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Monthly Archives: September 2012

Doctor Who Says Goodbye to Amy Pond & Rory

courtesy SFX and BBC

Goodbye Amy & Rory. The married companions left Doctor Who in The Angels Take Manhattan. Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will be missed. All the previous episodes of this season have been hinting and building to the moment but it was still a bittersweet shock.

This episode was Steven Moffat at the top of his game - twisted, creepy, chilling, moving and uncompromising – we all knew it wasn’t going to be all sewn up with a completely happy ending. Matt Smith and Alex Kingston were perfection. Thank you Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill for giving us Amy and Rory.

By Editor

Revenge & X-Men Crossover?

New X-Men #131 cover courtesy Marvel.com

Tonight the new season of REVENGE begins on ABC so I thought it was a perfect time to revisit this crazy idea I had:

They’re rich, powerful, blonde, manipulative and can deliver razor-sharp one liners like Hand assassin throwing daggers.

Emma Frost is the reformed White Queen of the Hellfire Club and now co-leader of the X-Men.

Nolan Ross (played by Gabriel Mann) is the witty, scheming, brilliant high-tech billionaire with too much time, money and tech on the hit ABC show Revenge.

Astonishing X-Men #18 courtesy Marvel

If ever too characters from similar worlds but different mediums should cross over it’s these two. As I watch Revenge I can’t help but think if Emma had a long-lost twin it might be Nolan. I could even picture Conrad Grayson sipping cocktails in the old school Hellfire Club – an exclusive cabal of ultra rich power brokers who have clashed with the X-Men.

This is what happens when a geek has too much time his hands – spinning two of my favorite vices into a twisted idea. Disney does own both companies behind these properties and I can see Frost on holiday in the Hamptons crossing paths with Ross, Emily Thorne – and can you imagine Emma taking out Victoria Grayson!

After all – most comic books are soaps in spandex – so why not let the characters fo Revenge feel a touch of Frost.

By Editor

 

 

Doctor Who Shows Captain Picard The Future

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #5 courtesy IDW Publishing

Warning: This review contains spoilers!

The unholy alliance of the Borg and Cybermen has shattered. The Federation’s greatest enemies are asking the Enterprise for help?

Can Doctor Who convince Captain Jean-Luc Picard to make the right decision that will save the Federation and entires universes?

Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who Assimilation 2 #5 is a break in the action of the crossover but still every bit as enjoyable of previous chapters. You could call this a “show my yours and I’ll show you mine” chapter.

Guinan convinces Captain Picard to reveal his experience with the Borg taking us back to the classic “Best of Both Worlds” episodes giving the Time Lord context of why Picard refuses to aid the Borg. The Doctor presses on trying to convince the Captain of the greater evil.

The Doctor fails. It’s up to Amy Pond and it’s a great moment that you could just picture Karen Gillan saying on television.  Soon Captain Picard is saying the classic line “it’s bigger on the inside. How it this possible?”

A trip in the Tardis shows Picard the future of the Federation and leads to a course correction.

I commend the writers for capturing the essences of each character from each franchise. Rory, Deanna Troi and Dr. Crusher share moments that make this crossover work. The Borg and Cybermen are battling each other. This issue was a battle of wills between Captain Picard and Doctor Who. The stage is set for an incredible alien encounter for the Doctor and an epic battle with universes at stake.

By Editor

Why Uncanny Avengers? Why Havok? Remember Reveals

Spoiler Warning: This story contains plot twists from Avengers vs. X-Men #11.

 

 

Uncanny Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel

Captain America, Thor, Wolverine, Scarlet Witch, Rogue and Havok? All on the same team? Welcome to the Marvel NOW.

One of the most exciting announcements of next month’s relaunch is Rick Remender on a brand new concept – the first team composed of Avengers and X-Men working together. Remember tells Comic Book Resources how this book is directly impacted by the final events of AvX.

  “The healing aspect of it. Given that you’ve got two bands of heroes charged with protecting earth and humanity. That’s their bottom line. It’s what they’re here to do. They’ve had a war, Charles Xavier is dead, and there are all sorts of emotional problems going on. If these guys don’t behave like ethical, strong people and heal in a public way, things aren’t going to get better. I think things have gotten much worse for mutant relations in the Marvel U. They’ve been hunted down, and then Wanda reduced them to 200. This is an opportunity for Steve Rogers to do what he didn’t do before and spur on an effort to put a public spin on mutants that’s positive.

When you see the day saved by Thor, Havok and Rogue, it sends a message that we’re all in this together. It creates unity and helps heal the rift that “AvX” left. That’s not going to be easy. I think that the wonderful stuff in “AvX” means that it’s just as fun to watch those guys heal as it was to watch them break down.”

One of the most enticing aspects of this book for me is the promotion of Havok to the big leagues. Remender talks about the roster and why Alex Summers is the right leader for this team.

“It was a huge conversation with Tom [Brevoort] and Axel. We went over the pros and cons of every character, and it really came down to the character’s fiber. We went through their fiber and who they are and why they’d be on this team. Some of them might not really belong on this team, but through the chaotic events that bring them together, they’re forced to find a way. Therein lies character arcs and drama. I looked a lot at what their interpersonal dynamics would be.

