T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents return (finally)!

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents (original 1965 version)

When the Silver Age of comics officially established that superheroes were cool (and profitable), many saw a quick buck to be made. Created by Wally Wood in 1965 for Tower Books as an attempt to break into the long underwear market. Assembling a team of top-notch creators including Dan Adkins, Dick Ayers, Reed Crandall, Steve Ditko, Mike Esposito, Frank Giacoia, Joe Giella, Gil Kane, Joe Orlando,Paul Reinman, Mike Sekowsky, Chic Stone, George Tuska, and Al Williamson, Wood sculpted not one title but a family of comic books to rival the success of both Marvel and DC Comics. The genius of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents is that it consists of a team of super-powered individuals working for a government agency that also employs a group of non-super-powered covert field operatives known as the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Squad. Think of it like folding S.H.I.E.L.D. into the Avengers.

The superheroes were classic Silver Age types, the everyman Dynamo saving the world yet striking out with his boss and the boss’ secretary, the strange NoMan who housed the mind of a genius inventor who was immortal yet could never again be human, the tragic speedster known as Lightning who died a little more the faster he ran and of course the double-agent Menthor who nobly sacrificed himself to save the very people he was assigned to kill. The line of books expanded to a Dynamo and NoMan spin-off as well Undersea Agent. The comics themselves were more like magazines, bulkier in look (and therefore much costlier than the Marvel and DC counterparts), made up of a series of stories rather than one feature.

Since the short-lived series folded after 20 issues in 1969, several attempts have been made to reboot the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, most notably the 1984 Deluxe Comics series featuring the work of George Pérez, Dave Cockrum, Keith Giffen, Murphy Anderson and Jerry Ordway. DC Comics came into ownership of the characters some time ago yet aside from an attempt in  2003 to modernize the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents that was quickly squashed by Joe Carbonaro (whom DC had licenses the property from), nothing much has happened. I recall that the series was assigned to writer Marc Andreyko and cover artist JG Jones, but that the concept was deemed disrespectful to the source material by Carbonaro.

Here’s the announcement from DC Comics in Previews:
DC PRESS RELEASE
THE T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS RETURN IN HARD-HITTING NEW MONTHLY

One of the best-loved super-teams of the Silver Age is reborn for a new era in T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #1! The series hits the ground running this June in an all-new, monthly series that takes the classic Tower Comics characters and sets them against a dire threat to all of humanity!

The series is written by Marc Andreyko (BLACK SUN, Torso), with art by Manuel Garcia (Thunderbolts) and Jimmy Palmiotti (21 DOWN, RELOAD) and painted covers by J.G. Jones (Y: THE LAST MAN covers, WONDER WOMAN: THE HIKETEIA).

“This series will feature all the classic characters from the original series, but while the names Dynamo, Lightning and No-Man remain the same, everything around them has changed,” says Dan DiDio, DC’s VP – Editorial and editor of T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS. “We’re taking a more contemporary look at these heroes, their motivations, and the world around them.”

Operating outside the jurisdiction or boundaries of any one nation, the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents seek world peace, and the coming Age of the Alpha-Human is a threat to mankind that only they can fight! But can the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents save a world in constant turmoil? Expect non-stop action and adventure as the tales of the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents unfold!

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS #1 will be solicited in the April issue of Previews (Volume XIII #4) and is scheduled to be in stores on June 4.

The lack of a new ongoing title made the release of several Archive Editions look quite peculiar as they were likely intended to function as a reminder to fans and an intro to those unfamiliar with the cult property.

At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, that all changed:

Following the passing of Joe Carbonaro, DC Comics has officially announced that they have formally acquired the rights to the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents and that the characters will be folded into their continuity (likely as part of a Final Crisis Multiverse fall-out sub-plot). There are those who say that this is sacrilege and others who think it’s about time. Personally, I think it’ll all be over in two year’s when the next Crisis over-writes this one.

In any case, if this brings more attention to the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents by Wally Wood and his team, I am all for it. The ideas are so brilliant and the characters so much fun that they speak to almost anyone who enjoys the medium.

There is some very interesting discussion here on the revival/re-imagining and the like including some well-stated words from Kurt Busiek.

There is also a brilliant excerpt on the subject from the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents Companion here, complete with interviews with Andreyko and Carbonaro.

