Central City Comics Blog: Comics Talk

Earth 2 #1

MEDIA RELEASE: First issue of an ongoing series from writer JAMES ROBINSON and artist NICOLA SCOTT!• Who are the heroes of EARTH 2 – and what befell them?• Starring ALAN SCOTT, JAY GARRICK and many others!• You may think you know Earth 2…but this is DC Comics – The New 52, where anything can happen!

“EARTH 2 is a big step in a new direction for me. “I haven’t previously had many opportunities to work on a truly epic scale but working with James [Robinson], on some of his favorite characters and in our own alternate Earth Two world, is providing me with that platform. Everything is up for grabs, nothing is for certain and it will slowly reveal itself over the coming months. James is creating a great balance between action and drama and I have the great pleasure of bringing it to life.” - Nicola Scott

“The parts not on fire are really pretty,” says EARTH TWO editor Pat McCallum. “Trouble is that after an invasion from Apokolips, some prime Earth 2 real estate has gone up in smoke. What we’re looking at down there used to be [INFORMATION REDACTED].” “One of the great things about EARTH TWO is that while it’s very much plugged into the larger DC Universe, it’s also somewhat self contained,” continued McCallum. “You can really cut loose with the storytelling and not sweat how it impacts other shared-universe titles. James Robinson and Nicola Scott, the creators on the title, have taken full advantage of that. So when things start to really hit the fan in EARTH TWO, they’re going to hit in jarring, unapologetic ways. Characters will die, landmarks will burn and the good guys won’t always save the day. Aside from entertaining readers, the goal of every issue is to make fans put it down and think ‘I can’t believe they just did that.’ It’s gonna be a fun ride…unless you’re in one of the parts of Earth 2 that’s on fire.”

Earth 2 #1 set the stage for the something very different than the Justice Society of America. Set with a new beginning the big three are there Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman but set in the past it tells the story of a war torn world and the Batman’s plan to set it free from the forces of Apokolips people die and some are sent to a new world. The art work is outstanding Nicola Scott really depicts a war ravaged world and the heroes that fight for freedom and the story is good but should have been told in 2 issues for the amount of information there was. But in the end it comes together an make sense. It really is the story of the evolution of the New 52 Earth 2 saga.

The story can and will surprise and the sky’s the limit on the continuing story written by the more than capable James Robinson. I get the feeling like we will see Earth 2 go in directions we never would have guessed. The Justice Society brought into the 21st century. Reserve your copy for Earth 2 #2 coming June the 2nd. Recommended reading for the DC Fan. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

America's Got Powers

Not to far off the beating path…

For those of you who don’t know me I am a browser.  I go into my local comic shop and stare at the stuff I cannot afford to buy and look at the things I am not collecting often wondering if I should be collecting those.  This particular week I was excited for all the comics that I was going to get off my shelf, but I had to look at the Racks anyway. That is when I came across a little Gem of a comic called America’s Got Powers by Jonathan Ross and Bryan Hitch.  I am a big Bryan Hitch fan very few Artists have the spacial understanding that he has.  I have not heard of Jonathan Ross prior to this Comic book, but he made a fun and enjoyable archetypal underdog story. 

Not to give to much away the powers in this book are event based powers.  Our main Character in this comic is Tommy Watts, a stoner, not a smoker of the drug just the name the comic calls anyone effected by the event.  Tommy is a dud where everyone else got some level of power he got none.  I have to say I was in love with this character within the the first few pages and unlike previous independent comics with new heroes I was sucked in.  Jonathan and Bryan create a compelling world with great commentary on our own.  I found even the second time I read through this book, the undertones of conspiracy surrounding the unchecked capitalistic, military industrial complex.  Who, while supporting the initial advances in science gained from discoveries of Professor Syell, are ready to use the stoners for some nefarious purpose.  The book begins as it ends with a bang of light brighter than anyone has seen.  This comic is definitely for Mature audiences, for Violence, some suggestive material, and language, but I highly recommend it.

