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Comic Novels

I’ve been reading less comics and more novels these days, but occasionally the two meet in a harmonious manner. Comics scribes such as Greg Rucka and Peter David are also prolific novel writers, for example. However, lately I’ve noticed three examples.

This week I picked up The Girl With All The Gifts, as I’ve seen it mentioned on a few websites, and also in the spotlight from some of my local bookstores. I was intrigued by the author’s name – M.R. Carey, and after reading the author blurb I realised that this was actually Mike Carey, the British comics writer of such series as Hellblazer, and X-Men.

Writer Alex Irvine has also written for both media with an impressive list of characters and franchises to his name, including Transformers, Batman, Pacific Rim, Iron Man, as well as comics for Marvel such as Daredevil Noir, and the Marvel Ultimate Alliance online game. I saw his name attached to the prose adaptation of the classic X-Men: Days of Future Past storyline from the comics in a recent Previews catalogue, so I ordered it. I’m aware of the original comics storyline from 1980, and the upcoming film, so I thought I’d take this chance to delve a bit deeper into this much-loved tale when the novel is released in May.

Finally, Dark Horse recently released Alabaster: Pale Horse, an anthology of short stories by Caitlin R. Kiernan. The book is actually a re-release, with a new introduction by the author, (and startling illustrations by Ted Naifeh), but is a great entry in to the fantasy world of her character Alabaster. Dark Horse also have the Alabaster: Wolves Trade Paperback collecting the five issue mini-series focused on the same albino character Dancy Flammarion and her dealings with the supernatural, as well as the upcoming collection Alabaster: Grimmer Tales, with both feature interior art from Steve Lieber.

March 3, 2014
Categories: Books . Tags: Alex Irvine, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Mike Carey, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Guardians of the Galaxy Trailer

Marvel Studios’ potential new franchise launcher opens in August. Not much has been revealed about it, but now we have the first trailer. Ramping up the fun and irreverence, this film based on the not exactly well-known comic series, and directed by James Gunn (Super, Slither) looks pretty great.

From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team — the Guardians of the Galaxy. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits — Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace is poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand — with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

Rival moviemakers 20th Century Fox also launched 17 new mid-shot character pics from May’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, but let’s be honest, you want to watch that trailer again, don’t you?

February 19, 2014
Categories: Movies . Tags: Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Wolverine & The X-Men #42 Preview

February 26 sees the release of the final ish of Wolvie & The X-Men from Marvel. Below you’ll find the official synopsis, plus some wordless preview pages. The cover is a tribute to probably the most copied comic cover of all time – Uncanny X-Men #141 from 1980, which was the first part of the Days of Future Past storyline.

School is Out! Your First Look at WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN #42!

This February, close out the school year in style with a Graduation Day to remember in WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN #42! They’ve fought monsters, aliens, the Hellfire Club, and even their own school building – but now, the inaugural class of the Jean Grey School prepares to leave their hallowed halls behind. That is, if they survive that long! Fan favorite writer Jason Aaron ends his critically acclaimed run with one last bombastic issue – and he’s bringing some friends! Wolverine & The X-Men artists past and present return to school for one last tearful goodbye, including Chris Bachalo, Nick Bradshaw, Ramón Pérez, Pepe Larraz and Steve Sanders. And if that’s not enough Shawn Crystal (DEADPOOL) and Nuno Alves (MARVEL FAIRY TALES) join in on the fun! Plus, a surprise taste of the new volume of Wolverine & The X-Men #1 from new series writer Jason Latour that will have you begging for more! Where do the graduates go from here? Who stays? Who goes? And who survives? Find out this February as Jason Aaron brings his blockbuster series to a close inWOLVERINE & THE X-MEN #42!

