Marvel Comics | Heroes N Hunks

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New Avengers #57 – STILL POWERLESS

Posted in Comics, Preview, SFW on 09/17/2009 07:00 pm by fanboi

The old depowered routine is sooo overused. And one item that takes out magic, tech and innate superhuman abilities with the flick of a switch? Sounds more far fetched than usual to me…

It was bound to happen and now it has. The Hood loses his grip on the colorful criminals that make his empire. It’s a super-villain turf war and guess who is stuck in the middle? That’s right… the powerless New Avengers. Not to mention the powerless Dark Avengers (who guest star, btw.) Who will replace the Hood as kingpin of criminals??

X-Factor counts down to #50, I mean #200

Posted in Comics, Preview, SFW on 09/14/2009 04:57 pm by fanboi

I still have to stick my my assertion that at this moment Peter Davis can do no wrong. I love what’s been going on in X-Factor with the story, characters and especially the writers online comments and letter’s page responses. He rocks!

Cortex stands revealed! Or does he? The plan of the president’s science team threatens Madrox and Layla! Or does it? Shatterstar gets a milkshake! Or does he? It’s all going according to the plan of Doctor Doom! Or is it?

We found out last issue that Cortex is a Madrox dupe, right? Not to mention Trevor Fitzroy is on the side of the angels (for now). What more is in store for us as we approach the milestone issue ~~#50~~? Oops, better make that #200 since the issue that follows #49 will be renumbered to #200 (the number the title would have been on if the current series had picked up where the oriinal series left off… at 151 instead of rebooting at 0).

via CBR

Disney to buy Marvel Comics for $4 Billion

Posted in Business, Comics, International News, National News, SFW on 08/31/2009 11:03 am by fanboi

The Walt Disney Company has set its sights on Marvel Comics. The worldwide leader in family entertainment is building on its tried-and-true strategy of gobbling up branded content. In a stock and cash transaction (60 percent cash and 40 percent stock), Disney has agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment Inc. and its extensive portfolio of over 5,000 characters (Including the Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers and all associated friends and foes) in a 4 billion deal announced early August 31st, 2009.

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. At closing, the amount of cash and stock will be adjusted if necessary so that the total value of the Disney stock issued as merger consideration based on its trading value at that time is not less than 40% of the total merger consideration. Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, August 28, the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.

This is a smart decision for Disney. Their stable of content has definitely veered in a more girly direction with it’s focus on its beloved princesses, not to mention Hannah Montana and the HSM series. Adding the entire Marvel stable gives them thousands of instantly recognizable characters that boys have loved for generations.

Not sure how smart a decision it is for Marvel. I can see how Disney needs this. But I don’t see what Marvel REALLY gets out of it. They’ve been doing really well with their movies lately and while I don’t have international sales stats, I know I’m buying more of their books than usual – lots of new good ones out. I can’t be the only one buying them. I’m hoping this will be as good for the Marvel U in the long run as Disney claims… but I’m just not sure.

“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories,” said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company.”

The Boards of Directors of both companies have already approved the transaction, but it is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill Lynch.

Well at least it hopefully means MORE ACTION FIGURES! Here are some links to more in depth articles on the deal…

Industry Insider reaction (at CBR)
10 questions the Marvel/Disney Acquisition Raises
Marvel Disney the Animated View
Comic Industry Insiders See Plus for Marvel in Disney Merger
MORE Comics Industry Reaction to MARVEL & DISNEY

via NYT, Disney Corporate, and Frogboy (thanks for the heads up)

Who is the Marvel U’s new Sorcerer Supreme?

Posted in Comics, Preview on 03/22/2009 05:19 pm by fanboi

New Avengers #51

I’m SO happy to see the Young Avengers being absorbed into the collective. I’d be HAPPIER if they had their own onging too, but I’ll keep hoping. It’s good to see Wiccan and his Mom The Scarlet Witch getting some attention again. How cool would it be if Billy becomes Dr. Strange’s protege and a regular member of the line-up! With training I’m sure he’ll be Sorcerer Supreme himself one day. But I think it is too soon, as Billy still has a lot to learn about himself and his own abilities. I don’t think he’s really in the running this time around. But if the wrong choice is made, I’m sure he’ll be one of the ones to see it righted.

