Marvel Comics reveals Black Widow’s ‘Deadly Origin’
Marvel Comics’ Black Widow began as a Soviet spy, introduced as a foil for Iron Man in 1964’s “Tales of Suspense” No. 52. While her first few appearances saw her as an antagonist to Marvel heroes, she’s since joined with them, even leading the Avengers for a time.
The Black Widow, aka Natalia Romanova or Natasha Romanoff, will be played by Scarlett Johansson in next year’s film “Iron Man 2.” Marvel is doing its best to catch up readers on the character before the film, starting this week with the comic-book series “Black Widow: Deadly Origin.”
Marvel Comics come to iPhone
Marvel Comics are now available for the iPhone, via four different applications: Comixology, iVerse, ScrollMotion and Panelfly applications.
“Consumers in many locales have a choice of comic shops in which to buy their comics so we wanted to offer fans the same variety of digital storefronts to be able to purchase and consume Marvel comics,” said Ira Rubenstein, Executive Vice President, Marvel Digital Media, in a release. “It’s all about giving the consumer the best experience possible and the widest possible choice.”
Selected Marvel Comics will also be available for the PSP, and a selection is available online at Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited. Of course, the chief distribution of Marvel Comics remains in print, in direct-market comic-book stores.
- Matt Price
Mighty Avengers #31 preview
Marvel Comics has provided a preview of “Mighty Avengers” 31, which features The Mighty Avengers, Young Avengers, New Avengers and more versus The Unspoken. From Marvel’s news release:
Red hot writers Dan Slott and Christos N. Gage, along with fan-favorite artist Sean Chen, present the epic conclusion of the Avengers battle against the ancient enemy of the Inhumans! Hank Pym, newly named the Scientist Supreme, returns to Earth, but is his genius enough to help his Avengers allies turn the tide, after a lethal toxin turns many of the Avengers into a gang of mindless barbarians?
The issue goes on sale on Nov. 18.
Marvel motion comics finalists named
Aniboom has announced the finalists in its Marvel motion comics contest. The motion comics chosen adapt either a Jeph Loeb-written Wolverine vs. Hulk fight or a Dan Abnett-Andy Lanning “Nova” tale.
The five finalists — from Los Angeles, New York, New Hampshire and Australia — will each receive $2,000 to expand their motion comic into a full-length story. These five, plus one additional “Wildcard” finalist, will compete for the grand prize of $10,000 and the opportunity to showcase their work across Marvel’s digital network, according to the release.
The winner will be announced Nov. 16, after a week of voting at aniboom.com.
Click past the cut to see the five finalists’ videos.
- Matt Price
NewsOK Comics Podcast: Incredible Hulk 602, Supergirl 46, Justice League 38
Matt Price and Kyle Roberts provide comic-book reviews for Incredible Hulk 602, Supergirl 46 and Justice League 38 in this week’s NewsOK Comics Podcast. It’s Hulk vs. Wolverine: The Next Generation in “Incredible Hulk” No. 602. The Hunt for Reactron ends in Supergirl 46. And James Robinson (”Starman”) begins his run on “Justice League of America” in issue No. 38.
Daredevil 501 goes to second printing
Writer Andy Diggle (”Losers”) and artist Roberto De La Torre have a sellout on their hands with “Daredevil” No. 501, in which Matt Murdock accepts leadership of the murderous Hand ninjas.
This second printing features De La Torre’s interior artwork on the cover and will go on sale Nov. 25. Individual retail stores may still have first printings available.
- Matt Price
Favreau says he won’t direct Avengers
MTV Splash Page caught up with “Iron Man 2″ director Jon Favreau, who sadly says he won’t be available to direct the “Avengers” motion picture.
“They’ll have to [find a different director], because I’m not going to be available,” he said. “It’s something I’m being the executive producer on, so I’ll definitely have input and a say.”
Favreau adds whoever does direct “Avengers” will have to mix the technological world of “Iron Man” with the mythology-based world of “Thor.”
It’s too bad Favreau won’t do it – he’s been a great choice for “Iron Man” — but I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Marvel finding a director who will do an “Avengers” movie justice.
- Matt Price
Singer may return to X-Men
Empire Online reports that Bryan Singer has met with Fox about possibly returning to the X-Men franchise.
“I’m still looking to possibly returning to the X-Men franchise. I’ve been talking to Fox about it,” said Singer. “I love Hugh Jackman. I love the cast.”
That indicates that Singer may be more likely to return to an “X-Men 4″ with the original film X-Men versus taking the helm of a reboot or an “X-Men First Class” set in the early days of Xavier’s school.
Click past the cut to vote on whether you think Singer should return to the X-Men.
Ghost Rider to get sequel; Daredevil looks at reboot
Columbia Pictures is looking at making a sequel to Ghost Rider, according to Variety. Variety also runs down activity at all the studios now focusing on keeping their Marvel superheroes employed, and that includes a new version of Daredevil. Fox is said to be “quietly developing” a new version of the blind superhero.
At Fox, Fantastic Four is getting a reboot, and “Silver Surfer” remains in the works, as do various X-Men spinoffs and sequels. Sony has James Vanderbilt writing Spider-Man 5 and 6. Universal has “Sub-Mariner” in development. And Paramount’s distribution deal including “Iron Man 2″ and planned “Avengers”-based films continues for now.
If the studios let the properties lag in development limbo, Marvel can reclaim them – much like it reclaimed “Iron Man” from New Line, Variety writes.
As far as Ghost Rider is concerned, writer David Goyer (”Batman Begins”) is in talks to write the sequel.
Mark Steven Johnson was the director of both “Daredevil” and “Ghost Rider.” While “Daredevil” took a bit of a beating from critics and some fans, the director’s cut is actually a pretty decent take. And I like “Ghost Rider,” despite some of its cheesiness. I think they did about what you could expect with that character. It’s not been reported if Johnson will be involved with either of the sequels. It appears Cage would return as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider, while it seems unlikely that Ben Affleck would return as Matt Murdock/Daredevil.
- Matt Price
Iron Patriot vs Doctor Doom
Marvel has released the above promotional image with the following text:
This December from Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Lark and David Finch, it’s the Iron Patriot versus Doctor Doom!
