Amazing Adult Fantasy

Ever wanted a set of comic book sheets but felt weird purchasing those colorful bedding? Beyond a certain age, it’s normal to fear that your love of comic books could open up a can of ridicule or even kill any chance of romance. Personally, I worry about being distracted by the question ‘is that a Buscema Silver Surfer or is that a Kirby drawing?’

This could spell ‘No Nookie’ rather than ‘Wam!’

Worry no more as your bed can be both sophisticated and an homage to the hey day of Marvel Comics.

Via Robot6:

While many of us had brightly colored Spider-Man or Captain America sheets and pillowcases when we were kids, now that we’re adults they’re a little tougher to get away with. Thankfully, Marvel has us covered with sophisticated (well, “sophisticated”) bedding for adults.

Gone are the garish colors of our youth, replaced with a gray-and-black Avengers comforter, featuring subdued stripes depicting Captain America, Falcon, Hulk, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Thor.

To go beneath the comforter, there’s the Avengers sheet set, covered in a black-and-white comic book print featuring Captain America, Daredevil, Hulk, Iron Man, Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Mary Jane and Thor; the accompanying pillowcases sport the Marvel logo.

They’re both available at ThinkGeek in twin, full, queen and king sizes.

THIS WEEK AT YOUR COMIC SHOP 4/22/15

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 links 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.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 3

Phase One

If you listen closely you may hear the sound of comic book fans screaming with joy as today the details of the third phase in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe were announced at an impromptu press conference in which new footage of Avengers 2: The Age of Ultron was screened and the release dates of several movies were unveiled.

Additionally, Robert Downey Jr. tweeted this:

The @Marvel universe is now even larger. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Black Panther… pic.twitter.com/X0G7whoVbL

— Robert Downey Jr (@RobertDowneyJr) October 28, 2014

Chadwick Boseman aka Black Panther on stage with Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans. Asked to pick a side.

The first look at the big screen’s Black Panther was seen too!

Click for full image

And we got a look at Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet! (and a trailer for the Infinity War)

Phase3
May 6, 2016 Captain America 3
November 4, 2016 Dr Strange
May 5, 2017… Guardians of the Galaxy 2
July 28, 2017…THOR: Ragnarok
November 3, 2017…Black Panther
May 4, 2018 Avengers: Infinity War Part 1
July 6, 2018…Captain Marvel
November 2, 2018…The Inhumans (to find out who the Inhumans are, click here)
May 3, 2019 Avengers: Infinity War, Part 2

Late addition: leaked scene from Avengers 2: The Age of Ultron showing the aftermath of the Scarlet Witch revealing the Avengers team members’ darker sides which split the team.

THIS WEEK AT YOUR COMIC SHOP 10/15/14

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.

PUBLISHER
TITLE, ISSUE NUMBER, PRICE IN U.S. DOLLARS (“AR” means “ask your retailer for the price”)

DARK HORSE COMICS
Action Philosophers HC, $29.99
B.P.R.D. Hell On Earth #124, $3.50
Black Sky Sampler (One Shot), $4.99
Criminal Macabre The Third Child #2 (Of 4), $3.99
Dark Horse Presents #3, $4.99
Star Wars Legacy II Volume 4 Empire Of One TP, $16.99
Star Wars Volume 4 A Shattered Hope TP, $16.99

DC COMICS
Adventures Of Superman Volume 2 TP, $14.99
Batman ’66 Volume 1 TP, $14.99
Batman ’66 Volume 2 HC, $19.99
Batman And Robin #35 (Patrick Gleason & Mick Gray Regular Cover), $2.99
Batman Eternal #28, $2.99
Batwoman #35, $2.99
Earth 2 World’s End #2, $2.99
Justice League #35 (Ivan Reis & Joe Prado Regular Cover), $3.99
New 52 Futures End #24, $2.99