WOLVERINE & THE X-MEN #42 (DEC130749)

Written by JASON AARON

Art by NICK BRADSHAW, PEPE LARRAZ, RAMON PEREZ,
STEVE SANDERS, CHRIS BACHALO, NUNO ALVES,

SHAWN CRYSTAL, & JASON LATOUR

Cover by NICK BRADSHAW

Continue reading →

February 4, 2014
Categories: Comic Art, Comics . Tags: Marvel comics, Wolverine, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

New Looks for Doctor Who and The X-Men

The internet is all about two things today, it would seem. That’d be Peter Capaldi’s finally unveiled look for his incarnation of Doctor Who, which looks pretty great. I must say. This is how the BBC see it:

Sporting a dark blue Crombie coat with red lining, dark blue trousers, a white shirt as well as black Dr. Marten shoes, the look was created by Doctor Who costume designer Howard Burden.

Commenting on his costume, Peter Capaldi said: “He’s woven the future from the cloth of the past. Simple, stark, and back to basics. No frills, no scarf, no messing, just 100 per cent Rebel Time Lord.”

Also, from my fave film magazine, Empire comes 25 variant covers (!) featuring the characters, both old and new, of the May 23 releasing X-Men: Days of Future Past film, directed by Bryan Singer. The covers are okay if bland, and of course, Wolverine is all veiny and shirtless.

I mean, I get the post apocalyptic feel of the movie’s setting, but all the dark colours are just boring. Fan Bingbing as Blink looks pretty good though. You can see all the covers right here, including Colossus, Warpath, Bishop, Sunspot, Kitty Pryde, a young William Stryker and two versions of the mutant hunting robot Sentinels.

January 28, 2014
Categories: Comics, Movies . Tags: Doctor Who, Marvel films, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

All-New X-Men #9 Preview

Man, Stuart Immonen is a great artist. It makes me happy that Marvel send their previews text-free. Below is a look at the March issue of this series that has the time-travelling original X-Men teaming up with their modern day counterparts.

Marvel NOW! – ALL-NEW X-MEN #9 First Look!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at All-New X-Men #9, from the critically acclaimed creative team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Stuart Immonen! Hot on the heels of the Uncanny X-Men facing Sentinels in their first issue, the All-New X-Men find themselves face-to-face with Sentinels for the very first time. Something is boiling under the surface of the Marvel Universe! Also, Mystique continues to make some big moves that will have huge circumstances for the X-Men.

As part of Marvel NOW!, All-New X-Men joins a number of titles that will take the Marvel Universe in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes to deliver all-new ongoing series, great for new and lapsed readers alike!

Each issue of All-New X-Men includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices). Each issue of All-New X-Men features special augmented reality content available exclusive through theMarvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.

An all-new direction! All-new threats! All-new consequences! This is All-New X-Men #9!

ALL-NEW X-MEN #9 (JAN130676)

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Art & Cover by STUART IMMONEN

FOC – 02/25/13 On-Sale – 03/20/13

February 20, 2013
Categories: Comic Art, Comics . Tags: Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

New X-Men #8 Preview

The premise of the original X-Men meeting their very different modern equivalents is a great premise for a new series, although I’ve only read the first issue. Here is a text-free preview of next month’s issue of All New X-Men.

The Avengers Meet Original Five X-Men In ALL NEW X-MEN #8!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at All New X-Men #8, from the blockbuster creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez! Angel, plucked from the past, finally meets his future self and the two end up fighting Madame Hydra and a Hydra cadre. This doesn’t go unnoticed by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! How will the Avengers react to the time-swept X-Men?

Each issue of All-New X-Men includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices) and in the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. Additionally, each issue of All-New X-Men features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.

So what are you waiting for? Head on out and reserve a copy of All-New X-Men #8 today!

For more on Marvel NOW!, please visit now.marvel.com and join the conversation on Twitter using #MarvelNOW.

ALL-NEW X-MEN #8 (JAN130674)

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Art by DAVID MARQUEZ

Cover by STUART IMMONEN

FOC – 2/11/13, ON SALE – 3/6/13

February 5, 2013
Categories: Comic Art, Comics . Tags: Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

New Mutants #34 Preview

I remember Blink from the epic alternate universe saga Age of Apocalypse from Marvel in the ’90s. Blink proved so popular she came to the regular Marvel Universe as part of the Exiles series. Now she’s back, as this text-free preview from November’s New Mutants shows.

