Hello all and welcome to a new Marvel Handbook. I‘m Jim of course. Now I think Daron has to switch some stuff up. I‘m not sure what but I‘ll let him explain. Daron how are you bud?
I do believe that the title image changes you are referring to are not moot with the new new version of the site. We can now go about our business as normal, old chum.
Cool. I know you‘d take care of any issues we have. I just write the handbook and keep working. Let‘s get started.
Nightvision asked
What’s your opinion on ultimate x-men a buy or pass?
Even though I’m not a big Ultimate fan right now most of the titles are going through changes. Some to save the titles. Like Ultimate X-Men. Now I’m not sure if it will work or not but Apocalypse is about to make his first appearance and it might just be the right time to give it a try
Personally, I’ve never liked the Ultimate Universe at all. So if you’re asking if you should get into it or not, I’m going to have to say pass.
Do you feel that marvel needs some new writing talent?
Well I say they need more fresh blood. Especially right now with them losing some of their writers (damn good ones like Giffen) to DC. They will need a new batch of Young Guns to help replace those lost. Also to keep new and fresh stories flowing.
So how do you feel about the new look for the Fantastic Four?
Well NV I do like it but the new logo is way to big. I think if shrunk it down the new logo could work. I like the design at least. I‘m more looking forward to the creative crew coming on board though
And I have to completely disagree. I’ve been reading FF pretty much nonstop since Claremont reluanched the book MANY years ago, and this is the first time I dropped it. I’m sorry, I just can’t get behind anything Millar writes. He’s a nice guy, but I can’t stay his writing…and with Hitch as the artist you know we’ll only be getting about 4 issues a year.
A lot of people are still on the fence on the ” New ” Warriors. Do you think this title is going downhill?
Seeing as the title has only been 8 issues to date and actually has done well. Not as good as predicted of course. I still am enjoying it myself. But it might be one of those books that won’t pull in the readership it needs to stick around.
mickeys4life asked
Any chance the Micronauts will make a comeback?
Micronauts could come back. With Bug already back in the pages of Annihilation Conquest. You never know. Of course Marvel would only be able to use certain characters after losing the rights to the all around Micronauts name.

Are the Top Cow/Marvel Crossovers considered Canon?
Yep they all count as canon. With many more crossovers likely coming in the future.
That is of course if you can count anything from Marvel as “canon.” Rememeber they just flushed about 20 years of Spider-Man “canon” down the toilet so…
kacangpool asked
mm, what’s the word about the daughters of the dragon once heroes for hire is cancelled?
is shang-chi going to get his own title any time soon? any idea how marvel is going to tackle the ‘fu manchu’ issue?
From what I’ve read there are plans for Misty Knight to be in some title. What the title is I haven’t heard but Marvel has plans for her.
Shang-Chi also has a future. From what I’ve heard you may see the return of his old title the MASTER OF KONG FU return to the stands in the coming year. With even a possible movie in the future.
You can likely expect Black Cat to be in the pages of Spider-Man again. Hopefully
The rest of the members could be in the air.
Cory emails
Black Eyed Peas rapper/producer will.I.am has joined the cast of Twentieth Century Fox’s upcoming movie, X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
The rapper will debut on the silver-screen as John Wraith, a mutant-test subject of the Weapon X program who is adept at working with massive explosives and has the ability to teleport.
The sci-fi flick will reveal the origins of Wolverine, who is being played by Hugh Jackman,
According to Variety, Ryan Reynolds will play Deadpool, while Taylor Kitsch has been tapped to star as Gambit.
Others starring in the movie as mutants include Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston and Lynn Collins.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is currently shooting in New Zealand, Australia and New Orleans. The movie is due in theaters on May 1, 2009.
Thanks for the update, Cory…not sure what happened to my Jim puppet on this one. I think I left him in the other room, while we were rehearsing our rendition of “Who’s Who in the Marvel Zoo.”
