X-O Manowar # 25 Review

X-O MANOWAR # 25

Written by Robert Venditti, Justin Jordon & Andy Runton

Art by J.G. Jones,Bryan Hitch, Diego Bernard, Barry Kitson, Andy Runton, Rafer Roberts & more

Valiant Comics

This will be a spoiler free review.

                Multiple stories happen throughout the issue. We get a quick look at Aric’s origin as X-O Manowar to him paying respects to a prelude to Armor Hunters starting the team with the same name to the armor having its own little adventure to a small crossover between Valiant Characters.  This issue seemed to have a little of everything to celebrate X-O Manowar’s and Valiant’s relaunch anniversary.

THE GOOD:

                A lot was packed into these pages and it definitely felt worth it. We got some great personal development for Aric as we see him pay his respects to one of his fallen relatives. Venditti definitely uses loss and mourning a lot this issue to kind of set up transitions, not only for Aric but for the Armor Hunters as well. Venditti takes time to not only do more set up for the Armor Hunters event, but also gives us some solid characterization of the Armor Hunters team.

                All of the stories and segments were paced well, allowing each writer to give their own spin on things. And while the other stories didn’t do character building, they were fun in their own way.

                Artistically, you have so many styles in there that it really is a feast for the eyes. To classic comic book strip cartoony to Hitch’s hyper detailed style, there is a buffet of art that surrounds you this issue. Hitch and Bernard have the most significant portions and do a great job showing of their art. This book looks and feels fun while giving strong characterization and great art.

THE BAD:

                Nada. Zero. Zilch.

FINAL VERDICT:

                X-O Manowar # 25 was a strong, fun anniversary issue with great art and excellent story. The varied amounts of stories and extras make the book fun of value and it was great to see so much talent within the book do so many different things.  I give X-O Manowar # 25 5 stars out of 5.

Preview: X-O MANOWAR # 25

Valiant Preview: On Sale May 21st, 2014 – X-O MANOWAR #25 (PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS) |


 

X-O MANOWAR #25 (PRELUDE TO ARMOR HUNTERS)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with TOM FOWLER and JUSTIN JORDAN
Art by DIEGO BERNARD, SEAN CHEN, TOM FOWLER, BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, BARRY KITSON, CARY NORD, RAFER ROBERTS, and ANDY RUNTON
Cover A by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC (MAR141400)
Cover B by BRYAN HITCH (MAR141401)
Armors Variant by ARTURO LOZZI (MAR141402)
Throwback Variant by SEAN CHEN (MAR141403)
Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON (MAR141404)

VALIANT FIRST delivers another must-read milestone this May with a blockbuster, 48-page celebration of X-O Manowar’s 25th issue…and an essential introduction to the comic book event of 2014 – ARMOR HUNTERS!

Find out why the galaxy’s most feared team of hunter-killers have journeyed across the stars to destroy the X-O Manowar armor and the Earth along with it in ARMOR HUNTERS: BURIAL by Robert Venditti & Diego Bernard. Then, revisit the roots of Aric of Dacia’s transformation from Visigoth conqueror into the 21st century’s alien-armored guardian, as told by Robert Venditti & J.G. Jones! Plus, all-new tales of X-O Manowar from Robert Venditti & Bryan Hitch, Justin Jordan & Rafer Roberts, Tom Fowler, Sean Chen, Cary Nord, Andy Runton, and much, much more!

$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
ON SALE 5/21/14 (FOC – 4/28/14)

Comics News: VALIANT Plans Star-Studded Anniversary Celebration for X-O MANOWAR #25 – with ROBERT VENDITTI, BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, JUSTIN JORDAN, PETER MILLIGAN and More!

VALIANT Plans Star-Studded Anniversary Celebration for X-O MANOWAR #25 – with ROBERT VENDITTI, BRYAN HITCH, J.G. JONES, JUSTIN JORDAN, PETER MILLIGAN and More!


 

Valiant is proud to announce that it is pulling out all the stops for X-O Manowar #25 – the publisher's first 48-page anniversary spectacular from ongoing series creators Robert Venditti and Diego Bernard, and an all-star cast of special guests including Bryan Hitch, J.G. Jones, Justin Jordan,Peter Milligan, Rafer Roberts, and more!