BLINK RETURNS IN X-MEN REGENESIS!

The fan-demanded return of BLINK drags Dani Moonstar and her team of New Mutants right into the heart of X-Men Regenesis! Beginning in New Mutants #34, from the critically acclaimed writing team of Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning and artist David Lopez, Cyclops gives the New Mutants no time to rest as he sends them on a wild goose chase across the Marvel Universe. What has Blink done to require immediate extraction and is she to blame? Sinister things are afoot this November, in New Mutants #34!

NEW MUTANTS #34 (SEP110609)

Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING

Pencils by DAVID LOPEZ
Cover by JORGE MOLINA

FOC – 10/31/11, ON SALE – 11/23/11

October 25, 2011
Categories: Comic Art . Tags: Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

X-Men: Regenesis

Marvel have bene teasing the post-Schism state of the X-Men with images featuring a wide cast of characters. With each image they’d unleash, one more character would lose the silhouette. Now, all the characters stand revealed, including Colossus in Juggernaut’s helmet by the looks of things.

X-MEN: REGENESIS – Choose Your Team!

After the cataclysmic events of X-Men: Schism, all of mutantkind will be forced to make the biggest decision of their lives. What team will you choose?

Join the conversation on Twitter with #XMenRegenesis!

UNCANNY X-MEN #1 (SEP110591)
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Art & Cover by CARLOS PACHECO

Variant Cover by DALE KEOWN
NOVEMBER 2011

GENERATION HOPE #13 (SEP110610)
Written by JAMES ASMUS
Art & Cover by IBRAIM ROBERSON
Variant Cover by DALE KEOWN
NOVEMBER 2011

X-MEN #20 (SEP110600)
Written by VICTOR GISCHLER
Art by WILL CONRAD
Cover by ADI GRANOV
Variant Cover by DALE KEOWN
NOVEMBER 2011

NEW MUTANTS #33 (SEP110607)
Written by DAN ABNETT & ANDY LANNING
Art by DAVID LOPEZ
Variant Cover by DALE KEOWN
NOVEMBER 2011

September 8, 2011
Categories: Comics, New To Comics?, News . Tags: Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Some More Wanna Sees

Sure, DC Comics have been the focus of comics chatter recently, with this week’s launch of the disappointing Justice League #1, and the much better Flashpoint #5, but there have been a few interesting projects pop up over this week. These projects will never happen (well, you never know, I guess) but look great and tie in to our latest podcast episode on comics we’d like to see.

Writer of Red 5’s great series, Atomic Robo (which is awesomely accessible with every issue) Brian Clevinger was going to write a 6 issue Firestorm mini-series after the character’s increased profile after Brightest Day. You can see his whole rejected (because of the DC relaunch) proposal right here. Clevinger also shows some great insight in the comments, such as:

This was the result of a couple weeks of thinking, emailing, and re-thinking, and then slapping it all together. I guess from the day they called me up to the day I had my six issues planned out as above was ~3 weeks.

For Robo it can take as little as weekend, a week, or a month. Depends on the story line. I generally go into less detail on those because I don’t need to prove the concept to anyone, so explaining it beyond notes is a waste of time. Vol 5 and Vol 6 stuck very closely to what I’d worked up. Vol 7, on the other hand, deviated from my plan early and often. The essential theme and arcs were the same, I just had to change up how they happened.

Here’s a wonderfully cute short tale from Mike Maihack featuring Supergirl and Batgirl.

The great DC Fifty-TOO! blog which features different artists showing what titles they’d like to see as part of DC’s relaunch has wrapped up its first month of covers. It will return though. Woo hoo! Here are some of my fave new covers below.

Finally, Project Rooftop has a great gallery of alternate X-Men designs by David Tran, of a team consisting of Maggot (remember him?) and led by Magneto. Check those out here.