Travis

Astonishing X-Men 51

Northstar revealed he was gay in the pages of Alpha Flight No. 106 in 1992. He was one of Marvel’s first characters to do so. Since then, numerous comic book heroes and villains have been identified as gay, lesbian or transgender. The decision to wed Kyle and Northstar in Astonishing X-Men #51 has brought with it a lot of controversy. Marjorie Liu is writing the series. She says the decision to have the pair marry was fitting, noting that the relationship between Kyle and Northstar has grown in recent years, and news from last weekend’s Kapow convention in London that DC Comics will soon re-introduce a formerly straight male character as gay, also in June. Protest group One Million Moms has taken issue with both Marvel and DC Comics over currently publicized storylines involving gay characters.

Citing religious reasons for their objections, One Million Moms wrote, “These companies are heavily influencing our youth by using children’s superheroes to desensitize and brainwash them in thinking that a gay lifestyle choice is normal and desirable. As Christians, we know that homosexuality is a sin (Romans 1:26-27).” They later further clarify their problem with Marvel and DC, saying their comics are “prompting a premature discussion on sexual orientation” between parents and children.

Life with Archie 16

One Million Moms targeted the comic book industry earlier this year, in an unsuccessful attempt to get Toys R Us to stop carrying Life with Archie #16, featuring the same-sex marriage of openly gay Archie character Kevin Keller. DC’s offices have made no official comment about the controversy but Marvel provided this statement from editor-in-chief Axel Alonso: “For over seventy years, Marvel’s comics have reflected the world outside your window and Astonishing X-Men #50 carries on that tradition. We’re proud to create stories that are not only relevant to the issues facing a modern audience but that also explore these nuanced subjects in a compelling manner. We’ve planned the release of this comic for over a year but the recent discussion of gay marriage, spurred by the comments of President Obama, makes the release of Astonishing X-Men #50 even more timely. The passionate discourse between our fans on both sides of this matter shows that we’ve struck a chord with our millions of fans around the world.”

The visual written media called comics is read by people of all ages and some is appropriate for small children and some for older readers. Bringing attention to what the most other areas of entertainment call normal life choices will not be accepted by many media outlets or reported properly. In the media their are bias’ that guide the ideological way they report. Fair or not that is how it is and without a fundamentally change in society that will not change. While I am sympathetic with the Christian world view I really think the effort of One Million Mothers is not well spent. Parents of Christian families should be closely following the entertainment outlets of their children, that is what they watch, read and play on their own time and family time.

While it makes for a good news story about the official complain it just encourages more people to purchase the comics and profiting the company. Every family owes their children the time it takes to teach about the difference in people and world views. If you do this with conviction and passion your children will make the right choices in life. There is nothing easy in this but it is the right thing to do and it builds respect between parent and child. Reading comic books should be fun for the reader at Comics Talk we encourage you to read material you enjoy and if we all did that the market would take care of itself through normal sales. If the Christians are that unhappy with what is out there in comic books then produce something that is acceptable to you and Christians everywhere. make it good and people will read it. Comics and other written material reflect society itself and to change it begins with the family. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man is an upcoming American superhero film directed by Marc Webb, based on the comic book of the same name and starring Andrew Garfield as the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father’s former partner.

In a year filled with mega super hero movies here comes The Amazing Spider-Man is back in an attempt by Marvel to bring one of their highest money makers and most popular heroes to the big screen again. With an all star cast this should be one to watch. The people who control these things thought it was necessary to re start the legend with a new cast and story line from the Tobey Maguire films from last decade. The 2002 film Spider-Man did very well grossing over 800 Million world wide. The film’s success marked the beginning of a Spider-Man film series, with sequels Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007) released, directed by Raimi with Maguire as Spider-Man.

