New Avengers

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New Avengers Team Confirmed For Phase 4 Following Avengers Infinity War

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Coming out of yesterday’s Avengers 2 Blu-Ray event, new details are learned about Marvel’s Phase 4 plans, which follow the two-part Avengers: Infinity War movies.

Avengers producer Jeremy Latcham drops a bomb in that there will be a new team of Avengers as well as that Infinity War will mark an end to part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Here’s the blurb (via SlashFilm):

I think [Infinity War is] definity an end to some version of the team that we’ve come to know as The Avengers. Who knows exactly what’s going to happen in that film, but I think this version of that team – I think we start to hint at that end of Age Of Ultron – that the team will be evolving.

One of the things we love from the comics is the roster is always changing, that new people are coming on the team, and that you can pick up an Avengers book ten years later and you don’t recognize people on the cover, but the ideas, the ideals, the things that make the Avengers the Avengers, still exist.

I think that is part of what this culmination will be, we’re seeing this version of the team doing this thing to save the universe, the galaxy, and we’ll kind of see where that goes. It’s not the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but I think that it is the end of part of it. For sure. We’re still trying to sort out which parts that meets. 

Any guesses as to who will make up the new Marvel Phase 4 Avengers roster? 

Possibly Spider-Man? We can speculate either Cap or Iron Man will be gone. It’s probable Doctor Strange might be on board. Maybe Captain Marvel Carol Danvers. Scarlet Witch, Vision, Falcon, Black Panther, Wasp and Ant-Man are also possible contenders. 

Feige and Latcham also discussed:

• Spider-Man in the MCU

• Infinity War and the Infinity Gauntlet

Crossing over with Marvel TV

• Captain Marvel in Avengers 2

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Watch: Age of Ultron New Avengers Scene Leaks Online

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Following The Avengers: Age Of Ultron leaked gag reel and Thanos mid-credit scene, now the New Avengers scene has been posted online.

It’s assumed the Blu-Ray copy of Avengers 2 has been either leaked somewhere or possibly released in a foreign country.

A pic of the Ulysses Klau file also hints at Marvel’s Illuminati.

The Avengers: Age Of Ultron Blu-Ray officially goes on sale October 2nd and can be ordered through Amazon at a discount.

Check out the New Avengers scene:

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Watch: Captain America & Black Widow In Action For Civil War (Video)

Looks like three of the New Avengers were in action on the set of Captain America: Civil War.

Earlier saw Falcon flying in to save the day, and now Black Widow and Captain America join the cause.

Watch the set video above featuring what looks to be Scarlett Johannson and Chris Evans’ stunt doubles.

“Captain America: Civil War” has  a May 6, 2016 release date directed by Anthony and Joe Russo starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Emily VanCamp, William Hurt, Martin Freeman and Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther.

Synopsis:

Captain America: Civil War picks up where Avengers: Age of Ultron left off, as Steve Rogers leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain.

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New Avengers Revealed From Age of Ultron

Check out an image still from the end of The Avengers: Age Of Ultron featuring the New Avengers.

Making up the team (at least for now) includes Captain America, Black Widow, Falcon, War Machine, Vision and Scarlet Witch.

All the characters and actors are also confirmed for Captain America: Civil War, which is currently filming in Atlanta.

Click to enlarge:

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“Captain America: Civil War” has  a May 6, 2016 release date directed by Anthony and Joe Russo starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Emily VanCamp, William Hurt, Martin Freeman and Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther.

Synopsis:

Captain America: Civil War picks up where Avengers: Age of Ultron left off, as Steve Rogers leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain.

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Marvel Studios Phase 4 Plans Rumored To Include New Avengers

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We get some possible long term plans for Marvel Studios as it’s being said that one possibility down the line is that if Robert Downey Jr. doesn’t return, Marvel might be going with the “New Avengers.”

Unleash The Fanboy has it from a source at Disney that “New Avengers” is a possibility, though it’s noted it is incredibly early in the process.