Before X-O Manowar steps front and center for the Armor Hunters crossover event beginning in June, he'll be celebrating 25 chart-topping, critically acclaimed issues with a special oversized anniversary issue, bursting with all-new content from the top creators in comics today, including:

• ARMOR HUNTERS: PART ZERO by ROBERT VENDITTI (Green Lantern, The Flash) &DIEGO BERNARD (Eternal Warrior)
• THE ORIGIN OF X-O MANOWAR retold by ROBERT VENDITTI (Green Lantern, The Flash) & J.G. JONES (Before Watchmen: Comedian, Final Crisis)
• Plus: all-new tales of X-O Manowar by PETER MILLIGAN (X-Force), BRYAN HITCH (The Ultimates), JUSTIN JORDAN (Dead Body Road), RAFER ROBERTS (Carpool Buddies of Doom), and more special surprise guests!

Whether you've been reading X-O Manowar since issue #1 or you have yet to pick up your first issue, X-O Manowar #25 is a can't-miss comic book event celebrating the character's past and future with a spectacular array of brand new stories! Featuring stunning shelf covers by JELENA-KEVIC DJURDJEVIC (Thor) and BRYAN HITCH (Age of Ultron), X-O Manowar #25 will also feature an Armors Variant spotlighting the different incarnations of the X-O Manowar armor throughout the ages by artistARTURO LOZZI (Bloodshot); as well as Valiant's very first throwback cover by Valiant icon SEAN CHEN(Iron Man); and an iconic, fully painted variant cover by superstar artist TERRY DODSON (X-Men) – his first piece for Valiant!

"X-O Manowar #1 was the first issue of a monthly comic book series that I’d ever written, so I didn't know what to expect. I hoped I’d at least make it a year, and I really hoped I’d make it two.  So to be at #25 now, and to be planning far beyond, I feel very fortunate," said series writer Robert Venditti.

"When X-O Manowar #1 by Robert Venditti and Cary Nord hit shelves in 2012, it didn't just mark the return of one of the greatest characters in comics – it also marked the return of Valiant," said Valiant Executive Editor Warren Simons. "Now, with our biggest story yet – Armor Hunters – just over the horizon, X-O Manowar #25 is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible work that Robert, Cary, Lee Garbett, Trevor Hairsine, Stefano Gaudiano, Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic and Diego Bernard have accomplished."

"We're overjoyed to be celebrating our first major anniversary with X-O Manowar #25, and we're packing this issue to capacity to make sure it's the must-read milestone that this series deserves. With the Armor Hunters crossover event about to come crashing down on Aric of Dacia's world, summer 2014 is going to be the summer of X-O Manowar – and issue #25 is the perfect place to jump on board," said Valiant CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani.

Since debuting in the pages of X-O Manowar #1 in 1992, X-O Manowar has sold more than 8 million copies and featured work by a distinguished roster of comics luminaries including current Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, former Marvel Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, and comics legends Barry Windsor-Smith and Bob Layton.

Two decades later, as the first title of Valiant's 2012 relaunch, the all-new X-O Manowar #1 by Robert Venditti and Eisner Award-winning artist Cary Nord became one of the year's highest selling debut issues, warranting four sold-out printings. In the two years since, the series has continued to accrue critical and commercial accolades, including "Best Revival of 2012" by The Onion/A.V. Club, "Best Ongoing Series" by Ain't It Cool News, and a 2012 Diamond Gem Award nomination for Best Comic Book of the Year.

This May, find out why Valiant's X-O Manowar is a legend in the making, only in X-O Manowar #25 – a milestone 48-page celebration from a colossal cast of all-star talents!
 

For more information, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter, and at ValiantUniverse.com.

For Valiant merchandise and more, visit ValiantStore.com.

X-O MANOWAR #25 (OVERSIZED ANNIVERSARY ISSUE)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI with PETER MILLIGAN, JUSTIN JORDAN, and MORE!
Art by DIEGO BERNARD with J.G. JONES, BRYAN HITCH, RAFER ROBERTS and MORE!
Covers by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDJEVIC and BRYAN HITCH
Armors Variant by ARTURO LOZZI
Throwback Variant by SEAN CHEN
Variant Cover by TERRY DODSON
$4.99/T+/48 pgs.
COMING IN MAY!

