All-New X-Factor #1 The best mutants money can buy? Peter David recruits Polaris, Quicksilver and Gambit for his corporate team of heroes.
Avengers World #1 Captain America and Iron Man recruited a huge new team…and they may still not have enough Avengers! Nick Spencer joins Jonathan Hickman for a new globe-spanning epic with a focus on the rookies like Smasher, Cannonball, Sunspot and Shang-Chi.
Batman/Superman #7 It’s the Dark Knight vs. the Man of Steel is a trap set by Toymaster! Artist Brett Booth joins writer Greg Pak so this special “sideways” issue as our hero fight themselves with Mongul waiting in the wings! Continue reading First Top Comic Book Picks of 2014
Suddenly you might wonder will GLBT characters have a home in the All-New Marvel Now?
Mutant lovers Rictor and Shatterstar are not part of the All-New X-Factor series. The previous volume earned a GLAAD Media Award for the portrayal of this couple rocky’s romance.
Astonishing X-Men #51 is famous for the landmark wedding of openly gay X-Man Northstar to Kyle Jinadu. Lesbian mutant Karma was part of this team, too but now that series is over. Continue reading Gay in the All-New Marvel Now?
Young Avengers was missing from Marvel’s February previews. It’s not Loki’s fault! The critically acclaimed series from writer Kieron Gillen and artist Jamie McKelvie will end with January’s issue.
Gillen confirmed via his tumblr that it’s the end…of the season.
“Those who closely follow solicits have noted the absence of Young Avengers from the just-released February set. They’ve been wondering if that’s the end of our run.
Love the characters. Love the creators. Love the book?
The Marvel Now Young Avengers started strong with as a perfect combo of action, humor, teen angst and then the multiverse happened. In the tradition of Excalibur’s Cross-Time Caper, I feel the new Young Avengers didn’t get a chance to really set up themselves before being sent on an ambitious storyline that I couldn’t wrap my head around. I’m not young comic book reader I used to be.
With Young Avengers #9 this week I’m thrilled to say I’m back in! Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie craft a rapid fire conclusion packed with chases, confrontations, and romantic twists as the kids find their way back to Earth and for some a crossroads that changes the team dynamic. Kid Loki is at his wicked best. David and Teddy’s kiss has a big impact while showing why comic book heroics are the perfect platform to explore real social issues. Who knew Prodigy could be so intriguing?
Young Avengers is one of the most ambitious, funniest and innovative books out there but Gillen and McKelvie go straight for the heart with the final panels and may have the broken hearts of some fans. (This one’s for your Cutler!)
Age of Ultron #3 Ultron won. America lies in ruins. Marvel’s defeated heroes hide. How will Captain America rally the remaining Avengers, X-Men and Fantastic Four member to rise up against the all-powerful android and his army?
Batman Incorporated #9 Vengeance of Batman by Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham! What else is there to say?
East of West #1 Because it’s Jonathan Hickman (Nightly News, Fantastic Four, Avengers, New Avengers, Manhattan Projects, SHIELD) you can say this is book about the phone book and I’d buy it! If you want to know what it is…Image calls it a Sci-Fi Continue reading Top 5 Comic Book Picks for March 27, 2013
As we celebrate Black History Month in North America and the United Kingdom I was inspired to think about my favorite African-American superheroes. While these fictional characters are not as important as civil rights leaders, boundary breaking athletes and artists or scientists who made a powerful contributions to our world I think seeing diversity in comic books makes an impact…on everyone.
Before I reveal my top 10 I want to say this was tough and I know some of you have your favorites like Steel aka John Henry Irons, Batwing, Shadowhawk, Spawn, Photon, Static and not to mention non-superhero characters like Michonne and Tyreese of The Walking Dead, but these are the ten characters (+ one because I just couldn’t leave her off!) that I’ve loved and stayed with me.
11 Vixen Mari Jiwe McCabe grew up in remote village in the fictional African country of Zambesi. Mari’s family were holders of a mystical totem but he uncle killed her parents and stolen the totem. Mari moved to America, became an international supermodel, built a fortune and traveled to her homeland to take back her family’s totem and became known as Vixen. With the totem Mari can mimic the abilities of any animal on Earth. Mari a member of the Justice League. In the DC Comics New 52 relaunch Vixen was injured but recently seen as one of the possible new recruits Cyborg will call on to join the new Justice League.
Vixen: Return of the Lion #3 courtesy DC Comics
10 Spider-Man Miles Morales became a media sensation when Marvel revealed the new Ultimate Spider-Man was of African-American and Latino descent. Like Peter Parker, Miles is a science nerd bitten by a radioactive spider but his powers are slightly different. Miles recently met the Peter Parker of “our” Marvel Universe in the crossover smash, Spider-Men.
Spider-Men by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel
9. Patriot Elijah Bradley is the grandson of Isiah Bradley, the first Captain America. (Isiah was among the black men who served as test subjects before the Super Soldier Serum was given to Steve Rogers. This story was told in the series Truth: Red, White & Black.) Eli became a founding member of the Young Avengers. These teen heroes wanted to fight crime and carry on the legacy of the Avengers who had disbanded at the time. I don’t want to give away the secet of Eli’s powers (told in the Young Avengers series) but his is a great story of young man trying to do right and honor his past. Eli is a great leader and strategist in the tradition of Captain America. A brand new Young Avengers series just relaunched but Eli is not on the team. I’m hoping Patriot will soon be appearing in the Marvel Now, maybe even joining the main Avengers?
Young Avengers Presents: Patriot #1 courtesy Marvel
Action, teen angst, hooking up and making out! Marvel has a new teenage dream! Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie with Mike Norton rebuild Earth’s Mightiest Teens and infuse Young Avengers #1 with the hormonal energy, fury and fun of electric youth!
The creative team have HUGE shoes to fill. Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung’s Young Avengers run was perfection. Excitement, anticipation and maybe a little trepidation has been building since the announcement of this series. Gillen and McKelvie deliver the heart of the original but give this new “assembling” of teen heroes an edge.
In the finale of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade the team called it quits. In the premiere Wiccan and Hulkling are struggling with their vow to stop the superheroics and Kate Bishop is enjoying an “out of this world” new boyfriend when classic foes attacks. Kid Loki, Noh-Varr and Miss America infuse the teen soap with passion and danger and Gillen delivers one mother of a cliffhanger!
My most anticipated Marvel Now book overdelivers. Young Avengers #1 is packed with fun, heart, humor, action in a stylish narrative packed with promise and substance.
