Last week there was no Marvel News & Views and I felt that that was an injustice that could not be allowed to stand and certainly could not be allowed to occur again. So here I am, picking up the slack. For those of you who know my format from DCNV, this will be virtually the same. Why? Because I’m lazy? Oh, I’m sorry, there should be no question mark there: Because I’m lazy. For those of you who do not know my DCNV column, let me assure you how wholly unique this approach is in comparison.
Now…shall we dance the forbidden dance of MNV?
FF, M, and Other Pertinent Letters
They’ve traveled to other universes, discovered places and creatures rational minds can barely comprehend, fought shoulder to shoulder with the Marvel Universe’s greatest heroes, and in July, the Fantastic Four will enter into the House of M in the three issue Fantastic Four: House of M miniseries by John Layman and Scott Eaton.
What if the FF looked way different? Find out at Newsarama
I don’t know about this. I just don’t. The whole alternate world spin could be very cool but I find myself with absolutely no interest in the material.
There Are No Cats in Mutopia and the Streets Are Filled With Cheese
As has been said numerous times, June’s House of M will send shockwaves throughout the Marvel Universe, with a handful of spin-off series and tie-in issues reflecting, reacting, and responding to the events. One of the places where they’ll hit the hardest? District 11, also known as District X.
June will see #14, the last issue of the critically acclaimed series for a while. In July, the series about mutant life on the rough streets of District 11 becomes Mutopia, a five issue miniseries connected to House of M. The regular District X creative team will handle Mutopia X – David Hine writing, with Lan Medina on art, and Andy Park on covers.
Think of it as “from the pages…er, streets of District X.”
Get your ID card and escort and enter into the Mutopia called Newsarama
This, on the other hand, is an intriguing alternate world premise. A mutant world that isn’t an absolute disaster? That’s a surprise. Especially considering how most alternate mutant realities worked out (Days of Future Past, Age of Apocalypse, basically every world the Exiles have visited) I’m surprised that this hasn’t been tried before (or maybe it has?). Of course, like all utopias, I am sure that there is darkness, evil, and corruption just dwelling at the corners. Still, they all get to wear some really nice threads it seems so maybe that whole darkness, evil and corruption things isn’t so bad after all. Right? Right?
The other good news is that this might breathe a second life into District X which it can certainly use. Without Mutopia, I don’t have much hope for this book. With it, it just might stand a chance.
Now, On the Great White Way, X-Men: The Opera!
When Kitty Pryde and Henry McCoy try for a night out, the pair come face to face with more than just the Opera performers they intended to see. James Peaty has a lot in store for the pair in just a few pages of X-Men Unlimited # 8. Peaty told THE PULSE, “They go and see an opera called ‘Acis & Galatea’, which is an obscure curio all about transformation and mutation. As we find out in the story it’s also Professor X’s favourite opera. You’ve gotta love ‘Google’! [laughs]”
Buy your tickets, take your seats and watch the curtains part at The Pulse
“Kitty is a little more hip, a little more fly and likes pop culture.”
Please tell me he was using “fly” ironically. Please. Because something tells me that he wasn’t.
Man, I just don’t think I’ll ever get used to Cat-Beast. Which is a shame, because I really do like the furry fella. Oh well. As long as he remains as erudite as ever, I am sure I can look past in weak secondary mutation.
As for the story idea itself, it sounds kind of neat. Not wildly unique or anything, but I always enjoy those “two team members thrown together for a night out” storylines that invariably involve a misunderstanding, some villains, and a final bonding session, typically over food, and a few good laughs. Could be a lot of fun if done correctly.
Living in the Shadow of Your Dad is One Thing, But in the Shadow of the Power Pack?
Move over Dexter, there’s a new Boy Genius in town! In a fun Gus Beezer or Jimmy Neutron type of way, Marvel Comics’ Marc Sumerak and Chris Eliopoulos are introducing a new “old” Boy Genius. The pair have created a fun, back up story for the pages of the Power Pack limited series featuring one of comics favorite precocious boys, Franklin Richards. Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius features Franklin, his superpowered mom, dad, uncle, and pal, alias the Fantastic Four to the rest of the world. Along with the family, some robotic fun is included as well as cartoon staple H.E.R.B.I.E. returns. We’ve got a preview of the first adventure and some comments from collaborators Sumerak and Eliopoulos.
Because there is no justice for poor growth stunted Franklin, be nice and visit his back up feature at
HERBIE? HERBIE?!?! Wow. As one poster rightly pointed out this looks like a bit of a Calvin and Hobbes homage. If Marc and Chris can produce a work half as good as that (or as much fun) then that might be enough to make me pick up Power Pack, a book I would otherwise not have even the slightest interest in. Even better, maybe Marvel will be nice enough to put together a trade of just the back up features. I’m probably dreaming on that one though, right? Well, we’ll see.
Cockrum Has to Step Out
Longtime friend and writer Cliff Meth is reporting in his Past Masters column at Silver Bullet Comic Books that Dave Cockrum is having some health issues again which prevent him from drawing the upcoming Giant-Size X-Men 3.