More as it comes…

X-Force: Necrosha

Coming this Fall is the next major mutant cross-over from the combined writing talents of Chris Yost, Craig Kyle, Zeb Wells and Mike Carey. Running through the pages of the New Mutants, X-Men: Legacy and X-Force, this may sound more like the ‘other’ X-titles. With the recent ascension of the Uncanny X-Men title and its cross-over with the Dark Avengers, the remaining X-books have been forgotten by some.

That may change thanks to story architects Yost and Kyle. The two writers have built a strong following in comics but many still remember them from their work in animation from the X-Men: Evolution series where X-Force’s own X-23 debuted. The two creators sat down with Marvel.com to discuss the upcoming event and it sure sounds promising…

X-Force: Necrosha

Official release notes from Marvel.com
The story focuses on the machinations of Selene as she seeks to finally achieve her goal of becoming a goddess while simultaneously punishing those she feels have betrayed her or impeded her quest throughout the years, which includes a number of prominent X-characters. Part of Selene’s plan involves bringing back to life the thousands of mutants who died during the Genosha massacre and a number of others who have fallen throughout the years, such as the many young students who died in the pages of NEW X-MEN. The emotional and physical impact of the returning dead provides the means by which Selene seeks to exact her revenge.

“They’re not crazy zombies,” explains Yost of the returned deceased. “For all intents and purposes they’re the people you know and love or even hate come back to haunt you.”

“The Hellfire Club was the big foe when I was reading comics,” says Kyle. “Selene was the mysterious one. She had such a nightmarish and dark and wild power. She was immediately attractive in her mystery and it made her that much more intriguing. I’m grateful for what Grant Morrison did for Emma [Frost] because he gave her a second life. We feel that Selene has the same potential. Not that we’re Grant Morrison, but we’d love to find a

way to deepen her and explore more of her character and do the same type of justice to her.”

“The most honest answer I can give without giving away some of the Easter Eggs we’re hoping to hide in is that Chris and I are hardcore X-fans,” enthuses Kyle. “We read the books as kids. We love the books now. We’re just the biggest X-fanboys. So, we’re going wide and deep. We’re going way, way back into the books when we were collecting and we’re looking at recent history. If there’s a mutant that’s worth bringing out, I would be surprised if you don’t see them make an appearance in this book. A quote someone gave us-and I always like to bring out-is that someone called X-FORCE ‘continuity porn.’ We take that with great pride. Being the type of fans we are, expect us to bring in some of the best stuff that’s been lost and some of the weirdest stuff that’s been lost.”

As mentioned, while the main part of the story plays out in X-FORCE, the affects of Selene’s plan spills into X-MEN LEGACY and NEW MUTANTS. Fans can read each title independently, but reading all the books gives a broader few of the X-Universe as a cohesive whole. In that sense, Necrosha plays out as a crossover similar to the classic Fall of the Mutants event from 1988.

Following the events of Messiah CompleX and Messiah War, the new X-Force series has been a runaway hit with readers. This new crossover event sounds like it will be growing from strength to strength.

More as it comes.

The Necrosha Special hits the stands in October.

Buy on Amazon:
X-Force 1 – Angels and Demons
X-Force 2- Old Ghosts
X-Force 3- Nor Forgotten
Messiah War Collected

Secret Warriors #6

Nick Fury was once a major power player. As head of S.H.I.E.L.D., he commanded respect in addition to having access to every iota of information available on everyone’s personal details. Despite this, he is often written as a kind of gristly uncle with a cigar firmly set in his stubbly face and a snide comment in his quiver. But gone are the days when Nick would rub shoulders with Reed Richards and trade industry info with Tony Stark.

After waging his own Secret War on villainy, the world has changed forever for Nick Fury. The trust and privelege he once enjoyed is gone forever. Living off the grid, Nick has discovered that his lifeling nemesis Hydra has secretly gained control over most of the world. With no favors to call in and unsure of who to trust, Nick has assembled a team of green recruits to battle this new war. They don’t have much in the way of battle smarts, but they have enough moxy to follow Fury into a firefight.

Sometimes, that’s where it counts.
Entering it’s sixth issue, this series by Brian Bendis and Jonathan Hickman has won me over. Full of tight writing, intelligent plots and clever (but not distractingly so) dialog, this could be one of the hidden gems of Marvel Comics. The latest storyline involves a desperate assault on a flying fortress dock where Nick’s team of ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. agents is hopelessly out-gunned by Norman Osborn’s H.A.M.M.E.R. soldiers. Just when things looked their worst in issue 5, Hydra showed up to remind everyone just how bad things could get. But was Nick worried? Hell, no. His Secret Warriors arrived on the scene ready to dish out whatever Hydra could give.

