This week at your comic shop – 3/20/13

For the complete list of this week’s comics, click here.

Not sure where your local comic shop is? Try comicshoplocator.com!

(note: all information including ad copy is from the publisher)
If you can’t make it to the shop, just click on any of the images below to be taken to an online retailer. I don’t get any referrals for these sales, I’m just doing my bit to spread the word on some neat products.

_____________________________________

Action Comics #18

Action Comics #18
The lead story, written by Grant Morrison with art by Rags Morales, Brad Walker, Cam Smith and Andrew Hennessy, is destined to be a milestone in The New 52 – and that’s all we can say about it for now!

Plus, in the backup story, written by Sholly Fisch with art by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, learn how Superman’s battle against the Little Man has some very far-reaching consequences.

The new creative team of writer Andy Diggle and artist Tony S. Daniel now will make its debut in Action Comics #19.
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Ark In Space DVD

Doctor Who Ark In Space DVD
From BBC Video! The fourth Doctor’s first trip in the TARDIS brings him, Sarah Jane, and Harry Sullivan many thousand years into the future to Nerva, a space station in Earth’s orbit. Having evacuated Earth when solar activity threatened all life on the planet, a few hundred survivors have been drifting in suspended animation for thousands of years. Even more perplexing is the discovery that someone has sabotaged Nerva’s vital systems. The Doctor reactivates the systems, and one by one, the human race begins to awake from its enforced deep sleep. The future of humankind appears secure until the Doctor learns that the larvae of the Wirrn, a hostile insect race, are also aboard.
_____________________________________

Son Of Satan Previews Exclusive Blk T-Shirt

Son Of Satan Previews Exclusive Blk T-Shirt
The Son of Satan rides on this black t-shirt that features vintage Marvel Comics artwork!
_____________________________________

All New X-Men #9

All New X-Men #9
By: Brian Michael Bendis, David Marquez, Stuart Immonen
The Original Five X-Men get new costumes!

Series main-artist Stuart Immonen returns!

Mystique makes her big move.
_____________________________________

Saga #11

Saga #11
By: Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples
It’s an intergalactic family reunion, as Hazel’s parents and grandparents join forces to escape a dying world.
_____________________________________

Avengers #8

Avengers #8
By: Jonathan Hickman, Dustin Weaver
‘SYSTEM FAILURE’

The Avengers face off against the World Breaker.

Discover the imminent threat to the Avengers World.

Watch as we get our first hints as the hidden connections between the events of Avengers and New Avengers.
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Prisoners Of Time #3 (of 12)

Doctor Who Prisoners Of Time #3 (of 12)
By: David Tipton, Mike Collins, Francesco Francavilla
Our yearlong celebration of Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary continues! ‘Now listen to me!’ It’s time to fire up Bessie, as the Third Doctor takes the spotlight in this issue of a 12-part epic adventure featuring all 11 incarnations of the Doctor!

_____________________________________

Cable And X-Force #6

Cable And X-Force #6
By: Dennis Hopeless, Salvador Larroca
A new arc begins! Great jumping on point!

Cable’s team loses a member as Colossus goes to jail.
_____________________________________

It Girl & The Atomics #8

It Girl & The Atomics #8
By: Jamie S. Rich, Mike Norton, Laura Allred
‘THE WORLD IS FLAT,’ Conclusion

It Girl is trapped in the alps trying to rescue a kidnapped scientist from a slippery supervillain, a scary gangster lady, and her two giant robot sons. Is the scientist’s coveted device the secret to getting out alive?

It Girl’s just going to have to turn it on and find out!

_____________________________________

Captain America #5

Captain America #5
By: Rick Remender, John Romita, Jr.
Zola’s terrible experiments on the indigenous creatures give birth to a terrible new foe! No flesh escapes The Patchwork!

Captain America vs Jet Black, with the fate of Ian in the balance.

A young Steve Rogers must help his family to survive their worst year of the Great Depression, but how far will he go?
_____________________________________

Elephantmen #47

Elephantmen #47
By: Richard Starkings, Axel Medellin, Camille D’Errico
‘SLEEPING PARTNERS,’ Part Six Sahara must give up her baby, before it is even born.

_____________________________________

Daredevil #24

Daredevil #24
By: Mark Waid, Chris Samnee
Fateful news about someone close to Daredevil!

Will Matt be forced to abandon his Daredevil identity?
_____________________________________

Nightwing #18

Nightwing #18
By: Kyle Higgins, Roger Bonet Martinez, Juan Jose Ryp
Dick Grayson lost so much during ‘DEATH OF THE FAMILY’ that some new events are going to push him right over the edge!

Nightwing has almost no hope left until the chance for vengeance presents itself.

What decisions will he make?
_____________________________________

Indestructible Hulk #5

Indestructible Hulk #5
By: Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu
Hulk versus Attuma!

What is the secret of Lost Lemuria?

Attuma’s schemes guarantee death for all air-breathers!
_____________________________________

Legion Of Super Heroes #18

Legion Of Super Heroes #18
By: Paul Levitz, Scott Kolins, Keith Giffen
Separated and in great danger, the Legionnaires must face their greatest foes yet: the new FATAL FIVE!

Can the Legion’s newly appointed leader handle their greatest enemies?
_____________________________________

New Avengers #4

New Avengers #4
By: Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting, Jock
‘WORLD EATER’

The Illuminati have learned that Earth is the center point for the death of the Universe.

If this is true, doesn’t that mean destroying it might save everything else?

Enter the world eater, Galactus.
_____________________________________

Justice League #18

Justice League #18
By: Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis
Cyborg takes center stage as events fall into place for next month’s massive new story arc: ‘OFF THE GRID’!

Also, Batman continues to be question the Superman/Wonder Woman alliance and Aquaman’s future with the League.

Plus: The Shazam backup story reveals the origin of Black Adam-and what it means for Billy Batson’s survival!
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Destiny Of The Daleks Audio CD Set

Doctor Who Destiny Of The Daleks Audio CD Set
Tom Baker stars as the Doctor in this four-part TV serial from 1979, in which the Daleks return to their home planet of Skaro, in search of their entombed creator Davros. The Doctor and Romana soon find themselves caught in the middle of a war between two different races. This full-cast drama includes special linking narration by a member of the original TV cast.
_____________________________________

Steed And Mrs Peel Ongoing #6

Steed And Mrs Peel Ongoing #6
By: Caleb Monroe, Lorena Carvalho
Adding a touch of class to outer spaceÖ The conclusion of our super-spies’ foray into space!