The rumor could hold some merit as previously, I believe, both Kevin Feige and Josh Whedon have hinted their Avengers would feature a revolving line-up.

We could also speculate that it’s also possible Marvel Studios could be going with “New Avengers” in Phase 4 following the departure of Robert Downey Jr. from the Iron Man role with a new actor coming on board. Feige has made it quite clear that they would not go with a reboot, but just have a new actor in the role of Tony Stark – similar to James Bond.

In the comics, New Avengers is a spinoff of the core Avengers group (maybe Marvel Studios would do the same and have two Avengers movie franchises?). While the comic book team consists of members that are a part of different movie studios (Spider-Man and Wolverine), the New Avengers is made up of Iron Man, Captain America, Doctor Strange, Iron Fist, Black Panther, Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier), Ronin (Hawkeye), Ms. Marvel, Spider-Woman and The Sentry.

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Review: New Avengers #11 (Infinity)

New Avengers #11 happens to be another great Infinity tie-in and is a must read following the unbelievable events that went down in Avengers #21. Unlike the other Infinity tie-in issues, Hickman’s Avengers books provide actual story, great art and content. It seems more fans have just been picking up Avengers as a result of a purported slow start early on in Hickman’s New Avengers run, but at least the Infinity issues are something you don’t want to miss – make no mistake about that.

Coupled with Hickman’s strong writing is the art of Mike Deodato, which is just stellar. Deodato always comes through with his photorealistic approach that is perfect for a cosmic Avengers story such as Infinity. Deodato provides a mix of panels at various angles that come off as pure awesomeness. Frank Martin’s colors are just as great and don’t come off as overly gritty, but just enough color and brightness to be able to tell this is a space-based story. 

Following Infinity #4, the overall story is moving rather fast as we approach the conclusion next month. That could perhaps be a bad thing as obviously with Infinity being such a good story you don’t want it to end, but on the other hand it makes each issue pay off even more so. A complaint I have is regarding Doctor Strange in that his possession really didn’t affect any of the Avengers or really himself, as in this issue it was conveniently fixed (same can be said for what took place in Avengers #21). Again, that’s not such a bad thing, but there seemed to be a lot of build up regarding Doctor Strange, but we ended up with not much to show for it other than the Avengers not discovering the son of Thanos (but, Thanos hasn’t either – so??). I suppose it’s ironic I’m complaining about Hickman’s issues being too fast when I complained his initial Avengers issues were so slow. So there is that.

We also get some development with Thanos as he discovers Terrax and Black Swan making a rather interesting comment along the way. The New Avengers also encounter some of The Builders who inform them them that in order to save a world they must destroy one. Hey, they are the Illuminati, right?

New Avengers #11 is another great Infinity issue and is recommended.

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Review: New Avengers #10 (Infinity)

Jonathan Hickman and Mike Deodato continue to give us a quality tie-in to the main Infinity event with New Avengers #10. Though the issue is a bit on the repetitive side, it still progresses the story and is a fulfilling read. Essentially the recap contained within is probably not necessary as more people are probably reading the main Infinity event more than New Avengers itself. A lot of the issue is already known and seems as if it is wasted space while, in its place, we could be told more story. However, what we do get with Black Bolt and Doctor Strange makes up for the duplicate storylines.

The issue continues from the events seen at the end of New Avengers #9 where Black Bolt summons the Illuminati to the pocket universe. There, Black Bolt seemingly hands over the secret archives of the Inhumans, but all is not as it seems. The real meat of the story lies with Doctor Strange, and I wish Hickman would have expanded upon that part of the story (or it could be argued Hickman succeeds in heightening the anticipation for more). As it stands, Hickman gives an ample amount as it’s learned Strange is still under the influence of Ebony Maw as the Illuminati seek the whereabouts of the son of Thanos.