Lee emails
Jim,
Sorry if this was the wrong address, but I can’t find a better one on Inside Pulse since no addresses are showing up for me.
You got the right address. So no worries.
My name is Lee Baxley, former writer for Inside Pulse Games and writer for the new Diehard Gamefan. I have recently gotten back in to comics in a big way, and as a result, have started reading your excellent column. Nobody has been asking the really tough questions though!
pleasure to meet you Lee. Always nice meeting others working for the site.
I mean, the Secret Invsaion is coming up! It’s gonna be the next big thing to shake up Marvel’s world. I guess that leads to some big questions:
Who do YOU think are members of the Skrull Secret Invasion? I know we have Electra and Black Bolt confirmed. The two big possibilities are Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel. But why is no-one mentioning either Luke Cage or Jessica Jones? Anyone who read the issue of New Avengers where the Skrull Electra was killed KNOWS that the baby is a Skrull. So that means either mommy or daddy or both. I’m leaning towards mommy. Is there any others I’m forgetting?
Alright there‘s two questions here.
Who do I think is a Skrull and who was revealed. I‘ll answer those revealed first
Black Bolt
Elektra
Revolutionary
Irving Griffin (Daily Bugle Head of Features)
Cobalt Man
Ms Marvel (possible)
Mar-Vell (possible)
Now who I think also may be a Skrull:
Tigra
Aralune (from the order)
Sasquatch (fom Omega Flight)
Thunderbolts: Bullseye
Action Pack: Frog Man
Captain Ultra
Defenders: Colossus
Mighty Avengers: Black Widow
Rangers: Armadillo
GLC: No idea
Stamford: Gyrich
Damage Control: Ann-Marie Hoag
FF: Thing or Torch
H4H: Tarantula
Lightning Storm: Agent Sum
Nextwave: unknown
SHIELD: quite a few. Including Hill
Young Avengers: Speed
New Avengers: Cage
New Warriors: unkown
X-Factor: unknown
Runaways: no idea
X-Men: Emma Frost
Just guesses mostly. Some would make a lot of sense.
Another question is, do you think these people KNOW they are Skrull? I know Black Bolt did, but I’d have to think that some of these characters are in the dark, and actually THINK they are who they are pretending to be. I could be wrong on that though.
Many might not even know. IE: Sleeper Skrulls. I‘m not sure all of them don‘t know. The reveals will come fast though.
Lastly, what is up with Marvel making all these HUGE changes? Cap gets killed and replaced. The Civil War happens. Planet/World War Hulk happens, and Banner is locked up and there’s a new red Hulk. Messiah CompleX occurs and a bunch of changes occur there. And how can we forget the travesty that is Brand New Day (the stories aren’t BAD, but it’s just all pointless, and I hope that they retcon the retcon). Why is Marvel so intent on switch up all their books?
Much of it is leading to Secret Invasion. A lot of other parts of it where to have some change happen. Marvel sort of has been the same for some time. Change is needed to keep things fresh and keep readers interested.
While I agree that change is needed, I think It’s pretty apparent with the Spiderdebacle that we can’t trust that any of the changes will be “permanent.” Or rather that they won’t be just thrown out the window to do “something else” or something old. I for one am all for change, I’d just like to see it stick…
Anyway, keep up the good work on the column. I’ll keep on reading! Oh, on a side note, why is there not really much coverage of indy comics on the site? I really like some stuff by IDW, Image, Dynamite and such. Just wondering.
I‘ll let Daron answer this.
That’s a question that comes up often and simple truth is we can never find people who want to report or write about indie stuff. We here people tell us they want to, but then rarely do. Believe me it’s not because we don’t want to…
Thanks,
Your quite welcome
Brand New Day Synopsis
Amazing Spider-Man #549: Someone stops some hoods at the Port Authority. Spider-Man saves construction workers at the Bugle. Bennett takes over the Bugle firing a staffer as Pete arrives late. The Bugle is renamed DB as Menace appears. Spider-Man goes off running into Jackpot and failing to stop a goon. Spidey tries to find out who Jackpot is. Pete ask Harry about MJ. Spider-Man goes searching for Menace as he runs into Jackpot again.
