After Isaiah Mustafa (the actor from the Old Spice ads) as Luke Cage comes Jevon Kearse as another Marvel superhero – X-Man/ future soldier Bishop and, man, does he look great. You can check out a behind the scenes video right here at photographer Gary Land’s site and thankfully, there’s more to come.
Here’s some perty pics for you. Under the covers you’ll find the list of relevant upcoming issues for these variant covers. Man, the X-Men have had more costume changes over the years than…um, let’s say Cher. In order below are the covers showcasing Cyclops, Jean Grey, Rogue, Wolverine, Angel, White Queen, Iceman, Havok, Storm, Magneto, Beast, Sabretooth and Hope.
Marvel Unveils X-MEN EVOLUTIONS Variant Covers
Just in time for X-Men: First To Last, the next big X-epic from Chris Yost, Paco Medina & Dalibor Talajic, Marvel is proud to unveil new X-Men Evolutions variants! Brought to you by some of the best artists in the industry, get ready for a unique look at your favorite mutants and their iconic costume designs from every era! No fan can miss out on these great covers spotlighting the rich history of the X-Men while X-Men: First To Last gives fans a chance to relive the exciting action of Xavier’s first class and experience the thrill of Cyclops’ current team!
The previous posters for this June releasing, ’60s set prequel focused solely on Professor X and Magneto. This is the first one showing the main cast and of course, I wasn’t the only person to notice that it’s either a respectful nod, or rip-off of the classic Astonishing X-Men panel from Joss Whedon and John Cassady’s run. It’s such a great pic and has been used a lot, even on the cover of the motion comic. Hopefully the film’s promo people are aware of this.
I haven’t followed the monthly X-Men adventures since the ’90s, but I buy the occasional issue and know enough to understand what’s going on. Marvel’s new Point One one-shots are a good way to help new readrs get the gist though. Uncanny X-Men #534.1 by Kieron Gillen (who has been co-writing with Matt Fraction until now) and Carlos Pacheco is an entertaining newbie-friendly book. It opens with Kate Kildare, a superhuman PR specialist and Donald Evans, a respected photographer landing on the island of Utopia, where the few remaining mutants dwell to give the X-Men some spin so the public will love them more. That’s needed these days, as Magneto is now on the team, and he’s the focus of this issue. That’s not much bad guy bashing, but two pretend A.I.M agents (who are rather amusing) do get a smackdown. They threaten an earthquake in San Francisco and Namor (also a new X-Men member) tells them that, “Only Namor has the ability to make the earth move, and he reserves that privilege for one woman at a time.” It seems out of character, but it is funny. Kate’s chat with Magneto, which includes his philisophies, and a suggested costume change is the main plot of this issue. They chat about the difference between public relations and propaganda, Machiavelli, and if it’s better to be loved or feared. As a talky issue, it lays out Magento’s complex personality very well. Pacheco’s manga tendencies are softened with the inks of Cam Smith, Dan Green and Nathan Lee (yes, 3 inkers. Wow.) and Erik actually looks his age for once, rather than a generic bodybuilder with grey hair.
Superman/Batman Annual #5 – Reign of Doomsday. Superman’s spiky killer Doomsday has been doing the rounds in a few DC titles lately, and this annual picks up after JLA #55 and continues in Superboy #6. It features great art by Miguel Sepulveda, which looks kind of like a cross between Phil Jiminez and Jae Lee. James Robisnson writes this action packed issue. Despite the title, it doesn’t really feature Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent, but rather Dick Grayson as Batman, and Supergirl. For most of the tale Kara (initially in her black costume) is stuck in safety of sick bay in the JLAWatchtower base as she’s sick. After receiving a diagnosis from Dr Mid-Nite and advice from Dr. Fate, (or rather the man under the golden helmet, Kent Nelson), she gets her health and classic costume back and begins punching. Most of the action here is between cyborg Superman and Doomsday, as Cyborg Supes uses the Watchtower itself as a weapon. Doomsday however easily adapts to the attack and becomes Cyborg Doomsday, seen in an awesome double page transformation. Driven mainly by Cyborg Superman’s death wish narration, and a brief Dick and Kara team up inside, it also Blue Lantern Saint Walker and Mikaal Starman are stuck outside and see the Watchtower transform first into Cyborg Supes’ face and then DD’s. Sure it’s in the middle of a story arc I’m not following, but it looks great and Cyborg Supes has always been one of my fave DC bad guys.