John Steed and Emma Peel have gotten entangled with an eccentric figure that is determined to see Britain lead in space, no matter the cost.

Rising star Caleb Monroe brings us a story of defending Queen & Country in Zero-G!
_____________________________________

Nova #2

Nova #2
By: Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness
A boy, a helmet, and an intergalactic legacy!

Sam Alexander isn’t just any 15-year old, he’s just been recruited to the Nova Corps: the Universe’s police force.

What do you get when you pair a raccoon, a green alien lady and a scared teenager? An amazingly awesome origin tale!
_____________________________________

Batwoman #18

Batwoman #18
By: J. H. Williams, Trevor McCarthy
A new story arc begins here as Batwoman adjusts to her new partner and her new role in the war on crime.

Guest-starring Batman!
_____________________________________

Savage Wolverine #3

Savage Wolverine #3
By: Frank Cho
Shanna and Wolverine are separated, and Shanna teams up with. . . Amadeus Cho?

Secrets about the island are revealed, but only bring up more questions.

And, in this issue, a hero will fall!
_____________________________________

All Crime #1

All Crime #1
By: Erik Warfield, Edward Laroche, Bruce Timm
A look into the lives of two men drawn into a friendship through a life of crime, and driven to murder over the love of a woman. Thirty-six full-color pages of crime, cars, and killings. With a cover by Bruce Timm!

“Art of Fiction are combining all of my favorite elements into one: crime, noir, pulp, and gorgeous artwork. How can you go wrong? Check out All Crime–you won’t regret it!”
-Steve Niles (30 Days of Night)

“A fantastic addition to any crime comics shelf, and I can’t wait to read the next issue!”
-Ed Brubaker (Criminal, Fatale)
_____________________________________

Outer Limits Creature Collection Alien Thetan Pvc Figure

Outer Limits Creature Collection Alien Thetan Pvc Figure
Imported from Japan! There is nothing wrong with your PREVIEWS. It’s The Outer Limits Creature Collection Series! A true masterpiece of American science-fiction television drama, The Outer Limites began broadcasting in September, 1963, and each episode featured marvelous creatures and aliens that would challenge the mind! The Outer Limits Creature Collection accurately reproduces the creatures and aiens as a 1/8 scale collectible figure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to the Outer Limits, and it starts with the Alien Thetan! Window box packaging.
_____________________________________

X-termination #1

X-termination #1
By: David Lapham, David Lopez, Ed McGuinness
THE X-TERMINATION EVENT STARTS HERE!

Joining together the teams from ASTONISHING X-MEN, AGE OF APOCALYPSE and X-TREME X-MEN, and spinning out of the pages of UNCANNY X-FORCE.

AOA Nightcrawler just wants to get home and he doesn’t care if he takes out our world to get there.

Wolverine versus Nightcrawler!
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Aztecs DVD

Doctor Who Aztecs DVD
From BBC Video! The TARDIS arrives in 15th-century Mexico inside the tomb of one-time Aztec High Priest Yetaxa. The travellers become cut off from the ship when they explore the temple outside and the tomb door closes behind them. Barbara is proclaimed by the High Priest of Knowledge, Autloc, as Yetaxa’s divine reincarnation. However, she incurs the enmity of the High Priest of Sacrifice, Tlotoxl, when – against the Doctor’s advice – she attempts to use her new-found authority to put an end to the Aztec practice of human sacrifice.

_____________________________________

Doctor Doom Bust Bank

Doctor Doom Bust Bank
A genius inventor and a sorcerer, Doctor Doom combined technology and sorcery together to fight against the Fantastic Four. Ranked as the #3 top villain in IGN’s Top 100 Villains, Doctor Doom has been well-regarded in the Marvel Comics fan community. This highly-detailed sculpt of Otto Octavius features an impeccable attention to detail and is made of roto plastic. It can be used either as a bank or a display piece.
_____________________________________

Doctor Who Reign Of Terror DVD

Doctor Who Reign Of Terror DVD
From BBC Video! The TARDIS materializes not far from Paris in 1794. The travelers become involved with an escape chain rescuing prisoners from the guillotine and get caught up in the machinations of an English undercover spy, James Stirling – alias Lemaitre, governor of the Conciergerie Prison. The Doctor, posing as a Regional Officer of the Provinces, is twice brought before the great tyrant, Robespierre himself, and has to talk himself out of trouble. Ian and Barbara, meanwhile, have a close encounter with a future ruler of France, Napoleon Bonaparte.
_____________________________________

Remender and Romita Jr. take over Captain America

Captain America has been a major hit with comic book readers since Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting reinvented the monthly series at a time when most fans had little to no interest (yours truly included). In the intervening years, even I have to admit that the quality has wavered some (especially after the comic was relaunched last year).

With the many announcements of creative team changes accompanying the mass relaunch of the Marvel Comics catalog, it is surprising to see that there are so many pleasant lineups, including Captain America. Romita Jr. is a staples of the industry who has earned acclaim from comics too numerous to name (anything from Kick Ass to Wolverine, the Punisher and more). Rick Remender has made quite a name for himself on Uncanny X-Force, Secret Avengers, Frankencastle (Punisher) and the under-rated Venom series. His unique combination of tight plotting, dark comedy and strong characterizations make him one of the luminaries of the modern Marvel bullpen.

In short, buy this series.

Marvel has already confirmed Kieron Gillen and Greg Land’s “Iron Man,” and Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic’s “Thor: God of Thunder.” Yesterday, CBR had the first word with Mark Waid and Leinil Yu on their upcoming “Indestructible Hulk” launch. Thursday saw two more pieces fall into place, as Brian Posehn, Gerry Duggan and Tony Moore dished on “Deadpool” while Matt Fraction and Mike Allred talked about “FF” and Fraction and Mark Bagley’s “Fantastic Four.”