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

Walt Disneys Uncle Scrooge Volume 2 Seven Cities Of Gold HC, $29.99

MARVEL COMICS
Avengers And X-Men Axis #2 (Of 9)(Jim Cheung Regular Cover), $3.99
Avengers World #14, $3.99
Daredevil #9, $3.99
Deadly Hands Of Kung Fu Out Of The Past TP, $16.99
Fantastic Four #11, $3.99
New Avengers #25 (Jackson Guice Regular Cover), $3.99
Original Sin Annual #1 (Julian Totino Tedesco Regular Cover), $4.99
Thor Epic Collection Volume 1 The God Of Thunder TP, $34.99
Uncanny X-Men #27 (Chris Bachalo Regular Cover), $3.99

TITAN BOOKS
Planet Of The Apes The Evolution Of The Legend HC, $39.95

TITAN COMICS
Black Dragon HC, $19.99
Complete Johnny Nemo HC, $22.99
Doctor Who The Twelfth Doctor #1 (Alice X. Zhang Regular Cover), $3.99

Videos
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Volume 30 DVD, AR
Star Blazers 2199 Volume 3 DVD, AR

Merchandise
Back To The Future Time Machine Mark I Car, $60.00
Batman 1966 TV Retro Action Figure Accessory Pack, AR
Batman Desktop Standee, $5.99
Bioshock Infinite Booker 7-Inch Action Figure, $24.99
FW Gundam Standart Trading Figure 6-Piece Assortment Series 21, AR
Guardians Of The Galaxy Drax The Destroyer Dagger, $12.00
Guardians Of The Galaxy Fully Loaded Previews Exclusive Black Spiral T-Shirt SM, $20.99
Guardians Of The Galaxy Rocket Raccoon Lanyard With PVC Dangle, $5.99
Guardians Of The Galaxy Rocket Raccoon Previews Exclusive Snap Back Cap, $26.99
M.O.D.O.K. Previews Exclusive Navy Black Heather T-Shirt XXL, $17.99
Marvel Weapon Plus Steve Rogers Previews Exclusive Navy T-Shirt LG, $18.99
Masters Of The Universe Snake Mountain Statue, AR
Star Trek Dr McCoy Desktop Standee, $5.99
Star Trek Mr Spock Desktop Standee, $5.99
Star Wars Black 6-Inch Action Figure Assortment 201404, AR
Star Wars Kenner-Inspired Wampa Jumbo Action Figure, AR
Star Wars Life-Size Vintage Stormtrooper Monument, AR
Steampunk Inverness Jacket Gray, $65.00

The Incredible Hulk in Stalker from the Stars

The Literary Hulk Part 1

by Mark Ricard

Introduction. This is a new series of articles about the Hulk’s prose adventures. Considering the fact that the Hulk the is one of Marvel’s most recognized characters it may not be surprising to find out the he has appeared in eight prose novels and one short story collection by Marvel Comics. This series of articles is only covering the prose novels that are original stories or based on those of comic books. The novel adaptations of Marve’sl movies are not included on this list.

The first group of prose appearances for the Hulk were in the late 70s for the Marvel Novel Series.This series was edited by Len Wein and Marv Wolfman. The books were published between 1978 and 1979. The Hulk appeared in the novels 2,3,9,and 11. Books two and three are full length solo tales of the Hulk,nine contains a novella writer by Len Wein,and eleven is a Spider-Man Hulk team up that was written by comic book writer and artist Paul Kupperburg. That book was the last book in the series. The Hulk would appear in a series of books in the 1990s when Marvel once again ventured into publishing prose fiction. Those will be covered in future reviews. For more information on the making of the series please follow this link Bookgasm

Stalker From The Stars

The first novel is Stalker From The Stars it is credited to Len Wein, Marv Wolfman,and Joseph Silva. Silva was a pen name of science fiction writer Ron Goulart. Why he chose not to you is real name is uncertain. How the writing was divided is also something that is unclear. What they did produce however is something best described as the Hulk meets H.P. Lovecraft. The story involves a ancient alien who has lied dormant in a small town and the eventual fight between the Hulk and the creature.