Nonplayer #1 has received a lot of praise, and deservedly so. I actually read a preview digital copy last week, but loved it so much I picked up a print copy too, and it looks even more awesome on paper. I, and Mladen, talked about it in our latest podcast, but as every other reviewer who’s read this will tell you – get a copy of this unique sci-fi/fantasy/virtual life debut from Nate Simpson. If you can find a copy that is.
Thankfully a second printing will be released on May 11.
The latest face-in-silhouette X-Men First Class posters released a while ago are bad. Go here and judge for yourself. Thankfully, as we all know, fans are smart and creative! Super Punch shows off some fan made posters, and an imaginary opening title video for the June-releasing film. My two faves are below, and go here to see them all, in their great ’60s era glory.
Staying on the topic of costumed mutants, CBR has an interesting interview with X-Men writer Kieron Gillen (Phonogram) here. Fans pose the questions to the scribe and the discussion ranges from the Uncanny X-Men title to Fear Itself to the upcoming Schism. It’s for X-Men fans only really, as Nightcrawler’s death, Kitty in a space suit and the similiarities between Hope and Jean Grey are all brought up.
Lastly, and not really an X-Men story, but certainly a Marvel one – here’s a preview and trailer for Marvel’s 7 part Fear Itself series by Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen.
It’s the old vs the new in this text-free preview.
Your First Look at X-MEN: FIRST TO LAST!
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at X-Men: First To Last, as acclaimed writer Christopher Yost returns to the X-Men with fan favorite artists Paco Medina and Dalibor Talijic. Starting in X-Men Giant-Size #1 and continuing in June’s X-Men #12, discover the staggering consequences when Xavier’s first class arrives in the future to tackle their greatest foe yet! The next shocking X-Men arc starts right here and, when it’s all over; a major new figure will tower over the team’s past and their undecided future.
“X-Men Giant Size has massive ramifications for two – count ‘em, two – generations of X-Men. That’s right, the original X-Men are back,” said Marvel Editor In Chief, Axel Alonso. “Is the X-Universe big enough for both teams?”
Can the X-Men of yesterday and today tackle their greatest enemy that neither can remember? The Evolutionaries are coming and their rampage through the Marvel Universe will reverberate through the lives of all X-Men past and present, first and last. The mind-bending saga that will rewrite the history books on mutantkind begins this May, in X-Men Giant-Size #1!
Plus, no X-Men fan can miss the all-new X-Force Archangel action figure, available exclusively at Marvel.com. One of the most popular members of the red-hot Uncanny X-Force team, this is the only way for you to get the first figure of Archangel in his all-new, all-deadly uniform. Please visit www.marvel.com/archangel for more details.
X-MEN GIANT-SIZE #1
X-MEN GIANT-SIZE #1 MEDINA VARIANT
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Penciled by PACO MEDINA & DALIBOR TALIJIC
Cover by ED McGUINNESS
Variant Cover by PACO MEDINA
Rated T+ …$4.99
ON-SALE IN MAY!
When this series launched with Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, fans lapped it up, and the motion comic based on those issues is great too. Now the title is getting a bit of a shake-up. In the pic below though, it looks like Beast is getting ready for the Super Bowl.
Everything Changes In ASTONISHING X-MEN This May!
This spring, Astonishing X-Men takes a dramatic twist as two amazing pairs of creators team-up for a astonishing crossover event—all in one series! This April, acclaimed creators of Daniel Way, Christos Gage, Jason Pearson and Juan Bubillo set Astonishing X-Men on a monstrous monthly new path! The X-Men split into two teams, each on seemingly separate missions (told by rotating creative teams) that collide with major consequences for the X-Men!
“For the first time since its inception, the events of Astonishing X-Men are happening in the current X-Continuity” explains X-Men Senior Editor, Nick Lowe. “Not only are they reflecting where the X-Men are, you will also see the debut of a character that is going to be an important part of the X-Universe at the end of 2011!”