September 4, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, Comics . Tags: DC comics, proposals, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Marvel: Season One Info

Perhaps, and understandably, spurred on, by DC’s massive success with the Superman: Earth One OGN last year, Marvel are trying something similar with their characters, in order to get the attention of comics newbies. It’s actually a good idea and should be done more often, as walking into a comic shop for the first time can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. The following info was released at last week’s Comic-Con but the pics are new.

Then again, Marvel make a point to mention that they have been working on this for over a year, so I guess it’s one of those coincidences that happens between The Big Two from time to time.

MARVEL: SEASON ONE LINE-UP

Next year, immerse yourselves in the Marvel Universe like never before as the world’s greatest super heroes star in a line of all-new graphic novels with Marvel: Season One! Aimed at new and old readers alike, the first wave featuring Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil and The X-Men, brings readers a complete story, modernizing the seminal origins of these characters while also offering new revelations for long-time fans. There will be one graphic novel on sale each month starting in February.

“With Marvel Season One we’ve assembled a group of great creators who’re delivering exciting, iconic, in-continuity stories of our most popular heroes,” said Tom Brevoort, Marvel SVP/Executive Editor. “If you’re a new fan, you can start your journey into comics with Season One and if you’re a seasoned fan you’ll find some thrilling new insight into your favorite characters.”

The complete first wave of Season One graphic novels includes:

· Fantastic Four: Season One by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Stephen King’s The Stand, Television’s Glee) and David Marquez (Secret Warriors), on-sale in February 2012

X-Men: Season One by Dennis Hopeless (Legion Of Monsters, Lovestruck) and Jamie McKelvie (Generation Hope, Phonogram), on-sale in March 2012
Daredevil: Season One by Antony Johnston (Daredevil) and Wellinton Alves (Nova), on-sale in April 2012
Spider-Man: Season One by Cullen Bunn (Fear Itself: The Deep, Sixth Gun) and Neil Edwards (Fantastic Four), on-sale in May 2012

“Marvel: Season One is all about bringing new readers to comics and comic stores around the world”, said David Gabriel, Marvel SVP of Sales. “We’ve been working on these for over a year and can’t wait for fans to see the results—they’re stunning! More news about the promotional and incentive plans for retailers will follow in the next few weeks.”

Whether you’re picking up a comic for the first time, or looking to add more to your comics reading experience, then it’s time to discover the world’s greatest super heroes all over again in Marvel: Season One!

Stay Tuned for updates and announcements over the next few weeks.

July 29, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: Daredevil, Fantastic Four, Marvel, Spider-Man, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

X-Men: Schism #2 Preview

Yay! Another Marvel text-free preview! This time from Frank Cho! Yay again! Seeing Rogue on the battlefield sure would be distracting wouldn’t it?

Your First Look At X-MEN: SCHISM #2

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at X-Men: Schism #2, from Marvel Architect Jason Aaron and superstar artist Frank Cho. The blockbuster X-Event of the summer continues as Sentinels threaten to wipe out all of Mutantkind! It’s up to Wolverine and Cyclops to band the X-men together and tackle the threat head-on, and with tensions boiling – one of them will go too far. Find out this July the fate of mutantkind remains unclear in X-Men: Schism #2!

X-MEN: SCHISM #2 (MAY110679)

X-MEN: SCHISM #2 CHO VARIANT (MAY110680)
Written by JASON AARON

Art and Cover by FRANK CHO

Variant Cover by FRANK CHO

Rated T+ …$3.99

FOC – 07/04/11, ON SALE – 07/27/11

So, after the Schism mini-series finishes, Wolverine and Cyclops go their separate ways with their own teams and each will get their own ongoing title too. Maybe to show your support for either one, you could buy this great new Cyclops statue from Bowen Designs or this Comic-Con exclusive Wolverine bust.