If this is successful it will begin a new experience for another generation of viewers and perhaps a new series of movies on the wake of the big success of the Avengers which is still in theaters. It will non the less be another movie in the many movies being released about superheroes but the interest in Spider Man is huge and should make for a good showing at the box office. The trailer shows some of the story and action which looks very good. Please check it out and let me know what you think about the new Amazing Spider-Man Movie here on July 3erd. Stay tuned comic and movie faithful for more. Walt

Arrow on The CW

The question has been answered The CW is going to bring Arrow to television. Here what we have found out thanks to Greenarrowtv.com it will begin in the fall on Wednesdays with the first season. It will star  Stephen Amell a solid actor with a real hard body as you can see in the trailer provided on You Tube. This one looks like a keeper for Wednesday night TV. Here are some of the Characters in the show:

Oliver Queen – It’s pretty obvious this would be the name of the main character, right? It sounds like he was believed dead for a few years before making a return home. At some point Oliver is kidnapped and cuffed to a chair but gets himself loose. The Arrow wears a green body armor that is “so dark it’s virtually black.” He has a bow and arrow, of course. He may have a mask covering the lower half of his face, distorting his voice. The costume also has a hood. It sounds like this version of Oliver Queen is at least 25, and he is written very much like the Green Arrow was in his better Smallville appearances. It also seems that we will see flashbacks to his time on the island and how he got there, and what led him to becoming a good guy.

Dinah “Laurel” Lance – Dinah’s using her middle name here. She and Oliver have not seen each other in five years, before his return to the city. “Laurel” went to law school. It doesn’t appear that she is the Black Canary (yet). She works with a firm called the City Necessary Resources Initiative.

Tommy was Oliver’s best friend before he disappeared for several years. He sounds like a bit of a frat boy. He notices Oliver has changed a lot in his years away. The character himself might have a tie to a Green Arrow foe from the comics. Tommy tells Oliver about what his funeral was like a few years earlier.

Sara – Back on the boat, Oliver had a history with a character named Sara, and that history may be the reason Laurel is not happy to see him when he returns to town. In fact, she’s downright angry.

Thea – A young relative of Oliver’s, around 18. He teasingly calls her “Speedy.”

Moira Queen – Oliver’s mom is still alive as of the pilot, but his father was killed on the boat, in the incident that originally sent Oliver to the island. In the years since, she has remarried a man named Walter who doesn’t understand Oliver’s sudden interest in the company, Queen Consolidated.

The city seems to be called “Starling City” rather than “Star City.”

DC Comics shoutouts include a “Mr. Grell” and “Danielle DiDio.” There’s also a bank account numbered 52.

Sounds very good so far coming this Fall on the CW.  The CW has given Arrow a greenlight for a full season, and during the company’s Fall Schedule announcement, the network released a first sneak peek at the series.

Spider-Men #4

Since the initial, vague announcement back in February, Marvel has slowly revealed more information on Spider-Men, namely that it’s the first-ever meeting between the classic Spider-Man, Peter Parker, and the recently debuted Ultimate Spider-Man, Miles Morales — and the first interaction of any kind between their two fictional universes.

Spider-Men, a five-part miniseries by the Ultimate Comics Spider-Man team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Sara Pichelli, debuts with two issues in June. The villain of the series is classic fishbowl-helmeted Spidey foil Mysterio, and the story is also set to include guest spots from the Ultimate versions of Aunt May and Gwen Stacy, who saw their Peter Parker perish during a fight with the Green Goblin at the climax of last year’s “Death of Spider-Man” storyline.

Newsarama talked to Marvel editor-in-chief Axel Alonso about why the time was right for Spider-Men, waiting a dozen years to break down the barrier between the Ultimate and Marvel universes, Mysterio’s role in the story and the impact the series is set to have. Courtesy of Marvel, we’re exclusively debuting Jim Cheung’s cover to Spider-Men #4, out in August.

Newsarama is solely reponsible for the content you can find the interview HERE.

The Avengers in Avengers vs. X-Men seem to have the upper hand right now but thanks to the Marvel teaser for Act Two , that might not be for long.  Promoting the second act of Avengers vs. X-Men, starting with June’s issue #6, Marvel released a teaser Wednesday stating “No more Avengers” — calling back to Scarlet Witch’s famous “No more mutants” proclamation at the end of 2005′s House of M, which led directly to the “Decimation” era of a depleted mutant population. What type of affect this statement will have — and the identity of the person uttering it — remains to be seen.

