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Archive for the ‘Marvel’ Category

Media Release– This April, as the Marvel Universe waits on baited breath for the arrival of the all-powerful Phoenix Force, Wolverine must choose a side of the coming war…but will the Jean Grey School of Higher Learning follow? Find out if Logan fights for mutantkind or mankind in Wolverine & The X-Men #9 from the blockbuster creative team of Jason Aaron & Chris Bachalo available in comic shops worldwide and on the Marvel Comics app this April!

Wolverine And The XMen 9

Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX!

For more on Avengers VS X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.com

WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN #9
Written by JASON AARON
Pencils & Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
ON SALE THIS APRIL!

Avengers vs X-Men 2

Looks like The Avengers vs X-Men begins this April. You knew Marvel can’t let a year go by without a big Major deal involving most of the Marvel Universe in a crossover event. So here it is. The all-powerful Phoenix Force and maybe Jean Grey are back, which makes it the Avengers against the X-Men. How does it happen? What events lead to this? Marvel will spell it out soon starting this April. For the Marvel fans get your reading glasses on or digital device ready this looks like a big one as only Marvel can do.

The Avengers and X-Men have learned that the all-powerful embodiment of both death and rebirth known as the Phoenix Force is on a crash course for Earth…and it needs a new host to unleash its immeasurable power. But what is the shocking decision tied to the Phoenix’s return that will pit the Avengers against the X-Men? And when good friends become bitter enemies, what does this mean for the future of the Marvel Universe?

Shipping twice monthly, this epic 12-issue limited series will be available in comic stores and on the Marvel Comics app on the same day—additionally, each print issue of AVENGERS VS X-MEN includes a code for a free digital copy of the issue on the Marvel Comics app at no additional cost to fans or retailers. “AVENGERS VS X-MEN brings together the most powerful forces in comics for a super hero war like you’ve never seen before and will never see again. We all want to see the best of the best go against each other—Lakers & Celtics; Ali & Frazier; Yankees & Red Sox; and in comics it’s the Avengers fighting the X-Men, ” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Entertainment. “We’ve brought together the biggest writers, biggest artists and biggest characters for the biggest story we’ve ever told. This is the kind of high-octane action-packed story that fans demand while also having a profound effect on every character involved—and reshaping the Marvel Universe in its wake.”

Well Marvel is still changing the Universe with major event after event and this makes me wonder when they will do what DC Comics did and start all over. Well if they do it will be done the  Marvel way with much fanfare and flare. Perhaps they will join the Ultimates with the original universe, wouldn’t that be something. Well before I let my imagination get away from me one thing in the Media publication caught my eye it said, “You’ve heard It’s Coming—and this April the War Is Here in AVENGERS VS X-MEN #1! All your favorite super heroes enter—and only one team will emerge victorious!” What that means I am not sure but you can bet we will be there for you our readers. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

X-Men 1 Fold Out Cover

I have been around comics for many years and I know comics as well as the next guy but this question got me thinking for a while. What single issue comic sold the most issues of all times. I thought of the Death of Superman in Superman #75, the Amazing Spider-Man #583 (the Obama issue) went into I think six printings and the Death of Robin in Batman #428 one of the first comic events to make mainstream news. Then I remembered the comic event by Marvel of the 1991 the new release of X-Men #1 in 5 new covers written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Jim Lee. Shipping with four variant covers priced at $1.50, and a special gatefold cover combining all four and printed on higher quality paper selling for $3.95, X-Men #1 sold nearly 8.1 million copies with the combined sales of all five editions. That gave Marvel’s 1991 X-Men #1 The Guinness World Record Best Selling Comic Of All Time.

The comic sales of the 90′s as I remember them was fueled by speculation not necessarily comic fans. When I sold comics back then young people would ask me what comic I thought would go up in value. I would tell the young person there are lots of reasons comics and other collectibles go up in value the most important being popularity and low print runs and how rare an issue is. It is simply supply and demand. Then I would recommend they buy comic books because they liked the story and art work not because it might put them through college some day or make them rich. Some time they would listen and were wiser for it.