Doctor Strange has failed as the Master of the Mystic Arts and all the other mystic characters or Marvel Comics are potentials heirs apparent. Strange comes to the New Avengers for help as the mystic battle royale begins. Plus, how can the Avengers trust Spider-Man if he won’t take his mask off?

Tho, Billy Kaplan was looking a bit more fem than usual in his appearance in the last 2 preview pages. He was never a big macho guy or anything – but he wasn’t QUITE that skinny before, was he? And he walks around in a cape on his off time? Really? I don’t think so.

AMUSING COMMENT OF THE DAY @ Newsarama: “It is me or does it look like Burt Reynolds is trying to hit on Billy? ”

We know that a new Sorcerer Supreme will be named during the Dark Reign. I fear if evil keeps winning the day, it may be The Hood and / or Dormammu wearing that mantle. THOUGHTS? Other possibile candidates include: Doctor Strange’s former paramour Clea, Sorcerer Supreme wanna-be Ian McNee, The recently returned Scarlet Witch, bisexual sorceress Jennifer Kale, former (?) ruler of Limbo Illyana Rasputin, Latverian tyrant Doctor Doom, Haïti’s houngan supreme Brother Voodoo and longtime Doctor Strange enemy Baron Mordo.

Fears are in part due to the Hood and the Eye of Agamotto on cover to next months New Avengers #52. Combine with the recent revelation that Dormammu is the demonic power behind the Hoods origin and… well not GOOD news.

UPDATE: Good issue. I read it after Ms Marvel #37 so the scene with Carol and Clint made me sad. Not many major revelations other than Peter Parker is Spiderman. But then again everyone knew that. Oh yeah, they didn’t. Well now the New Avengers do. Even if Wiccan left when Strange said to he would have stuck around, so I hope he’s just out of frame on the last page.

via CBR and Newsarama

X-Force #13 – Suicide Leper Part 2

Posted in Comics, Preview on 03/17/2009 01:29 am by fanboi

Do we really care if the Leper Queen uses Hellion as a telekinetic dirty bomb? He’s always been kind of a prick. I know he and Emma had some kind of connection as amoral psis, but no one really likes him anyway, right? I know he’s hot. But isn’t everyone in comics?

PRELUDE TO WAR! The Leper Queen is creating weapons out of mutants, and using them against humanity to stir the fires of hate against mutants. But as X-Force tracks her down, they don’t realize how close to home she’s struck.

Meanwhile, Wolfsbane is still dealing with the return of Hrimhari, the Wolf Prince from Asgard, and Cyclops prepares to send X-Force on the most important mission of their lives…whether they like it or not. You MUST NOT miss this ending, leading directly into X-FORCE/CABLE: MESSIAH WAR.

via CBR

Thunderbolts #130 – Deadpool Hunt!

Posted in Comics, Preview on 03/16/2009 11:36 am by fanboi

Although I shuddered throughout the Thunderbolts last “op” (a con on the president). It was damn slick. This title will definitely continue to be an interesting read during Osborn’s Dark Reign.

Everyone’s favorite Merc with a Mouth has the Thunderbolts in his crosshairs – but don’t expect this murderer’s row of butt-kickers to lay down! The nastiest fight of ’09 has begun, and you’ve got the front row seat for all the ultra violence that

I really like the look of this new artwork by Bong Dazo, Rick Magyar.

via CBR

X-Factor #41 – Back and There Again

Posted in Comics, Preview on 03/14/2009 01:11 pm by fanboi

A lot has happened to change the immediate future of multiple man Jamie Madrox. In issue 39 we found out that the baby he and Siryn had been expecting was actually fathered by a dupe when Madrox accidentally and irrevocablly absorbed it. Madrox then visited John Maddox, the dupe he didn’t absorb – who has gone on to have a son and a life as a pastor. After they talk who should show up but LAYLA MILLER!!!! And looking all grown up. With her back in his life as an adult, that marriage might not be a sick and twisted as previously thought.