ARMOR HUNTERS #1 (OF 4)
Written by ROBERT VENDITTI
Art by DOUG BRAITHWAITE
COMING IN JUNE!

 

First Look: UNITY #1

First Look: UNITY #1 – The Can't-Miss Comic Event of 2013 Starts Here!

 

Valiant is proud to present an advance preview of UNITY #1 – the FIRST ISSUE of an all-new ongoing series by New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT, Justice League of America) and superstar artist Doug Braithwaite (Justice, Journey into Mystery)! On November 13th, find out why Valiant is the must-read publisher of 2013 when UNITY #1 launches the most dangerous, most ruthless, most volatile team of heroes ever united against a foe unlike any other – X-O Manowar!

 

To kill a king…he has created an army. The world’s most dangerous man, Toyo Harada, has been struck by the one thing he never thought possible – fear. Halfway across the globe, a new power threatens to topple modern civilization and, to preempt the cataclysm that is to come, Harada will unite the most unforgiving team the world has ever known – UNITY. Their mission: defeat the threat responsible for the destruction of MI-6, the decimation of an alien world, and the occupation of Eastern Europe… Unseat the warrior king armed with the universe’s most powerful weapon… Kill X-O Manowar!

 

You’ve heard the buzz. You’ve seen the reviews. On November 13th, start reading here to discover the most acclaimed universe in comics. UNITY #1 is the perfect entry point for new readers! 

 

And contact your local comic shop today to pre-order your favorite UNITY #1 Pullbox Exclusive Variant! Featuring artwork from a "Murderer's Row" of comics brightest talents – Bryan Hitch, J.G. Jones, Travel Foreman, Paolo Rivera, and Clayton Crain – the limited UNITY #1 Pullbox Exclsuive Variants are available only to comic shop subscribers who pre-order with their local retailer. To find a comic shop near you, visit ComicShopLocator.com.

 

For more information on UNITY and the rest of the Valiant Universe, visit Valiant on Facebook, on Twitter and at ValiantUniverse.com.

 

UNITY #1

Written by MATT KINDT

Art & Cover by DOUG BRAITHWAITE (SEP131344)

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by BRYAN HITCH (SEP131346)

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by J.G. JONES (SEP131345)

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by TRAVEL FOREMAN (SEP131349)

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by PAOLO RIVERA (SEP131347)

Pullbox Exclusive Variant by CLAYTON CRAIN (SEP131348)

Valiant 8-Bit Evolution Variant by DONOVAN SANTIAGO (SEP131350)

Valiant Signature Series Variant by BART SEARS (SEP131353)

Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS (SEP131354)

B&W Sketch Variant by NEAL ADAMS (SEP131355)

Blank Variant also available (SEP131351)

Team USA Luge Variant also available (SEP131352)

$3.99/T+/32 pgs.

ON SALE 11/13/13 (FOC - 10/21/13)

Con News: Nathan Fillion Unable to Attend Wizard World

Philadelphia, PA -- May 9, 2013 -- Wizard World has been advised that Nathan Fillion will be unable to attend Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con because of an unexpected scheduling conflict. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

All VIP Tickets, Serenity VIP Tickets, Photo Ops, Dual Photo Ops, Group Photo Ops and Autographs will be refunded, please allow a few days for processing. If you still wish to attend Philadelphia Comic Con, you can repurchase tickets at wizardworld.com, email support@ticketleap.com, or call them directly at 877-849-5327 to exchange your tickets and receive a partial refund or pay the difference for a new ticket. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Wizard World Philadelphia will still be hosting other beloved crew members from "Firefly," andSerenity including Summer Glau, Adam Baldwin, and Jewel Staite. They will be joined by other standout celebrities attending include William Shatner ("Star Trek," "Boston Legal"), Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee, "The Walking Dead" trio of Michael Rooker, Norman Reedus and Jon Bernthal, Manu Bennett ("Arrow," The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) and many others.

"Torchwood" and Zero Dark Thirty star John Barrowman along with WWE® Superstars John Cena® and Daniel Bryan® top the list of celebrity guests scheduled to appear at the event, May 30 - June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  It is the third in the 2013 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Superstar comics creators scheduled to attend include Bryan Hitch ("America's Got Powers," "Wolverine"), Salvador Larroca ("Avengers vs. X-Men," "Captain America"), Leinil Yu ("Hulk," "Fantastic Four") and Barry Kitson ("Thor," "Spider-Man").