Comic books are a form of Entertainment and unless you have some money and want to speculate on old classic comics you should realize they should be enjoyed as such. That is what we are about at Comics Talk to make the most of the entertainment and pleasure of reading this visual media. So to put this in perspective I have a list of the most popular comic book issues of the last 10 years to show what comics have sold in the real world of entertainment below this post. Keep in mind I don’t think the record of X-Men #1 will ever or should ever be broken. If it is ever broken I hope it is from comic readers who want to read not speculate on it’s future value. But such is the world we live in. We are here for you with Comics Talk news and information, stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Justice League #1 2006 Unit sales: 250,847

Action Comic #1 2011 Sales 250,898

Batman 1 2011 Sales 262,379

Secret Invasion 1 2008 Sales 262,975

Infinite Crisis 1 2005 Sales 269,991

All Star Batman and Robin 2005 Sales 276,017

Captain America 25 2007 Sales 317,713

Civil War 2006 Sales 341,856

Justice League 1 2011 Sales 361,138

Amazing Spider-Man #583 2009 Sales 530,500

The top selling comic book Issue of the last 10 years the Obama Inauguration Day Issue: 530,500 Unit Sales

Hellboy: Fury #3

2011 has come and gone but not without some outstanding comic book publications. While DC Comics and Marvel were the top sellers there was some great work done in other publishing comic companies. Dark Horse Comics led with the death of Hellboy in Hellboy the Fury #3 while comic heroes tend not to ever die in the comic book world Mike Mignola really did it he killed his most well known character Hellboy. Very well written I am sure the series may still be available. Also at Dark Horse Jim Shooter revived some of the greatest Gold Key heroes with Doctor Solar – Man of the Atom, Turok – Son of Stone, Magnus – Robot Fighter, and Mighty Samson. Shooter did a good job of re-introducing these Silver Age characters to a new generation.

Star Trek 1 IDW

While at Dynamite Entertainment from the mind of the late Jack Kirby they re-introduced some of his wonderful characters like Captain Victory, Silver Star, and Dragonsbane with more to come from the comics series Kirby: Genesis. With many covers by Alex Ross you know the art looks good. Follow that with the comic book version of George R. R. Martin’s fantasy masterwork “A Game of Thrones”, Dynamite Entertainment left a creative mark on 2011. The up and coming IDW Publishing got the rights to publish the new timeline favorite from the movie 2009 Star Trek the continuing story of the early days of James T. Kirk and his fellow USS Enterprise crew members. Also in a separate story IDW printed a crossover of Star Trek and the Legion of Superheros series still going into 2012, plus comics with Doctor Who, G.I. Joe, Transformers, and True Blood good stuff from IDW comic book publisher for 2011.

Fantastic Four 600

At Marvel we began the year as the tragic saga of “Three” came to an end in the pages of FANTASTIC FOUR #587—and The Human Torch fell. Johnny Storm sacrificed himself so that his niece and nephew as well as his best friend, The Thing, could escape the Negative Zone. With this story came a series change that ended in two titles FF (Future Foundation) and again Fantastic Four adding Spider-Man in the absents of the Torch to make it Four again. These comic books ended the year with Johnny Storm coming back from the Negative Zone victorious and alive again. This story written by Jonathan Hickman may well be the best story trek of 2011 it involves Doctor Doom, the Inhumans, and just about everyone in the story line from the past 2 years.