Today the sixth issue hits the stands and from the looks of the two-page spread below is going to be wall-to-wall action in the mighty Marvel manner.

Pre-order on Amazon: Secret Warriors: Nick Fury Agent of Nothing Book One.

Dark Reign: Lethal Legion

This year’s event Dark Reign has touched upon nearly every Marvel Comics title (except for the Fantastic Four and Daredevil, of course). In addition to the logo emblazoned across the top of several monthly titles, a barrage of mini-series have also launched upon the reading public. From the Sinister Spider-Man to Mister Negative to Elektra and even Hawkeye, it’s hard to know what’s going on.

Add to the mix the Lethal Legion and you can be well confused. Unfortunately or fortunately, all are very good series (some moreso than others).

Dark Reign: Lethal Legion #2 by Tommy Lee Edwards

Gaining control of first S.H.I.E.L.D. (before dismantling it) and then the Avengers, Norman Osborn (better known as the Green Goblin) is the main man in the MU today. After taking over, Norman invited his good friends Dr Doom, Loki, the Hood, Namor and the White Queen to share this power. Declaring a dark Cabal as the antithesis to the Illuminati that swayed influence before them, Osborn is feeling pretty sure of himself but he has made enemies of both heroes and villains who are equally eager to see him fail.

While the Cabal of supervillains may seem to have a lock on the power base in the Marvel U, there are some evildoers who don’t care to tow the company line. Led by Eric Williams the Grim Reaper, the group calls itself the Lethal Legion and they are dead set on taking down Norman Osborn’s house of cards. But the group is not made up of only bad guys, Eric’s brother Simon is a member as well. You may know him as the former Avenger Wonder Man.

Writer Frank Tieri

Writer Frank Tieri is very interested in the relationship between the Williams brothers and hopes to use the Lethal Legion mini-series to touch upon the family dynamic.

“Yeah, they’re still the guys who have tried to beat each other’s brains out over the years,” Tieri notes. “You can’t ignore that. But on the flip side, I also think that sometimes people forget why Eric became the Grim Reaper in the first place. That he was so upset over his brother’s apparent death that he actually became a super villain in order to get revenge. To me, that speaks volumes. It speaks of a connection there.

“One thing we’ve tried to do with LETHAL LEGION is to maybe show a somewhat different side of the Grim Reaper/Wonder Man relationship than people are used to. To show how the relationship of two brothers-one hero, one villain-might really be.

“If you look at most of the Grim Reaper’s significant appearances over the years, they all revolve around Simon in some way, and I don’t see that changing any time soon,” he says. “That being said, this time, in LETHAL LEGION #2, one thing has changed, hasn’t it? Now, for once, the Williams brothers are together on the same side, against a common foe. So I think the real question to ask is how will their relationship ultimately be affected by the events of this series? When all’s said and done, will there be reconciliation here – or will they be back at each other’s throats?”

Dark Reign has been a hit so far and with so many mini-series and spin-offs it’s hard to tell what to get. That said, the Lethal Legion is a great series which smacks of classic Marvel style. Issue 2 of 3 hits the shelves today.

Tom Baker dons his Doctor Who scarf once more

Many know him for his wild eyes and ample array of shining teeth, but Tom Baker is also known for his signature voice. After more than 25 years, the 75 year old actor will be returning to the role that made him a household name in a brand new audio adventure from Big Finish.

Big Finish has been producing audio adventures since 1999. With titles including Robin Hood, Highlander, Dark Shadows and Stargate, they have covered a lot of ground with fans of cult TV programs that are no longer on the air. Actors Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann have all recorded audio adventures in keeping with their respective eras on the program. In the case of McGann, this gave the actor an opportunity to flesh out his all-too-brief stint on screen with several new adventures.

The arrival of Tom Baker, arguably the most recognized and well-loved of Doctors is a major boon for BF and will delight as many fans as it will bring in new ones.

For more information, pick up Doctor Who Magazine 141 and keep an eye on the official Big Finish website for announcements!

Robert E Howard’s Solomon Kane adapted for the big screen

Straight from the pen of Robert E Howard (creator of Conan the Barbarian) comes Solomon Kane, an adventurer from a different era… the 16th Century.