Way and Pearson kick things off in Astonishing X-Men #37 as Wolverine, Cyclops, Emma Frost and Armor are all ready knee deep in a giant monster outbreak flattening metropolitan Japan! When the monstrous Fing Fang Foom attacks, the X-Men head into action! But while the X-Men are fending off the catastrophic beasts of Monster Island, Armor is contending with matters of a more personal nature. Can the X-Men save Tokyo without losing Armor?
While that’s going on, Christos Gage and Juan Bubillo step in with Astonishing X-Men #38 for a story that truly shows you’re not always better off sitting it out when it comes to mutant adventuring! Starting this May, Storm, Colossus, Kitty Pryde and Beast will have to pick up the slack as Brood invasion threatens the other side of the Pacific coast in a tale that gives a whole new urgency to the term “meanwhile!” And that’s not all because not only will Lockheed be meeting Kitty Pride for the first time since the silver bullet, but S.W.O.R.D.’s Agent Brand comes back into the X-fold!
No fan can miss this truly unique take on serial storytelling as the X-Men take on Foom AND the Brood at the same time! The Astonishing line, bringing fans the top creators in the industry on the top characters, gets even bigger this April as fans get a monthly dose of Astonishing X-Men!
ASTONISHING X-MEN #37 (FEB110606)
Written by DANIEL WAY
Pencils and Cover by JASON PEARSON
Rated T+ … $3.99
FOC – 3/14/11, On Sale – 4/6/11
ASTONISHING X-MEN #38
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE
Pencils by JUAN BUBILLO
Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
Rated T+ … $3.99
ON SALE THIS MAY!
63 mins. Another rambling, yet informative episode. We discuss a bunch of comics and film stuff, plus tedious fantasy movies, interstate travelling, water pistols and what Batman’s up to these days.
LISTEN TO IT BELOW, DOWNLOAD IT HERE OR ON ITUNES
1:13 NEWS
The upcoming Red Sonja film starring Amber Heard, Comic-Con 2011 is all sold out, the new Thor, Captain America, Cowboys & Aliens, and X-Men: First Class trailers, Lois Lane and Ursa in the Superman reboot, the most popular comics website, and the Dreams Come True Disney exhibit in Melbourne.
25:35 WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Weird zines such as Modern Gentlemen #3, and the far cuter Summer Tears#1, the disappointing Dinner for Schmucks film, Brightest Day #19, Thorgal by Jean van Hamme and Grzegorz Rosiński, the supporting cast spotlighting Superman 80 Page Giant 2011, Raymond Briggs’ nuclear drama When The Wind Blows, Batman and Robin #20 with the new creative team of Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason and finally Deus Ex: Human Revolution #1.
The internet’s a buzz with the recent casting of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman’s alter ego Selina Kyle and Tom Hardy as bad guy Bane, but most non-comics readers have no idea who Bane is. In fact my local newspaper called him Blane. Sounds like a magician. So, Empire have a handy guide to the bulky, back-breaking character right here. They also have a look at 11 Superhero Vehicles from films, including a few of Batman’s rides, and Wolverine’s motorcycle (huh?). Lastly Empire are allowing us music lovers to listen (not download) the entire soundtrack of ballet/dark drama Black Swan here from composer Clint Mansell.
Oh, and in case you haven’t seen them already here’s the first official pics from June’s ’60 set mutant prequel, X-Men: First Class.
The first chapter of the new epic, Age of X appears in February’s issue of X-Men: Legacy. Text-free preview below.
Your First Look at AGE OF X: CHAPTER ONE!
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at X-Men: Legacy #245, from writer Mike Carey and artist Clay Mann! Slam headlong into the landmark first chapter of Age of X! Mutantkind has been purged from the very face of the earth and its eradication wasn’t an accident…it was government policy. But just who are the unlikely survivors of this grim future…and do they dare announce their existence to a world that fears and hates them? The pulse-pounding X-saga kicks off this February, only in X-Men: Legacy #245!
