Halloween comics review: X-Men and Power Pack #1 (2005)
X-Men and Power Pack #1 (2005)
The 2005 miniseries “X-Men and Power Pack,” written by Marc Sumerak, started off with a Halloween-themed issue, as the Power kids are heading to a Halloween party, with young Jack dressed as one of his favorite heroes, Wolverine.
Halloween comics review: Marvel Adventures Spider-Man vol. 1 #20
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man vol. 1 #20
Two creators I consider personal favorites — writer Peter David and artist Mike Norton — teamed up for the 2006 Halloween tale “Monster Mash” in Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #20.
DVD review: “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Vol. 3”
Marvel Comics’ top-tier team of superheroes stars in “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” which features Thor, Iron Man and Captain America, among others.
With “The Avengers” set to come to theaters in 2012, it’s a nice bit of multimedia synergy — but it’s a well-done animated series, as well, culling bits from both the classic and “Ultimate” lines of Marvel Comics, as well as the cinematic universe, to create a hybrid that takes the best of all worlds.
“Thor 2″ moved to Nov. 2013 as part of “Lone Ranger” shuffle
Chris Hemsworth in "Thor." (Mark Fellman/Marvel Studios)
The Hollywood Reporter states Disney’s Lone Ranger will be released on May 31, 2013. As part of the shuffle, “Thor 2″ will move from July 26, 2013 to Nov. 15, 2013.
Taking the spot previously held by “Thor 2,” “Phineas and Ferb” will hit theaters on July 26, 2013.
According to THR, budget negotiations caused the “Lone Ranger” to miss its original autumn start date. Johnny Depp will star as Tonto in the film, which is to be directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.
Nerdage favorite Don Payne is on board to write “Thor 2.” Patty Jenkins is in talks to direct.
- Matt Price
Trailer for The Avengers released at Apple
Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr in "The Avengers."
Get your first extended look at Marvel’s “The Avengers” with a new trailer released today at Apple.
The film, directed by Joss Whedon, stars Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye.
- Matt Price
Jack Kirby’s Black Panther provided out-there adventures
Jack Kirby, who had co-created the Black Panther in the pages of Fantastic Four, returned to write and draw the character in a 1977 series.
The series is quite different from what fans had grown to expect with Don McGregor’s “Jungle Action.” This “Black Panther” wasn’t about social relevance, it was about fast-paced action, with the Panther initially teaming up with a little person named Mr. Little who seeks strange artifacts. It’s Black Panther as a jovial Indiana Jones, as he seeks the artifact known as “King Solomon’s Frog,” which allows time travel.
The first seven or so issues work pretty well, though the dialogue is of course offbeat throughout. In issues #8-13, the Panther faces Kiber the Cruel, who has kidnapped a relative of T’Challa’s. Issue #12 ends with a cliffhanger, which writers Jim Shooter and Ed Hannigan wrap up in an issue #13 that completes the story, but barely feels like part of the preceding 12 issues. Jerry Bingham’s art is more realistic – and probably more typical for Marvel art of the time – but vastly different from Kirby’s science fictional plateaus.
Kirby’s “Black Panther” was later homaged and referenced in Christopher Priest’s “Black Panther” run. “Black Panther” issues 1-13 were collected in “Black Panther by Jack Kirby” vols. 1 and 2 in 2005 and 2006.
Other issues read recently:
Secret Avengers 16, 17
Writer Warren Ellis takes the reins of “Secret Avengers” and creates adventure stories that might appeal to fans of Ellis’ “Planetary.” It’s not as metatextual, but it does feature dynamic adventurers facing strange, hidden threats.
- Matt Price
Comics read in 2011: 1,475. Still to go: 536.
Win lunch with Stan Lee for charity!
Stan Lee (AP)
Charitybuzz is providing comics fans some rare opportunities to meet with the people behind their favorite comics.
A fan can win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a lunch date with Stan “The Man” Lee along with POW! Entertainment co-founder Gill Champion in LA. The lucky diner will also get to take home two autographed comics.
Bidding is open through October 19 at http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/281204 with proceeds going to Communities in School of Los Angeles.
Lee, former publisher of Marvel Comics, co-created a laundry list of characters including Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk and the X-Men.
Own a Commemorative Marvel Encyclopedia Signed by Stan Lee
Another way to get a Stan Lee autograph is to bid on a Marvel Encyclopedia offered by Charitybuzz. A copy of the Marvel Encyclopedia, signed by Stan Lee, is up for bid through October 5 at http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/272716. The book contains new artwork, stats and histories for Spider-Man, the Hulk, Wolverine and more. Proceeds benefit the Young Story Tellers Foundation.
Lunch at Archie Comics Headquarters in NY with the CEO
Two Archie Comics fans could meet the CEO of the company in a special Charitybuzz auction.
Nancy Silberkleit, the CEO of Archie Comics, will meet with the auction winners in New York at the comic book company’s headquarters. Bidding goes through October 5 at http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/283815 with proceeds going to the Plastic Pollution Coalition.
- Matt Price
Click past the cut to find out more about the charities involved.
The Wolverine faces more delays
Hugh Jackman (AP)
Splash Page reports that “The Wolverine” filming has been delayed until next year.
While promoting “Real Steel,” Jackman confirmed he’ll be shooting “Les Miserables” next, which will push the filming of “The Wolverine” into 2012.
The film has had a bumpy road, already losing director Darren Aronofsky. James Mangold (“3:10 to Yuma”) is the director scheduled to helm the project.
- Matt Price
Christopher Priest created winding political thriller in 1998′s “Black Panther”
Christopher Priest wrote the definitive “Black Panther” run, starting as part of the “Marvel Knights” line in 1998. Though most of the book isn’t available in collections, it’s well-worth tracking down the entire run. (more…)
Marvel Comics reveals the Mighty
Marvel has sent out the above teaser for October’s “Fear Itself” #7. What do you think?
“Behold! The Mighty!” says Marvel’s release. “Assembling in Fear Itself #7, out next month!”
- Matt Price