Despite the setting, the film will be as much sword and supernatural content as Kane’s barbarian counterpart, Conan, pitting the puritan adventurer against zombies with only a flintlock and rapier in his defense.

Starring James Purefoy as the title character and Max von Sydow in a supporting role, the film is sure to appeal to fans of the comic book movie genre and horror/fantasy alike.

To those not already familiar with Solomon Kane, he is a cool yet grizzled hero with a bit of Batman and ‘The Man With No Name’ mixed together in his persona.

Check out this film for an idea (and sampler of Howard’s prose)

The film’s trailer premiered at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con and has already generated some love from Ain’t It Cool News reporter Harry Knowles.

Currently the movie is without an American distributer, so fans may have to wait for the DVD unless the SDCC09 viewing convinced any backers of the film’s potential.

For more on Solomon Kane, click here.

World War Hulks

Two years back, Greg Pak orchestrated World War Hulk and put the green Goliath back on the map of many a comic book fan. Since then the additions of Skaar, Son of Hulk and the Red Hulk have both brought new facets to the Hulkiverse.

At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, the announcement was made that these characters and plot threads have been leading toward another big event. The arrival of a group referred to as ‘The Inteligencia’ will threaten the future of the entire Marvel Universe. The even is called World War Hulks.
“This is what’s been brewing for quite some time,” the writer relates. “The first stage was to spend 12 issues of both HULK and SKAAR getting our major players into the Marvel Universe. That culminated in INCREDIBLE HULK #600. In #600, Banner’s life-and the Hulk’s-changed forever. The Hulk books split in two, [with] INCREDIBLE HULK going off with the Incredible Greg Pak and Ariel Olivetti and HULK continuing with me and Ed McGuinness. In order to give Ed enough time to do the entire World War Hulks series on the HULK side of things, Ian Churchill steps in for five issues to tell the story of what happens to someone when they learn the Red Hulk’s most carefully guarded secrets. It involves Wolverine, X-Force, the Punisher, Deadpool, Elektra and a host of others. Again, all planned to be part of the bigger picture that leads us into World War Hulks.”

Looking back at the last year-and-a-half of Hulk stories, Loeb teases that much of what has come before will have an impact on World War Hulks.

“It all matters. Everything. If you’ve been reading HULK and SKAAR for the past year, you will see all the seeds we’ve planted. Now, Greg and I will be harvesting what hopefully be the biggest Hulk story ever told.”

Ever since Planet Hulk, this series has been a must-read for fans of the Hulk and those new to the series. With readers wondering where it has been leading, this event is going to have a lot banking on its success. With Marvel EIC Joe Quesada swearing off major company-wide crossover, this could very well be an event story on the same scale as ‘Sinestro Corps War’ or ‘Annihilation.’ But will it be as successful as either?

World War Hulks: Alpha hits the stands January 2010.

Daniel Acuna named as new artist on X-Men: Legacy

I’ve been a fan of Daniel Acuña’s work from DC Comics’ Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters and Marvel’s Eternals (canceled far too soon), but it looks like I’ll soon be enjoying his fine artwork in the pages of Marve’s Mutant family the X-Men.

A fan of Byrne and Cockrum, Acuña will bring a new kind of classic style to the book that fans will no doubt clamor for. Joining writer Mike Carey on X-Men: Legacy, I am hoping that the addition of a regular artist of this caliber will help the series find its footing. With a series of issues dealing with Charles Xavier facing his past with new eyes, the issues degraded into a mish-mash of sci-fi stories and something about Rogue and Gambit. I may be alone in my disappointment with the direction of this series but hopefully it will finds its way thanks to a new artist.

The focus seems to be shifting away from Charles Xavier and toward Rogue and Gambit, both of whom enjoy a loyal fan following. With Rogue finally in control of her powers rather than a slave to them, I am curious to see where Carey takes the title next.

As some of the characters fans may be surprised to know, not everyone in the comic biz is familiar with Rogue and Gambit, Acuña included!

Honestly, before I started drawing them they were the characters I was least interested on from the team (laughs). But that made it more interesting and forces me to work more. But now that I’m some pages in, I can say they are changing my mind. As characters, all three of them are really interesting, but I think I could do some work in making Rogue’s and Gambit’s look better – mostly Gambit, who’s some sort of ‘rebel without a cause’ character. So… an outsider with a black and fuchsia suit, with metallic knee pads? He’s not a super hero, per se, in attitude and motivations, so, why does he dress like one? I’m trying to think on something to make it all fit, visually and in my head.