Additionally, all full price attendees will receive a free copy of the Exclusive Variant Cover of The Walking Dead #1 comic, available only at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.

 

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours areThursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon - 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.,Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html.

About Wizard World:

Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****

May 30 - June 2 - Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con

June 28-30 - Wizard World New York City Experience

August 8-11 - Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

September 20-22 - Wizard World Ohio Comic Con

October 18-20 - Wizard World Nashville Comic Con

November 22-24 - Wizard World Austin Comic Con

January 24-26, 2014 - Wizard World Portland Comic Con

February 7-9, 2014 - Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con

April 4-6, 2014 - Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con

Con News: Hitch, Layton, Cinar, Kitson, Yu & over 175 Comics Creators at WW Philly

Bryan Hitch, Salvador Larroca, Leinil Yu, Bob Layton, Yildiray Cinar, Barry Kitson Head Up 175+ Comics Creators At Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2

Mico Suayan, Julian Totino Tedesco, Angel Unzueta, Michael Golden, Greg Horn, J.G. Jones Among Other Superstar Artists On Board At Pennsylvania Convention Center

NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA, April 18, 2013 – A superstar lineup of comics writers and artists, including such luminaries as Bryan Hitch (“Wolverine,” “Captain America”), Eisner Award winner Salvador Larroca (“Avengers vs. X-Men,” “Iron Man”), Leinil Yu (“Hulk,” “Superman: Birthright”), Bob Layton (“Avengers,” “Batman”), Yildiray Cinar (“Teen Titans,” “Action Comics”) and Barry Kitson (“Thor,” “Green Lantern”) will be among the more than 175 scheduled to populate Artist Alley at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, May 30 – June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee will attend on Friday and Saturday, May 31 – June 1, appearing in the celebrity area.

The international roster also features top creators like Mico Suayan ("The Punisher," "Batman: Arkham Unhinged"), Julian Totino Tedesco ("X-Treme X-Men, "Daredevil"), Angel Unzueta ("Titans, "DC Comics Presents"), Michael Golden("Star Wars," "BSG"), Greg Horn ("Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark," "Wonder Woman"), Phil Noto (“Buffy,” “Batgirl”) andJ.G. Jones ("Final Crisis," "Wanted").  Nearly any comics character and franchise imaginable are represented by at least one, and usually more, of these talented men and women.

In addition to displaying some of their best work at the event, most creators at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con will be available for commissions.  Many will also take part in four full days of Creator Spotlights and a wide variety of other panel programming focusing on the comics industry, to be announced in the coming weeks.

Other special guest creators scheduled to attend are Tyler Kirkham (“Superboy,” “Ultimate FF”), Doug Sneyd(“Playboy”), Mark Texeira (“The Punisher,” “Black Panther”),Tom Raney (“AVX: Consequences,” “Deadpool”) and recent Eisner Award nominee Ryan Inzana (“Johnny Jihad,” “Ichiro”).

Celebrities featured at Philadelphia Comic Con include “Castle” star Nathan Fillion, fellow “Serenity” and Firefly headliner Summer Glau, “Star Trek's” William Shatner, WWE® Superstars John Cena® and Daniel Bryan® and “The Walking Dead” trio of Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker and Jon Bernthal.

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, comics, toys, video gaming, television, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.  Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con show hours are Thursday, May 30, 3-8 p.m.; Friday, May 31, noon – 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2013 Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-pa.html.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2013-14 DATES *****
May 30 - June 2 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
June 28-30 – Wizard World New York City Experience
August 8-11 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 20-22 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
October 18-20 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
November 22-24 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
January 24-26, 2014 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9, 2014 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
April 4-6, 2014 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con

Laid Back Comics: Age of Ultron #1

It took a little bit longer than we all first thought, and I am sure longer than Marvel wanted it to start with, but Age of Ultron has finally made it to print after first getting teased back in 2012 on Free Comic Book Day and also in Avengers #12.1. What was a bit of a mystery to the story of the book and how this would connect into the Marvel Universe in another major shakeup event or would possible be a standalone possible story line like Age of Apocalypse back in the day? It turns out that it is more the former while also adding a little bit of the latter to this mix. Before the issue hit the stands there wasn't very much to know about the story other than a simple premises that Ultron Won. And if you get that the first issue of the series just goes straight into this world without really stopping to let you in on the when and how that happened.