The issue also slightly expands upon the events in this week’s Infinity #3, which looks to lead into December’s Matt Fraction Inhumans event. We also get to see how Thanos deals with failure as the Black Dwarf failed to take down Wakanda, with the Mad Titan living up to his moniker. Also for the first time, I believe, we see Thanos and his minions take notice to the other events occurring in Infinity with The Builders and Age Of Ultron; with their reaction being very curious and interesting especially in terms of what is to come.

Mike Deodato’s art is again a joy to behold. I found his take on Beast to be rather interesting as it has an ape-like quality to it. Beast seems to be a character, similar to Hulk, that artists like to interpret in different ways, which can lead to differences of opinions. It didn’t bother me too much; however,  the first panel that featured Beast could have been better depicted as Beast looked like a monkey caught in headlights. Nitpicking aside, Deodato is one of the most reliable artists in the field today.

New Avengers #10 is a great companion book to the Infinity event. If you are enjoying Infinity and looking for something extra to satisfy your craving, pick this issue up.

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New Avengers #9 Review (Infinity)

Fantastic issue!

For once we are given a tie-in to Infinity that actually progresses the story and is not drawn out between at least two issues or has nothing to do with the event!

Jonathan Hickman and Mike Deodato are a stellar team that comes through for any Marvel fan!

The issue sees Thanos‘ lieutenants make their way to Earth in search of the last Infinity Gem. As seen in Infinity #1, the Outrider has robbed the memories from Black Bolt giving Thanos the identities of the Illuminati. As the Black Order make their way to Earth to confront the Earth’s mightiest, heroes are gutted, heroes are victorious, and heroes are no more! Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Namor, and Beast are all targets of the Mad Titan’s cosmic henchmen.

Finally, Earth gets a taste of what it’s been like to live amongst the stars as the great beyond holds threats beyond their wildest imagination, and now those threats reach Earth! As the heroes have bickered amongst themselves for the past 10 years, Marvel Cosmic saw epic battles with the fate of the universe at stake! It’s just a shame that Marvel chose to cancel all the previous Marvel Cosmic-goodness and not include Abnett and Lanning’s Cosmic as part of Infinity. Shame on you, Marvel!

I did have one small problem with this issue and it was the last page; I had no idea what it was supposed to depict. Was it an Infinity Gem, as the issue seemed to be building toward it? Was it a repulsor blast? Did Black Bolt borrow Iron Man tech? No! In order to find out you had to use the Marvel AR App which revealed an utterly ridiculous video with some guy dressed as Black Bolt. Seriously?! What Black Bolt is actually holding is a beacon that can call the other New Avengers. I don’t think we needed a dumb Marvel AR App video for that, Tom!

Ranting aside, the issue was pretty great. You can’t beat Deodato’s photo-realistic art. The page with Doctor Strange getting probed felt like I was experiencing it as well! The Wolverine battle was just as impressive! And who would have thought Black Panther?! (though he could have used some more scrapes, cuts, bruises etc.)

If you are reading the main Infinity event and enjoying it, you will love this issue. If anything, stick with Hickman’s Avengers and New Avengers as the must read tie-ins to read.

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Major Marvel Cosmic Death In New Avengers #8 (Spoilers)

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Spoiler pic below for New Avengers #8 that features the death of a major Marvel Cosmic character.

Spoilers follow.

NEW AVENGERS #8 (Solicit)
JONATHAN HICKMAN (W) • MIKE DEODATO (A/C)
“LORDS OF CHAOS”
• As casualties pile up in the ongoing war between Wakanda and Atlantis, an Illuminati member is forced to make a hard choice.
• An Inhuman learns of the Illuminati’s plans.
• Prelude to INFINITY: Everything falls apart.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

 

This week’s New Avengers #8 sees the death of – the Living Tribunal!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the Living Tribunal overseas the multiverse, the most powerful Marvel Comics character sans The One Above All i.e. the Editor.

So who could have done this to The Living Tribunal?!

Gotta be someone outside the Multiverse, from the Omniverse?