MEDIA RELEASE: Following the world changing effects of Avengers VS. X-Men #5, the Marvel Universe will face a dramatic change unlike any fans have ever seen before bringing the action packed first act to a close. Then, the comic book event of the summer kicks into overdrive as Act Two begins in Avengers VS. X-Men #6! Thought you knew everything about the Phoenix Force and what it’s capable of? Think again, True Believer!  Get in on all the excitement as Avengers VS. X-Men #5 and Avengers VS. X-Men #6, hit comic shops, the Marvel Comics app, and Marvel Digital Comic Shop this June.

Avengers VS XMen ActTwo NoMoreAvengers

AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #5
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils by JOHN ROMITA JR
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
ON SALE – 6/6/12

AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #6
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Pencils by OLIVIER COIPEL
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
ON SALE – 6/20/12

MEDIA RELEASE: 1:00 PM, Monday, May 7th, 2012 – Posted by John Wilson

TrekMovie is stating that 1, Leonard Nimoy is returning to the film as Spock Prime. In fact, he’s already done filming his scenes. His time in the movie will be much less than that of the previous film.

2, Benedict Cumberbatch is playing Khan in the new film. This, too, is according to several sources. There’s a lot to play with if this is the case. Spock Prime knows what a problem Khan can be, so he could warn new Spock and Kirk of the superhuman’s danger. Also, if they are warned, the new duo could handle things much differently, to prevent problems. But judging from the previously leaked pictures, that’s not going to happen.

3, Klingons are in the move and they play a pivotal part. There were scenes shot in the previous movie with Klingons but were deleted (rightfully so; they looked horrid!). These scenes as DVD extras could be clues as to how they will be handled.

So that’s where Trek news currently stands. So we have possibilities, but no script specifics yet.

Source: SciFi Pulse

The Avengers movie was great for Marvel fans. It had everything dialogue, intrigue, suspense, Thor vs Hulk, Iron Man vs Thor, Hawkeye vs the Black Widow, Aliens vs the Avengers, Loki vs everyone, and Hulk smash. Josh Whedon really did an outstanding job as director and turning the screenplay into a great action movie. If you are comic and Marvel savvy you will love this big screen version of the Avengers.

Thanos

A band of heroes learned to put their differences aside to become earths mighty Avengers. This movie is a great setup for a sequel. Speaking of sequel never leave a Marvel movie before the credits are over because we get clues at to the direction of future movies. In the middle of the credits you see the character that Loki had to deal with showing homage to a greater person that is none other than Thanos the Titan.

Infinity Gauntlet 1

Thanos who first appeared in Iron Man #55 (Feb. 1973) and was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin. The character’s name is a derivation of Thanatos, the personification of death and mortality in Greek mythology. Thanos is a mutant member of the race of super humans known as the Titanian Eternals. He also has a real fascination with death. He once had the all the Infinity Gems in a Gauntlet which gave the power of God. Whoever holds all six gems in the Infinity Gauntlet gains omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and God-like power, and has absolute dominion over the universe. However because of his arrogance and other problems in the series Thanos The Infinity Gauntlet he is defeated by Earth’s superheroes.

Whenever the new Avengers movie comes out it is our opinion that Thanos will be the major villain. Rumors about the Infinity Gauntlet have been around for a couple years now with a mock version of the Gauntlet at the San Diego Comic Con. Well enough speculation already you need to see the Avengers if you have not done so yet, perhaps more will come to light about that in the future. You can bet we will keep you posted. Till next time stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

The Ultimates 9

Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic and Dean White have produced one of the best comics at Marvel. With no continuity concerns, it’s been a comic where anything can happen and does with every issue out doing the other in surprises. Imagine Jonathan Hickman with his writing skills allowed to reshape the Ultimate Universe bringing forces more powerful that all the super-powered heroes combined. More powerful than all the nuclear might of the United States. Creating a race of people that have the power to destroy all there is and children of tomorrow led by the unscrupulous former leader of the Fantastic Four Reed Richards bent on retaliation against the United States.

Shield and the super-powered community seem to have no power to stop what is coming. Thor is de-powered and the Asgardians are destroyed. Is there hope that mankind as we know it will survive. Why aren’t you reading this no holds barred story arc? What will happen next? You must read #10 when it hits the comics stores and digital market, but first get you hands on the first 9 comics in the Ultimate Comics: Ultimates if you can find them. Jump on board and enjoy great story and art. I know there is a lot happening in the superhero world of comics but don’t miss out on this series. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Avengers 2012

The movie that will officially come to the big screen on May the first but some have pre-screened the movie and we have their comments read them if you dare. Beware SPOILERS AHEAD.