Fear Itself 3

Marvel also began the year with a cross title Mega event call the “Chaos War” which evolved an entity called the Chaos King or  Amatsu-Mikabosh a Japanese God of evil, he is the embodiment of the chaos and nothingness that preceded creation, which wants to wipe out all existence and almost does. Hercules uses his new All Father status to remake the world at the sacrifice of his godhood making him mortal and launching a new series called Herc. Then not to be out done by the Gods of Mount Olympias writer Matt Fraction writes another world threatening event called “Fear Itself” involving Odin’s older brother the Serpent: God of Fear, who claims he is the rightful All Father not Odin. Very interesting story it introduces the Serpent’s the “Worthy” and Odin’s  the “Mighty” lead by Iron Man. It ends with much devastation to the earth and Thor finally killing the Serpent then taking nine steps and falling dead. Odin mourns his son’s death then takes his brothers body and leaves the realm of midgard and asgard to the All Mothers: Freyja, Gaea, and Idune, who rule in his stead.  Two major storylines that change many things in the Marvel universe.

Death of Spider-Man

Spider Island another major event centered around the New York City area. “Spider-Island” the storyline started in The Amazing Spider-Man and crossing over into other comic books published by Marvel Comics. It involve an infection that gave normal humans Spider Powers and eventually turned them into Spider creatures serving the Spider-Queen. It takes Mr Fantastic of the Fantastic Four and others of the Horizon Labs scientists to find a cure then a huge battle and inoculation of the public and the re introduction of Kaine as the clone of Peter Parker as a good guy cured from his previous problems. That is really an over simplification of a very complicated story. Another big story from Marvel.

On the Ultimate side of Marvel you have the Death of Spider-Man, the real death of Peter Parker. His heroic death brings on the introduction of a new Spider-Man, Miles Morales. A teenager of African American and Latino descent, he will have a lot of adjusting to do to fill the shoes of Peter Parker. So far the reviews have been very favorable of the new Spider-Man in the Ultimate Universe.

Reign of Doomsday

Well if you are overwhelmed by the events of the comic world I save DC Comics last for a reason. They changed everything with an event called Flashpoint. But before we get to that DC brought back Doomsday to the Superman titles in the “Reign of Doomsday” series. The crossover involves Doomsday hunting down Steel, Superboy, Eradicator and Cyborg Superman, the four main characters introduced in the wake of the controversial The Death of Superman storyline in 1992. The storyline itself draws its title from “Reign of the Supermen”, the immediate follow-up to The Death of Superman. This run of comics will reintroduce Doomsday as you never thought to see him. It results in the introduction of a character called Doomslayer a very interesting story. This leads up to the giant sized Action Comics 900 and the end of the series which was started in 1938.

Meanwhile the events of Brightest Day follow the exploits of these heroes and villains as they attempt to learn the secret behind their salvation. At the end of “Blackest Night”, 12 heroes and villains were resurrected for a later to be reveled  purpose.  Brightest Day #7 revealed that the 12 resurrected must complete an individual assignment given to them by the White Lantern Entity. If they are successful, their life will be fully returned. It ended when Boston Brand found the new champion who will bear the white light of life and take the Entity’s place. (Revealed as Alec Holland, the new Swamp Thing as of Brightest Day #24)

Flashpoint #5

And that led into one of the biggest events in comic book history the series Flashpoint and the creation of the New 52 the remaking of the DC Universe. Flashpoint was a complete redirection in the DC Universe and change in history brought on by the Flash Barry Allen as he changed an event in his past that set every thing in a different direction an alternate universe. Everything changed with the only one who had knowledge in this time period of how things should be was Barry who no longer had the powers of speed. Without telling a synopsis of what happened Barry was the key in changing it back but in the process a mysterious “Lady in Red” helped him to bring a new universe into existence that resulted in DC’s Vertigo and WildStorm superhero groups brought into the main DCU continuity. You can read about that here in my blog. So this New DC 52 as the creators of DC began calling it was created with no connection to the previous history of events in the DCU. The writers and artist and producers at DC could go in any direction they wanted to. And they did with the retelling origins of all the icons of DC history. There was a new fresh look at the heroes that have been around for over 50 years.

Justice League #1

In September of 2011 52 titles started at number one again including Action Comics which had not been interrupted in over 900 issues. Grant Morrison was given the rewrite of Superman origin, Brian Azzarello took on Wonder Woman, Tony Daniel would write Detective Comics, Geoff Johns writer and art Jim Lee for Justice League #1, and there are many more changes which we highlighted in Comics talk during 2011. I think the most dramatic change was the top sales of comic books for the first time in a long time when from Marvel to DC Comics. Mostly because of new readers and old readers that just wanted to check it out. Also DC provided digital copies of comic books the same day of paper publication, this is a first in the industry.

Keep in mind there was a lot of other things that happened in comics but I can only highlight the major ones in this venue. So quite an extraordinary year in comic books, one that will go down in history I am sure. We are here for you to keep you informed on the media known as Comic Book Entertainment and Movie greats with a lot of other fun things mixed in. Stay tuned Comic faithful Fore more. Walt

Mark Ruffalo-inspired Incredible Hulk

There is a lot of information and curiosity about the Avenger movie on May 4, 2012. It stars Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, & directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by Joss Whedon. I wanted to talk about the Mark Ruffalo-inspired Incredible Hulk. Back in July of 2011 Kevin Feige president of Marvel Studios and producer of “The Avengers,” was interviewed By Geoff Boucher of the LA Times about the Hulk in the Avengers movie. Below is part of that interview it reveals a lot about Marvels attitude towards the Hulk in the movies.

GB:  Will we see anything substantially different in the visual realization of the Hulk?

KF: Well, I don’t know about substantially different. It will be as different as ”The Incredible Hulk” was from Ang Lee’s “Hulk” in terms of its look and design, but it is Hulk. The image we released on the last day of Comic-Con — which got a tremendous amount of attention and I was very pleased about — is a very good representation of what he’s going to look like. Hulk is Hulk. We’re not going to reinvent the wheel.

GB: How big will he be? That’s been a major variable through the years in the comics and the two films as well.

KF: He’ll be about the same size he was in “The Incredible Hulk” [which was about 9 feet tall] or maybe a little bit smaller. His muscles won’t be quite as cut. We figure he’s been the Hulk now for a few years and [his physique is changing]. He’s not as cut or as ripped as he was in “The Incredible Hulk.” The most important thing is that face. As you can already see in that concept painting, it is — more than any Hulk that’s ever been done in live action — a Hulk that let’s you see the actor in there. You will be able to see Ruffalo in there. That was a big revelation for us. It’s just a concept painting, but in that you can see the [influence of Marvel Comics pioneer and original Hulk artist Jack] Kirby, as people have already pointed out, but also, and equally important in this case, Ruffalo’s eyes and his cheek structure. It is him.

GB: That sounds like a very different philosophy than the approach you took on Louis Letterrier’s movie.

KF: It is. It was something we actively avoided before. Hulk was Hulk, he’s not any one actor and Hulk should look like Hulk. It was  like Iron Man’s armor, in a way, it wouldn’t change depending on the actor wearing it. But we’ve taken a different approach because Hulk is Banner and, frankly, we came to question our approach. Why are we not doing it this way?  So we did a few designs that put Ruffalo into it, and we immediately saw how much more you feel for the creature. When you keep that connection going between Banner and the Hulk and you have characters around him trying to reach Banner inside — “Bruce, calm down,” and all of that classic Hulk stuff — it means more if you see the same actor throughout. I think before it was something we thought might look silly. We were nervous about getting it good enough [via visual effects] to work. Frankly, it was the same way we were nervous early on about making Steve Rogers skinny for “Captain America.” Is this going to look disturbing? Is this going to look silly? In the end, we got that one right. We’re going to get this one right.    End of Interview Section.

The Hulk first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 (May 1962), written by writer-editor Stan Lee, and penciller and co-plotter Jack Kirby, and inked by Paul Reinman, and the Hulk has gone through many changes in looks and mannerisms. The one thing that has remained constant has been the influence of Bruce Banner. They are essentially different manifestations of the same person like a person with multiple personality complex to the max.  Using CGI in movies can make that happen. Why wouldn’t the Hulk manifestation have similar futures. I guess they would. And if there is a person inside of a character like the Hulk then you could try to talk to him and calm him down so could appeal to the Hulk to help in a situation where you need his brute strength. You can see that the Hulk is more than “Hulk Smash” he is also Bruce Banner. Hulk may speak in a childlike manner, but he’s not a mindless brute.

In the new trailer it looks like the Black Widow played by Scarlett Johansson approaches Bruce Banner to join the Avengers how they work out the control of the Hulk as a force for good we still don’t know but I am sure that is part of the early storyline. Bruce is seen later in the SHIELD headquarters with other members of the Avengers. Perhaps more will come out later about the role of the Hulk in the movie. So far the action scenes do not show the Hulk in trailer yet except for shot of Banner changing and the growl of the Hulk. Till then we will be on the outlook for news and comments on the Avenger movie. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Full Size Look Hulk

Avengers Annual 1

Simon Williams (Wonder man) and his Revengers have attacked the New Avengers and left the Avengers Mansion in shambles and many Avengers hurt. This happened in New Avengers Annual #1. This is to be concluded in Avengers Annual #1. Iron Man notes that Simon is ‘leaking’ ionic energy, suggesting that his current mental condition may relate to his powers rather than being simply a matter of choice causing him to be very unreasonable and not in a stable mental state.

Because of the anger in Wonder Man he put together the Revengers, a team of super-powered people to stop the Avengers because he believes they do more harm than good, blaming the Avengers for Ultron’s existence, the damage caused by the Scarlet Witch and the Hulk, the Civil War, and Osborn’s Dark Avengers. His team subsequently defeats the New Avengers in a quick attack on the mansion before he resolves to attack Avengers Tower.

The story in Avengers Annual starts with Steve Rogers addressing Simon and the Revengers about the attack on the Avengers and it looks like they are getting ready for more action against the main team of Avengers. Good story with 2 powerful teams ready to battle. Good Marvel stuff. On sale January the 4th I recommend this one for my readers. We are looking out for good stuff for you, stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

CLICK ON IMAGES TO GET FULL PAGE:

New Avengers Annual 1

Avengers Annual 1 pg 2

Avengers Annual 1 pg3

D23 Expo 2011

The cast of the mega Marvel movie storms this year’s D23 Expo and IGN is there to chat with them about the highly-anticipated adaptation. The official description of the movie is: The S.H.I.E.L.D. agency brings together a team of superhumans to help save the Earth from annihilation by extraterrestrial invaders. You put that together with the interviews by IGN at D23 Expo and you get a picture of what the synopsis will be especially Tom Hiddleston who reveals that Loki (his Role) plays a major role in the movie and Robert Downey Jr. who plays Iron Man and Chris Hemsworth who plays Thor tell us that the first part of the movie deals with some inter dimensional problem that Thor has and IGN introduce Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) and Scarlett Johansson (the Black Widow) as SHIELD agents.

The most anticipated movie of the Year to this point will be directed by Joss Whedon and the US showing will be on May the 4th 2012 at all your local theaters. The build up to this movie from all the recent movies before has Marvel fans clamoring for more information and we will be there when it happens, stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Avengers 2012

International Avengers Video Shows New Scenes but unless you speak the language of the offizieller zweiter Trailer – deutsch turn the sound down and watch. More of Banner and Loki and more check it out we will be here with more when it happens. Compare it with the US Trailer release and you will see Here. Forget that found one in English from  IGN, Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Hulk Season One

Dr Strange Season One

Ant Man Season One

MARVEL Season One:  It is no secret that the sales of graphic novels has done very well. With the DC success producing with 5 out of the top 10 titles graphic novels and trade paperbacks sold at Diamond and other media outlets, Marvel has a long way to go to catch up. So they have announced a series of graphic novels about the origins of their top comic characters and superhero groups. In the same way of Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One and J. Michael Straczynski’s: Superman: Earth One they will produce graphic novels for new readers to help their sales in that area.