Unless LT took its own life.

This perhaps also explains what is currently going on in Marvel 616 with the return of the Star Brand (LT Banned it) as well as Galactus invading the Ultimate Universe (The Hunger).

Theories anyone?

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Cover Shoot: Top 5 Comic Book Covers For June 12th

Cover Shoot

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

This weekly feature will take a look at the most visually compelling covers on the market today. Whether they be variant editions or standard ones, these are the top 5 covers that stand out amongst the bevy of books that are released each week. They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” these covers are worth more than that! No matter the storylines found behind them, these covers draw you to at least check them out, which can be worth exponentially more than just words to the companies that publish them! Enjoy!

 

 

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1. Thumbprint #1 (IDW):  Comic rookie, Vic Malhorta (Tiger Lawyer), unleashes a simple yet drastic cover to introduce writer Joe Hill’s novella, of the same name, to the world of comics. The stark comparison between the the pristine white and ragged crimson makes it bold enough to grab the buyer’s wandering eye and enticing enough to get this thriller onto their pull list!
 
 
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2. Green Lantern Corps #21 (DC): Bernard Chang’s artistic statement explodes off of the page, leaving buyers no other choice but to be mesmerized by the juxtaposition of the blood red(lantern) and the jade green. Guy’s ring and eye almost seem to be glowing with intensity, making you focus intently on them rather than the brutality surrounding them. Chang’s color palette may be minimal with this one but it will still blow you away!
 
 
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3. Peter Panzerfaust #11 (Image): Tyler Jenkins beautifully rendered cover is immersed in detail, which more than makes up for the lack of color. Actually, it is the sheer lack of color that I chose this particular piece! While surrounded by a myriad of hues on the comic shelf, this cover will act as a focal point for the eye. It is a veritable black hole of beauty that will draw the eye directly to it, making it the perfect negative to the usual Polychrome genre!
 
 
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4. Superman Unchained #1 — Variant Edition — (DC): Although Jim Lee’s original cover is quite impressive, I feel like the “Superman breaking through something” cover has been done to death. Also, with 10 covers in total, I chose one that has a nostalgic touch and humbles Superman in the same breath. Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez and Trish Mulvhill create a classic cover for the Man of Steel’s 75th birthday, showing that even the strongest man on earth can be put in his place by the woman he loves. It is pristine and fresh and offers fans something we don’t get to see very often in the world of the New 52 Superman — a phone booth and Lois Lane!
 
 
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5. New Avengers #7 (Marvel): Mike Deodato is no stranger to stunning covers and this one is more of the same! With the iconic Avengers emblem in the background, Deodato uses an overhead perspective to showcase his figures in an amazing way. His aerial view transforms the layout to mimic a boxing match where the pugilists battle atop the very logo they both seek to protect, sullying it’s symbolism by their actions. With a blanched white background that seems to make the figures levitate, Deodato has created something simple and clever!
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Review: New Avengers #1

The shuffling of creative teams and the renumbering of almost all of their books, has been very profitable for Marvel. Where once they had been taking a beating by DC in the sales department, now, they have regained the top spots and harnessed a new found energy in the comics community with their Marvel NOW! line of books. There has been an overall sense of nostalgia melded with a new found excitement in these books, so when Marvel announced it’s first “big” Marvel NOW! book of the new year would be New Avengers by Jonathan Hickman, fans sat with anticipation for the new series. Unfortunately, New Avengers is but a shadow of the other Marvel NOW! titles.

Jonathan Hickman gives us a good book that warrants attention but it pales in comparison with all the other Marvel NOW! releases of the past year. Hickman delves into a tale that is heavily formulated around the concept of the sacrifices the present must make in order to preserve it’s future. A feeling that hits home in such a trying economic and political climate that we see ourselves in currently. It shows how one man must put aside his own personal feelings and reservations about others in order to find a way to save everything else he holds dear. It is an enlightening segue into a broader story awaiting us on the horizon, but it is merely not enough to captivate you with with a sense of awe we were all expecting.

