Straight Forward Reviews : Marvel Now Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2

Just last month Spider Man has been relaunched as "The Amazing Spider-Man" and shows new beginning for Spider-Man as Peter Parker has come back into control of his own body.

Writer - Dan Slott

Artist - Humberto Ramos

Publisher - Marvel

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

The story kicks off with Spider-Man fighting off villains in a way that unquestionably proves that it is indeed Peter Parker in his own body again. During the events of issue one Spider-Man tries to cope with what Doc Ock left behind for him in a big company and a girlfriend.

In issue one the story focuses on Peter explaining to his closest friends that his body was taken over by Doctor Octopus and that he's back in charge. The Avengers, having seen enough strange things in their lives believe him but also decided to take extra steps to really make sure he's telling the truth. The rest of the issue sees him learning about all the things Doc Ock has left in Peter's life.

Issue two sees Electro's return and Peter Parker learning about the things Doc Ock left during his time controlling Peter's body which includes a large company and a girlfriend.

Dan Slott does a fantastic job of writing characters and funny, witty banter. Especially since that's Spider-Man's main thing, being a wise cracking hero I have to say that lately these issues have hit a home run. However the build up from issue one to Electro's return in issue two felt a bit like it might have been overhyped. Especially with the cover showing what looks like an epic battle. The two do meet in issue two but, it looks like it did not need that kind of build up.

Art

Humberto Ramos' lines and Edgar Delgado's colors are dynamic and vibrant in both issues. It really had what could be called the "essence" or the "soul" of Spider-Man's look as it looked like it had interesting, colorful characters and a living, breathing New York.

Spider-Man has a specific style where it's lighthearted has bright colors and dynamic movement that makes it look whimsical. The art nails all those points.

Verdict

The Amazing Spider-Man relaunch has nailed a lot of things right. Seeing Peter back in his body and dealing with the repercussions of having Doctor Octopus be in control of his body is intriguing and funny. Seeing how the people around him react to seeing Spider-Man act the way he used to is great as well.

Some of the build up felt like it was too much and the issues while mostly great feel like they're a bit too thin on things actually happening. It seems it's more like just normal drama and a little bit of a fight or plans being hatched in between.

Dan Slott is great at writing dialog however so these books never felt like a chore. I wish there was a little bit more in terms of action and the like but they're great.

On top of the normal story issue one also came with a lot of bonus mini stories and a bonus issue of Inhuman issue 1. The bonus stories were great as well but these extras are not considered in this review. Just issue one and two proper.

For The Amazing Spider-Man issues one and two I give both a 8.5 out of 10.

Laid Back Comics: Captain America #8

Early in the week, I was catching up my reading of Captain America mostly due to a back-log of comics I had not gotten to yet. Cap is one of my favorite Marvel characters and for the last several years has had a string of excellent stories behind him. When Marvel NOW came about Captain America would be changing hands to a new team and with that it would also be a dramatic shift in the story, which one often sees after a long run by one team ends and a new one jumps on. Rick Remender and John Romita Jr set out not only do something different, they jumped genres turning the book into a Sci-Fi dystopian dimension jumper  and at first it seemed to work, but as the series contained soon it started to feel like it was just starting to drag little by little to sit and wonder when will it end.

Issue 8 feels though things that been setting up throughout a lot of the series would be coming to head and in a way a possible end was in sight, of course it wasn't going to be easy for Steve having to face off with the son of Zola who he had help to raise and now on the end of another major beating. It is one thing the series I do feel is positive is the never give up and die aspect of Captain America, with the major revelation and now facing off with the consequence at hand. Sadly what would be dramatic scenes are filled with the clichéd speech of a child berating Captain America explaining how awful the country he represents really is.  It is odd to have a character in this brand new environment and yet we have familiar speech coming from one of the characters.

Tension to the issue is the key, like mentioned we are slowly seeing an end in sight characters like Zola and his daughter who has seemly turned against his teaching start to face off we also see a brilliant turn for Captain and Ian/Leopold. Steven using his short time fathering the child to hopefully bring him back from the reaches that his true father has tried to take him. Before getting suddenly silenced by the big reveal of the book, which in of itself wasn't too shocking the more you sit and think about it. It raises more questions than answers and they then leading to a new issue to come out. As close to the end of the story we seem to get another chapter seems to be added on.

Though John Romita Jr is doing one of the best Jack Kriby characters and worlds here that it would be amazing to see him try his hand at other Fourth World characters. Art alone is the shining light on the book, though while we get amazing scenes with his art, there seems to be struggles in other places, the faces change shape or look fish like with side lines. Group shots of seems to run into one another.  Dean White colors also are a little inconstant, one time dull and faded then moving to bright. Sometimes they would fit with one is happening on panel and others time it doesn't.

While the series so far has started off fresh both in writing and art has slowly turned into just another weird tale of Rick Remender along the lines of Franken-Castle. If I loves it then there is nothing to say, here I am just waiting for this to end and check out the possible next story.

OVERALL: 7.0 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening writes for The Broken Infinite. Follow him on Twitter @BAClend

CoW: Cover of the Week 3/12/13

It took some time to find this weeks cover. I went through a lot of them and a lot of disappointment too.But once I saw this cover I knew it was the winner. Why? Because it just kicks ass... Look at it.

That's tank. Uncanny X-men #3 is taking home the gold this week.

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

Uncanny X-Men # 2 Review

UNCANNY X-MEN # 2
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Jamie Mendoza, Al Vey & Victor Olazara
Marvel Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Love. Love is a wonderful thing. Then love gets broken by betrayal. And there is more than one betrayal dealt with in the second issue of Uncanny X-Men. Emma really looses her shit … as tweeted by writer Brian Michael Bendis himself. And she does. But not in the way you’d think. No. Emma’s … frustrated. She’s frustrated cause her telepathy is in flux. She’s frustrated cause her relationship to Scott is torn to shreds because of her cheating on him. (HA. Karma Scott. Karma! Aka He cheated on Madelyn with Jean and then on Jean with Emma).  We get a very nice look at her relationship with Scott now. They aren’t together. It is obvious something is still there but they are not together.

            Meanwhile, we get to see the new students of Cyclops’ New Xavier School with a bitching schematic of the new facility while we have character interaction. We get a little more development of the new students as a bunch of X-Men head on to visit Eva’s, new codename Tempus, home to tell her mother she’s okay. And then we get a cliffhanger of an ending as the Avengers show up.


ART:

            Bachalo once again delivers an issue full of innovations and slight usage of propaganda. While the propaganda visuals are far less this issue, there are a couple in certain panels that work well. Yet, some of the innovations in panel work this issue really helped deliver a strong impression.
            We got great panel work that is fragmented which is a physical representation of Emma’s current state of mind. There is an order to it but its shuffled because of her powers being in flux. It is also an interesting way to visually describe her relationship with Scott.  Using 1 part propaganda, one part vacation package and one part schematic, Bachalo and the gang really do a splendid job of showing the schematic of the base in a way that let’s readers know what’s going on, add it to the main story and sell it as part of Scott’s revolution all at once.  It’s gripping to see and I am impressed how the students are taking to it.
            The new costumes are growing on me save for Magneto’s. I’m sorry but white on him just does not feel right. Red. Yes. Purple. Yes. Black. Yes. Even blue and yellow would be better than white on him. But that is more a personal thing.
            All the inkers really do a great job to flesh out Bachalo’s pencils but Bachalo’s coloring this issue feels more vibrant than it did in issue one. Really wonderful job by the art team.

WRITING:

            I like Bendis. I like this issue. Emma and Scott’s early conversation about where she’s act and their relationship was really good. It keyed into what has happened between them. It shows Scott keeping himself strong while show slight vulnerability when it comes to Emma. Emma’s vulnerability was definitely brought to bear for the readers and to Scott. Yet, that’s all who see it. It is good seeing Emma remembering that she’s a damn good teacher. And it is good to seeing the evolution of the characters.

            Magik, honestly, felt nice and fresh here. She knows she’s no good but at the same time, she wants to fight for Scott’s revolution. I can agree with it. And I certainly understand it. Illyana seems to have also grown in a good way. Which makes her reasons being with Scott all the more interesting. And her has a teacher, even though she’s the same age as at least one student makes the dynamic even better. Magneto … honestly, I am loving him right now. He was with Scott till Avengers vs. X-Men and then things when nuts. Magneto, in his own way, must feel some blame for Charles’ death yet is putting it on Cyclops. And this issue continues his Judas ways. Yet, Bendis writes it in such a way that you can’t help but agree with Erik a little.

            The new characters give fresh eyes as we are seeing a brand new generation of Mutants coming in. With that said, characterization is not a problem this issue. The panel work worked extremely well with Bendis’ story. Save for my one gripe … the ending seemed a bit too fast. Like the pacing of the issue was great till the last 4 pages.  The cliffhanger was great. The conversation between Scott and Emma was superb. The students getting used to the new Xavier School was wonderful. Yet, because of the issue having quite a few pages in the beginning devoted to Emma and Scott, the end of the issue didn’t feel balanced. Things felt rushed at the end. Yet, still … Bendis writes a great X-Men book with a distinctly different voice than his All New X-Men Title.

OVER ALL IMPREPSSION:

            While The ending seemed to be go from 30 to 90 within a few pages, the over all issue was really spectacular. We’re getting great character development. The characters feel real. The art was better this issue. And there is a building of investment alongside all the innovations done this issue. Uncanny X-Men may very well redefine the way you look at the mutant struggle both verbally and visually. Solid job by Bendis, Bachalo and crew.

RATING:

            I give Uncanny X-Men # 2 a 8.5 out of 10. Really great job.

Uncanny X-Men # 1 Review

UNCANNY X-MEN # 1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Al Vey & Jamie Mendoza
Marvel Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Normally, I would give you a brief history but the book does that for you. We get an interesting device of the issue being narrated by the person that is the Judas to Cyclops’ revolution. This was definitely a different Cyclops. Yet, it works and fits with everything that has occurred since Avengers vs X-Men. Cyclops is now an outlaw and considered a revolutionary with the mutant population booming again.
            His team scoops in to gather a brand new mutant only  to encounter Sentinels. Magneto, depowered a little bit because of the Phoenix (which still makes me scratch my head since the Phoenix attacked other mutants and their powers didn’t go gaga like his) and a now over powered Cyclops takes them down. The rest of the team gathers a young man  who just dealt with emerging powers. Not much on Magik but Eva who we saw in All New X-Men is now going by Tempus.
            Our narrator seems to be talking to Maria Hill & Nick Fury Jr. At the end, we get a reveal of our Judas. And I will just keep it there.


ART:

            Bachalo’s style has always been very different. I do not know many people with a similar style (the closest being Mark Buckingham but his style evolved differently than Bachalo’s). There are gritter inks to it but there are some definitely uses of propaganda art throughout the comic that helps give it the right feel, thanks to the inking team of Vey, Townsend & Mendoza. Cyclops is indeed leading a revolution now. And I hope this ride is a very, very long one … LIKE AT LEAST A DECADE. Anyway, Bachalo not only pencils the issue but also colors it himself. And Bachalo’s art looks amazing.
            Each panel is distinct and rich but there are pieces where things really work in terms of art that deals with Cyclops’ revolution. It is like the book continues to not only side with Cyclops visually, but shows you dramatic pieces that jump at you as if it were a program. Bachalo does not disappoint with the Sentinels either. Yet, I am not too keen on Magneto’s redesign. There were a couple of panels that seemed a bit  . .. fast. Like the opening panel with Hill, Coulson & Fury walking down a corridor. I have seen Bachalo’s work for years but I don’t know if it was the pencils or inks but it feels like that panel was rushed to get into the “good stuff.”  Each panel, in my mind, is important but that one just looked rushed or lazy. Yet, the coloring makes the panels vivid and working towards a propaganda style that goes along with Cyclops revolution. Otherwise, a solid job by Bachalo.


WRITING:

            This is probably one of the most inventively written books from Bendis. As I touched on with the art, there is a sense that is book is continuing giving you propaganda. From Cyclops’ image on the first page, to multiple panels which show Mutants getting attacked. Bendis crafts a great opening issue. He gives you the background. He sets up problems with SHIELD. He sets up this new mission of Cyclops’ yet also gives a very interesting look at it. Already, one of Cyclops’ most trusted X-Men are betraying him. Yet, we see loads of propaganda that prove Cyclops’ point visually while we are being told the opposite about Cyclops verbally. It makes an interesting was to go through the issue. It enhances what is going on even more and makes an interesting statement in the causes that Cyclops is now championing.
            Each characters voice was interesting. Yet, I find that for a book called Uncanny X-Men, we seem to have a split focus on SHIELD as well. Still, Bendis writes a bit darker here and it works. The use of propaganda over topped by the Judas’ narrative was inventive. The characters’ voices rang true. A great solid first issue by Bendis.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            Bendis continues his mastery over all things X-Men with an inventive start for Uncanny X-Men’s third volume. The flavor of added propaganda mixed with narration from one of the people that is supposed to be one of its champions was a great storytelling device. Bachalo’s art is just as inventive with interesting colors and panel work, yet some of it was a little lazy. Otherwise, I am excited to see where this road takes Cyclops.

 
RATING:

            I give this book an 8.0 out of 10. A few lazy panels aside, I loved the opening of this book and look forward to more.

Laid Back Comics: Secret Avengers #1

Not fond of this cover either

It is no shock I am a fan of Secret Avengers and I was very nervous hearing about Marvel NOW coming in as it might scrap the book for perhaps something else. But, I was relieved hearing that it was going to be coming back with a new writer in Nick Spenser and another roster change-up ; though upon reading the issue I did wonder if this was the right change to make.

If anything the book having the word ‘Avenger’ in the title seems a bit false. Make no mistake; this is a S.H.I.E.L.D. Book from the cast and the missions, which is not the only real secret the book is currently hiding. For what it is worth the first two ‘recruits’ Hawkeye and Black Widow didn’t seem interested in joining and then suddenly all read for the chance a panel later. Of course we don’t know why the sudden jump but only one of the many questions the books leaves us with as we get through it. The next plot point to all of this was that Hawkeye and Black Widow get nanoparticles that allow memories to be altered remotely. This all sounds pretty comic book super science which I have no real problems with. So in the end the missions are so secret they won’t even remember being on them or in the case of poor Hawkeye why he was in Bubdapest to start off with.

There are two things wrong I feel with this book and to start out it is trying very hard to connect with the Avengers movie using the ones who were working for S.H.I.E.L.D. Heck they even manage to make Coulson here look like actor Clark Gregg even though his first few appearances had him look nothing alike. But, if anyone is going to see this and expect the same Agent Coulson we fell in love with in the movies, we are sadly going to be disappointed. This Coluson along with Nick Fury ‘Jr.’ are out to save the world and in some way screw over Hawkeye and possible Black Widow. The reveal at the end to me seems to point to that happening sooner than later.

Spencer writing has never been bad, but never something I could say has blown me away either. Here is a book that has a lot of dialogue, and at times very witty, but low on the actually action portion.  It is hard to get behind a book that has so many talking heads and then quick action or off panel action. Art is much better with Luke Ross though wouldn't mind Black Widow having her zipper a few inches higher. I often don’t mention this and should but Matthew Wilson on color for this book did an amazing job and little disturbing job with a scene involving demon possession!

But, as the book comes to a close I felt more depressed than I was excited for the future issues. Maybe under has this been promoted as an S.H.I.E.L.D. book proper my expectations would be different and not blinded by volumes past. Here this title just lightly jogs in and stands around not doing much at all and doesn’t have much of a hook to keep me coming back.

OVERALL: 5.0 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book reviewer and sometimes video producer on the internet, you can follow him on Twitter by Clicking Here.

Laid Back Comics: Fearless Defenders #1

There was a time I wasn't sure how I could approach this title, you see When The Defenders title was canceled not too long ago I was a bit sad by it going. I Then saw this title pop up with the Marvel Now I crossed my arms and seemed to grumble at how this somehow might been the reason behind why the other was cancelled, like there couldn't be two ‘Defender’ titles out. After coming to the notion that idea was completely dumb I warmed up to Fearless coming in based on the first two characters showcased in Misty Knight and Valkyrie. Two characters that have been supporting roles in other books I have enjoyed so be reasonable the same will happen here.

The story is pretty much standalone so far, there is no lead in with other titles. It is a sight forward threat is being made and this group will have to be formed and face off with whatever it may be. Now the characters of Misty Knight and Valkyrie have two very different backgrounds and often face off with very different threats. Cullen Bunn knows this and actually plays around with the idea for some fun moments. For Misty, you first see her taking on some artifact smuggler somewhere on ocean which is something that she seemed just run of the mill for her to do. That is until rocket launchers are pulled out and used against her.