The story takes place in outside of continuity. The only regular supporting cast members are Rick Jones,Clay Quartermain,and General Ross. Betty Ross,Glen Talbolt,and Doc Samson are not in the story. Nor is Jim Wilson who was a more recent companion for Banner and the Hulk. For the characters who are used Jones and Quartenmain are in character but Ross is slightly off. Ross was never this unsympathetic towards others as he is this book. In particular,at this time in the comics Ross had mellowed out in his views about Dr Banner if not the Hulk himself. Here is he at most ruthless. This makes me wonder how much a part Len Wein had in writing this book. Wein had ended his run on the Hulk only within the last year of the time it is was written. Since this takes place out of continuity these issues may not bother some readers but long term fans of the comic are certain to notice these points. This uses the child like version of the Hulk called the Savage Hulk. This was the version of the character being used at the time the comics were written.

The plot itself starts out interesting enough. Rick Jones,who still feels guilty for Doctor Banner becoming the Hulk is searching for a scientist who might be able to cure him. That scientist’s name is Rudolf Stern. This was probably meant as in- reference. At the time Roger Stern had taken over from Len Wein as the writer on the Hulk’s comic. Little does he know that Dr Stern and the town itself are in the power of ancient alien who crashed underground long before. After the early chapters we are given a modified version of the comic book character’s origin. From there the story goes toward the eventual confrontation we know it is coming. That does not make it a dull novel. This is a fast paced if simple story. The ending may not be totally satisfying but it is brief and enjoyable read at less than 180 pages. Recommended as long your expectations are not too high.

Here are a list of references that the authors put in the text explaining who they refer to.

Rudolf Stern-Writer Roger Stern
Busecma’s Cafe- artist Sal Busecma
Harlansville,Missouri-Writer Harlan Ellison who wrote the Incredible Hulk 140.
Lee’s Airfield-Hulk co-creator Stan Lee.
Lieber’s store- Stan Lee’s real name and his brother Larry Lieber.

(many thanks to Mark Ricard for this excellent guest post)

Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979)

I really dig comics. That probably does not come as a shock to you as my blog primarily deals with comic books (when I am not talking about outsider music, cult movies, video games or venting my spleen over Doctor Who) but I started this blog because comic book characters were becoming fashionable and I thought it would be a great opportunity to fill in the blanks for those unfamiliar with Green Arrow, Deadpool or Black Widow as they suddenly became important due to feature films, TV series or what-not.

But as some of these characters have become accepted into the current pop culture mindset, it’s important to see how far we have come. For ages, being a comic book fan meant hanging out in the dusty event rooms of suburban Howard Johnson hotels, collecting random beaten up magazines at drug stores and making shadow puppets from the light of your Captain America flashlight gun at night. Sure, there were a few attempts to bring these heroes to the small screen with the most recognized example being the Hulk starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. But there were other less successful attempts that are largely forgotten.

So as you sit in the cinema tonight, remember this oddity, a sequel to the other film that established young Reb Brown as the star-spangled shield-winger. This movie would strangely center on social security fraud, aging drugs and Hammer Horror alum Christopher Lee as a vague terrorist. Launched from the back of his sweet van, Cap’s motorcycle would fly through the streets delivering patriotic justice and lots of back flips. The movie barely holds up as entertaining today, but at the time it was terribly exciting to see these superheroes on TV… even if my little mind could figure out they got all the details wrong.

It is almost unimaginable today that a product like this would be conceived using Marvel superheroes as the properties are now revered money-making blockbusters. But many moons ago, Captain America looked like this…

Marvel develops Hell’s Kitchen film series with Netflix

A unique corner of the Marvel Universe is Hell’s Kitchen, where criminals are under the constant watch of Daredevil, the guardian devil of the streets. Luke Cage and Iron Fist, the Heroes for Hire take on any job for a fee and private detective Jessica Jones investigates the grim mysteries of the area.