One of the things to take away from this first issue is just how lucid it is, Bendis is often criticized for being able to only write a book of talking heads issue in and issue out. Here though he seems to show he can add in straight forward action from page to page. Without disheveled Hawkeye running into a building to rescues a teammate and friend in Spider-Man, Which version of Spider-Man classic Pete or newer Octo-Pete is yet to be determined. With Hitch able to draw out the action in such wonderful ways. Hitches art also lends well to the environment around the city given off the destroyed world and mixed with the techno metropolis that is replacing some of it around.

In an odd twist though while the setup lay out, and action of the book makes for the book to be an enjoyable read, the fact I wouldn't mind some back story to how and why this happened would be a bit refreshing as well. So far a lot of information about this world is in the dark, if issue one is just the hook to the series one can hope some questions will be answered in the upcoming ones as well.

There is also a lot of choices in the art work as well, She-Hulks extremely short hair, Tony’s Tron look, 

Wolverines as well. The body scanning to see if they are 'clean'. All of this might leave a reader more than a little confused on what is going on and what suppose to be going on. 

This might all just point to this to this alternate time line story that is being built and might just be one and done items for this time line. The biggest problem is this newest event could all be too much too soon.  From so short of time since Avenger’s vs. X-Men, to the Marvel NOW launches, one could easily get overwhelmed by such a massive event going on right now. But, that could be all for nothing though, if this just alternate time, once it is done it might just be something to look back on much like Age of apocalypse. All in all it is a good read with just a few blank spots that needed to be explored as the series continues.

OVERALL 7.0 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening writes for Broken Infinite as a comic reviewer. You can follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Image Gives 20 First Issues Of Their Titles ... FOR FREE!

   Announced today from Image Comics, the company has decided to release 20 of the first issues and/or jump on points of their best selling titles on Comixology. The kicker here is that these titles will be for FREE! Yep. FREE for digital. These titles are the shining examples of Image's current Indie Comics Renaissance. And just to add to the incentive of these new titles ... they will be free digitally ... PERMANENTLY. Yes.

 The titles apart of this initiative are as follows:

Fatale
Thief of Thieves
Saga
The Manhattan Project
Mind the Gap
Alpha Girl
Creator Owned Heroes
Hell Yeah
Danger Club
Hoax Hunters
Peter Panzerfaust
Epic Kill
Secret
America's Got Powers
Planetoid
No Place Like Home
Grim Leaper
Dancer
Prophet
Glory

  Once again, this move, alongside the recent announcements that Ed Brubaker, Grant Morrison and even Rob Liefield will be dealing with indy books for the foreseeable future, Image is looking to beat out the Big Two. And from recent sales and indicators ... they just might do it.

NEWS EDITION #21 - IGLE LEAVES DC, HITCH JUMPS FROM MARVEL TO GIVE AMERICA POWERS,

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome to the first News Edition of 2012. CBC is back, we're rest and ready to give your town a wedgie again!!

And Now, the News.


IGLE LEAVING DC 

    by Frankie Rodriguez 

    We start the new year off with some interesting news. In a time where exclusive contracts for creators in comics has become commonplace, announcements of talent getting exclusive contracts is news. Yet, now we are hearing news about contracts ending making headlines: such as this and our next story.

   Jamal Igle, for the last seven years, has become synomous with DC Comics; handling many of the characters and properties over the years. Yet, it seems that his contract with DC has come to an end and, according to an announcement on his blog on Monday, he is moving on.

The following is from his personal blog (Jamal Igle):

As of last Saturday, I am no longer exclusive to DC Entertainment/ Warner Bros.

Frankly, this has been a long time coming,While I was very happy for many years to be exclusive, There comes a time when you're ready to move on. There's no animosity, in fact just the opposite. I've never been calmer or more centered than I have since I made this decision. I was forced to turn down a lot of outside opportunities while I was exclusive because I was so busy that I couldn't take them on or contractually unable to do them.

