Tag: X-Men

Avengers Vs. X-Men The End Teaser (Dark Phoenix Returns?)

courtesy Marvel

  I admit I exclaimed “OH —-!” when I saw this teaser image for Avengers vs. X-Men #12 from Marvel. It’s a haunting blast from the past as what appears to be Jean Grey as Dark Phoenix strikes a pose amid cosmic flames with the ominous title “The End.” 

If you’re old school like me you can’t help but picture Jean Grey pleading with Scott to kill her on the moon before the Dark Phoenix takes over again in the classic conclusion to The Dark Phoenix Saga by Chris Claremont and John Byrne.

  But I’m feeling hope too. Not that Hope. I think of Grant Morrison and Marc Silvestri’s Here Comes Tomorrow modern masterpiece when Jean set Cyclops on the right path to prevent a nightmare future and she went to off to a higher plane. Is Jean back to make things right?

  AvX has been so much more than team vs. team. Heroes on both sides have been in conflict over which side to choose. While I love the action and fights I’ve really been engrossed with the inner conflicts.

  Is this a resurrected Jean Grey or Hope as the Dark Phoenix? How does the final chapter of AvX lead to the original X-Men being brought into the present day?

Avengers vs X-Men #12 by Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert arrives in October

By Editor

Top 5 Comic Book Picks 8/29/12 Doctor Who, Star Trek, AvX, and That Super Kiss!

AvX Vs. #5 One of Marvel’s most iconic power couples is shattered. See the extended battle that led to the breakup of Storm and the Black Panther. Plus, Hawkeye takes aim at Angel. Two huge fights from the Avengers vs. X-Men mega series in this “all fights” series.

Captain Marvel #3 Carol is trapped in World War II with a team of female pilots under siege. Is this time twisting part of a NASA experiment gone wrong?

Justice League #12 Superman and Wonder Woman in love! Have you seen the super kiss? There’s more to romance in this action packed issue as the heroes are tested while fighting their new foe.

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #4 courtesy IDW Publishing

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who Assimilation2 #3  The Borg and Cybermen are attacking the Federation. Why an alliance of the Time Lord and Captain Picard may be more dangerous than the CyberBorg. What will Guinan reveal to the Doctor?

Winter Soldier #9 Marvel’s hottest superspies and lovers turned against each other. Black Widow’s tragic past has taken hold of her. Can Bucky save her?

By Editor

 

Astonishing X-Men’s Explosive Issue

Astonishing X-Men #53 courtesy Marvel

  Wolverine goes boom. The new villain proves she’s one stone cold —–. Beast references Frank Herbert’s Dune. I love you Marjorie Liu!

  Mystery woman Susan Hatchi forced Karma to attack her own teammates and Northstar’s partner Kyle and blew up Wolverine. Controlling someone who controls minds is a pretty impressive feat then Susan made Logan explode from the inside out. Now Hatchi is just showing off!

 In this week’s Astonishing X-Men #53 the honeymoon is over as this X-team tries to find Hatchi and Karma and uncover a deadly new tech that inspires Hank’s Dune reference.

  Liu does the unexpected when the X-Men confront Hatchi at a corporate presentation. Hatchi admits her guilt, gloats and teases the X-Men over what she did to them. Hatchi belittles them and basically calls them guineau pigs. Hatchi reveals she’s much more than just a ruthless businesswoman. I’m curious to see how Liu will tie Hatchi’s actions and revelation to a huge moment in mutant history. 

  Northstar and Kyle’s wedding was not just a one issue stunt. Liu takes us into the newlyweds’ bedroom. Liu continues to give us a unique perspective on what it would really be like to be a superhero’s spouse. This isn’t the only couple Liu has masterfully written. The hilarious flirtation between Warbird and Iceman continues in this chapter. Beast and Cecilia Reyes have a scientific John Steed and Emma Peel tension. In the lab or in the field Hank and Cecilia share an easy rapport, clever banter and mutual dedication to medical science.

  The search for Karma moves to a Russian complex where we see just how cruel and massive Hatchi’s experiments are evolving. Liu and Mike Perkins take a dark turn from Northstar’s wedding day and make this mutant soap opera great fun with realistic touches. I hope this creative team and title continue in the Marvel NOW.

Just remember X-Men:

“Fear is the mind-killer. You must not fear.”  The Bene Gesserit Litany in Dune.

  By Editor

The X-Men’s Sinister Showdown

Uncanny X-Men #17 courtesy Marvel

  A sinister showdown in Uncanny X-Men #17 taking place before the shattering of the Phoenix Five in the main AvX series. Gillen orchestrates unexpected action and sharp humor in a last stand between the X-Men and Mister Sinister.