The latest Marvel NOW! confirmation is Rick Remender and John Romita Jr. taking over “Captain America” in November. iFanboy has the first word on the series, speaking with Remender about his plans for Marvel’s Sentinel of Liberty, from creating a “Year One”-style story arc focusing on pre-super soldier serumed Steve Rogers to building up Cap’s rogues gallery with names like the Green Skull and a reinvigorated Arnim Zola, all while balancing his take on the character with the version appearing in Jonathan Hickman’s “Avengers.”

“One of the mandates I have to myself is, I don’t want to touch the World War II stuff,” Remender told iFanboy of his plans for the title’s first major story arc. “I think that that has been done, now, and it’s been done perfectly. To go back and to keep focusing on Cap in World War II at this point, again, would be following too closely to what Ed has already done. What I’m doing is spending a lot of time in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the 20s and 30s, showing Steve grow up. The first arc is 10 issues, and it’s called ‘Dimension Z.’

“I don’t want to give away too much, but a big portion of it is Cap dealing with Arnim Zola in Dimension Z. I’m trying to take Zola and do with him, what we did with Apocalypse over in Uncanny X-Force. Where we take what’s there, re-imagine it, build a new mythology and really expand Zola, and try and build Zola into a very, very big and important character.

“The other half of it is going to be a lot of flashbacks to a young Steve Rogers growing up in Depression-era Lower East Side, and getting to know his family and his friends, and how this 98-pound weakling became such a tenacious, strong person; focus on the fiber and the integrity of who he is, and really develop that for the first time.”

Via CBR.com

Captain America: Winter Soldier and Thor: The Dark World, Ant Man revealed at SDCC

Captain America director Joe Johnston’s Winter Soldier story continues without him, Thor enters ‘the dark world’ and the Edgar Wright Ant Man movie, rumored for almost a decade, is close to becoming a reality! All this plus a look at the line-up for the Guardians of the Galaxy film.

Late breaking news from the Marvel Entertainment panel at CCI yesterday…

Via Hollywood Reporter:

If there’s two things Marvel Studios lives by, it’s putting on a show and knowing its audience.

The company behind the biggest movie of the year and the third biggest movie of all time, started off by making a reel tying the success of its movies to Hall H, Comic-Con and fandom. “In this room” read one frame, cannily tethering the company to the crowd assembled, and “thank you” read another before finally proclaiming “Phase Two Begins…” and then simply “Now.”

Guardians of the Galaxy concept art

Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige also knows the audience is hungry not only for footage, but for actual news, so he revealed the full titles of the sequels to Thor and Captain America (Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: Winter Soldier) plus unveiled the characters who would be in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

Captain America versus former ally Bucky, now the Winter Soldier

The Thor sequel is scheduled for release on Nov. 18, 2013 followed by the Captain America sequel on April 4, 2014.

Then Edgar Wright made a surprise appearance and showed off test footage, unfinished, of his long and still-in-development Ant-Man movie.

Hank Pym- the original Ant Man

Perhaps the topper was introducing Iron Man 3 by having Robert Downey Jr. appear unexpectedly in the back of Hall H, then to the tune of a Luther Vandross song, skip to the front of the hall and onto the stage, with occasional stops with fans along the way.

The goodwill generated was off the charts.

And it’s some goodwill that Marvel, despite Avengers’ success, actually needs to a certain extent. While Iron Man 3 will no doubt be a success, there was some bitter after-taste among the studio’s fanbase after the lackluster Iron Man 2, and the fact that after helming the first two installments, Jon Favreau wasn’t returning to direct the third. (Those duties were handed off to Shane Black, who directed Downey on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.)

The gang assembled sold the new movie as a return to the roots of the Tony Stark character. Downey painted a picture that Black had always been involved, at least tangentially, with the Iron Man series.

He said Marvel execs watching Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was his “screen test before the screen test” and that even when making the first two films, if they had some issues, a call to Black wasn’t out of order.

Favreau, meanwhile, made it clear that even though he wasn’t directing Iron Man 3, he was cool with his role as an actor and executive producer.

“Shane made me feel very, very comfortable. As did Kevin and Robert,” Favreau said. “As far as executive producing, as opposed to directing, I feel like a proud grandfather who doesn’t have to change the diaper but gets to play with the baby.”
Iron Man 3 armor from the floor of CCI and more

Black too was on point, saying “We have Favreau. He’s back as an actor. I get to talk to him all day long…This is the same Iron Man you’ve always liked.”

How much of that subtext the crowd got is hard to tell since they were having too much fun with Downey and the gang riffing.

And of course, Marvel trotted out footage from the still in-production movie, which was not surprisingly well-received by the already primed audience.

Get to know Marvel NOW!

The comic book business is an ever-changing animal. A far cry from the pamphlets featuring ads for x-ray spex and atomic submarines that kids rolled up in their back pockets, comic books today are state of the art entertainment products that have led to some of the biggest money making feature films ever. So it should come as no surprise that things are not about to calm down or return to a simpler state any time soon.

Recently DC Comics attempted a radical move that canceled then rebooted all of their ongoing books in one fell swoop. Dubbed ‘the New 52,’ the experiment was a major success and the publisher saw profits climb higher than had been seen in a very long time. That success has plateaued, but Marvel has been watching and taking notes.

Their 12 part event series Avengers Vs. X-Men has promised some major changes (something that almost every comic does), but in this case… it’s the truth. For better or worse, this is Marvel NOW!

Via ComicBookResources:

In what will surely be seen as the publisher’s response to DC Comics’ New 52 which set it sights on new and lapsed readers with issue #1 jumping on points, Marvel NOW is being promised as an easy entry point into the classic Marvel U. Throughout October, Marvel will launch a number of brand new series — often more than one a week — with additional new series and relaunches for some classic books rolling out through February of next year. Expanding on CBR’s coverage from earlier this morning, these will include the following, announced in EW:

• “Uncanny Avengers” by Rick Remender and John Cassaday starring a team composed of Captain America, Wolverine and others from the company’s two powerhouse franchises battling the mutant-hating Red Skull.
• “All New X-Men” by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen realigning the mutant team in the wake of “AvX” as the original five X-Men are mysteriously brought to the present day. This title will launch in November.
• “Avengers” by Jonathan Hickman and Jerome Opena, which is light on specific details aside from a roster of 18 heroes in a bi-weekly comic that seems to be Hickman-esque rethinking of the Avengers core mission in the vein of the writer’s “Fantastic Four” run.

Aside from the core creative changes, all books branded with the Marvel NOW banner will feature a full slate of digital bells and whistles as part of the “Marvel ReEvolution” products that have played a part in “AvX’s” launch. For example, every Marvel NOW first issue will feature AR enhanced recaps on their covers, and the books will all carry a code for a free digital download of the issue through the Marvel App.

In addition, the publisher is promising other creative shakeups outside the shuffling of their big name talent on their big name franchises. Marvel NOW books will feature new “cinematic” cover designs, and their characters will sport redesigned costumes, many shown off in a new piece by Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, a scan of which appeared on the CBR forums in the early hours of this morning.

“It’s a bridge book…something that can delve into both worlds,” Remender told the magazine of how “Uncanny Avengers” bridges the pre and post-AvX Marvel U.

Of “All-New X-Men,” Bendis explained, “It’s not a time-travel story like ‘Back To The Future.’ It’s a time-travel story like ‘Pleasantville,’” adding “Here’s the big question that they original X-Men are gonna be faced with: ‘We’re gonna grow up, and this is what we’re going to get? That is not acceptable.’”

“It’s not hype when we say that ‘AvX’ is the culmination of a lot of stories we’ve done over the last several years,” Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso told the magazine. “Characters are redeemed or not. Characters are changed. The X-Men and the Avengers are both repositioned for the future. What better time to shake things up?” Alonso went on to draw a line between Marvel NOW and DC’s New 52, saying the titles would roll out over several months rather than in one month as, “I feel that it’s a much more humane approach for retailers and fans to tell them: ‘Look. In the months of October through February, every week you can go into a comic book store and find a few new jumping-on points for the Marvel Universe, a place you’re going to like visiting. Or revisiting.’”

Quesada commented on his image featuring the redesigned Marvel heroes, saying, “There’s a reason Sue Storm is there. And why there’s a floating robot near Hulk. We’re trying a lot of fun and new different things, we’re exposing characters who we’ve had in our toy chest for a long time.”

Bendis commented on Jean Grey’s return to the Marvel U via time travel, explaining, “It’s the one thing X-Men fans have always asked for is: They want Jean Grey back. But they want Jean Grey. Not reincarnated Jean, or the ghost of Jean. Well, you’re getting Jean back. And Jean is gonna be looking at a world that rattles her.”

Remender noted that his Red Skull will be a throwback version of the Nazi villain. “In 1943, Arnim Zola, who was this bio-fanatic engineer, recorded the Red Skull’s consciousness, and set it to wake up 70 years later. So the Red Skull [in 'Uncanny'] is right out of 1943-44. Prime Nazi scumbag. In his mind, he’s taking that vitriol and hate and Nazi horror and methodology, and pointing it at the mutant species.”

After an amazing run, Captain America loses Ed Brubaker

When I was first getting into comics, I was attracted to the underdog, the misfit. I liked the X-Men because nothing ever went right for them. There were no successful romances. their house got blown up every month and they were often freakish mutants.

When I looked at the Captain America comic, below is an example of what I saw.

I just could not relate to it. He was very white-bread all-American and drove a van around the suburbs in full costume. It was absurd (and not in a good way). I’m not saying that there were no good stories in there, but the safe pastel image kept me from getting interested.

That all changed when the series was handed to Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting, two men who catapulted Captain America into the realm of the coolest most exciting monthly book out there. Steve Rogers was a man out of time, taken out of one war and revived into a world at war where the enemy could be anyone. What was worse, his own enemies were far more powerful and numerous than he could anticipate. Frustrated and isolated, he fought a seemingly un-winnable war against a sea of troubles. Now THIS I could sink my teeth into!

A comic book creator most commonly known for his independent projects and Scene of the Crime for Vertigo, Brubaker seemed like an odd choice for this series. It had also been relaunched not that long before he penned a new #1. But he soon showed that he was a closet Captain America fanatic and brought such vitality to the series that I was surprised it hadn’t always been this good.

To add gusto to the new high impulse tone of the book, artist Steve Epting graced each issue with eye-popping visuals like the one below.

Captain America By Steve Epting

The Ed Brubaker run ranks up there with Brian Michael Bendis’ Daredevil, Matt Fraction’s Iron Man, Dan Slott’s Amazing Spider-Man and Greg Pak’s Hulk. It’s so iconic and modern, giving the reader a feature film’s worth of entertainment in each and every issue. I’m very sad to see this era come to a close, but I am interested in what is next for both Cap and Mr. Brubaker.

Of course I am grateful that Winter Soldier is sticking around with Brubaker involved and recommend that with highest accolades.

Via comics xaminer

In an interview with Tom Spurgeon, Ed Brubaker confirmed he is stepping down as writer for Captain America.
Here’s an excerpt.

Now, you told me that you’re wrapping up on Captain America.

Yeah. By the time this interview comes out, I will have written my last issue.

Congratulations. And that’s… eight years on Cap?

A little less than eight years. I think I started in August or September of 2004 writing my first issue, which came out in November of that year.

So why now?

Partly, it’s the beginning of a shift from work-for-hire to books I own, instead. I hit a point with the work-for-hire stuff where I was starting to feel burned out on it. Like my tank is nearing empty on superhero comics, basically. It’s been a great job, and I think I found ways to bring my voice to it, but I have a lot of other things I want to do as a writer, too, so I’m going to try that for a while instead.

Now are you keeping Winter Soldier?

Yeah, I am. That’s going to be my only Marvel book soon. I’ll do The Winter Soldier as long as it lasts… or, I’ll do it for as long as I can. [Spurgeon laughs] Because I don’t know if it’ll last, but I’m really proud of that book and the second and third storylines on it are some of my favorite stuff I’ve done for Marvel, ever.

What do you like about it? What do you think is laudatory? Are you in that place where you can say, “I did that, and I did that very well.”

I think I got to tell a long story. In the early days, I got to create a big soap opera about Steve Rogers and Bucky and Sharon Carter and keep this thrilling adventure ride going. And each arc bled into the next. Then we did the “Death of Cap” thing and I go to really do an 18-part story that still didn’t end with Cap coming back to life yet. [laughs] I got to do some stuff that was really challenging. I got work with some great artists. Steve Epting, he probably drew 35 issues of my run in the early days. I think we developed a really great collaboration. And I always liked that kind of epic storytelling.

Don’t they team you up with a writer to transition out of these titles? Like baton pass it to them?

BRUBAKER: That’s not on purpose for this one. That was a situation with scheduling. Marvel is trying to do this thing now that with some of their better-selling books they want to get out more copies per year than 12. They want to get out 15 or 18 issues. Amazing Spider-Man’s been doing more than one a month for a while now; someone I know does Uncanny X-Men or one of those books, and that comes out 18 times a year.

I couldn’t keep up with that schedule, honestly. I knew I was getting to the end of my run. I wanted to wrap up my run earlier. And [Marvel Senior Vice President Of Publishing] Tom [Brevoort] was like, “Well, you’re going to leave a bunch of plot lines dangling… do you want to go out like that? It’ll seem like you threw up your hands and said ‘I can’t keep up with this schedule.’” I was like, “No, I don’t want to go out that way.” So we brought in Cullen Bunn to write an arc with me. I gave him a list of a bunch of stuff. “Here’s all the dangling plot threads and here’s where we need them all to be by the time I get to my last issue.” And then we figured out a storyline together.

It’s strange. I did all these issues as an uninterrupted run. Then there’s four issues co-written by someone. Then there’s a last issue. [laughs] It’s a little odd.

Brubaker’s last issue will be Captain America # 20

Via The Comics Reporter

Supreme boutique shop releases Daniel Johnston Captain America shirts

An accomplished lyricist and cult icon, Daniel Johnston started his career as a musician by simply recording his music performed in his basement on cassettes and handing them out to whoever took them. When he started getting name-dropped by Kurt Cobain, his fame began to take off. His music certainly isn’t for everyone, but even he admits that his first album was recorded during a nervous breakdown.

I had the good fortune to see Daniel Johnston in concert at a very small venue in Cambridge, MA some time ago. It was just him, an acoustic guitar and a piano. I can attest to his weirdly magical stage presence and the strength of his lyrics and musical ability. He is also obsessed with Captain America. All of his drawings depict a seemingly manic version of the character staring back at the viewer in utter confusion, usually in situations that have nothing to do with the comic book creation. Maybe he read Jack Kirby’s Mad Bomb issues and they hit home? It’s not clear exactly what any of this means to Mr. Johnston, but it is very important to him.

Finally (?) these images are making their way to the mass market.

Daniel Johnston has designed a collection of T-shirts for Supreme, the long-running skate company beloved and often repped by Odd Future, as Complex reports. The shirts are available online and in stores in New York, L.A., and London on June 14, and in Japan on June 16.

(Via Pitchfork Media)

The documentary ‘The Devil and Daniel Johnston’ details Daniel’s tragic but never dull life and is highly recommended.

As Avengers continues to own the box office, Marvel plans for the future

Marvel’s Avengers has and currently holds a domestic ticket sales record of $299,143,000 ($832,443,000 worldwide), according to boxofficemojo. It has broken several records including best weekend release and Fastest to $250 million mark. All that said, what’s next?

Iron Man 3 (directed by Shane Black of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) is on the fast track for next Summer when it will battle Superman: The Man of Steel and Star Trek 2. Sequels to both Captain America and Thor are on the way, and rumors of another Hulk movie (third? second? first?? who knows!) are becoming more solid.

Marvel’s President of Production Kevin Feige had a few things to say in a recent interview with CHUD.

Via 411Mania:

On The Hulk in The Avengers: “I think Joss [Whedon, writer-director ofAvengers] is much more eloquent about this than I am, but Hulk is seemingly more suited for an ensemble piece were he can be the loose canon, the unpredictable bad boy. You can’t get the same kind of moments necessarily when its a stand-alone movie and everything is on [Bruce Banner's] shoulders. Joss just said this earlier today: Bruce Banner spends all his time saying, “I don’t want to turn into the Hulk, I don’t want Hulk to come out.” But the audience wants the exact opposite! Obviously that is part of the nature of Bruce Banner and that is a part of The Avengers, but he has evolved to a point that he wouldn’t have been able to if we hadn’t taken him through The Incredible Hulk. Now we find him a little more at peace with it all. And it’s not until he meets Tony Stark and is exposed to the other heroes of the Avengers that he is willing to go for it – in that moment that we won’t spoil here.”

Captain America faces a resurrected and brainwashed Bucky AKA the Winter Soldier

On Avengers 2 and Captain America 2: “If we do an Avengers 2 it will be after [Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2]. They have to grow, they have to change. What they’ve gone through in this movie will impact their state of mind and where they stand in their next movies. Then whatever they go through in those movies is going to affect where we meet them in the next Avengers film. But I think people will be surprised to see, as we go forward – particularly in Iron Man 3 – the notion of how singular the stories can become. Iron Man 3 is a very singular Tony Stark story. As is Thor 2.

Cap, who is stuck in the modern day with no friends or family, there will be some revelations of who is still alive from his days in WWII, but SHIELD and Nick Fury are kind of his confidants right now. So of all these movies, Captain America 2 will be most closely associated with Avengers.”

Currently details are scarce about the next Captain America film, but sadly director Joe Johnston will not be returning, which I feel is a major mistake. Directors George Nolfi of The Adjustment Bureau and Anthony and Joseph Russo of the hit TV sitcom Community are rumored replacements, but nothing official has been stated yet. The movie does have a release date of 4 April, 2014 and a returning pair of screenwriters Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus who promise plenty of flashbacks to the 1940′s as Steve Rogers struggles to find his place in the modern world.

Chris Evans as Captain America and Sebastian Stan as Bucky

Of course readers may recall that Johnston had planned to continue his story by having Bucky survive his fall in the first film only to be revived by the KGB and brainwashed into the perfect assassin, the Winter Soldier. Bucky would be cryogenicly frozen in between missions so that he aged slowly and was easy to control. But when he goes rogue in contemporary NYC, he encounters his old friend Steve and things get crazy from there (at least that’s how it played out in the comics).

A new director could mean that Johnston’s ideas are out the window, but the hint of ‘revelations of who is still alive from his days in WWII’ could support the Winter Soldier storyline.

Captain America has fought werewolves, terrorists and giant robots, so the sky is the limit as far as potential story ideas. It is nice to know that Johnston had an eye on the Brubaker comics as they are very appealing to a modern audience in my opinion.