June 22, 2011
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, News . Tags: Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Two New X-Men Titles in Two Months

What a crazy time to be a superhero fan hey? First, DC Comics announce that they are relaunching 52 superhero titles in September, and mow Marvel’s longest running series, Uncanny X-Men is ending, but at least they’ll carry on with the same continuity. Two new series follow the upcoming X-Men: Schism mini-series that kicks off next month that will show teammates Cyclops and Wolverine fighting. Literally.

After Schism Comes X-MEN: REGENESIS!

Marvel is pleased to announce X-Men: ReGenesis, a bold new direction redefining the X-Men franchise! X-Men: ReGenesis kicks off this fall in Uncanny X-Men #1 & Wolverine and the X-Men #1 and its ramifications will send shockwaves throughout every X-Book and the Marvel Universe! Prepare for the X-Men’s new dawn as former allies head off in different directions, taking with them your favorite X-Men characters. Following the unforgettable outcome in X-Men: Schism, mutantkind will be asking one another “Who will you follow?” and their answers may surprise you! Never before have there been TWO teams calling themselves the X-Men and never has anyone had to choose a side. Guided by their different ideologies, each leader has their own mission for saving their species, but is only one of them right?

This October, Marvel Architect Jason Aaron and superstar artist Chris Bachalo launch Wolverine And The X-Men #1, assembling a team led by Logan himself with a line-up that nobody will see coming. Then, in November, history is made with Uncanny X-Men #1. From the superstar writer Kieron Gillen and artists Carlos Pacheco & Greg Land, new leadership rises with a renewed, refocused, and re-imagined group of Uncanny mutants.

“Years of X-Men history have been leading to this. X-Men: ReGenesis will affect our entire line leading up to a major conflict coming up in 2012!” said Marvel Editor in Chief, Axel Alonso. “This is just the start of what we have planned for the X-Men. Next summer all eyes will be on mutantkind – we guarantee it!”

Two new teams lead mutantkind into an all new era and will have everyone asking “Who will you follow?” – only in Wolverine & The X-Men #1 and Uncanny X-Men #1!

To find out more about X-Men: Regenesis, head over to Marvel.com!

June 17, 2011
Categories: Comics, News . Tags: Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

Extra Sequential Podcast #44-X-Men

95 mins. Yes, it’s our longest episode ever, but with good reason. It’s our X-Men special, in which we focus on the films, the cartoons and some forgotten TV appearances. Joined by Mat from popular podcast, Sequelcast we discuss the highs, lows and more of the merry mutants. Also, Jake Busey’s teeth, Paul Hogan and a heap of useless X-Men trivia to impress your friends.

LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON ITUNES

0:54 NEWS

Kevin Smith’s comic book shop reality show

Writer Mark Millar is done with Marvel

The cancellation of Northlanders

8 clips from the Green Lantern film released online

Yes, more DC relaunches including new Action Comics and the controversial return of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl

14:48 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING

Shade, The Changing Man Vol. 1. He’s like Doctor Who!

Flashpoint’s Abin Sur: The Green Lantern #1. Yes, it’s an alternate world but it’s a good set up for next month’s film.

Sanctum. Don’t watch it.

Starship Troopers prequel comic.

Chris Claremont’s and Frank Miller’s classic Wolverine.

21:35 THEME-X-MEN

1989’s Pryde of the X-Men animated pilot, starring an Australian Wolverine

The much loved ‘90s cartoon

The live action Generation X TV movie

X-Men Evolution, and Wolverine and the X-Men

Astonishing X-Men motion comic

Wolverine anime

The X-Men trilogy

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-Men: First Class

June 12, 2011
Categories: Cartoons, Comics, Movies, News, Podcast, Reviews . Tags: Marvel, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

X-Futurama

This is definitely worth sharing – a great mash-up of Matt Groening’s Futurama cartoon with a multitude of characters from the X-Men, by Carl Broaddus.

Don’t worry, I can’t name them all either.

June 12, 2011
Categories: Art, Cartoons, Comics . Tags: Futurama, X-Men . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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