So she’s not really in the past – but it looks like she’s bringing Jamie to her for an adventure in the future. I’ve long been a fan of Peter David’s work and I was beginning to worry a bit during the lame and atrociously dawn arcs about Skrull Longshot and rescuing Darwin, but this series has jumped to the top of my pile based on the events of the last two issues. And from the looks of this preview it is just going to get better!

via CBR

Agents of Atlas #2 – the adventure continues

Posted in Comics, Preview on 03/04/2009 12:24 pm by fanboi

I really enjoyed the first issue and cannot wait to read #2 today! The immortal Gorilla-Man, rejuvenated 50′s superspy Jimmy Woo, the human robot M-11, the original Marvel Boy, Atlantean/Human hybrid Namora and a not-so-mythological Greek siren, Venus make for an interesting line-up. Add a morally bankrupt talking dragon and you have yourself a good read.

Norman Osborn’s shadow government looks to pull ahead in the arms race with the help of the Atlas Foundation and the Uranian weaponry of the world’s most bizarre defense contractor, Marvel Boy! The dark contacts grow even more solid when Jimmy Woo meets his understudy – Temujin, the son of the Mandarin! How does this all connect to one of the Agents′1958 missions? Access M-11′s datahold and find out!

via CBR

War of Kings #1 – Opening Moves…

Posted in Comics, Preview on 03/03/2009 09:05 am by fanboi

They could not really sell me on the Darkhawk tie-in, (I mean Darkhawk? really? I was unimpressed with him in Loners. Did any of you read it? Thoughts?) but I am interested in what is going on in the main War of Kings storyline.

In the aftermath of the Secret Invasion, Black Bolt has led the Inhumans on a shockingly savage path to restore their strength and security. But that path has brought them into direct confrontation with the Shi’Ar Empire – and their mad ruler Vulcan! Who will get in the first strike? Who will fall on the bloody battlefield? Who will rule? The Imperial Guard, the Starjammers, the Inhuman Royal Family and more of your favorite sci-fi characters are locked on a collision course…and it all starts here! Join the acclaimed team of Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (NOVA) and Paul Pelletier (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) for a pivotal turning point in Marvel’s

Carol Danvers countdown to death…

Posted in Comics, Preview on 02/23/2009 11:23 am by fanboi

Carol Danvers is dead meat as of issue #38. I am holding onto my hope that her “death” will be part of a plot to defeat Norman Osborn and she will return to gloat over once his maniacal machinations are exposed and he has been removed from power.

Norman Osborn has handed the world’s most dangerous genetic weapon to a madman, and it is up to Carol Danvers to retrieve it. But Carol is keeping secrets from everyone –secrets that could spell the end of Ms. Marvel as we know her.

via CBR

Mighty Avengers #22 – a team reforged?

Posted in Comics, Preview on 02/21/2009 03:13 pm by fanboi

combined covers to Mighty Avengers #21, #22 and #23

I will be interested to see how this mixture of old and new meshes. Stature seems none too pleased to see the Scarlet Witch, even if it is just her astral form. I cannot say I blame her though, bitch did cap her pa. Temporary insanity may work as a legal excuse, but it just does not go far in appeasing grieving relatives. Also how stable can Hank Pym REALLY be as he takes on yet another heroic identity while mourning poor Janet?

Avengers Assemble! Scarlet Witch! Hank Pym! Hercules! The Vision! Stature! Hulk! Jocasta! U.S. Agent! Iron Man! On the last patch of Earth, they’re the only heroes left standing. And the enemy they must defeat…was once one of their own. It’s Avenger versus Avenger! And at stake is nothing less than the fabric of reality itself! Join Dan Slott and Khoi Pham for the next part in this all-new chapter of MARVEL’S MIGHTIEST SUPER HERO TEAM!

I love the triptych covers, but are there variants? I found this previously leaked image of a different Mighty Avengers triptych.

via CBR and FunnybookBabylon

X-Force #12 – SUICIDE LEPER PART 1

Posted in Comics, Preview on 02/20/2009 06:46 pm by fanboi

I’m still digging this series. I love the realistic painterly art and am enjoying a look at the darker side of these heroes. Cyclops cannot keep this groups actions from the main camp forever. I think once Cable returns from the future with the baby and Stryfe shows up, Emma is going to figure out that there is REALLY something big going on and find a way into that secret place in Scott’s mind.