Knowing that coming out of “AvX” Scott Summers would no longer be the same character as he was and that since he went a little more “Magneto” and dark that Charles was dead, I really fell in love with the idea that Cap turns to Scott’s brother and says, “Alex, Charles is gone. Scott is gone. Somebody’s got to step up, and you’ve got time working with the government in X-Factor. You’re a student of Xavier. You’re a clean-looking guy and a college graduate. You’ve led a number of teams. This is you. This is where you’ve got to stand up.” And Alex has always been a bit of a black sheep, but he’s also one of my favorite X-Men. He was #1 of my list not just because of the context of why he works in the situation but also because I love that he’s the classic younger brother. Even though he wasn’t aware of Scott his entire life, as soon as he was, the dynamic they had was that Scott was the respected field marshall while Alex was the guy who was mostly off in the fringes. I love taking a character like that and putting him to the forefront where he leads a squad of Avengers whose job it is to clean up mutant/human relations.”

Uncanny Avengers #1 courtesy Marvel, a Comic Book Resources exclusive

John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men – the Joss Whedon era) is the artist on this title debuting October 10th.

For more with Remender and Axel Alonso plus more preview art here’s the CBR link to this week’s Axel-In-Charge – a weekly must read for Marvel fans.

By Editor

Astonishing X-Men: A Fight to the Death? A Villain Revealed!

Astonishing X-Men #54 courtesy Marvel

Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins deliver a big revelation, big fights and set the stage for a huge showdown in this week’s Astonishing X-Men #54.

Susan Hatchi appears to be a greedy corporate type that’s oozing evil. She could have easily fit right in with the old school Hellfire Club. Hatchi has forced New Mutant Karma to attack her teammates, blew up Wolverine at Northstar’s wedding and left the rest of the team in a hellhole.

Hatchi reveals her connection to Karma and gives the team an impossible mission with deadly consequences if they fail – all to prove a point.

I give Liu huge kudos for using Wolverine in just the right dose and giving other characters equal time. Cecilia Reyes never wanted to be an X-Man but she’s caught up in an adventure with them again. With the team in a deathtrap, Reyes pushes her power to new levels while pondering if her past choices have been wrong.

While Logan is recovering Liu shows that Remy has just as many underworld connections. Hatchi’s orders take the team to Madripoor and Gambit makes a move on Logan’s ex Tyger Tiger in a move to accomplish their mission.

Tension has been building between Iceman and Northstar. Liu continues to explore what it’s like for a hero to have a loved one always in the line of fire. Jean-Paul’s husband and all of New York City is in jeopardy. Bobby and Jean-Paul’s conflict leads to a huge fight and shocking cliffhanger - has an X-Man accidently killed an X-Man?

If you want a thrilling adventure not tied to AvX and a chance to see other mutants in action then this is a great X-Men book. I’m enjoying Liu and Perkins run and I’m excited for the showdown in Madripoor next issue.

By Editor

Batman Incorporated Begins

Batman Incorporated #0 courtesy DC Comics

Are you ready for the war? We have to wait but it’s worth it. Batman’s global team of crimefighters vs. Talia Al Ghul’s Leviathan army are about to battle for Gotham City. This week’s Batman Incorporated #0 shows how Bruce Wayne assembled his network of heroes.

Grant Morrison and artist Chris Burnham conceived this thrilling story – it’s fast with perfect pitches of humor. Frazier Irving creates a different tone for this origin story. The characters really pop because the backgrounds are almost not there but the hero’s action is featured over moody color tones. I think it works as we learn the many unique profiles of various agents of the Batman.

I’m not sure if we really need a zero issue for a book that hasn’t been out that long but I enjoyed it and it made me hungrier for the Batman/Talia war!

By Editor

Mark Millar Will Consult on X-Men and Fantastic Four

The Cast of X-Men: First Class courtesy Marvel.com

Hoping you will see an Avengers team up with the X-Men or Fantastic Four on the big screen – think again. Looks like Twentieth Century Fox is looking to hold on to the film rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchise and they’ve hired a comic book powerhouse to guide those franchises forward.

Writer Mark Millar has been hired as a creative consultant on the studio’s upcoming projects: Director James Mangold is now shooting The Wolverine with Hugh Jackman in a story based on the classic Chris Claremont/Frank Miller story of Logan in Japan. Matthew Vaughn is directing the X:Men First Class sequel X-Men: Days of Future Past. Josh Trank (Chronicle) is attached to direct a reboot of Fantastic Four.

Mark Millar co-created Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. Millar’s The Ultimates were a modern take on the Avengers and he created that line’s version of Nick Fury based on Samuel L. Jackson. You could say Marvel’s The Avengers were more like Millar’s Ultimates than old school Avengers. Millar also created Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four.

The Ultimates #1 courtesy Marvel

In main Marvel Universe Millar wrote the epic Civil War and Old Man Logan, Enemy of the State arcs of Wolverine.

Millar went on to create Millarworld titles Kick-Ass and Wanted – both went to become box office hits.

