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Tag Archives: Phoenix Force

Top 5 Picks for 6/6/12

Matt Fraction at AvX party @ Excalibur Comics photo by Kyle Helstien of Happy Robot Photography

Avengers vs X-Men #5 Two rival super hero teams battle on the moon. One team fights for the survival of their face. One team fights for the fate of the Earth. The Phoenix Force arrives for the fiery climax to Act One. Who becomes the host of the cosmic entity and how does this lead into the next act: No More Avengers?

Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1 One of the most controversial decisions in recent comic book industry. DC Comics is going back into the Watchmen universe to tell new prequel stories with some of the biggest names in comics on board. Love or hate the idea – it’s time to judge the story. This is the first series focusing on the team of heroes from the 1940′s that led to the Watchmen. 

Earth 2 #2 Classic Silver Age heroes reborn. Fan favorite Alan Scott is now reintroduced as a gay super hero and the only Green Lantern of this world. This issue reveals the origin of this world’s Flash, Jay Garrick and the threat that would wipe out this alternative Earth.

Harbinger #1 Pete is a young guy struggling to make it. Toyo Harada is a billionaire with a global empire. Both share a mental based power that could reshape the world. A kid off the streets is offered the alliance of a lifetime with a man who has everything…but there’s got to be a catch! Valiant Comics is back. Harbinger was my favorite book and Harada was the best villain of that universe.

Invincible Iron Man #518 Tony Stark may be celebrating a victory in The Avengers and Iron Man 3 on the big screen but there’s a new man in the armor in the comics. The new Iron Man blasts in after the Spymaster leaves a bloody trail in Stark Resilient and Marvel is teasing the assassination of Tony Stark?

I use this photo because Matt Fraction is the writer of AvX #5 and Invincible Iron Man #518. 

By Editor

AvX Thor Burns in Space

Avengers Versus X-Men #4 variant courtesy Marvel.com

  Avengers vs X-Men #4 may be more battles between heroes across the globe but in space no one can hear an Asgardian God of Thunder die.

  Thor is among a squad of Avengers on a suicide mission to stop the Phoenix from reaching Earth. We’ve already seen a variant cover with Thor looking down right small against the oncoming Phoenix Force.

  Marvel provided Comic Book Resources with interior pages showing Thor’s struggle against the entity…and it doesn’t look good for him. When you see Thor’s face, it’s hard to imagine what can amaze this Asgardian after all he’s seen.

  I wonder if this confrontation is what leads to “No More Avengers?”

  By Editor

Avengers vs X-Men #4 courtesy Marvel, a Comic Book Resources exclusive

 

Top 5 Picks for 5/9/11

Batman #9 courtesy DC Comics

Batman #9 The Night of the Owls crossover continues with a battle in the Batcave. Bruce’s last safe haven is invaded by the Talons. How will he save Alfred from a strike force of the undead assassins. What has Alfred’s family kept from the Waynes. Gotham City’s darkest family secrets are revealed in a back story.

Fatale #5 This mystery noir series with twists of supernatural horror has creeped with a slow burn until last issue’s violent shocker. Josephine may be immortal but her latest lover may not survive. Are they being chase by mobsters or monsters? Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips latest collaboration will deliver a bloody showdown as the first arc races to the finish.

New Avengers #26 Answers to one of the biggest and mind tingling mysteries begins here. How is Danny Rand connected to the Phoenix Force? Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato reveal the secret history of the firebird in a book of the dead Iron Fists. This is a crucial tie-in to Avengers vs. X-Men.

Trio #1 The legendary John Byrne is back with a brand new superhero series. The world calls them Rock, Paper, Scissors. I’m hoping this will capture the spirit of Byrne’s classic Fantastic Four run.

Uncanny X-Force #25 The Final Execution begins here with new villains after Wolverine’s covert team. Rick Remender has teased a team of enemies born from Omega Red and shopping mall for assassins in the sky. I suspect this will be another violent, game changing epic like The Dark Angel Saga – definitely watch this series.

New Avengers #25 The Dragon and the Firebird

New Avenges #25 courtesy Marvel

  New Avengers #25 is nothing like I expected and I loved it. It’s one of the most beautifully drawn stories that really made me feel awe inspired. Mike Deodato, Will Conrad and Rain Beredo’s art is lyrical at perfect moments and the Phoenix images are majestic.

  This is not your typical superhero story in fact there are no super heroes in it. Brian Michael Bendis unveils a folk legend come to life. Centuries in the past the ruler of Kun Lun dreams of the Phoenix and a red-haired girl rising to fight the destroyer with a dragon avatar. As the force moves to Earth, the hidden Phoenix connection to Kun Lun will draw Avenger Iron Fist into the cosmic conflict.

  I’m intrigued to see where Bendis will take this AvX side story and I’m eager to see the Danny Rand and Hope Summers relationship evolve. I could marvel at the art for hours like I was in a gallery. Deodato, Conrad and Beredo created a masterpiece.

 

AvX: A Geek Divided

  I am a geek divided and torn. When it comes to AvX- there’s no doubt, I want the X-Men to win. They were my first comic book. They are the characters I can identify with the most. I love Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Luke Cage and more Avengers but I’ll always love mutants more.

 I’ve been declaring “Cyke is Right” and now I realize how close that is the “Magneto Was Right” t-shirt worn by Quentin Quire and other radical young mutants.

