Jason Aaron’s Wolverine and the X-Men has been pure joy. The eclectic staff and students of the new Jean Grey School are an odd but lovable mix of heroes, egos and misfits.
In X-history, there have been many touching foster father/daughter relationships for Logan but his father/son rapport with Quentin Quire is completely different. The X-Men’s odd couple are hilarious. Logan dragged the arrogant egomaniac to set him straight at the new school. In the upcoming issue #6 Logan takes the telepath on an outrageous field trip.
The stakes are high. The Jean Grey School is in ruins after the Hellfire Club’s assault. Logan and Kid Omega head to deep space to gamble on their future. It’s like a cosmic Casino Royale. What could possibly go wrong?
I love this page by Nick Bradshaw showing Logan and Quenin ready for action in the Vegas of outer space. For more of the X-Men preview images here’s the Comics Newsarama link.
Jason Aaron previews his next Hulk story arc Stay Angry kicking off in Incredible Hulk #8. The Punisher, Wolverine, Kraven the Hunter and new enemies will help the green goliath stay angry. The 5 part story will have a diffent artist. Part one features art by Steve Dillon. Pasqual Ferry in on the next chapter.
“Hulk is a character like Wolverine where I can mix it up in terms of tone. It swings from being pretty dark to more crazy and outrageous. I really like going from one extreme to the other, often within the same story. It’s easy to do that with Hulk and that will continue.”
“Stay Angry flows out of the end of Hulk vs Banner, which has a big, shock ending that changes Hulk’s status quo and dynamic again. All I can really say is this is a five-issue story with each issue relatively self-contained for the most part, done by a different artist and in a different location.” -Jason Aaron
“Kraven is a character I have never written but always loved. Kraven’s Last Hunt is on my desert island list of Marvel comics. I remember being at the retreat when it was decided Kraven was coming back and being both excited and terrified. I’m glad I get to write him. His mindset is right in line with how it has been since he came back.”
Wolverine #301 arrives today. Part Two of Jason Aaron’s final arc sees a new Silver Samurai facing Logan. New writer Cullen Bunn is looking ahead to his first storyline on Wolverine’s solo title.
“If I were thinking about what I have planned in terms of a series of images, a number of things come to mind: Wolverine stalking through the stark hallways of an abandoned mental institution… having a conversation with a dead man… fighting for his life against both human and inhuman horrors on the grounds of a crumbling old mansion… having his guts ripped out and spread across a forest floor… meeting with a 150-year-old detective… battling alien hybrids alongside the daughter of a famous monster hunter… scaling a castle wall with his claws…
Wolverine #304 courtesy Marvel
I have a lot of action and high adventure planned, but I’m also excited to explore Wolverine as a character, too. He has a long and unusual history, and everything that has happened to him has helped to shape who he is… or who he thinks he is,” Bunn told Comics Newsarama.
“My first arc deals with some characters Jason introduced during his time with Wolverine. While I’ll be introducing some new story elements along the way, I’d be remiss if I ignored some of the fertile ground Jason left behind. In this first arc, I took some of the elements he created and started building and expanding them, and the resulting story should be a lot of fun. It’s important that I make my mark by telling Wolverine stories only I can tell, but I also want to make sure I honor and build upon the great stuff Jason did.”
Artist Paul Pelletier joins Bunn on Wolverine #304 this April. The duo is part of the team behind Fear Itself: The Fearless. Issue #9 of that limited series arrives today too.
Young Romance: The Best of Simon and Kirby’s Romance Comics The men who created Captain America also created the romance comics genre! Fantagraphics collects all the love, schemes, heartbreaks and makeups of the classic comics of a bygone era.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix Saga A woman, two men that love her and the most powerful destructive force in the universe. The tragic heroine Jean Grey fighting a losing battle to control the darkness within her. Cyclops and Wolverine were the two men who’d take on the universe to save her. This is the ultimate X-Men story and one of the most cosmic love stories in comics.
Astonishing X-Men Omnibus This is must pick for two great love stories. Scott Summers and Emma Frost. The stoic leader of the X-Men slowly fell for the ice-cold bad girl turned ally. Kitty Pryde and Peter Rasputin. Not even death could keep them apart. Colossus came back from the dead and finally had sex with his beloved “Katya.” This is Joss Whedon’s romantic, thrilling and game changing X-Men era in one huge collection with stunning art by John Cassady.
New Avengers Annual #1
Jessica Jones and Luke Cage Marvel’s coolest couple is former hero Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. Ex-superhero turned private investigator Jessica was introduced in the series Aliasby Brian Michael Bendis. Former Hero for Hire Luke Cage was her love interest. When Bendis revamped the Avengers, Captain America recruited Luke and Jessica and their baby moved into Avengers HQ. The couple married in the beautiful New Avengers Annual #1. Luke has unbreakable skin but the tough guy went all soft and romantic for the troubled ex-heroine. AKA Jessica Jones based on Alias is in a television pilot stage and could become an ABC series.
