Christmas Countdown: Amazing Spider-Man #166
Spider-Man is tracking down the reptile-man Stegron in this Christmas tale from Len Wein and Ross Andru.
Stegron was once Vincent Stegron, lab assistant to Dr. Curt Connors. But, ironically given his surname, he’s transformed into a dinosaur-man after injecting himself with dinosaur DNA. He manages to re-form dinosaurs from skeletons in a museum using a ray he’s invented. He can then command these dinosaurs to battle Spider-Man. (These are some out-there powers.)
When Spidey goes to Dr. Curt Connors for help, it turns out that Stegron has already been there – and triggered Curt Connors’ transformation into the Spidey foe the Lizard.
Spider-Man must stop Stegron’s plans, rescue Curt’s son, and stop the Lizard without hurting Connors. He can’t do it without putting a crimp in Peter Parker’s Christmas plans, however.
With reconstituted dinosaurs, a Manhattan snowstorm and a wedding proposal, “Amazing Spider-Man” #166 is pretty out there, but a fun holiday issue nonetheless, especially for those with 1970s Marvel nostalgia. (I guess a wedding proposal and a snowstorm aren’t that odd for the Christmas season. But the reconstituted dinosaurs, definitely unusual.)
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1977. Still to go: 34.
Matt Fraction writes Navy SEALs and offbeat hero team the Defenders
The raid on the Abbottabad compound in Pakistan that captured Osama bin Laden is described by GQ as “the brief, bloody confrontation that changed the world in minutes.”
To visualize that confrontation, GQ invited Marvel Comics writer Matt Fraction to create an original comic book depicting the May 2 raid on the hideout by U.S. Navy SEALs. Fraction and Fox also provide online annotations.
Defenders #2 from Marvel Comics previewed
Marvel has released a preview of “Defenders” #2, by Matt Fraction, Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson.
Here’s how Marvel describes the issue:
A dangerous secret lies deep within the Marvel Universe, and the only ones who can protect us against its calamitous consequences are… THE DEFENDERS! The team of Doctor Strange, Namor, Silver Surfer, Iron Fist & Red She Hulk must race to stop the Breaker of Worlds from unleashing terror across the Marvel Universe in Defenders #2. From the critically acclaimed creative team of Matt Fraction & Terry Dodson, one of the Marvel Universe’s biggest secrets is about to be uncovered, and you can only find the answer HERE!
Click past the cut for the full preview!
- Matt Price
Scarlet Spider #1 preview from Marvel Comics
Marvel has sent out a preview of “Scarlet Spider” No. 1 by Chris Yost and Ryan Stegman. In the book, Kaine – the all-new Scarlet Spider – finds himself on the run in Texas after saving New York City during Spider-Island.
Kaine is a failed clone of Peter Parker who first appeared in the 1990s “Clone Saga.”
“Scarlet Spider is a book that can deal with a character much like Peter Parker but at darker, more difficult place in his life,” said Stephen Wacker, Marvel Senior Editor, in a news release. “The violent choices he’s made through years of struggle—the sins of youth, so to speak—have come at a brutal cost. He may hope that the things he’s done will be left to the dusty, yellowed pages of history, but someone ALWAYS remembers who you used to be.”
“Scarlet Spider” No. 1 is on sale Jan. 4.
- Matt Price
Click past the cut for the full preview.
Uncanny X-Men #3 preview
Marvel Comics has released a preview of “Uncanny X-Men” No. 3, which will go on sale Dec. 28.
Here’s how Marvel describes the issue: THE CELESTIALS HAVE ARRIVED! In your first look at Uncanny X-Men #3, from the team of Kieron Gillen, Carlos Pacheco, Paco Diaz, & Rodney Buchemi, Cyclops and his Extinction Team must protect mankind not only from Mr. Sinister…but the world ending space gods! Sinister’s quest for supremacy has doomed the entire world and it’s all crumbling down around the feet of the X-Men. Are the Children of the Atom finally spread too thin? Find out this December in Uncanny X-Men #3!
“Uncanny X-Men” #3 is written by Kieron Gillen with pencils by Carlos Pacheco, Paco Diaz and Rodney Buchemi.
Click past the cut for the full preview.
- Matt Price
Roy Thomas reflects on “Conan”
"Conan the Barbarian" No. 1, written by Roy Thomas, from Marvel Comics
Missouri-born comic book writer and editor Roy Thomas broke into comics in the mid-1960s, and went on to write some of the comic industry’s best-known characters, from the Avengers to the X-Men to Batman. But among his best-loved works are his comic-book adaptations of the Robert E. Howard pulp tales of Conan the Barbarian. The success of the Marvel Comics Conan led to the Arnold Schwarzenegger films of the 1980s, which had some involvement from Thomas.
“Conan” remains a popular property — the latest film, “Conan the Barbarian,” starring Jason Momoa, was released on DVD this week, and the Thomas-written 12-issue series “Conan: Road of Kings” is currently being released by Dark Horse Comics.
Kindle Fire demo; Avengers poster; Conan giveaway and Roy Thomas interview
Matt and Kyle take a look at the Kindle Fire’s options for comics; the Avengers release new posters; and Roy Thomas talks about Conan the Barbarian in this week’s comics podcast.
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2,011 in 2011 comic-book reading challenge: week 45 and 46 recap
Marvel Comics from the 1960s and 1970s made up the majority of my comic-book reading over the past two weeks, led by the “Captain Marvel” series from that era. I read 69 comics total in the past two weeks of my 2,011 in 2011 comic-book challenge. I am attempting to read 2,011 comic books in the calendar year. With almost 89 percent of the year over, I’ve read 1,725 comics, or almost 86 percent of the total comics I need to read. I’ve got 286 comics to go. Click past the cut for the full breakdowns of comics read.
New Avengers banners feature Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson and others
Yahoo Movies debuted a banner featuring Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man and Chris Hemsworth as Thor, for the upcoming film “The Avengers,” set for a May 4, 2012 release. The film is directed by Joss Whedon.
The Avengers who haven’t had their own solo movies as yet, plus one villain, are found on a second banner via Moviefone. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury,Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow round out the second banner, which can be seen at Moviefone or by clicking past the cut.
- Matt Price
Captain Marvel went through multiple incarnations in 1960s, 1970s series
The 1960s-1970s “Captain Marvel” series was introduced at a time when most of what Marvel launched became a huge hit. But despite being created by Stan Lee, Captain Marvel floundered quite a bit before finding some critical success at the pen of Jim Starlin, who gave the hero “cosmic awareness” and made him the protector of the universe.
