA vs. IRON NAIL

WINTER SOLDIER: THE BITTER MARCH Preview II

Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #1 courtesy Marvel
Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #1 courtesy Marvel

Rick Remender heats up the Cold War with an untold tale of Nick Fury and the Winter Soldier’s past. Bucky Barnes made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II but Captain America’s sidekick would be rescued and resurrected as the ultimate killing machine.

 

The Captain America writer will go back to the Cold War era in Winter Soldier: The Bitter March. Remender explains why it’s important to revisit Bucky’s past. Continue reading WINTER SOLDIER: THE BITTER MARCH Preview II

Rick Remender Launches New WINTER SOLDIER Series

Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #1 courtesy Marvel
Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #1 courtesy Marvel

Movie fans may wonder who the Winter Soldier is after seeing the trailer for the Captain America sequel.

 

Cap comic book writer Rick Remender is working a new Winter Soldier limited series ahead of the movie according to USA Today saying “it is a love letter to (early-period) 007 and Jim Steranko S.H.I.E.L.D. comics.”

 

Comic book fans know the Winter Soldier is Cap’s best friend, Bucky Barnes. The sidekick was left for dead in World War II but was actually rescued and transformed into a brainwashed killing machine by the KGB. Continue reading Rick Remender Launches New WINTER SOLDIER Series