  Psylocke is the breakout star of his issue. From her psychic manipulation of Sinister’s army to her intimate bonding with Danger to infiltrate the stronghold to her declarations “I’m a bloody ninja!”

Psylocke has become the female Wolverine! She’s in every freakin’ X-book but when she’s written this good (Rick Remender and Brian Wood equally rock Betsy) I can enjoy her overexposure.

  Kieron Gillen does a fantastic job wrapping a two-year storyline amid a major crossover. I wish Carlos Pacheco could have rejoined him as this title ends. Gillen breathed new life into a tired old villain and Sinister manages to do to the Phoenix Five in this issue what Avengers’ biggest brains wish they could do.

Uncanny X-Men #9 interior art of UNIT courtesy Marvel

  This looks like the end of Sinister and his own twisted version of London but I hope it’s just the beginning for Unit. I think he’s the X-Men’s version of Ultron. I already pleaded on Twitter for Gillen to pit Tony Stark against the metallic manipulator on his upcoming Iron Man run. Please? I just hope Marvel doesn’t let this brilliant and scary creation fade away.

By Editor

 

First Look Inside All-New X-Men #1

  Brian Michael Bendis is bringing the first five X-Men into the Marvel NOW. The original mutant teenage dream arrive in our present and to them – it’s a nightmare.

 

All-New X-Men #1 interior art courtesy Marvel.com

  Stuart Immonen is the artist bringing past and present together. Today Marvel.com revealed the first interior art from All-New X-Men #1. The original Scott, Jean, Bobby, Hank and Warren arrive at the Jean Grey School and see the present day Hank aka the Beast.

All-New X-Men #1 interior art courtesy Marvel.com

 Can you imagine the look Immonen will create on Scott and Jean’s faces when they see the memorial statue of Jean on the school grounds?

By Editor

Top 5 Picks for 8/22/12

America’s Got Powers #3 Tommy went from teen zero to the number one hero on the world’s highest rated reality series. Behind the celebrity life lies the dark secret that catapulted Tommy to stardom. What happens when this kid with limitless powers finally faces the truth?

Astonishing X-Men #53 courtesy Marvel

Astonishing X-Men #53 A teammate explodes?! Northstar faces a dangerous assignment and Karma vows to kill the mystery woman behind the attacks.

Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan #1 Into the past of the most powerful and most tragic of the Watchmen. Acclaimed creators J. Michael Stryczynski and Adam Hughes go inside the mind of the brilliant scientist turned God-like nuclear man.

Buffy, The Vampire Slayer: Spike #1 The vampire villain who lost his bite after falling for the Slayer goes solo on a mission looking at his past and future. Spike in space with demons, witches and aliens on the moon?

Uncanny X-Men #17 Cyclops and his Phoenix Five in a final showdown with the forces of Mister Sinister. What does the repowered supervillain have in store for Scott and all part of Sinister’s longterm plan?

By Editor

Astonishing X-Men: Northstar

Astonishing X-Men #51 courtesy Marvel

  It was the comic book wedding of the year that made mainstream news. Openly gay X-Man Northstar married Kyle Jinadu with the X-Men and Alpha Flight watching in New York’s Central Park. The road to the altar was sidetracked with human and superhero drama – including the return of the Marauders.

  Astonishing X-Men: Northstar collecting the first arc of Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins on the book. An elite team of X-Men (Gambit, Northstar, Wolverine, Iceman and Warbird) are in New York City when a new version of the Marauders attack. This arc brought back Cecelia Reyes and Karma. The New Mutant’s return came with a plot twist that’s still turning in the title.

  The gay wedding made huge news, inspired a short-lived protest and inspired some gay X-men fans to tie the knot…in a comic book store on the day of the wedding issue’s arrival.

  Here’s a link to Astonishing X-Men: Northstar if you missed the issues or would like to have the entire collection in this hardcover edition.

By Editor

The Wolverine Synopsis

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine courtesy Marvel.com

  The official synopsis for The Wolverine is out. Hugh Jackman is reprising his role as the fan favorite X-Man.

“Based on the celebrated comic book arc, ‘The Wolverine’ finds Logan, the eternal warrior and outsider, in Japan. There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed.”

  That arc is by legendary Chris Claremont and Frank Miller. Logan falls in love with the daugher of a Japanese crime lord and will face the Silver Samurai. Here’s a link to the cast announcements. The search continues for an actress to play the Viper.

Filming is under way in Australia. Thanks to Marvel.com.

By Editor