I know that I often wondered why Gambit dressed in a black and fuchsia suit!

Acuña debuts on the title with the X-Men Legacy Annual out in September.

Moon Knight’s Charlie Huston to tackle Deathlok series

There has been a recent surge of bronze age comic book characters making a return to the world of comics. After super hero comics made a bold revival in the 1960’s, there was a mad time of invention and experimentation involving monsters, kung fu and even science fiction. A combination of two of these ideas was the robotic cyborg soldier known as Deathlok. Many of the
comics published in what has become known as the ‘Bronze Age’ were once ridiculed as outlandish and absurd but with many writers who grew up on the material, these ideas are finding a way back.

Just announced at the San Diego Comic Convention, the new Deathlok series could put the character back on the map. Former Moon Knight writer Charlie Huston and artist Lan Medina (of Foolkiller) will be penning a 7 issue mini-series published under Marvel’s adult ‘MAX’ line starting later this year.

Set in a dark future of the Marvel Universe, Deathlok is the only ‘hero’ in his world. The product of a corporate experiment that starts with the military and expands into the toy market, the new Deathlok series is a bit of the old along with something new.

“I was a big science fiction guy, and I was probably 11 or 12, and even then I liked stories with dystopian and apocalyptic futures. Plus, Deathlok was another great visual character like Moon Knight [Who Huston discovered around the same time as Deathlok]. Also, I liked the way the character was written in ‘Astonishing Tales’ with the internal dialogue between Manning and Deathlok; there was a separate entity that was Deathlok,” Huston told CBR News. “It was a team concept from Moench and Buckler, and Moench was doing stuff that nobody else was doing, at least not in the comic books I was reading. It just felt different, and I always liked the dark stuff.”

“For the corporate armies, I tried to use as many of the businesses mentioned in the Deathlok stories as possible. Roxxon is, of course, the most obvious. The army that employs Manning and Travers is Roxxon,” Huston explained. “Then I did the same thing with character names. Simon Ryker is in this, and Doctor Hellinger, who was a big character in the original, is a major antagonist here. There’s a minor C.I.A. agent character in the ‘Astonishing Tales’ stories who plays a major role here, and I took a character who was a gangster in ‘Astonishing Tales,’ and now he’s the head of a toy division in Roxxon.”

“This is science fiction in the broadest possible sense,” Huston stated. “It’s not ‘Hard Sci Fi,’ where you take a science concept and try to extrapolate it to its natural conclusion. It’s two-fisted, pulp-adventure, science fiction.”

For any fans of his work on Moon Knight, this should be a book worth checking out.

(follow this link for my article on the original Deathlok series)

New Doctor = New Doctor Who series?

I recently read that the new series of Doctor who will be starting over from the beginning in its numbering. This is more of an internal administrative thing but it could build upon several other key changes that incoming producer Stephen Moffat is making to the series when he takes over from Russell T Davies who helmed the program from 2005 onwards.

Everything old is new again in Doctor Who

It has already been established that the signature tune and opening credit sequence will be updated. Additionally, the interior and exterior of the TARDIS will be changing. I have not seen what will take over from comic book artist Bryan Hitch’s designs yet but pics of the new Police Box has already been leaked online (the difference is minimal, really). But with all of these changes, will Doctor Who be making the transition to an entirely new program?

When Patrick Troughton took over from the first actor to play the role of the Doctor William Hartnell there were many changes made to the series… but it was still the same Doctor Who. Could that not be the case here? The renumbering seems to hint that this is the case.

When writing about the Doctor’s new wardrobe I commented that it could be a nod toward the Troughton era (with its braces and bowtie) and it seems that I may be on the money here if this clip of Matt Smith filming on location is anything to go by:

A return to the old 1960’s style of the program would be a serious break from the esatblished new program. Alien worlds (something despised by RTD) were a key component to the 60’s era and something that fans have been clamoring for since the series returned to the small screen.

The only real connecting thread that I have found is the Doctor Who comic book series by Tony Lee published by IDW. Lee had already established his Doctor Who cred with the ‘Forgotten’ miniseries that really put the series on the map in the comic book world. Doctor Who as a comic book has always fascinated me and has also attracted some of the biggest names in comics from Alan Moore to Grant Morrison so it’s heartening to see that tradition continue.
(for more on the new Doctor Who comic book, click here for an excellent interview with author Tony Lee).