Cyclops and Wolverine struggle to deal the growing threats facing mutants while still keeping X-Force’s existence a secret from the X-Men. Warpath is out for vengeance, Wolfsbane is missing and X-23 keeps cutting off pieces of Vanisher. But worst of all? One mutant’s deadly actions will put mutantkind squarely back in the crosshairs of humanity. Things were bad before but they’re about to get a hell of lot worse.

via CBR

Bullseye as Hawkeye – is it a recipe for disaster or potentially the best anti-hero ever?

Posted in Comics, Preview on 02/16/2009 05:41 pm by fanboi

We know that Bullseye is running around the Marvel Universe in Clint Barton’s old outfit. What will that mean for the man on the street? Can Bullseye keep his murderous tendencies in check? It just will not do for Hawkeye to be seen killing people for fun. Whatever happens, it WILL be interesting.

From the pages of Dark Avengers — Bullseye cuts loose! The media knows him only as Hawkeye - but readers know he’ is really the psychopath named Bullseye! How does the world’s deadliest assassin fit in with Norman Osborn’s hand-picked team of public do-gooders? What is his agenda, and how does it instantly jeopardize the entire Avengers legacy? And how long can the most ruthless killer ever to walk the Earth be kept on a leash?

I just do not see how Norman could possibly hope to keep his Dark Avengers in check. But I am guessing he is NOT thinking long term. He wants something specific and has a plan to achieve it. Still I wonder if there will be a Thundeboltesque repercussions on any of his roster.

via ComicsContinuum

Uncanny X-Men #506 – “Lovelorn”

Posted in Comics, Preview on 02/15/2009 04:53 pm by fanboi

I’m really loving the Terry and Rachel Dodson artwork on Uncanny X-Men of late – it is far superior to the porn-traced Greg Land work.

Emma’s bad dreams continue, and, man, when the White Queen has a long night, we ALL have long nights. Peter finds horror in the Port of Oakland. The assembly of the fringe science team continues with a big — BIG — discovery that will probably kill them all before they have a chance to fix that whole no-more-mutants thing. And with the Humanity NOW! Coalition stoking fires of anti-mutant hate, Cyclops implores his X-Men to keep a low profile… HA. Dummy. Part 3 (of 4)

I think the X-universe is going somewhere interesting…

via CBR

Dark Avengers vs. Morgana Le Fay

Posted in Comics, Preview on 02/13/2009 01:40 am by fanboi

So Doc Doom has wronged Morgana Le Fay, and we all know the old adage about a woman scorned (whew, dodged that bullet). Even with his newfound relationship with Norman Osborn, I don’t see Doomy calling in Iron Patriot and the rest of his Dark Avengers.

I’m eager to see how the battle spills over as I’m sure it will. I’m more than a little intrigued to see how this lineup deals with Avengers-level threats. – That is besides taking fewer prisoners.

via CBR

The Old New Mutants are New again!

Posted in Comics, Preview on 02/08/2009 10:20 pm by fanboi

But what happens to the Young X-Men? Hopefully they’ll be folded into the crew along with the 1st next generation when YX ends with issue 12 and is followed by the May launch of a new series starring the original New Mutants.

Of course they canceled Young X-Men. Too many gay mutants running around. We just cannot catch a break. I hope it doesn’t squelch any plans for other new gay characters (hint hint STONEWALL). I would be nice if for a change we got a gay character in a title that didn’t get immediately cancelled – closest we’ve gotten is Karolina Dean. But you know how fanboys like lesbians and Runaways has stooped and started how many times now? I want to see a gay male character be an integral part of a long running team book. Is that too much to ask?

In an interview with Newsarama, writer Zeb Wells gave up a few tidbits, such as… Magik will be part of the team, Cannonball will be stepping up to the role of leader, the team will fight an old enemy in the first story and that as the series continues, other members of the New Mutants will be joining the fun and there is an adversary that wants the New Mutants together for a specific reason.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 trailer

Posted in Comics on 02/08/2009 07:59 pm by fanboi

IGN has a great article with all sorts of details about Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, the fighting game that uses the semi-recent events of Marvel’s Civil War as a backdrop. This game sequal has kep the large army of characters from the first game and added hundreds of “fusion” team-up combinations.

But you’ll have to play the game to find out if Cap dies.