While the Avengers are more colorful and deal with mind-blowing threats to the universe, the street-level heroes of Hell’s Kitchen keep the city safe. Finally, that area of the Marvel Universe will be explored in a series of new short films.

Via CBR.com

Marvel and Netflix have announced a deal for five all-new live-action Hell’s Kitchen-based series, beginning with “Daredevil” and culminating with “The Defenders.”

The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) and Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced an unprecedented deal for Marvel TV to bring multiple original series of live-action adventures of four of Marvel’s most popular characters exclusively to the world’s leading Internet TV Network beginning in 2015. This pioneering agreement calls for Marvel to develop four serialized programs leading to a mini-series programming event.

Led by a series focused on “Daredevil,” followed by “Jessica Jones,” “Iron Fist” and “Luke Cage,” the epic will unfold over multiple years of original programming, taking Netflix members deep into the gritty world of heroes and villains of Hell’s Kitchen, New York. Netflix has committed to a minimum of four, thirteen episodes series and a culminating Marvel’s “The Defenders” mini-series event that re-imagines a dream team of self-sacrificing, heroic characters.

Produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Television Studios, this groundbreaking deal is Marvel’s most ambitious foray yet into live-action TV storytelling.

“This deal is unparalleled in its scope and size, and reinforces our commitment to deliver Marvel’s brand, content and characters across all platforms of storytelling. Netflix offers an incredible platform for the kind of rich storytelling that is Marvel’s specialty,” said Alan Fine, President of Marvel Entertainment. “This serialized epic expands the narrative possibilities of on-demand television and gives fans the flexibility to immerse themselves how and when they want in what’s sure to be a thrilling and engaging adventure.”

“Marvel’s movies, such as ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Marvel’s The Avengers,’ are huge favorites on our service around the world. Like Disney, Marvel is a known and loved brand that travels,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “With ‘House of Cards’ and our other original series, we have pioneered new approaches to storytelling and to global distribution and we’re thrilled to be working with Disney and Marvel to take our brand of television to new levels with a creative project of this magnitude.”

This new original TV deal follows last year’s landmark movie distribution deal through which, beginning with 2016 theatrically released feature films, Netflix will be the exclusive U.S. subscription television service for first-run, live-action and animated movies from the Walt Disney Studios, including titles from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Disneynature and Lucasfilm. Netflix members can currently enjoy a wide range of Disney, ABC TV and Disney Channel films and shows across the 41 countries where Netflix operates.

Avengers Age of Ultron feature film teaser

avengers-age-of-ultron-fan-made-poster-feature

fan-made poster by Matt Broox

United to face a threat too great for them to tackle individually, the Avengers are one of the most popular super hero teams of comic-dom. Created by Stan Lee at the request of publisher Martin Goodman to compete with the popularity of the Justice League of America over at National (later DC Comics), the team consisted of the heavy hitters of Marvel; Ant Man and the Wasp, the Hulk, Iron Man, and the mighty Thor. Later, Captain America was defrosted from the past and became the most important team member. Thanks to the feature film Marvel Universe, the Avengers have gained new popularity and are a household name and a major franchise, even spawning a TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The long-awaited sequel too the hit film will not only raise the stakes by involving a threat far deadlier than the one posed by Loki in the first film, it will also introduce two new team members; Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. Whedon cryptically stated that both The Empire Strikes Back and The Godfather Part II played important roles as inspirations for the sequel, citing that there will be a death in the film.

Finally, a teaser has been revealed that, while not providing any real details, serves to whet the appetite of fans.

SDCC2013 Trailer

Once more drawing inspiration from the comic books, the sequel will center of the evil robotic despot Ultron. The strange part is that in the comics, the robot was created by founding Avenger Han Pym (alias the Ant Man) but this character has not been in the movie version and will not be part of Whedon’s sequel. Along with the new origin for a classic villain, Whedon has taken an unexpected side step from Thanos, the villain seen in the post credit sequence of the first film (no doubt the focus of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie).

Details are scarce, but as principle photography begins we will surely see lots of news items.