Thor vs Hulk ends in a stalemate. The fight begins on the heli-carrier after Banner hulks out and almost kills Black Widow. A huge fight between the two ensues (they’re about even in terms of power levels) but eventually ends when Hulk is distracted by a SHIELD fighter jet.

Stark Tower becomes The Avengers Mansion. It’s damaged during the battle for NYC but an A symbol can be seen on it at the very end (in a scene involving Pepper and Tony).

The events of The Incredible Hulk are acknowledged as in continuity. Tony watches a clip of the Hulk roaring from the park scene in TIH, Coulson briefs Captain America on the variation to the serum Erskine made (i.e. what Blonsky had), and Ruffalo’s Banner talks about how he leveled Brooklyn (i.e. when he duked it out with Abomination).

Thor flies only a handful of times during the film (once or twice in the battle at the end).

Pepper Potts is implied to be pregnant.

The battle in New York City lasts between 15 and 20 minutes.

The Leviathan(s) is not named in the film, and there are in fact three of them.

Agent Coulson is killed by Loki. He tries to use a gun created from the technology of the Destroyer armor on him (in order to save Thor), but gets stabbed. He does manage to fire the gun as he dies.

Thanos is the villain in the mid-credits scene (CGI, but possibly voiced by Jeffrey Wright). One of his minions remarks that to interfere with earth would be to “court death”, at which he smiles.

Asgard and Odin do not feature in the movie.

At the end Thor leaves Earth with Loki and the Cosmic Cube.

This movie is the most anticipated movie this year and we are all going to experience the fun of watching in the theaters. Perhaps there is a sequel in the works, we can only hope. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Incredible Hulk #7

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD: I have been reading comics for many years and thought I had seen everything but Incredible Hulk 7 gave me quite a surprise. Writer Jason Aaron has really done something with the relationship between Bruce banner and his alter ego the Hulk that has never been done. He has killed Banner and introduced the idea that the creature instead of the man may have been the calming part of the Banner/Hulk. Well when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced the character the Hulk back in 1962 Bruce Banner was the normal mild mannered scientist who heroically save a young man from a Gamma Bomb and got the full blast of Gamma radiation that later turned him into the Hulk.

Stan Lee shared some of the thinking that went into the creation of the Hulk. “I combined Jekyll and Hyde with Frankenstein,” he explains, “and I got myself the monster I wanted, who was really good, but nobody knew it. He was also somebody who could change from a normal man into a monster, and lo, a legend was born.” Lee remembers, “I had always loved the old movie Frankenstein. And it seemed to me that the monster, played by Boris Karloff, wasn’t really a bad guy. He was the good guy. He didn’t want to hurt anybody. It’s just those idiots with torches kept running up and down the mountains, chasing him and getting him angry. And I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun to create a monster and make him the good guy?” The rest is history and the Hulk quickly became one of the most popular Superheroes in comic history.

The Hulks cry “I am the strongest one there is” and “Hulk smash” is well known by Marvel readers. He is known as the angry monster and yet in one story of a fight between the Hulk and Thor (Thor 385) the god of thunder the Hulk was the one that broke off the fight leaving Thor to face the fact that he was the real angry prideful one that time. Dr. Doom, who separated Banner from the Hulk, in the issue 7 suggest that the Hulk side of Banner was the side of his personality that kept him sane. Well for years we thought that the Hulk was the angry one and Banner the sane and rational part of the psychic of Banner/Hulk.

What is the direction Aaron is going we don’t know but I can’t imagine a Hulk without a Dr. Banner. The storyline concludes with Banner being destroyed in the blast from his new gamma bomb, but it is implied that he has been ‘re-absorbed’ into the Hulk due to their proximity when the blast took place. Perhaps that is what we are going to see in the future. If true we may see the dynamics of the Bruce/Hulk relationship change forever. This is great reading and Marc Silvestri’s art is wonderful in the comic. Next issue is a month away recommended reading. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt