It's been two weeks and another update is upon us! I just posted issue 3 "Competition" on my main website. Please check it out when you get a chance and don't forget to review! Any feedback either here or on the site is much appreciated. I am open to all kinds of criticism. I want this series to be the best it can be so it's important that I get feedback! Thank you all and enjoy the new issue!
Issue 3: Competition
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Second Coming: One Will Lead & One Will Die Teaser
Marvel is certainly stepping up the hype for Second Coming. This past week they released two ominous teaser. One is an image that says "One Will Lead" with Cyclops, Emma Frost, and Magneto standing together. The other says "One Will Die" with Cyclops standing over a freshly dug grave. It has already been hinted at in interviews and the solicitations for April so this really didn't come as too much a surprise. It appears the writers want us to believe that a major leadership schism will emerge during Second Coming and there will be casualties. But given how Uncanny and the recent comics have unfolded, there seems to be little room for surprises.
First off, the image about someone leading has already been built upon in Uncanny 520. In this issue a growing rift between Cyclops and Magneto is festering. Magneto has his own way of doing things and Cyclops doesn't very much like Magneto operating behind his back. There remain plenty of reasons to be suspicious. Magneto has a long history of backstabbing and betrayal. It's pretty clear where this is going. Magneto, even though he praised Cyclops for bringing mutants together, still has his own agenda. As soon as Hope comes back into the picture, it's doubtful he'll just yield to Cyclops's authority on every matter. At his heart, Magneto still wants mutants to reign supreme and if he feel he can do that with Hope he will take his chances.
That leaves Emma Frost the odd character out in the image. What is she doing there? Why is she listed? She's certainly not one who has taken up leadership roles. Since Fraction took over she's basically become Cyclops's arm candy, standing in the wings and wearing her skimpy outfit while standing by Cyclops and just letting him do his job without any real complaints. Is this the same snarky Emma Frost from Astonishing and New X-men? Since when did she just become another Yes Man for Cyclops? That's not Emma Frost. Even Jean Grey questioned Cyclops. She also took a more active role. This just feels like a watered down Emma that writers like Fraction are intent to make Cyclops's ultimate lover, which of course is redundant and damaging to the character. Emma can be a good lover for Cyclops, but this just isn't her. She's better than this.
That being said, I find it doubtful that she'll take on any leadership roles that aren't designated to her by Cyclops. She's not going to betray Cyclops. Utopia already showed she's incapable of doing so. Fraction has so limited her that she might as well be Cyclops's puppet and it would be shocking that someone who goes out of his way to make the Scott/Emma relationship more than it is to put Emma into a position where she could actually stand on her own and push away from Cyclops. There is no way Emma won't come out shining in this way and I'll be very surprised if Fraction or the other writers do it any other way.
Now as for the image about someone dying, it's not really saying much considering how common death and resurrection are in the Marvel universe. That whole "Dead means Dead" notion that Quesada once asserted has become a joke. They've brought back Psylocke, Stryfe, Bucky Barns, and Steve Rogers. Anybody who dies in Second Coming probably won't stay dead. As for who it could be it's doubtful that it would be Scott, Emma, or Magneto. Some speculate it will be Emma who dies because the Phoenix appears to be rearing it's head again and Emma has gone up against it before. It would be somewhat fitting if she did so again and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice just as Jean once did, leaving Scott at an even greater loss. But that's not going to happen. Fraction and Quesada love Emma way too much and they'll kill Wolverine before they'll kill Emma. Could it be Magneto? Honestly, how many times has that guy died? That would be way too predictable. It appears Cable might be the most likely candidate. He's a death that could actually stick and with the return of Nate Grey in Dark X-men, that cold open the door to a new Cable. But again, that may make too much sense.
It's hard to make predictions with Marvel, but given the writing style of people like Matt Fraction and Joe Quesada it's doubtful they'll do anything too surprising. Some characters may die while others may be thrust into new roles, but it depends on whether or not they'll be willing to take the characters stay true to their core rather than watering them down for personal reasons. To their credit that's not easy to do, but for an event as big as Second Coming someone is going to have to show some humility of this story is to live up to the trilogy that it spawned. Only time will tell.