Avengers Age of Ultron has a release date of May 1, 2015

New arrivals at AFX!

For all of your favorite cult collectibles, Action Figure Xpress is a prime online storefront. From Star Trek to Marvel Comics, Lost in Space and more, there seems to be no limit to the goodies that are available from this site.

Check out the latest…

Marvel Minimates Series 54 Set of 8 by Diamond Select Toys

Item #	6-99788-72695-2
Regular Price:	$39.99
Our Price:	$31.99 – You Save $8.00 (20%)!
Availability	Preorder – January 2014
Manufacturer	Diamond Select

The new Captain America movie is on the way, but we couldn’t wait to pay tribute to the First Avenger with his own dedicated assortment of Minimates! Series 54 includes four different two-packs, including Fighting Chance Captain America and Robot Red Skull, The Winter Soldier and The Falcon, Baron Strucker and a Hydra Elite, and a short-packed variant set with a Hydra Elite and Madame Hydra! Each Minimate stands 2 inches tall and includes a variety of interchangeable parts and accessories.

Star Trek Enterprise The Cage Minimate Vehicle by Diamond Select Toys

Item #	6-99788-17878-2
Regular Price:	$29.99
Our Price:	$23.99 – You Save $6.00 (20%)!
Availability	Preorder – October 2014
Manufacturer	Diamond Select

The voyage continues! From DST and Art Asylum, it’s a new version of the Minimates-style U.S.S. Enterprise, this time based on the legendary pilot episode, “The Cage”! With new paint and sculptural details and an exclusive figure of Captain Pike, the ship measures 10 inches long and features an opening cockpit and a hidden Jeffries tube in the engineering section. Includes adjustable display stand!

Lost In Space Dr Smith & B9 Minimate 2-Pack by Diamond Select Toys

Item #	6-99788-10145-2
Regular Price:	$9.99
Our Price:	$7.99 – You Save $2.00 (20%)!
Availability	Preorder – January 2014

From the furthest reaches of space come the coolest Minimates of all! Based on the classic sci-fi TV show Lost in Space, these two-inch mini-figures of the famous Robot B-9 and fan-favorite stowaway Dr. Zachary Smith feature a variety of interchangeable parts and accessories, including a laser pistol and three interchangeable Dr. Smith heads!

Marvel Iron Man 3 Mark 42 ArtFx Statue by Kotobukiya

Item #	6-03259-04033-1
Regular Price:	$137.99
Our Price:	$110.39 – You Save $27.60 (20%)!
Availability	In Stock
Manufacturer	Kotobukiya

In the first two Iron Man films as well as the Avengers Robert Downey Jr. has played the perfect Tony Stark and his heroic alter ego Iron Man, with incredible special effects bringing his armored forms to life like never before. Following on the massive global success of the superhero team up movie Marvel is bringing the fans even more armored action with Iron Man 3 this May! Joining the previously announced Mark VII in the Iron Man 3 ARTFX Statue lineup is a new armored suit from the upcoming movie, IRON MAN MARK 42! After surviving imprisonment by terrorists, billionaire industrialist Tony Stark created the Mark II armor suit. This was followed up soon after by the iconic Mark III suit used to battle Stane and his Iron Monger suit at the culmination of the first film, and the upgraded Marks IV, V, and VI armor in the sequel. He went even further with the Mark VII in Avengers, using the high-tech armor to take on the army of the Chitauri. Now we get a sneak peek at the ultimate powered armor in Stark’s Iron Man 3 Mark 42. Similar to the Mark VII, the new version is a sleek machine with overlapping plates and a unique segmented look. Iron Man blasts into action, churning up water beneath him with his thrusters. The dynamic pose catches the superhero leaning back as he fires his repulsor ray from his outstretched right hand, clenching the left for a follow up attack. The Mark 42 is resplendent in metallic red and gold with a subtle new pattern unlike any of the armors before it. This version also comes equipped with an amazing LED light-up feature in his eyes and arc reactor; three settings (Off, Continuous On, and triggered by the built-in sound detector) let you choose how and when Iron Man activates for battle! Sculpted by MIC, Iron Man Mark 42 stands 15 inches tall (1/6th scale) hovering over the lifelike water effect. This pre-painted, snap-fit ARTFX Statue is easy to assemble so you can have your Iron Man on display in no time. Arriving this summer along with the release of the film, the Mark 42 is just the first Iron Man 3 ARTFX statue from Kotobukiya; there are more to follow!