Amazing Spider-Man #550: Blue Shield arrives and attacks Spidey preparing to unmask him. Menace arrives and Spider-Man out. Jackpot helps Spidey. Pete calls Lily about Harry. Jonah finds out about the Bugle. Bennett won’t pay for Pete’s photos till he gets what he wants. Betty helps Pete out find who is working on the Spider tracer case. Spidey meets with the detective as Menace strikes. Before Spidey can go to help the police surround him.
Amazing Spider-Man #551: Spidery gets away with Jackpot’s help as they go after Menace. The police chase them. Menace attacks a councilwoman. Spidey saves her with Jackpot’s help till an accident with Menace’s glider that kills the councilwoman. Pete gets his next photo bought by Bennett and published. Spidey visits Sara thinking she’s Jackpot but finds out otherwise.
Annihilation Conquest #4: Ultron and the Phalanx torture Star Lord. Mantis and Bug listen in and try to help. Daystar reports to Blastaar. Mantis contacts Groot and Rocket. Evolutionary, Warlock, and Phyla survived the blowing up of a star. Warlock tries to comfort Phyla before passing out. The Bugs and Phalanx fight. Super Skrull and Ra-Veen watch. Ronan, Prax and Wraith with Ravenous as prisoners find an army of Sentries to help in the battle and destroy Hala. Mantis continues to protect Starlord as Ultron finds the others. Warlock saves Phyla and arrives on the planet finding Evolutionary who turns on them.
Initiative Synopsis
Moon Knight #15: Tony is shown video of Moon Knight attacking a man. Marc trains. Black Spectre is released. Marc’s friends don’t know what to do about him. Spectre sees his parole officer paying him off. Marc argues with his girlfriend. Moon Knight continues to deal with his demons as he places Bushman’s face which he tore off only to take it off as Bushman places it on.
Iron Man #26: Dugan and Hill talk of what to do. Evacuation of the building happens. Iron Man faces Mandarin in a fight. Team Alpha discusses what to do. The fight ends with Mandarin unleashing the Extremis mutates on Iron Man. Hill bombs the place with nothing left alive.
Mighty Avengers #9: Doom and Morgan Le Fey have an affair in the past before he returns to the present where the Mighty Avengers are attacking. Doom counter attacks leading to a big fight. Iron Man confronts Doom with Doom using magic in the fight. Sentry attacks Doom and sends Iron Man, Doom and Sentry into Doom’s time portal. Leaving the Mighty Avengers standing there.
Order #8: MulHolland talks of her past. The Shadow hold her prisoner before searching for Becky and Milo who merge to fight back as the Order arrive and help. Pepper talks to Tony about what’s happening. The Order return home with the prisoner and injured. A secret meeting happens involving the Shadow, Maul, Cut and Stane’s son. Heavy and Anthem wait to hear on the injured who are fine. Cut talks to Mullholland as her mutant power returns.
Aftersmash synopsis
Hulk #2: Hulk attacks the Hellicarrier taking out She-Hulk. Iron Man battles Hulk taking the fight threw the Hellicarrier and causing it to crash to the ground. Rick Joner is attacked by Hulk and turns into the Abomination
Incredible Hercules #114: 1264 bc: Herc goes after Laomadoni. In the present Herc battles SHIELD with Cho. Widow, Ares and Wonder Man try to stop Hercules. Hercules sees the Champions in the fight and Widow uses that to help Hercules out with the poison. Ares escapes. Cho makes a way to take down SHIELD as his wolf cub passes out.
Warbound #3: The army make their way to Gamma World. Leader introduces the Horde as Hiriom must continue using his powers and can’t help fight it off. The army attack the Warbound. Hiriom saves the people but can feel others beneath them and has to save them to. Warbound go after the Leader while Hiriom and Korg both plan to take down the dome.