First off, the image about someone leading has already been built upon in Uncanny 520. In this issue a growing rift between Cyclops and Magneto is festering. Magneto has his own way of doing things and Cyclops doesn't very much like Magneto operating behind his back. There remain plenty of reasons to be suspicious. Magneto has a long history of backstabbing and betrayal. It's pretty clear where this is going. Magneto, even though he praised Cyclops for bringing mutants together, still has his own agenda. As soon as Hope comes back into the picture, it's doubtful he'll just yield to Cyclops's authority on every matter. At his heart, Magneto still wants mutants to reign supreme and if he feel he can do that with Hope he will take his chances.
That leaves Emma Frost the odd character out in the image. What is she doing there? Why is she listed? She's certainly not one who has taken up leadership roles. Since Fraction took over she's basically become Cyclops's arm candy, standing in the wings and wearing her skimpy outfit while standing by Cyclops and just letting him do his job without any real complaints. Is this the same snarky Emma Frost from Astonishing and New X-men? Since when did she just become another Yes Man for Cyclops? That's not Emma Frost. Even Jean Grey questioned Cyclops. She also took a more active role. This just feels like a watered down Emma that writers like Fraction are intent to make Cyclops's ultimate lover, which of course is redundant and damaging to the character. Emma can be a good lover for Cyclops, but this just isn't her. She's better than this.
That being said, I find it doubtful that she'll take on any leadership roles that aren't designated to her by Cyclops. She's not going to betray Cyclops. Utopia already showed she's incapable of doing so. Fraction has so limited her that she might as well be Cyclops's puppet and it would be shocking that someone who goes out of his way to make the Scott/Emma relationship more than it is to put Emma into a position where she could actually stand on her own and push away from Cyclops. There is no way Emma won't come out shining in this way and I'll be very surprised if Fraction or the other writers do it any other way.
Now as for the image about someone dying, it's not really saying much considering how common death and resurrection are in the Marvel universe. That whole "Dead means Dead" notion that Quesada once asserted has become a joke. They've brought back Psylocke, Stryfe, Bucky Barns, and Steve Rogers. Anybody who dies in Second Coming probably won't stay dead. As for who it could be it's doubtful that it would be Scott, Emma, or Magneto. Some speculate it will be Emma who dies because the Phoenix appears to be rearing it's head again and Emma has gone up against it before. It would be somewhat fitting if she did so again and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice just as Jean once did, leaving Scott at an even greater loss. But that's not going to happen. Fraction and Quesada love Emma way too much and they'll kill Wolverine before they'll kill Emma. Could it be Magneto? Honestly, how many times has that guy died? That would be way too predictable. It appears Cable might be the most likely candidate. He's a death that could actually stick and with the return of Nate Grey in Dark X-men, that cold open the door to a new Cable. But again, that may make too much sense.It's hard to make predictions with Marvel, but given the writing style of people like Matt Fraction and Joe Quesada it's doubtful they'll do anything too surprising. Some characters may die while others may be thrust into new roles, but it depends on whether or not they'll be willing to take the characters stay true to their core rather than watering them down for personal reasons. To their credit that's not easy to do, but for an event as big as Second Coming someone is going to have to show some humility of this story is to live up to the trilogy that it spawned. Only time will tell.
Friday, January 22, 2010
X-men Supreme Issue 3 Preview
Just one week left until the next update for X-men Supreme! The new issue is nearly complete. So far I'm very pleased with how this fanfiction series has begun. I hope it continues to blossom and I hope more support for it comes as bigger and better events unfold. I have a lot planned both short term and long term. These first few issues are critical and issue 3 entitled "Competition" is no different. Below is an extended preview if the issue.
Suddenly, Xavier stopped as his computer screen began to flicker. At first he thought it was just typical technical troubles, but it quickly got worse. Taking his hands off the keyboard, he looked on curiously as the lights around him soon followed, casting an eerie light upon his office.