  Cyclops has been the leader the mutants needed. Even Professor X and Magneto have bowed to him. With AvX even Erik is questioning Scott. I think in her heart Emma Frost may be too.

Avengers vs. X-Men #2 interior preview art courtesy Marvel, a Comics Newsarama exclusive

  I just saw a preview of AvX #2 Marvel provided Comics Newsarama. The way this is written, the way the other characters react to Scott – it just made me think even more about a theory of mine - Cyclops is under the influence. He still has a remnant of the Void locked in his head. Scott is a great leader and strategist but is his zealot like attitude against the Avengers due to that sliver of evil that existed in the Robert Reynolds/The Sentry?

  Maybe the Phoenix can burn the Void out of him? I hope the X-Men win but I believe Cyclops will pay a terrible price for victory.

AvX Chasing Hope

Avengers Vs. X-Men #4 courtesy Marvel

  The mutant messiah is at the center of the Marvel Universe as two superteams are after her. One to protect her. One to destroy her?

  This is the cover to Avengers Vs X-Men #4 by one of my favorite artist, Jim Cheung of Avengers: The Children’s Crusade.

  Hope Summer is giving off what could be the Phoenix image as she is appears to chase by both X-Men and Avengers.

  Marvel revealed this and more AVX #1 interior pages to Comics Newsarama but this is a cover I had to share with you.

 

Avengers Vs. X-Men #1 Preview Pages

AvX1 preview art courtesy Marvel.com

  Marvel revealed preview pages from Avengers Vs. X-Men #1 by the great John Romita Jr. The idea of Captain America’s arrival usually inspires happiness, relief and confidence. Cap’s arrival on Utopia stirs fear and dread.

 When Emma Frost said, “He’s here for you, Hope,” you can feel the tension.

AvX1 preview art courtesy Marvel.com

  The Phoenix Force is coming to Earth. Steve Rogers believes it will destroy the world so he’s taking action. Cyclops thinks the entity could save mutantkind. I love Cyclops but he is the new Magneto. Even Erik recognizes how Scott has evolved in his struggle to save the mutant race.

AvX #1 courtesy Marvel.com

  As you read the preview pages I also get the impression that Scott should watch out for Namor. The Submariner’s alliance with the X-Men and love for Emma Frost could be shaken by his long friendship with Captain America.

Avengers Vs. X-Men #1 preview art courtesy Marvel.com

  The big question is which team will win but you have to think how will the sides change before AvX is over?

AVX Thor Versus Phoenix

 

Avengers Versus X-Men #4 variant courtesy Marvel.com

 

 

Behold the God of Thunder against the Phoenix Force! Marvel revealed this variant cover to Avengers Versus X-Men #4 by Jerome Opena. I’ve posted my theories about Scarlet Witch or Hope facing the entity but this image gets a geek brain spinning! It looks like the entity will swallow Thor whole.

This awe-inspiring cover arrives in May.

 

Generation Hope Preview Art – Countdown to the End

Generation Hope #16 courtesy Marvel.com

  Writer James Asmus revealed that Generation Hope is coming to an end. Sigh. The final issue is #17 but today Marvel revealed preview art by Takeshi Miyazawa from the penultimate issue #16.

  We know that Hope Summers will likely play a critical role in the upcoming Avengers Versus X-Men event but first she must survive the insane traitor on her team.

  The final showdown between Hope and Kenji is coming and Asmus teased that the insane Kenji won’t be alone in his stand against his team leader.

Generation Hope #16 courtesy Marvel.com

 

  Will the Lights join Idie at the Jean Grey School and become part of Wolverine and the X-Men? How will Hope and Cyclops resolve their conflict over the newly recovered Sebastian Shaw? How will the Laurie, Martha, Kenji triangle be resolved? Will Pixie find love with Gabriel?

  Will any of these kids survive AVX and the return of the Phoenix Force? I’ve often thought that the Five Lights could have been a creation of the Scarlet Witch’s power.

 

Generation Hope #16 courtesy Marvel.com

  For more preview art here’s the Marvel link. Generation Hope #16 hits stores February 15th.

  I know Cable is back in Avengers: X-Sanction. I hope he gets to see his daughter again. The Nathan, Scott, Hope family dynamic is strange logistically but still very moving.

Cyclops Secret Weapon for AVX?

The Sentry #5 courtesy Marvel.com

  This is the final year of Brian Michael Bendis on The Avengers, which includes the upcoming Avengers Versus X-Men fight fueled by the return of the Phoenix Force.

  The Sentry/The Void could be a key factor in all three of these Marvel events.

Warning: There are potential spoilers of previous Marvel events you may not have read.

  Robert Reynolds is one of Marvel’s most powerful and tragic characters. Bendis made the The Sentry (Robert Reynolds) and his evil alter ego The Void a central character of his Avengers run until Bob was struck down by Thor in the finale of Siege. At Bob’s memorial service his computer companion CLOC said he was preparing for The Sentry’s eventual return. A section of The Void was held in Emma Frost’s mind until Cyclops locked it away in a sealed part of his mind.

New Avengers #8 courtesy Marvel.com

  Will Bendis bring The Sentry back as part of his final Avengers arc? Can Cyclops use The Void (should he even tap into that evil force?) against the Avengers in AVX? Is The Sentry/The Void possibly the only power that could counter the Phoenix Force? What if the entity bonded with a resurrected Robert Reynolds?

  You can read more about The Sentry and The Void at his Marvel.com bio.