What is more mysterious is the prospect of more Hulk movies.

The Ang Lee film in 2003 was deemed a disaster though it grossed $132.2 million in domestic sales. I still quite like it but it might be a bit too ‘modern’ for most and I can appreciate that. The second attempt in 2008 directed by Louis Leterrier was a more commercial friendly film yet it too is regarded by most as a flop (at over $134 million we should all be such failures!), and a sequel deteriorated as Marvel decided there would be no more Hulk films despite the obvious hints at the development of Leader when Samuel Sterns became the victim of gamma-radiation.

After the resounding reception that the jade giant has received in the Avengers and the six picture deal that actor Mark Ruffalo has signed, it is safe to say that Marvel has turned heel on that notion and a motion picture is back on track.

I’m not sure what is on Marvel’s mind, but one thing that we are unlikely to see is the military versus Hulk, something that Feige and co had grown weary of. I’m hoping that a more action-oriented yet thoughtful and entertaining compromise can be found as this character deserves another shot at the big screen.

Celebrate The Avengers for Free Comic Book Day!

Today is Free Comic Book Day, a yearly event that started back in 2002 when comic shops across the country invite new readers and old into their stores with special promotions and sales in addition to a special selection of free comic books printed specifically for FCBD.

If you find yourself in a comic shop after seeing the Avengers, you may find yourself all geared up with an interest in comics based on the characters in the film. In addition to the free Avengers comic, here’s a quick guide for some great collections that you may want to flip through.

Currently, the monthly Avengers books are going through a transitional period, so they aren’t exactly new reader-friendly, but Thor, Captain America and Iron Man are solid and the new Captain America and Hawkeye series has gotten good press. The staff of your local comic shop should be happy to help, but here’s the beginning of a guide.

(In addition, MarvelComics has a few sweet deals going as well here)

The Avengers

The Avengers: Volume One – Heroes Assemble!

The Avengers: Volume Two – Captain America Reborn!

The Avengers: Volume Three – Iron Man Unleashed

Avengers: Under Siege

Avengers: Assault on Olympus

Avengers Prime

Hulk

The jade Goliath of rage, the Hulk is one of Marvel Comics’ oldest creations. Bruce Banner was a mild-mannered scientist who yearned to hold Betty Ross in his arms, but working on an Army base run by her father General Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross made that all but impossible.

The gamma radiation transformed Banner into the Hulk, an indestructible creature driven by anger never before seen. Many things have been learned about the Hulk over the years, but nothing has changed the fact that he is the strongest there is and his rage is endless.

The Hulk’s life has been a whirlwind of nightmarish changes as he changed color and visited other worlds only to find the same situation over and over… no one would leave him be. Finally the combined members of a superhuman Illuminati shot the Hulk into space to spare humanity from his destructive rages. Landing on an alien hostile world, the Hulk fought through a sea of trouble with only the the thought of revenge in his mind.

The collections below showcase some of the most popular and tumultuous stories of the past five years.

Incredible Hulk: Planet Hulk

World War Hulk

Incredible Hulks: Fall of the Hulks

Incredible Hulks: World War Hulks

Captain America

The star-spangled hero of WWII, Captain America embodies the peak of the human condition. Even though the Super Soldier Serum turned the frail Steve Rogers into the sentinel of liberty, it is his inner moral compass and belief that people have it in them to overcome adversity and realize their true potential that makes him so special.

Armed with a shield baring a brilliant star surrounded by red and white stripes, Cap fights the enemies of freedom. The shield is made of  a unique unbreakable alloy and Cap is able to hurl it through the air with an unparalleled precision. In the last days of WWII, Captain America was frozen in the ice for decades. A man out of time, Rogers was unfrozen into a world he never knew.

One of the elder statesman of the Marvel Comics Universe, Captain America is respected by almost every hero from Spider-Man to Wolverine and even the Punisher. The collections below showcase some of the best of the modern series.

Captain America: The New Deal

Captain America: Winter Soldier Ultimate Collection

Captain America and Bucky: The Life Story of Bucky Barnes

Captain America: Reborn

Iron Man

Inventor Tony Stark is a futurist, able to predict the path that human society will take and the role that technology will play in that world to come. After becoming wounded in a war zone by weapons that he designed, Stark’s mind turned to developing his inventions toward a suit of armor capable of magnificent feats.

Iron Man and Tony Stark have become more closely merged in recent years as the technology that made him a superhero merged with him. Neither human nor robot, Tony Stark is an entirely new kind of human being. Somewhat reckless and often egocentric, Stark faces his problems head on (with varying results).

The collections below consist of some beloved stories from the 1980′s and 90′s as well as the knock-out modern series.

Iron Man: Armor Wars Prologue

Iron Man: Armor Wars

Invincible Iron Man Omnibus, Vol. 1

Invincible Iron Man, Vol. 2

Thor

God of Thunder, Thor is an Asgardian warrior far off Asgard. When he came into contact with Earth, he discovered their true worth and became their defender. An unending wave of villains have risen to take him down, but none have succeeded.

Able to command the weather itself, Thor also uses his uru hammer Mjolnir to fly through the air and strike back at his enemies. Possessing incredible strength, a limitless endurance and courage that enables him to proudly fly into the jaws of destruction many times over, there are none like the noble Thor.

Thor has recently been revived in a new series The Mighty Thor that is incredible and highly recommended. Along with that series, I recommend the Walt Simonson run and the animated feature.

The Mighty Thor, Vol. 1

Thor: Tales of Asgard

Thor: Ragnarok

Avengers Disassembled: Thor

Thor: Ages of Thunder

Thor Omnibus

Thor: Tales of Asgard

Thor by Walter Simonson Omnibus

Hawkeye

A former circus performer, Clint Barton realized that he had an ability to fire arrows with an uncanny precision. Seeing the world gawp at the exploits of heroes such as Iron Man, Barton designed a costume and took to the rooftops as a hero… with unpredictable results. The sharp-eyed archer Hawkeye has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with giants, gods and superhuman beings with only a quiver of trick arrows as his weapons. One of the most cocksure and brave Avengers, Hawkeye is also the boldest and snarkiest. Grounding the Avengers with his street-level approach, he is a resourceful hero to be reckoned with.