“What in the name of…”
But before he could finish the metal objects on his desk came to life, levitating in mid air and swirling around his wheelchair. Pushing himself back from the desk, he looked over towards the window where he saw nothing except a bright, sunny day. But Professor Xavier didn’t need to see anything to know what was going on.
“I know you’re here,” he called out, “Come out, Erik. Or should I say…Magneto.”
The window then flew open, causing a gust of wind to flow through the room. Papers were kicked up in the wind and several books from his shelves fell to the floor. The metal that had been shaking was now swirling in a whirlwind. Through this chaos an ominous figure hovered in mid air just outside. It was a figure Xavier quickly recognized. He held firm to his wheelchair as he watched him casually enter his office.
He bore an imposing demeanor, covered from head to toe in a dark purplish body suit with a red cape fluttering in the wind behind him. His face was clearly ravaged by time, but his expression was strong and cold. His eyes were dark, having clearly witnessed some very morbid scenes in the past. They were like a window to a very troubled soul. And on his head was a strange looking helmet, casting his face in an ominous shadow.
“Hello Charles,” he said in a deep, ominous tone, “It’s been awhile.”
“It most certainly has Erik. But I see that time has not altered your choice of attire.”
“Still trying to get around my helmet?” said Erik, giving it a few taps, “You know I like to keep my thoughts private. I never did like you snooping around my mind.”
“I never read your mind, Erik,” said Xavier strongly, unafraid of the hovering figure before him, “I accept that you and I don’t see eye to eye on many key issues. But at least accept my respect for a friend’s privacy.”
The scowl on Erik’s face intensified as more metal from around the room began to swirl more violently. Yet Xavier remained unafraid, maintaining his poise as he stared down the old man before him.
“Still a man of principle I see,” he said, a strong hint of cynicism in his tone as he descended to the floor.
“I always have been,” asserted Xavier, “Even if you refuse to believe me.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, Charles. I simply don’t trust you. Not anymore.”
“Don’t tell me you came just to argue my trustworthiness,” he retorted.
“Of course not,” scoffed Erik, “I am not here to have that argument again. I am here because I have something much bigger planned.”
This is just a small sample. See the full story when the new issue comes out on January 29th! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the X-men Supreme homepage. Until next time, take care my fellow fanboys and fangirls!
Excelsior!
Suddenly, Xavier stopped as his computer screen began to flicker. At first he thought it was just typical technical troubles, but it quickly got worse. Taking his hands off the keyboard, he looked on curiously as the lights around him soon followed, casting an eerie light upon his office.
“What in the name of…”
But before he could finish the metal objects on his desk came to life, levitating in mid air and swirling around his wheelchair. Pushing himself back from the desk, he looked over towards the window where he saw nothing except a bright, sunny day. But Professor Xavier didn’t need to see anything to know what was going on.
“I know you’re here,” he called out, “Come out, Erik. Or should I say…Magneto.”
The window then flew open, causing a gust of wind to flow through the room. Papers were kicked up in the wind and several books from his shelves fell to the floor. The metal that had been shaking was now swirling in a whirlwind. Through this chaos an ominous figure hovered in mid air just outside. It was a figure Xavier quickly recognized. He held firm to his wheelchair as he watched him casually enter his office.
He bore an imposing demeanor, covered from head to toe in a dark purplish body suit with a red cape fluttering in the wind behind him. His face was clearly ravaged by time, but his expression was strong and cold. His eyes were dark, having clearly witnessed some very morbid scenes in the past. They were like a window to a very troubled soul. And on his head was a strange looking helmet, casting his face in an ominous shadow.
“Hello Charles,” he said in a deep, ominous tone, “It’s been awhile.”
“It most certainly has Erik. But I see that time has not altered your choice of attire.”
“Still trying to get around my helmet?” said Erik, giving it a few taps, “You know I like to keep my thoughts private. I never did like you snooping around my mind.”
“I never read your mind, Erik,” said Xavier strongly, unafraid of the hovering figure before him, “I accept that you and I don’t see eye to eye on many key issues. But at least accept my respect for a friend’s privacy.”