Rick Jones and Marlo Chandler this may be an odd choice but I love against all odds love stories. During Peter David’s classic run on The Incredible Hulk he eventually merged Bruce and the Hulk into one being. Rick was the Hulk’s sidekick. Marlo was the Hulk’s girlfriend in Las Vegas back when he was grey and a mob enforcer named Joe Fix-It. Marlo later became best friends with Betty Banner and fell in love with Rick. Not even death could keep them apart. After Marlo’s resurrection they couple were married in Incredible Hulk #418in a sweet but hilarious cameo filled ceremony.
News Avengers #21 preview art courtesy Marvel, a Comics Newsarama exclusive
How can you not love Wolverine? I’m loving the slightly vulnerable, funny headmaster Logan take James Aaron is portraying in Wolverine and the X-Men but I never forget this guy is a fearless, bad ass killing machine.
I had to share this New Avengers #21 image of Wolverine Vs Thor (actually there’s more to this story but I don’t want spoil it in case you’re not reading the title.) Marvel gave Comics Newsarama an exclusive first look at 2 covers and interior art. This was my favorite.
Mike Deodato brings the pain as the New Avengers battle Norman Osborn’s Dark Avengers and his secret weapon.
Marvel twisted their X-universe into the Age of Apocalypse in the 90’s. Charles Xavier never existed. Apocalypse ruled North America. Magneto was the leader of rebel heroes. Wolverine and Jean Grey were lovers.
courtesy Marvel.com
Rick Remender took his Uncanny X-Force into that dimension for The Dark Angel Saga. In the aftermath, Dave Lapham is taking survivors of that dimension’s mutant-human war to an even more twisted level. Age of Apocalypse #1 is a new ongoing by Lapham with artist Roberto De La Torre.
Weapon X is leads the war to eliminate humanity. The X-Terminated may be the only hope.
courtesy Marvel.com
“This new Age of Apocalypse book does the impossible – it revolutionizes an old concept without a reboot,” explains Senior Editor Nick Lowe. “If you’ve been reading Uncanny X-Force, you know where this is coming from and you’re already in. If you’re an Age of Apocalypse junkie, this builds on the alternate universe’s mythology is fascinating and troubling ways. And if you aren’t either and just want a ground-breaking, easy-entry book that will challenge everything you know about the X-Men, there hasn’t been a better jumping on point.”
courtesy Marvel.com
The new series debuts in March with covers by Humberto Ramos.
Secret Avengers #22 cover Gabriel Hardman courtesy Marvel.com
Secret Avengers #22
Hawkeye takes command and recruits Captain Britain for his covert team. He’s going to need the extra muscle as the Avengers’ version of the Sentinels strike. Rick Remender revolutionized Uncanny X-Force so get ready for a wild ride with the bad boys and girls of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Batgirl #6
Batgirl and Batman meet for the first time since her recovery. The deadly man manipulating Gretel makes her move. Barbara deals with the emotional wallop by a return from someone in her past.
Thief of Thieves #1
When the writers of The Walking Dead and Morning Glories unite for a book it’s a huge reason to rush to the comic store. Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer tells the story of the ultimate thief who can steal anything except the life he lost. A master criminal tries to connect with the son and wife he lost while evading the FBI and an even bigger threat.
Kevin Keller #1 courtesy Archie Comics
Kevin Keller #1
Archie Comics didn’t just give the Riverdale Gang a gay sidekick – they made Kevin Keller openly gay young man who wants to serving in the military. This week the groundbreaking character gets his own series and hardcover graphic novel featuring the GLAAD Media Award outstanding comic story about Kevin’s first meeting with Archie and life before Riverdale.
Wolverine and the X-Men #5
Kitty Pryde is pregnant. A billion alien Brood show up and I don’t think it’s for a baby shower! Is this the child that could bring Kitty and Colossus back together or has an alien enemy delivered a curse on my favorite X-woman?
Two arrogant young guns target Wolverine. Is Kitty Pryde’s mystery pregnancy under alien influence. Love and death. It’s a big week for X-fans with 6 new titles hitting comic book stores this week.
Wolverine and the X-Men #5
Kitty Pryde pregnant. Billions of Brood show up and I don’t think it’s for a shower. Are these the old school nasty aliens or like new student Broo? Is Colossus the daddy?
X-Men #24
The fun-loving, fireworks generating mall rat is long gone and is the X-Men’s resident Goth girl. Jubilee is now an undead casualty of Marvel’s vampire wars. Raizo and the Forgiven show up to give the former X-girl a lesson in her vampire heritage.
Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega #2
Has Wolverine met his match? Omega level telepath Quentin Quire traps Logan and Armor inside Wolverine’s mind but the entire Jean Grey School may be the physical effects of Quire’s psi-game.
Daken: Dark Wolverine#21
Another Arrogant young buck is taking a shot at Wolverine this week! Logan’s son starts his final endgame as the series builds to the big finale. Will Daken live long enough to get his revenge?
Deadpool #50
Simple and easy…DEAD1
New Mutants #37 courtesy Marvel.com
New Mutants #37
This is one hell of a Valentine’s Day issue! Magma made a deal with the devil to save her friends now she must go on a date with Mephisto!