Not that this story is bad in any way, it is unfortunately — mediocre. And mediocrity is not a word synonymous with Jonathan Hickman. The suspense, shock, drama and overall fascination that we are usually treated to in a Hickman tale, is just not there in this issue. There is no emotional pull for the reader to feel vested in the tale, and even with the inclusion of the Illuminati as it’s sales driver, it still falls short as a “must read” book.

With issue two looming just two weeks away, I can only hope that the story can overcome it’s lackluster debut issue any bring a tale that can excite and tantalize the readers as much as the rest of the Marvel NOW! books have. With Hickman at the reigns, I have no doubt that this series can become something worthy of your four dollars! 

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Jonathan Hickman Brings Back The New Universe To Avengers

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Back in 1986, Jim Shooter launched the “realistic” New Universe that featured the likes of Mark Gruenwald, Archie Goodwin, Eliot R. Brown, John Morelli, and Tom DeFalco.

I’m more familiar with Star Brand, as it crossed into Gruenwald’s Quasar and have DP7 (which was similar to Shooter’s Harbinger), but there was a relaunch by Warren Ellis, which I never got into. Maybe Byron can give us the low-down on that?

Anyway, it appears as if the New Universe is getting a resurgence in Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers as Hickman’s co-writer on The Ultimates, Sam Humphries, let loose the following tweet:

A round of applause for @JHickman for his spectacular run on ULTIMATES! Thanks for everything and best of luck with the DP7 reboot.

In addition to that tidbit, there’s the similar looking covers for Hickman’s Avengers #7 (right) and the New Universe (below), as well as the solicit for New Avengers #7:

To prevent the collision of our universe with another, the Illuminati, led by the Black Panther, must assemble NOW! It’s the most powerful and brilliant team in the Marvel Universe–The Black Panther, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Black Bolt, Mister Fantastic, Namor the Sub-Mariner and The Beast–against an infinite legion of parallel realities.

(Via Bleeding Cool)

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Thor Hammers Captain America and Havok On Uncanny Avengers #4 Cover

Correct me if I am wrong, but Black Bolt is a member of Hickman’s New Avengers aka The Illuminati, with Captain America as well?

Update: Not Black Bolt, it’s Havok.

Well, from the looks of the following cover to Uncanny Avengers #4, it seems as if Thor is none too happy.

Or all these guys Uncanny Avengers?

Honestly, I’ve lost track.

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UNCANNY AVENGERS #4
Written by RICK REMENDER
Art and cover by JOHN CASSADAY
• Red Skull and his S-Men move forward their take over of New York.
• A member of the Uncanny Avengers joins the S-Men!
• When the chips are down, the fight all but lost, one Avenger must rise and face the terrible might of The Omega Skull!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
On sale in January 2013

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The New Avengers TV Series Coming To ABC?

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Really, it’s a no brainer that Disney and Marvel Studios would want to capitalize all they can on The Avengers movie.

It’s already up to $1.6 billion and change worldwide.

And not we are hearing word (via Deadline), that plans are underway for a new ABC television series set in The Avengers movie universe.

Now, this is quite contrary to earlier reports, but nonetheless is interesting because recently Guillermo Del Toro stated the Hulk TV script is getting a re-write.

Of course that doesn’t mean the new Hulk series will be associated with The Avengers movie, because from all previous accounts it will not.

But really who is to say. No brainer, right?

Anyway, according to Deadline, Marvel Television (led by Jeph Loeb) is in talks with ABC to do a TV drama series set in “The Avengers world.”

Deadline states the idea is really just budding, but Marvel and ABC want to do a series based in the Joss Whedon world of The Avengers, but one that may not feature any of the Assemblers from the movie.

Actually a “high-concept cop show” is stated.

Not sure what that’s about, but I’m thinking something more along the line of the Marvel Comics comic book New Avengers. Something more “street-level.”

Sound good?