  And now, Igle is lining up new projects as well as taking commissions. What fresh, new characters will Igle play with? Only time will tell. And as he is taking private commissions, if you got the money, this is the time to catch him. Igle has made it clear that he's leaving DC on good terms but this is something that he wants to do. So, Igle has ended one chapter of his life. CBC and other Igle fans will be watching him closely to see what the artist has planned next.



HITCH DEPARTS MARVEL TO GIVE AMERICA POWERS

by Frankie Rodriguez

   As mentioned earlier, Bryan Hitch is another artist leaving, ending his own exclusive contract. After a decade with Marvel, Hitch is moving on. Yet, confirmed by Brian Michael Bendis, Hitch is leaving the same way he came in . . . with amazing visuals. Bendis stated that Hitch is leaving with his portion of the upcoming "Ultron War" storyline completely finished. The storyline is slated to be the final storyline of Bendis's run on the Avengers books as well as Hitch's Swansong for Marvel.

Bendis commented on Hitch's departure in his (Bendis's) message boards:

   I have known about bryan’s plans for months and tom and i were prepared. bryan has done AMAZING work on ultron war and is leaving marvel on a very high note. he leaves the book with his part of the story completely complete.

  So, with the end of Hitch's incredible run on Marvel: which included doing the first 2 Ultimates series, a run on Fantastic Four and last years Avengers 12.1 issue which ties directly into the Ultron War, what is next for the artist.  

   Hitch teams with writer Jonathan Ross for a brand new series called America's Got Powers. In the series, it has heroes with super powers trying out to make it into the world's only super hero team. The main focus will be around six individuals, 3 women and 3 men while still having a plethora of other interesting characters who will audition, much like American Idol here.  The new book is slated to hit stores in April from Image Comics; as announced via Twitter. America's Got Powers #1 written by Jonathan Ross with art by Bryan Hitch from Image Comics will hit stores in April.



FLASH'S BUCCELLATO STRIKES IT ON HIS OWN WITH FOSTER

by Frankie Rodriguez

   Brian Buccellato and Flash partner Francis Manapul have gotten a lot of critcal acclaim for their current run on the Flash. Yet, while Flash has been a great undertaking, Buccellato is branching out even more. He and artist Noel Tuazon will be hitting comic selves with his self published book, Foster.
 
   Foster features the story of a tortured hero saving a child and understanding what it means to be a father while mixed horror. The premise of this story was seeded by former Flash Writer & DC CCO Geoff Johns who told the writer to "write what you know." Thus, this laid seed to the birth of Foster which takes two things the writer knows well: horror and fatherhood. And not only is Buccellato writing the book, which is starting out as a 6 issue miniseries; but he is also self publishing the book.

  Foster opens where Eddie Foster is a war veteran who just wants to forget his past; using liquor to do so. As Foster tries to move from his past, he becomes guardian to a young 6 year old named Ben. Yet, Ben is special as to the fact that he is a half super natural creature, half human being that is among one of the few left. Because of this dubious distinction, Foster must do his best to protect his new 'son.' This creates, according to Buccellato, a great story about a father and son who are dealing with demons: both within and with out.

 The creative owned book will debut it's first issue during the Amazing Arizona Comic Convention. Buccellato hopes that strong enough sales of the 6 issue miniseries will garner an ongoing. Buccellato's Foster will only have a limited 500 print run for issue #1 and then will be solicited by Diamond once issue #2 is done.


VIDEO OF THE WEEK



AMERICAN VAMPIRE TRAILER

American Vampire Trailer. Interesting way to start the new year. Unfortunately, I cannot show what I was gonna originally post. If you are curious though, follow me on facebook (Francisco K Rodriguez) or twitter SeraphSantana. Yay.


NOW ON J1STUDIOS.COM:

 SPIN DASH AUDIO
   The new Sonic Remix album just in time to celebrate with Sonic Generations. Now Available for FREE download at J1 Studios; by Shinigami & Forafire! GET IT . . . TODAY!!! That is all for this week. Make sure you turn into:

Black Tribbles
 You can tune in live or you can go on podomatic or itunes & download them weekly . Features J1 studios very own CEO, Jason Richardson as Spider Tribble.