Read the update on Mr. Cockrum’s health at The Pulse
What a shame this is. I know Cockrum probably has no interest in my sympathy but I can’t help but feel it when see what a rocky traverse he’s had to deal in the past several years. It just doesn’t seem right, you know.
I can only guess how much he was probably looking forward to this project and to be forced out by health problems rearing their head again? I can’t imagine how that must feel for him.
Akira…The Man, Not the Anime
Quickly – name a Marvel writer who had four titles hit the stands this month. Most readers would likely answer this question by yelling out the name of Brian Bendis, Mark Millar, or Chris Claremont. But what about Akira Yoshida? As the writer of “Thor: Son of Asgard,” “X-Men/Fantastic Four,” “X-Men: Age of Apocalypse” and “Wolverine: Soultaker,” he is quickly becoming one of the company’s most prolific writers. In addition, the newest issue of Previews has a solicitation for yet another X-Men miniseries he’s written, “Kitty Pryde: Shadow & Flame.” CBR News contacted Yoshida to find out a little more about this writer’s past, present, and future projects.
Meet and greet Marvel’s newest quadruple threat at Comic Book Resources
Man…no kidding Marvel is keeping this guy busy. Which is odd considering that only one of his minis (the miniseries turned ongoing immediately turned to miniseries again Thor: Son of Asgard) has gotten consistently positive feedback from most reviewers and fans. Perhaps that Kitty Pryde mini will be his chance to duplicate that success. It does feature Kitty’s oft overlooked ninja past and nothing makes a better story than ninjas, so you know he’s off to a good start already.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
GLA #1
I am one of the few comic fans out there that only sort of kind of enjoyed She Hulk, but I am oddly psyched for this project from Mr. Slott. Ever since they appeared as the Lightning Rods in Thunderbolts (yes, sorry, I missed their West Coast Avengers or Avengers West Coast appearances) I thought they were goofy fun and I think Slott will handle that tone nicely. Plus, the sample pages, featuring Mr. Immortal’s invisible childhood friend “Deathurge” are great dark comedy. I think this one is going to be very funny, but not substance-less. That’s why it makes my list anyway.
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #75
One of the most consistently entertaining books on the shelves.
I missed Bagley at Big Apple Con, so I figure buying this book to support him is the least I can do for the man.
OPINIONS ON THE WORK OF PEOPLE FAR MORE TALENTED THAN I
ASTONISHING X-MEN #9
God…Cassaday sure can produce some creepy artwork. Those shots of Wing chatting up Kitty with his neck bent at an over 90 degree were just…unsettling. I don’t love the Danger Room as sentient being angle that is going on here, but Kitty’s and the Room’s tÃ?ªte-Ã? -tÃ?ªte and the team’s effort to penetrate the seemingly invulnerable wall of the Room more than buoy that ending. The only X book I’ve ever bought and it continues to reward me taking that chance on it.
DAREDEVIL REDEMPTION #3
I’ve got a review of this coming up on Thursday and to be honest, I haven’t even read it yet. So look back at the site then for my opinion.
DOCTOR SPECTRUM #6
Thank goodness this is over. What at first seemed like an interesting idea went to bland and then to tedious and then to downright sleep inducing over the course of these 6 issues. And even after all that introspection, Joe Ledger is still a blank slate to me. The only difference now is that he’s a blank slate that I couldn’t be bothered to learn anything about.
FANTASTIC FOUR #524
Waid and Wieringo go out on one of their better efforts in recent memory. I am glad to see them go as I thought their run lost of momentum and petered out towards the end, but there is no denying how strong they made the title for the majority of time they both were on it. Take a bow gents.
PULSE #8
The art’s better, the story is still a mess. I miss Alias now more than ever.
SECRET WAR #4
I am holding off on reading this, really reading it, until I have all the issues. A quick flip through reveals it still look gorgeous, but its inconsistent schedule is killing my ability to recall the events that preceded it exactly, and that can only hurt my reading experience. I think the book will be great when I go back and read every issue at the same time (or spaced out a month apart as opposed to, let’s say, 8). Until then, however, it just makes more sense to hold out and wait for the series to draw to an end.
SPIDER-MAN #12
Millar’s Spidey run ends not with a bang, but really, with more of a whimper. I still don’t get why so many people hated this series so much. I do think it was deeply flawed, but I enjoyed the Spidey villain parade and I came to terms long ago with the fact that the Green Goblin, dumb as it may be, was not longer dead and still the top dawg of evil in Spidey’s life. So for me, this book was harmless entertainment that never was as insulting or as horrible as I was led to believe.
However, I do have to confess that the lightning bolt was the weakest out I’ve seen in a book in some time. Millar can write over the top action with panache so I don’t get why he’d skimp in this case.
ULTIMATE SECRET #1
Not a bad first chapter. Then again, the same could have been said for Ultimate Nightmare and we all know how that meandered around until it ending. Let’s hope this is not a sequel in pacing as well.
I apologize in retrospect for this column. I just re-read it and it is, honestly, very dry. The news just was not speaking to me this time out. I hope all of you can find it in your hearts to figure me for that. In the meantime, please visit the message board and offer feedback to crush my ego and deeply decimate my self esteem.
THANKS!