Official Press Release

Marvel: Season One, a line of all-new graphic novels, just got bigger as Marvel is pleased to add three titles to the highly anticipated line-up with Ant-Man: Season One, Hulk: Season One & Doctor Strange: Season One! These all-new complete stories offer fans a chance to immerse themselves in the Marvel Universe like never before. Journey into the unknown with Ant-Man, learn about the mystic arts with Doctor Strange and find out how Hulk balances humanity and monstrosity as each of these graphic novels offer new revelations for long-time fans and give new readers a fresh introduction to the character. With modern retellings of the world’s greatest super heroes seminal origins by some of the most critically acclaimed creators in the business, no fan can miss this! Each of these graphic novels also include a code to download each book for free, via the Marvel Comics app, making them must haves for every fan.

Also Amazon has announced pre-order of  Fantastic Four: Season One by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa , David Marquez (Feb 7, 2012) and X-Men: Season One by Dennis Hopeless and Jamie McKelvie (Mar 13, 2012), Spider-Man: Season One by Cullen Bunn and Neil Edwards (May 8, 2012), and Daredevil: Season One by Antony Johnston and Wellington Alves (Apr 10, 2012) . In the next year they want to be more aggressive in producing graphic novels. Marvel will focus on the origin stories of Spider-Man, Daredevil, Fantastic Four and the X-Men to reintroduce these top titles to new and old readers.

Amazon has them listed between $15 and $17. You put this with the production of the long awaited Straczynski written “The Twelve” trade paperback series starting in January, and you see Marvel has realized that the comic readers are changing. Readers want more of a bang for their buck. The graphic novel or trade is a great way to get a lot of reading for less money and it is not some Mega-Series that you must buy many comics to tell the whole story at $3 to $5 a comic plus variants and special pre and post series comics which can get very expensive. I think readers know what is good and will buy accordingly but many are cutting back on titles they read so the competition is heavy for the comic book dollar.

There is always an appreciation for quality in the art and writing of comic books and that is why we have this Blog to comment on the industry and the direction it is going and we like the move to the original graphic novel and will follow it closely to keep you informed. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Spider-Man Season One

X-Men Season One

Daredevil Season One

Kaine vs Spider-Man

The first Scarlet Spider was a clone of Spider-Man created by the Jackal, (Miles Warren). He assumed the alias Ben Reilly, a combination of his Uncle’s first name and his Aunt’s maiden name. When his name was smeared by a second, evil Scarlet Spider, he assumed the identity of Spider-Man, until his death at the hands of Norman Osborn. His body subsequently disintegrated, proving once and for all that he was the clone.

An undercover FBI agent Joe Wade is the second Scarlet Spider. Joe becomes a real mechanized Scarlet Spider with amazing spider like powers. Because of this mechanized process Joe is unable to stop himself from committing acts of violence. It takes both Ben Reilly (in the guise of Spider-Man) and the New Warriors to stop the cybernetic Scarlet Spider, and the FBI put him in custody and have him undergo medical treatments to remove the technology.

Scarlet Spiders are a group of three unknown people of the Initiative who identify themselves as “Red Team” on the field, first appearing in Avengers: The Initiative #3. All three of them wear an advanced version of the ‘Iron Spider’ Stark armor which Spider-Man wore pre-Civil War and during the event.

Finally there is Kaine who serves as both an ally and an enemy of Spider-Man. He first appeared in Web of Spider-Man #119, and is the Jackal’s first failed attempt at cloning Peter Parker. The character was created by Terry Kavanagh and Steven Butler. Kaine is the Jackal’s first temporary success at cloning Peter Parker but, due to the flawed cloning process is left deformed and mentally unstable. But recently things have changed for Kaine.

Scarlet Spider #1

In the Spider Island incident Kaine becomes infected by the “Spider-Virus” and is under the control of the Queen who sends Kaine to Horizon Labs, to tamper with a cure being developed there. This culminates in a battle with Peter Parker, after which he’s forcefully submerged in the pool of highly concentrated cure. Kaine re-emerges, his mind-link with the Queen broken, a fully healed clone of Peter Parker. Having retained his spider powers he then helps Peter and the other heroes defeat the Queen. After this he meets again with Peter and tells him that he is leaving New York.