Are they these heroes the new Young Avengers or the Young Masters of Evil?

Posted in Comics, Creators, Preview on 02/07/2009 04:46 pm by fanboi

It seems the Dark Reign isn’t just shaking up the New and Mighty Avengers. The Young Avengers are in for some new and not so friendly faces. In Dark Reign: Young Avengers, an upcoming miniseries from Young Avengers Presents writer Paul Cornell with art by Mark Brooks, the original Young Avengers not only find that they aren’t the new young upstarts they thought they were when a newer group of young upstarts comes on the scene, calling THEMSELVES the Young Avengers.

The Dark “Young Avengers” are just as eclectic a group as the original Young Avengers. Only their ranks are composed of misfits and misguided characters, many of whom see the art of superheroics as being more about hurting than helping people.

Egghead: The team’s cracked android, cruel and wayward and not above a bit of dissection. He wants to examine the human condition intimately, with livers in his hands, and shares Big Zero’s mattress. Hopefully made by Elihas Starr, the original Egghead and not Ultron. Thankfully less ridiculous-looking than his namesake.

The Enchantress: Melter’s sort of girlfriend (when she feels like it) is a fly by night magician who claims she’s from Asgard, but can’t quite manage to keep the right sort of speech patterns going. She’s been described as “frighteningly offhand with her magic.” From the description it isn’t Amora, I wonder if she’s related or a pretender.

The Executioner: a rich and organized urban vigilante, who hunts and kills criminal scum (a la the Punisher). He also likes to hurt pets. This doesn’t sound like Skurge at all.

Big Zero: a white power skinhead who can grow to enormous size or sink to microscopic, who claims she’s raising an army in the Microverse with the aim of toppling the Federal government. Her favorite thing is to goad people of other races. Any guesses on her legacy ties to a Masters of Evil member? Maybe Goliath or Yellowjacket II?

Coat of Arms: a celebrated modern artist who chronicles the nature of superheroics in her art. She placed Melter in charge and places the team in what she calls ’scenes’: foiling a bank robbery; battling another super hero team. Although she put the team together, Coat of Arms believes that her job isn’t to lead the parade, but to observe it. Her set of 6 arms reminds me of Spiral but her costume has a Black Knight vibe.

The Melter: an idealistic kid who can’t get a good costume together, with the organic power to melt– anything. Which is kind of useless, right? Or maybe it could work, if only he could get a break. He finds himself the leader of the group, and tries his best, but can’t get any respect either. And there’s something truly terrible that happens to him, because of him, in the first issue. I can’t blame him for not wanting a costume – look at the original Melter.

This line-up does look an awful lot like the Young Masters of Evil to me. Although Young Avengers creator is apparently still too busy writing for the shirtless doctors of Grays Anatomy, its nice to know his ideas still live on with the title. He’s wanted to bring in a Young Masters to offset the YA, and with Dark Reign its going to happen.

via CBR, Paul Cornell’s blog and Robot 6

Dracula has Doc Doom on Speed Dial?

Posted in Comics, Preview on 02/06/2009 01:01 am by fanboi

We found out in issue #9 that Dracula has Doctor Doom on speed dial. This issue we get to see the meeting resulted from that phone call (I’m kinda disappointed that Dracula does anything as pedestrian as phoning someone – I expected calligraphy messages delivered by bat. He’s getting lazy).

“The king of the vampires is back. As if the hoards of demons that Pete Wisdom let out in order to defeat the Skrulls in England weren’t enough, now Dracula has entered the scene. What does he want with Spitfire? And how will an election help his cause? You better hope that Captain Britain and the rest of MI13 have a way to defeat him!”

via ComicsContinuum

Thor #600 or Loki’s up to something…

Posted in Comics, Preview on 02/05/2009 04:14 pm by fanboi

I’m not a longtime Thor reader, but I’m enjoying the current run. Hopefully creepy Lady Loki’s master plan will finally be revealed just in time to save Lady Sif.

The mighty God of Thunder hits a major milestone! THOR goes back to its classic numbering for this issue 600 mega-event, and even Stan “The Man” Lee joins the party with an all-new story! J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Coipel bring their widely acclaimed run to a major culmination! And Chris Giarrusso lays down an epic Mini Marvels Thor adventure!