Star Wars Rebel Soldier (Hoth Battle Gear) Jumbo Kenner Action Figure by Gentle Giant

Item #	8-71810-01035-6
Regular Price:	$84.99
Our Price:	$76.49 – You Save $8.50 (10%)!
Availability	Preorder – 3rd Quarter 2014
Manufacturer	Gentle Giant

Just like they were when you were a kid, only BIGGER! Gentle Giant continues on with our exciting line of vintage Star Wars action figure reproductions with the second figure from the Battle of Hoth cycle – the Rebel Soldier Vintage Kenner-inspired Jumbo Figure!
Digitally scanned from mint 3 3/4” Kenner originals and reproduced in scale to the rest of the jumbo Kenner-inspired line. Nothing has been overlooked. Roto and injection molded and made of durable plastics, this fully-articulated jumbo figure includes a faithfully reproduced Bespin Blaster.
That’s not all, this Kenner-inspired creation comes packaged on a 1980 The Empire Strikes Back blister card, featuring original front artwork in a re-sealable plastic outer clam shell to help protect and display!

Guardians of the Galaxy (and why you should care)

Next summer, the biggest installment will be released in the continuing growth of the Marvel Universe on film. Guardians of the Galaxy is all but unknown, even to devoted comic book fans. Created as part of an anthology series by Arnold Drake (Doom Patrol) and Gene Colan (Tomb of Dracula, Daredevil), the Guardians are a peace keeping group of assorted aliens from far off places, uniting to defeat a common threat. In other words, a cosmic version of the Avengers. It was a short-lived concept that lived on through guest appearances and a brief revival in the 90’s.

In 2008, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning recreated the team in the aftermath of their mega story line Annihilation: Conquest. The new series had very few similarities to the old one, except for the fact that it concerned a group of heroes from varied backgrounds uniting against a common foe. Unusual choices were made by including Rocket Raccoon and Groot, a tree-god from another world hearkening back to the days when Marvel published monster books. Fan favorite heroes such as Drax the Destroyer, Gamora and others gave the team some muscle, and leading them into battle was the reluctant Star Lord.

Guardians of the Galaxy became a cult hit with comic book fans almost immediately (which translates as ‘it got canceled’). After reading a single collection of this series, making it into a film is a no-brainer. It has a n interesting and visually diverse cast of characters, combines Star Wars with superheroics and adds depth to the MU.

Written and directed by James Gunn (Super, Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed and Dawn of the Dead), the ensemble film is a total about face from previous entries in the Marvel Universe pantheon of feature films. From the leaked footage, this looks to be a bizarre mish-mash of action, drama and humor set in an entirely new corner of the Marvel Universe, outer space.

Short trailer footage from SDCC2013
http://vk.com/video-28416224_165782862

The cast of the film is just as bizarre as the concept of a talking tree or gun-toting raccoon. Doctor Who’s Karen Gillan as the villainous Nebula, John C. Reilly and Peter Serafinowicz as Nova Corpsmen, Benicio Del Toro as the Collector and Glenn Close as Nova Prime?? They must be kidding!

But leaked footage and information including props on display at this year’s Sam Diego Comic Con confirms that this could be the next Avengers for Marvel. So as the new floats in and next August gets closer, keep this film in mind because it could be a blockbuster unlike anything we had seen before.

(Fingers crossed)

(Images below show Star Lord’s mask, Drax’s blades, Nova Corpsman suits, concept pictures and more)