It was revealed in Amazing Spider-Man #673 as well as the Marvel “Point One” one shot that Kaine will be the new Scarlet Spider in his own ongoing series. Chris Yost is set to write the comics while Ryan Stegman is going to be drawing Kaine. According to Marvel.com Click Here, Kaine will go to Houston as a fugitive to hide from his past crimes. Supporting cast will include Aracely (a 16 year old girl whose life he saved) and Annabelle (a bartender/singer working at the Four Seasons Hotel). The superhero group known as the Rangers will make an appearance. Kaine, as the Scarlet Spider, will go up against threats varying from general crime to super villains, monsters to corporations, and finally himself. Kaine has made an appearance in the comic book Point One and will debut in his own series as Scarlet Spider in January.

It is interesting that Kaine is still dealing with mental issues. Before assuming a new alter ego and heading south to Houston, Kaine allows a therapist to evaluate him at the Psych Ward. Here is the letter of that evaluation Click Here to read. In the age of Big Event stories it will be nice to see a human interest story about the struggles of a man to find his identity as a hero and a person. I find this fascinating that a healed Spider-Man clone is again in the lime light with his own series. I think this will be worth checking out and you know me I will report back to you. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

The Defenders #1 (20110

Marvel Feature #1 (1971)

The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a “non-team” of individualistic “outsiders,” each known for following their own agendas. The team usually battled mystic and supernatural threats. Its original incarnation was led by Doctor Strange and also included the Hulk, Namor, and as a kind of belated addition, the Silver Surfer. They first appeared as The Defenders in Marvel Feature #1 (December 1971).

Well this Wednesday December the 7th you can read the comic again. Matt Fraction is writing so it got my immediate attention.  I watched an interview about Matt’s story and without relieving the whole direction of the book he did share that the Superheros know there is something wrong but that can’t put there thoughts together enough to figure it out individually but together they have a chance. Well I have no idea what Mr. Fraction is getting to but with his writing skills and the propensity to think in different ways about superheroes and the Marvel Universe I will check this out.

Defenders Title page

Marvel Feature #3

The art is by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson. It looks very good you can check the cover and inside art in the post. Marvels Media Release says: Everyone’s favorite Marvel characters banding together to solve a mysterious conspiracy deep at the heart of the Marvel Universe! The Defenders are The last line of defense against the forces of the unknown! I guess that says it all. We will be checking “The Defenders” out I recommend you do also. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

Incredible Hulk 2 - 2011

Incredible Hulk #2 in Jason Aaron’s relaunch of the Incredible Hulk builds on the story that Banner is obsessed by the fact that the Hulk is no longer part of him. Even his love for Betty is secondary to Banners drive to get the Hulk back. The mad scientist role of Bruce Banner is a aspect of the character unlike any story line written before. Bruce Banner is considered one of the greatest minds on Earth. He has developed expertise in the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, and physiology, and holds a Ph.D. in nuclear physics. He possesses “a mind so brilliant it cannot be measured on any known intelligence test.”

With Banners ability to create Gamma powerful animals that follow his commands and the fact he is no longer thinking in a rational manner it makes him a very dangerous so the Hulk is recruited by the government by Commander Amanda Von Doom to hunt down Banner. The Hulk reluctantly goes with the government agents on a large carrier and they are attacked by gamma radiated sharks. At the end the Hulk refuses to help but Dr. banner has already sent two of his Gamma powerful bores to destroy the subterranean creatures that admire the Hulk for what and who he is which will probably force the hulk to deal with Banner personally.