The scowl on Erik’s face intensified as more metal from around the room began to swirl more violently. Yet Xavier remained unafraid, maintaining his poise as he stared down the old man before him.
“Still a man of principle I see,” he said, a strong hint of cynicism in his tone as he descended to the floor.
“I always have been,” asserted Xavier, “Even if you refuse to believe me.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, Charles. I simply don’t trust you. Not anymore.”
“Don’t tell me you came just to argue my trustworthiness,” he retorted.
“Of course not,” scoffed Erik, “I am not here to have that argument again. I am here because I have something much bigger planned.”
This is just a small sample. See the full story when the new issue comes out on January 29th! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the X-men Supreme homepage. Until next time, take care my fellow fanboys and fangirls!
Excelsior!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Cable & Deadpool: The Original Odd Couple
In the annuls of comics there are some very memorable partnerships. There's Batman and Robin, Spider-Man and the Black Cat, and pretty much anybody and Wolverine. Some partnerships allow characters to really compliment one another and help tell better stories. Some help contrast the characters, bringing out new sides to their persona that wouldn't have emerged otherwise. Either way there are many ways that such partnerships exude awesomeness. But one in particular is very special.
Enter Cable and Deadpool, the two people you would least expect to get along. On one end you have Cable, a rugged soldier from the future. He was born of a clone, raised by Cyclops and Jean Grey, and earned his battle experience in the worst of environments. He has a dark, serious demeanor. Who wouldn't after growing up in a dystopian future? He has Wolverine's badassery and the poise and determination of Cyclops. He's the last person you would think could get along with someone like Deadpool, a man who by any measure is one of the craziest characters in comics. He's a wisecracking, 4th wall breaking, offbeat psycho mercenary who can have a heart of gold at times. He's lovable in so many ways. If Spider-Man used guns, could heal, and was nuttier than squirrle turds then that would be Deadpool. You would think that someone like him wouldn't be able to stand someone like Cable. And yet, they make it work.
The Cable and Deadpool series brought out the best in each character. They showed once again that the old ploy of the odd couple can still make for great stories. Leading up to Civil War, it most certainly did. These two kicked some serious ass together, creating a partnership you would never see anywhere else. What's more is it worked for them. These characters were able to grow and develop. It has often been said that Deadpool's surge in popularity was helped in part because of the success of Cable and Deadpool. It was somewhat of a shame that this partnership ended after Civil War, but both characters have gone on to better things. Now Deadpool has so many ongoing titles it's hard to keep up with. He's almost as omnipresent as Wolverine and that's saying something. Cable has taken center stage in the Messiah Complex story, now helping to raise Hope Summers, the first mutant born after M-Day, in the future. It has made for some great moments, but there's still no substitute for that old classic partnership.
And it seems as though we may get one last gasp at Cable and Deadpool. It was recently announced that the Cable series, which began after Messiah Complex, is about to end and the final issue, Cable 25, will bring Deadpool back into the fold.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24473
It's an exciting prospect, promising to tell the story of how Cable was able to get the infant Hope before the X-men and the Purifiers. It is a tale that hopes to bring the odd couple back together, but is it for the last time?
Recent releases for the upcoming Second Coming event indicate there will be some deaths by the end. Is Cable one of them? The man has pushed himself a great deal in the comics. He raised Hope into her teenage years and even for a time traveler, he isn't getting any younger. Will he end up making the ultimate sacrifice for her? If so it would be fitting, but at the same time it would be tragic because that would mean the end of the Cable/Deadpool partnership. Only time will tell. We'll just have to wait and see. Either way, Cable and Deadpool have already shown that no matter how uptight or certifiably crazy two people may be it can always work to produce grade-A awesome.