X-MEN: LEGACY #245 (DEC100623)
X-MEN: LEGACY #245 FF ANNIVERSARY VARIANT (DEC100541)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Pencils by CLAY MANN
Cover by LEINIL YU
Fantastic Four Anniversary Variant by PAOLO RIVERA
Rated A…..$2.99
FOC – 2/1/11, On-Sale 2/23/11
I loved the alternate universe multi-series that was Age of Apocalypse back in the heyday of the ’90s. Marvel gave us an alternate world where Magneto replaced the dead Professor X as leader of the X-Men, Wolverine had one arm and Cyclops was a bad guy not to be messed with. More recently we’ve had the more grounded House of M story which showed a world without mutants. Next up is Age of X. Below are two covers for the series which launches on January 26. That’s Australia Day! Read more about the series with an interview with Mike Carey at CBR and discover some redesigns of classic X-Men too.
Your First Look At All-New Covers To AGE OF X: ALPHA
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at two all-new covers to Age of X: Alpha #1 from superstar artists Chris Bachalo and Olivier Coipel! Mutankind’s Final war starts here! In a world where the X-Men never existed, the survival of mutantkind rests on the shoulders of the few remaining mutants who are on their last leg. Who are they and at what length will they go to keep their kind alive? Get your answers to these questions and more in Age Of X: Alpha #1! Keep your eyes peeled this week for another Age of X Historical Log inside select Marvel Comics. Be sure to head out to your local comic shop to find the next clue you will need to unravel the mystery that is Age of X.
AGE OF X: ALPHA #1 (NOV100514)
AGE OF X: ALPHA #1 COIPEL VARIANT (NOV10515)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Pencils by MIRCO PIERFEDERICI, PAUL DAVIDSON, GABRIEL HERNANDEZ WALTA, HARVEY TOLIBAO & CARLO BARBERI
Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
Variant Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Rated A…$3.99
FOC – 1/3/10, On-Sale – 1/26/10
A new #1 for Marvel’s biggest franchise is something that’s sure to get attention, and scrutiny from the fanboy/girl fraternity. It’s a shame that the latest relaunch, which kicked off in July, suffered from two typos, as shown below. Excuse the photos due to lack of a scanner. Wolverine has had the “l” dropped from his name and Wolvie himself seems to suffer from a stutter.
A more recent release is Thor #614, the final issue before writer Matt Fraction and artist Pasqual Ferry take over next month. This gaffe seems to have stayed put during the entire production of its pages while being ignored or put in the “that job’s not mine” basket. A handwritten note reads “Scan of map of Asgard?” on an empty parchment. Good idea. Shame no-one actually made it happen.
The last time there was an X-Men #1 it was 1991 and it sold over a million copies. Will it happen again? Nope. Here’s a text-free preview anyway.
Your First Look At X-Men #1!
Marvel is proud to present your first look at X-Men #1 from the red-hot creative team of Victor Gischler and Paco Medina. In the first X-Men #1 in almost 20 years, Marvel’s mighty mutants enter the Heroic Age to face a deadly new threat in a battle that will drastically alter the ENTIRE Marvel Universe! With new faces being brought into the fold and an all-star new creative team, fans cannot miss the “Curse of the Mutants” in the all-newX-Men #1!
X-MEN #1 (MAY100628)
X-MEN #1 ROMITA JR VARIANT (MAY100630)
X-MEN #1 MEDINA VARIANT (MAY100632)
X-MEN #1 DJURDJEVIC VARIANT (MAY100633)
X-MEN #1 BLANK VARIANT (MAY100629)
Written by VICTOR GISCHLER
Penciled by PACO MEDINA
Cover by ADI GRANOV
Variant Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Variant Cover by PACO MEDINA
Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—6/17/10, On-sale—7/8/10
The Marvel teaser onslaught continues, with this new image showing Psylocke and Spider-Man as members of the X-Men. I doubt Peter Parker would stamp on “X” on his costume, as he’s not a mutant, so maybe its a curve ball. However, no-one thought he’d be an Avenger too.
On a somewhat related not, last week’s Shield #1 is unsurprisingly sold out, so here’s the cover for its second printing. It features an interior image from the comic by Jonathan Hickman and Dustin Weaver, revealing a battle in ancient Egypt with the alien Brood species. The second printing with this variant cover goes on sale on May 5.
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