  “As someone who has spent his entire life obsessed with both comic books and movies, this is essentially my dream gig as it’s a unique combination of both,” said Millar. “I spent ten years working at Marvel and am really happy with the work I did on the comic side of things so the idea of working with these characters now in a brand new medium is enormously exciting for me. I really like the Fox team, love this bold new direction they have for their franchises and am proud to be working alongside some of modern cinema’s biggest talents. James Mangold is incredible, Matthew Vaughn’s one of my closest pals and Josh Trank gave us, in my opinion, one of the greatest superhero movies of the last decade with ‘Chronicle.’ The invitation to join this crew was maybe the coolest phone call I’ve ever had.”

Op/Ed: Before directing X-Men: First Class, Matthew Vaughn directed the big screen version of Kick-Ass so if Millar has that kind of creative relationship with Vaughn then I’m excited to see how they will develop the X-franchise. I think Millar will guide the Fantastic Four reboot into darker territory instead of the most comedic tone of the previous films.

Ultimate X-Men #2 courtesy Marvel

If you want to experience some of the work of the man who will help guide the future of Marvel’s biggest heroes at Fox? Here are some recommendations: Ultimates: Super Human, Ultimate Comics Avengers Omnibus, Ultimate X-Men: The Tomorrow People, Civil War, Old Man Logan  and Wolverine Enemy of the State. I highly recommend Millar and Frank Quitely’s arc on Wildstorm’s The Authority.

Thanks to Marvel.com for the story.

By Editor

Cable: AvX Consequences & Marvel Now

 

AvX: Consequences #5 courtesy Marvel, a CBR exclusive

Cable will lead a brand new X-Force book by Dennis Hopeless and Salvador Larroca in the Marvel Now. Where was Nathan during Avengers vs. X-Men when his father was raging as the Phoenix and his daughter was being hunted by the Avengers and then the Phoenix Five?

Kieron Gillen (Uncanny X-Men and upcoming Iron Man) will reveal what happens after the AvX finale in AvX: Consequences. Will Cable return just in time to see the potentially tragic end of the epic? Cable is featured in Jorge Molina’s cover to AvX Consequences #5 in this Comic Book Resources preview.

This variant show Cable in the way we recognize him but in the Marvel Now art Nathan is sporting an eye patch over his cyborg eye. Cable has lived with a techno-organic virus in his body but is he healed? Domino will reunite with Nathan in the new X-Force too.

But where was Cable during AvX? How does the finale lead to his return?

Lots of questions to be answered. Stay tuned.

By Editor

LOOPER Director On Possible Superhero Movies, Doctor Who Episodes

courtesy Tri-Star

  The sci-fi Looper is getting critical and fanboy buzz. Joseph Gordon Levitt (The Dark Knight Rises) and Bruce Willis star in the time travel thriller. Director Rian Johnson is generating more geek excitment with talk about his future projects including the possibility of a superhero movie.

  “There’s always conversations. It’s flattering to be in that circle of people who are thought about for those things, and I’m a big fan of those movies, so it’s fun to talk about them. Right now, I’m focusing on writing my next film, and it’s an original thing I’m working on. Not that I’d shut down the possibility in the future, but I’m in this spot right now where I can get these original movies made, and that’s not going to last forever. As long as that’s happening, I want to get as many of my own things made as possible,” Johnson tells Vulture.

  Perhaps Johnson could reteam with Gordon-Levitt on a future chapter of The Dark Knight Legacy? See my theory here.

The helmer of the time travel hit man film also expressed interests in taking on the ultimate in time travel adventures.

 ”What I’d really kill to try, although it would be terrifying because I’m such a big fan of it? Doctor Who,” Johnson revealed on Reddit.

Thanks to Digital Spy where you can see Johnson talking about Looper here.

By Editor

Doop – The Untold Story! Why the X-Men Need Him!

Wolverine and the X-Men #17 courtesy Marvel

Everything you wanted to know about Doop but were afraid to ask! It’s actually more like everything Doop does that makes you scared he’s around0 kids. Mike and Laura Allred reunite with the lovable mystery (man, thing, it?) that co-created with Peter Milligan back in X-Force/X-Statix.

Doop is now working (mostly sleeping on the job) for Logan at the Jean Grey School. In this week’s Wolverine and the X-Men #17 the Allreds join writer Jason Aaron for Doop- the untold story. Now we know why Logan recruited the green ball and why he’s asleep a lot. One of the most obscure characters in comics receives a hilarious, colorful back story. What’s even better is the other outrageous and forgotten character who makes a surprise appearance in Doop’s tale. We see just how crucial a role Doop has been playing all this time and the sacrifices (sexual and otherwise) the great green one has made to protect the future of mutantkind.

This Doop-centric isn’t just comic relief. This issue forwards the elements of this amazing series and reinforces what I love about the eclectic cast. Aaron continues to perfectly mix action, drama and humor. This is an offbeat and welcome break from the doom of AvX. Wolverine may be the only character who can understand Doop’s language but the green guy speaks volumes on the pages of this issue – maybe the funniest of the year.

By Editor