Reviewing the history and past reading of the Hulk I don’t think Marvel has ever separated Banner from the Hulk before and because of the unstable childhood of Bruce Banner writer Peter David established and others have illuminated about, he could be experiencing a serious  mental brake down. Even when Banner could no longer turn into the Hulk in Incredible Hulk 600 when the Red Hulk absorbed Hulk’s radiation and claimed Banner can never turn into the Hulk again. He was fairly rational at that time not turning into a mad scientist wanting to be the Hulk again. So there must be something about the Hulk’s personality that has a stabilizing effect on Banner which he lost when they where separated. I always thought by what I have read about the Banner/Hulk relationship that the stabilizing part of his psychic was Banner but that apparently is not the fact.

The art work of this issue by Mark Silvestri, Joe Weems, Jay Leisten, Don Ho, and Sunny Cho is good. And writer Jason Aaron is a story teller that can think out of the box and created different ideas about a character we thought we knew. I for one will want to see the culmination of this story arc and what is to becomes of Banner and the Hulk. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt

The Twelve Marvel Comics

The Twelve is an American comic book limited series from Marvel Comics, which the company announced in July 2007 would run twelve issues beginning spring 2008, with the creative team of writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Chris Weston. The series stars 12 obscure characters from Marvel’s earliest incarnation as Timely Comics from the 1940s period historians and fans call the Golden Age of Comic Books.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski said in July 2007 that the story concerns 12 superhumans randomly kidnapped by the Nazis during World War II in order to study their powers for the Nazis’ “Master Race” efforts. The superhumans were put in cryonic suspended-animation until the present day, when a construction project in Berlin, Germany inadvertently uncovers them. The series explores the culture shock of people from the 1940s being revived in the present day. “I wanted to explore their reactions to us, and our reactions to them … what was good about the World War II period that we lost, and what was not so good about it that we’ve eliminated in all but them”.

The Twelve 1

In early 2009, Marvel editor-in-chief Joe Quesada said the series was put “on hold” after issue #8 (Nov. 2008) because of Straczynski’s increased demand as a screenwriter after the success of Changeling, and artist Weston’s having taken on conceptual art and storyboarding on a separate film project.  Recently Marvel has announced that the series will be completed in 2012, many fans of the project will be happy about that. Marvel has released schedule and cover art info for THE TWELVE, the 12 issue miniseries. In order for newcomers to catch up, they’ll be offering a colelction of the first 6 issues, a must have of issues 7 and 8 and then the rest of the series twice monthly starting in February.

Media Release: The Twelve, one of the most critically-acclaimed comic series in years, makes its dramatic return this January, taking comic shops everywhere by storm once more! Superstar creators J Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston kick the new year off in style as the two conclude their pulse-pounding story of World War IIs super heroes awakened in the modern day and struggle to adapt. Except they’ll have to work fast as a threat hurdles their way that could destroy them all!

“It’s taken a long while, but finally, FINALLY, the balance of The Twelve has been completed and we’re ready to ship it all to our long-suffering fans,” said Tom Brevoort, SVP/Executive Editor. “We appreciate everybody’s patience, and both hope and expect that the conclusion will live up to the wait. And for folks who missed out the first time, we’re making it easy to get back on board no matter how much or how little of the previous 8 issues you may have already read, though the release of the softcover TPB of the first six issues, and a Marvel Must-Have containing #7 & 8. So you’ve got no excuse not to experience one of the best reviewed, best beloved and long-awaited series Marvel has ever produced as it reaches its ultimate climax.”  No fan can miss any of Marvel’s Twelve in 2012, including these releases:

• The Twelve Vol.1 TPB—on-sale in January 2012
• The Twelve: Marvel Must Have #1—on-sale in February 2012
• The Twelve #9—on-sale in February 2012
• The Twelve #10—on-sale in February 2012
• The Twelve #11- March 2012
• The Twelve #12—April 2012

Twelve Cover TPB

Twelve 10 Cover

Twelve 9 Cover

Now, the Twelve must survive the greatest enemy they’ve ever faced—one of their own. But how—and why—has this happened? Don’t miss the return of The Twelve, beginning in January 2012.

The 21st century will never be the same with these characters loose. Catch up on what you missed in this great series and enjoy comics at there best. Just maybe it was worth the wait. Stay tuned comic faithful for more. Walt