Secret Invasion synopsis
Ms Marvel #24: Carol fights the Brood with her team as her Binary powers before they give out. Running back into Cru who is killed by the Brood Queen. Carol destroys the Queen in the end. Arana goes home, Machine Man is rebuilt, and Carol faces herself in the shower. Tony calls in Sum and reports to him Carol is a Skrull.
Captain Marvel #3: Pulse works on Captain Marvel case. Kree attack Iron Man and Mar-Vell finding out they are Skrulls. Sante meets with Tony about Mar-Vell. A world wide food drive is started by the cult. Sante finds out one of the Cult members is a Skrull. Mar-Vell escapes the Skrulls who capture him and talks to Carol. Mar-Vell goes to see Cobalt Man who turns out to be a Skrull and says Mar-Vell is not the real deal
New Avengers #38: Cage goes looking for Jessica in the end calling Avengers Tower and arguing with her. Jarvis talks to Jess till Cage arrives and confronts Jess about the baby. Jarvis watches on a monitor as the Mighty Avengers arrives and go after Cage. Cage tells them about the Skrulls before being allowed to leave by Ms Marvel. Danny gives the team a place in one of his buildings as the team learns about Jess.
Divided We Stand Synopsis

Uncanny X-Men #495: Cyclops dreams as Emma wakes him as we find them in the Savage Land. Weeks ago: Tony contacted Cyclops about Registration before telling him the X-Men where done. Cyclops and Emma vacation with Shanna and Kazar. Colossus, Wolverine and Nightcrawler go on a road trip. Shanna talks to Emma. Angel arrives in a city that seems stuck in the past as he contacts Cyclops for help.
Wolverine #63: 1902: Wolverine and Mystique meet up in front of a firing squad in Mexico. Present: Afghanistan: Wolverine searching for Mystique kills an innocent woman. Muir Island: Cyclops ask Wolverine to find and kill Mystique. Iran: Wolverine finds Mystique who escapes only by exploding a temple. Past: Wolverine and Mystique survive thanks to Wolverine taking out the gun men. Mystique sets Wolverine up to get killed.
X-Factor #21: Siryn goes to see a priest. Wolfsbane tells Madrox she’s leaving the team and she dreamed of killed him and Layla. Rictor finds a girl looking like Layla and goes after her only to run into trouble and for Strong Guy to save him from a beating. Wolfsbane tells M she‘s leaving. Madrox goes after the Purifiers getting into a fight. Siryn tells M she’s pregnant with Madrox baby. Madrox and Rictor talk only for Rictor to find a note after.
X-Force #1: Angel’s Airie: Cyclops contacts Wolverine about Reverand Rismen who turned himself in, a Purifuer was inside and helped kill Shield agents. Cyclops wants Wolverine to reform X-Force. To take the Purifiers out. Warpath wants revenge for Caliban. X-23 already was sent in looking for what they took. Seems the Purifiers have Nimros. Wolverine tries to talk X-Force out of this. Bastion returns. X-Force attacks as Rinsmen holds Rahne and shoots.
That‘s it for this week. A good amount of emails. I left one out. We‘ll get it next time out. So Daron what did you think?
Yup, another action packed Handbook.
I think it was another good week. Although I think I‘m off to go get some hot tea with honey and cough medicine. See everyone next week.
What…are you sick again? You’re sick every other week man.
1. Digital comics Comics you can read online
2. Marvel is in the process of adding new bios and added a ton of new ones. Check them out here
That’s it from here. As always reporting from my corner of the Marvel Universe I’m Jim Trabold. Make Mine Marvel.
Oh, and just as an early reminder, the Pittsburgh Comicon is coming up quickly. The weekend of April 25-27th, and as always your favorite Marvel Handbook will be there. Start making your plans now to come out to most underrated comic show in the country!