Enter Cable and Deadpool, the two people you would least expect to get along. On one end you have Cable, a rugged soldier from the future. He was born of a clone, raised by Cyclops and Jean Grey, and earned his battle experience in the worst of environments. He has a dark, serious demeanor. Who wouldn't after growing up in a dystopian future? He has Wolverine's badassery and the poise and determination of Cyclops. He's the last person you would think could get along with someone like Deadpool, a man who by any measure is one of the craziest characters in comics. He's a wisecracking, 4th wall breaking, offbeat psycho mercenary who can have a heart of gold at times. He's lovable in so many ways. If Spider-Man used guns, could heal, and was nuttier than squirrle turds then that would be Deadpool. You would think that someone like him wouldn't be able to stand someone like Cable. And yet, they make it work.
The Cable and Deadpool series brought out the best in each character. They showed once again that the old ploy of the odd couple can still make for great stories. Leading up to Civil War, it most certainly did. These two kicked some serious ass together, creating a partnership you would never see anywhere else. What's more is it worked for them. These characters were able to grow and develop. It has often been said that Deadpool's surge in popularity was helped in part because of the success of Cable and Deadpool. It was somewhat of a shame that this partnership ended after Civil War, but both characters have gone on to better things. Now Deadpool has so many ongoing titles it's hard to keep up with. He's almost as omnipresent as Wolverine and that's saying something. Cable has taken center stage in the Messiah Complex story, now helping to raise Hope Summers, the first mutant born after M-Day, in the future. It has made for some great moments, but there's still no substitute for that old classic partnership.
And it seems as though we may get one last gasp at Cable and Deadpool. It was recently announced that the Cable series, which began after Messiah Complex, is about to end and the final issue, Cable 25, will bring Deadpool back into the fold.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24473
It's an exciting prospect, promising to tell the story of how Cable was able to get the infant Hope before the X-men and the Purifiers. It is a tale that hopes to bring the odd couple back together, but is it for the last time?
Recent releases for the upcoming Second Coming event indicate there will be some deaths by the end. Is Cable one of them? The man has pushed himself a great deal in the comics. He raised Hope into her teenage years and even for a time traveler, he isn't getting any younger. Will he end up making the ultimate sacrifice for her? If so it would be fitting, but at the same time it would be tragic because that would mean the end of the Cable/Deadpool partnership. Only time will tell. We'll just have to wait and see. Either way, Cable and Deadpool have already shown that no matter how uptight or certifiably crazy two people may be it can always work to produce grade-A awesome.
Monday, January 18, 2010
For the ladies
Historically, comic books have always had a strong appeal to males young and old. There's just so much to love about stories of action, adventure, fighting, and attractive women running around in exceedingly revealing costumes for the average guy. This is why most comic sales go to men. This is why comics are written with young men in mind. A girl seeking comics to some men is like a unicorn, mythical yet beautiful.
But there is and always has been a strong appeal for comics in the female crowd. It just goes understated more often than not. Just think about it. In comics you have buff, muscular men running around in skin tight outfits pulling off amazing stunts of manliness and badassery. Can any woman honestly say that doesn't have some sort of appeal? You also have these same manly men doing these stunts in the name of love for their ladies. Just look at Superman and Lois Lane, Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson (until One More Day that is), or Cyclops and Jean Grey. If women like romance comics have some very epic pairings. If this can be such a draw with series like Twilight, why not with comics?
It does appear that comic books are finally seeking to tap the awesomeness for the lady crowd out there. There are already more female oriented comics like Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, but those comics are few and far between. But this April Marvel is launching a more ambitious series called Marvel "Her-Oes." Okay, so it's not the most awesome sounding name, but their hearts are in the right place. This is a comic about superpowered teenage versions of heroines like She-Hulk, Wasp, and Miss Marvel showing off how girls can kick ass. Add to the mix the teenage drama that goes along with high school and you've got the appeal you're looking for in a female focused comic!
There's only so much that can be done in the mainline series. All the continuity between Marvel and DC is hard to catch up with. A comic like this could offer the ladies a way in and bring us a step closer to a more egalitarian comic world. Awesomeness knows no gender. It deserves to be shared and enjoyed by men and women alike. There are fanboys and fangirls and it's high time we start coming together! Hopefully Her-Oes is a step in the right direction.
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