There are several collections of Hawkeye that showcase his origins, exploits as a solo hero and as the leader of the West Coast Avengers. In recent years, Hawkeye has (understandably) become more of a high profile and currently leads the Secret Avengers which I also recommend.

Black Widow

Despite her youthful (and supple) appearance, the deadly super spy Natasha Romanov has been active the Cold War. Raised to be a perfect weapon by the KGB, Romanov has no true past as her memory has been replaced and rewritten to suit the needs of her job. Defecting to US, Black Widow has become a member of SHIELD as well as an Avenger.

A master of close quarters combat as well as various armaments, the Black Widow also uses her specially designed ‘sting’ mounted on each of her bracelets. An expert gymnast and martial artist, the Black Widow daringly launches herself into battle with very little protecting her aside from her wits and skill.

The collections below reflect her early years as well as some more recent adventures.

Buy Black Widow: The Sting of the Widow

Buy Black Widow: Web of Intrigue

Buy Black Widow: Deadly Origin Premiere

Buy Black Widow by Devin Grayson, Greg Rucka and J.G. Jones

I hope that these recommendations and summaries are useful and that you have a great Free Comic Book Day! Support your local comic shop and happy reading!

Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – series 2 part one

Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

The first series of Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes was a real knock out, featuring epic story lines as well as adventures that offered up character development while telling a continuous interlinking narrative. In other words, it was like reading a year’s worth of Avengers comics in animated format. The team is solid, consisting of Iron Man, Giant-Man/Ant-Man, Thor, the Wasp and the Hulk as the backbone and the later additions of Hawkeye, Black Panther and the star spangled Captain America filling out the roster. Occasionally there have been guest appearances from other heroes, which has given the animated series that special unified setting which makes the Marvel Comics so successful.

The previous 26 episodes have tackled a Gamma-irradiated Avengers team, the malicious mechanations of the Masters of Evil, a mind-blowing assault from Kang the Conqueror and the hostile takeover of Asgard. At the conclusion, it was revealed that the Skrulls have infiltrated the superhero community. The second series has only just started, but even so far the ideas are coming fast and furious!

“The Private War of Doctor Doom”

Transmitted April 1, 2012
The Marvel Universe is known for many things, one of them being its powerhouse teams of superheroes. The Avengers isn’t the only game in town and the Defenders, X-Men, and Fantastic Four are just some of the other major players in stable of the super-teams. The Avengers and Fantastic Four have long enjoyed a relationship of mutual respect with the healthy amount of horseplay and rabble-rousing and this episode capitalizes on that concept.

Late one night, Hawkeye answers the door and is greeted by a very serious and threatening-looking Johnny Storm (AKA The Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (AKA The Thing). He then remembers that it’s poker night, but not before the Hulk spots the Thing and the two smash into each other like runaway trains. It’s a hilarious moment that is so true to the comics in which the two behemoths often challenged each other as to who is stronger (silly question, I know).

The mixture of comedy, drama and all-out action is a tricky nut to crack and many cartoons struggle with the idea with pitiful results (witness the painful Ultimate Spider-Man series). However, Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes has nailed it perfectly. All of the high concept science fantasy action is there as well as the absurdity of the Hulk and the Thing playing a game of cards.

Hawkeye attempts to keep the peace between the Hulk and the Thing

Meanwhile, the Wasp and Iron Man are visiting the Baxter Building where Reed Richards (AKA Mister Fantastic) and Sue Richards (AKA The Invisible Woman) receive their company. Sue and the Wasp chat and wander through the mansion, comparing notes on their wild lives but Iron Man finds Reed to be nearly impenetrable, as the scientist is so enthralled in his work he barely noticed Tony is even there.

The comfortable sitcom vibe is shattered when Doctor Doom’s Doombots attach the Avengers mansion and the Baxter Building simultaneously. In the ensuing carnage, the Wasp and Sue are kidnapped and taken back to Latveria, where the combined forces of the Avengers and the FF take him on.

Doom’s attack seems pretty straight-forward, but he is not a villain to be taken lightly. During the battle he gathered intel on the teams and confirmed his suspicions, the Skrull invasion has begun.

I knew of this episode’s breakdown long before it aired (I think I even reported it on this blog), but it is still exciting to see the end result. I am very satisfied with the cast of heroes that are in play, but I hope that we will continue to see guest appearances by other heroes such as the FF. Looking at the previews… I think I’ll get my wish as Red Hulk, the Vision and many more can be seen cropping up in the series trailers.

A solid opening story with some laugh-out-loud moments, such as the Hulk using the Thing as a living mace, smashing his body into the army of doombots while Grimm protests, ‘Hey! Put me down!!’ Classic.

The Fantastic Four and the Avengers team up!

“Alone Against AIM”

Transmitted April 8, 2012
The second episode of the new season is set almost entirely in Stark Tower. In the previous season, Stark had set himself up as an isolated one man power block. With his money and brilliance, he refused to play along with S.H.I.E.L.D. and challenged the international crime networks such as Hydra and A.I.M. In the course of events he made some big bad enemies and this episode sees the fallout of that.

S.H.I.E.L.D. director Maria Hill has arrived to discuss Stark’s place in the super hero community and to gain his support in drafting a superhero registration bill that would demand heroes to register with the government rather than act as rogue elements. Spider-Man and the X-Men are name-dropped as other super powered individuals who are unwilling to reveal their identities. Hill proposes that their power makes them far too dangerous to run around unchecked, but Stark isn’t convinced.

This is obviously a reference to the Civil War story line that ran through the Marvel family of comics a few years back and drastically altered the playing field of the entire MU. If this is a story that the animation team is thinking of taking on… in addition to the Skrull invasion… we should be in for some big events.

Rather than offer up any real argument, he toys around like the rich playboy that he is, annoying not only Maria Hill but his assistant Pepper Potts as well! Even so, he’ll probably get one of them in a sports car or swanky hotel room… he’s just that cool.

He’s even developed a replacement for Captain America’s shield, an energy gauntlet that creates a holographic version of the shield. This defensive weapon can be ‘thrown’ and reconstituted on the gauntlet’s array. It can also be made to expand, creating a greater area of defense for the wearer. It’s great that Stark made the device because A.I.M.’s unexpected attack on his building makes his repulsor tech useless.

The ‘energy shield’ is sure to make some viewers cry foul, but it was in the comics (albeit briefly). I think this is just a moment where the animators are using an idea from one medium and adapting it to theirs to pay homage to the rich history of the comic book series. I also predict that it will disappear in about two episodes.

Tony Stark's new energy shield for Cap comes in handy

Elsewhere in Stark Tower, unaware that the building is under attack by A.I.M. agents, Captain America, Black Panther and James Rhodes (Rhodey) are packing up a few suits of Iron Man armor for transport back to Avengers mansion. Their presence in Stark Towers makes his corporation a sitting duck for terrorist attacks. It’s a pity that Tony hadn’t realized this earlier, though.

Cap and the Black Panther hold off the cadre of A.I.M. troops armed to the teeth with cutting edge weapons while Rhodey dons a suit of armor that was in storage, War Machine. Of course in the comics, the War Machine armor was created to defend Stark from a rival businessman/armored fanatic Stane/Iron Monger. In the cartoon, it’s just another suit of armor and that’s fine. Most people are familiar with it from the Iron Man 2 anyway.

The foreshadowing of Rhodey’s character is brief here, but he did appear a lot in the early part of the first season. For anyone unfamiliar with those episodes, it might have seemed silly for Cap to suggest Rhodey take a more active role in the fight against the bad guys only to have him do just that two minutes later. But in actuality, it makes sense and isn’t over-played. It’s a kid’s show anyhow.

Make way for War Machine!

Stark and Hill are left to fend for themselves against a massive creature called a Technovore that is attracted to the repulsor tech in Tony’s chest. I’m a little confused about just how dangerous this monster is. In the opening part, it attacks A.I.M. agents and nearly wipes out the base. When it is let loose against Stark, it seems to ‘almost’ kill him over and over but isn’t able to finish the deed. It wasn’t damaged in transport because at the first sign of A.I.M. agents it rips them apart like fresh bread…

Maybe the Technovore loves Tony. I have no idea.

Not as strong as the first episode, this is nonetheless a good one and further pulls along the chain of events that will no doubt lead to some cataclysmic event. Hill insists that the superhero registration act will go forward with or without Stark’s approval… and Tony insists that he will take her out to dinner.

_____________________________________________

Future episodes include this week’s adventure “Acts of Vengeance” showing the Masters of Evil and the Enchantress against each other, “Welcome to the Kree Empire” (which will likely include Ms. Marvel) and “How to Steal an Ant-Man” (probably introducing Ant-Man III Eric O’Grady, the petty thief from the excellent miniseries by Robert Kirkman and Phil Hester).

Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is one of the best animated comic book adaptations I have seen. It rivals Justice League with its bold scope and interwoven stories. For anyone unfamiliar with the characters, this is a great way to get to know them all. For those of us who are already in the know, it’s a welcome gift that recognizes the backstories and often uses them in brand new ways.

The first series is available to watch streaming on Netflix, but I should warn you… if you start watching, be prepared to get drawn into watching all 26 in one sitting. It’s that good.

(please visit this site for plenty more images and character designs, but be prepared for plenty of spoilers!)

Plans for Captain America and other Avengers post 2012 revealed

I have refrained from posting rumors on Marvel Studios movie news as much of it is very flimsy and based more on what fans want to see than what is actually being produced. But I have collected here some news that I think is worth your time.

May 4th is fast approaching and a special few will be seeing the Avengers movie earlier in select preview screenings. Already, news is circulating on what we can expect to follow the highly anticipated blockbuster. Of all this Summer’s movies, the Avengers has the most pressure on succeeding. I’m actually more excited about The Amazing Spider-Man, but like the comic book version, the Avengers should deliver more bang for your buck by combining four established properties and folding in two relatively new ones.

Think you’re a big enough comic book fan? How about seeing a marathon of all five movies Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, with the midnight showing of The Avengers rounding out the day as the sixth movie. Yes, six comic book movies in one day… I dunno if even I have done that. AMC theaters across the country sold out the event and at $40 a pop, it was quite a bargain… but imagine what that cinema will smell like by the time Joe Johnston’s Captain America starts.

Assuming that the Avengers gets as much press after it is released than it has for the last two years, Marvel Studios has many ideas on what can follow.

Captain America 2 now has an unusual release date of April 4, 2014. According to the internet rumor mill, it will likely be directed by Joe Johnston which means that the plans he had for a Winter Soldier story line will get junked in favor of some other ideas. There are so many possibilities including the introduction of the Falcon, A.I.M. or Baron Zemo… the options are almost endless.

Marvel and the Walt Disney Studios have announced a release date for Marvel Studios’ sequel to the blockbuster “Captain America: The First Avenger” on April 4, 2014. The second installment will pick-up where the highly anticipated “Marvel’s The Avengers” (May 4, 2012) leaves off, as Steve Rogers continues his affiliation with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D., and struggles to embrace his role in the modern world.
Chris Evans is currently filming “Snow Piercer” and will

More on Marvel.com

Other Avengers films?

"I dunno... what do you wanna do?"

Of course the third Iron Man film directed by Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’s Shane Black is on its way and a second Thor movie is also in the works(Thor 2 is opening Nov. 15, 2013 and Iron Man 3 is hitting theatres on May 3, 2013), but what next?

There is also an increase in rumors surrounding a Black Widow and Hawkeye solo film or maybe a team-up (not a bad idea). The pair have several similarities and are being featured in the comics and cartoons to a much greater degree. Black Widow is also the focus of the latest trailer… as if we need more trailers for the Avengers.
The Avengers trailer ‘Black Widow interrogation’

If nothing else, the Black Widow and Hawkeye work together in the fantastic Secret Avengers series. The bowman has received heightened attention from Marvel and with such a recognizable name as Jeremy Renner starring as the character, they’d be foolish to not capitalize on him. I’m less of a fan of ScarJo’s frankly wooden Black Widow, but she still has her fans and the skin-tight black catsuit doesn’t hurt.

Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) dash from the crashed Quinjet

I have also heard the very unusual but highly welcome mention of another Hulk movie. As the jade giant is featured so much in the trailers, this is very possible and perhaps Marvel Studios can finally work its magic and create a movie that everyone including the fans and corporate executives are happy with.

With the advent of better special effects and the added clout of Marvel superheroes in film, the Incredible Hulk deserves another chance.

More as it comes.