And while the smugglers did get away Misty did manage to bring back something for her friend and new character to the book in Dr. Annabelle Riggs an archaeologist who unknowingly reveals a secret that the artifact Misty brought back can raise the dead. And now Misty is facing off with several undead Vikings. And this of course brings Valkyrie into the book proper.

The opening book is very action oriented with just brief moments of exposition in between to give it a good breath before diving into undead bashing. I wouldn't call these things zombies just reanimated bones. This all seems to lead back to Valkyrie and the release of the Doommaidens rising. So in the opener of the series we get not only introduction of three main characters so far, but also the threat in a well-paced fun opening issue.

The art work though while looking well and nice, also carried with it the stigma of the female form that has been traveling around for a while now. Meaning there are moments you title your head and go that cannot be good for the spine. There was major fear with that as the series was first announced and it is a trend that we do see in the book.

The other major aspect of the book and one that got many headlines is this is an All-Female book, the first of Marvel NOW, and what was first thought of as just an all-female team, the book actually takes the All-Female to everything. Main cast is not only all female it looks as if the threat is as well with the Doommaidens. So in essence we are getting more than just a team, it could be an almost All-Female book period.

In the end the book is fun start to this new series that already has two very strong leads and is looking to expand on as the first arc continues, it is one of the better new books debuted under the Marvel NOW banner.

OVERALL: 7.5 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book reviewer and sometimes video producer. You can follow him on Twitter Here.

First Impressions: Young Avengers # 1

Young Avengers # 1
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Jamie McKelvie, Mike Norton & Matthew Wilson
Marvel Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Sometime time has passed since Children’s Crusade. Yet, the first issue makes things accessible to you with the low down on Wiccan’s powers, what Kate Bishop is doing … more like who. And more of the wackiness with Loki and Miss America, just in time for Wiccan to slightly follow his Mommy, Scarlet Witch’s, foot steps.

            Now, we got some teen love, aliens, magic and one cliffhanger that connects to the original volume of Young Avengers that will make you go “HOLY SHIT!”


ART:

            The very style of the panels and pages really works for this new Young Avengers. With some vivid panel work in some pages added to some more classic comic book set up, Young Avengers # 1 really makes a go at it, showing what McKelvie, Norton & Wilson at work. Some pages feel like a trailer to a movie and really quicken the pace yet still fit very well to the scene and overall story in mind.

            McKelvie and Norton deliver solid pencils and inks throughout the entire issue. When the scene fit it, there were more panels which really picked up the pace for the scene. It really fit to what was going on with Kate and Nor-Vahh. It really heightened the experience while reading it.  The art kind of turned me off at first but after reading the issue, it won me over big time.  Aliens looked alien, quiet moments looked real and fantastic moments were just looking awesome. Wilson’s colors really helped bring McKelvie and Norton’s work to life.

            Really solid, clean and exciting work from McKelvie, Norton & Wilson.

WRITING:

            I like Kieron Gillen. Yet, when it was announced that he was taking over as writer for Young Avengers, I got a little scared. Very few writers really did much with the Young Avengers. And while I am overjoyed that they FINALLY are having an ongoing, I was kinda worried about how Gillen was gonna write the book. The previews had me intrigued.

During Young Avengers /runaways Civil War

            This first issue really blew me away. The characters seemed really spot on from  those I came across. Kid Loki is a welcome addition. Miss America was … interesting. And just the opening alone was solid … except for one particular thing I hate about it. Nor-Vahh TORTURED several members of the Young Avengers in the past? WHAT THE HELL IS KATE DOING SLEEPING WITH HIM?! 

            Yes. I got a reaction. A very intense reaction. That is the one, major problem I have with this. Nor-Vahh TORTURED them. And I am all for forgiveness and what not but the Young Avengers have no really had any screen time with Nor-Vahh in quite a while. And NOW … Kate is just sleeping with him?  Huh? 

            Well, maybe this will be explained. Still, Gillen does a great job with the rest of the issue and leaves with a perfect cliffhanger.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            A good, not great first issue. Honestly, besides the whole Nor-Vahh thing, this was great first issue. The action was fast and furious. The character exchanges, save for the first one, seem really in character. Visually, the book has it’s own sense of style that I am sure will continue forward. I really look forward to more. If it was not for my one major grip, this issue would have gotten a perfect score. Still, it is entertain, fresh and enjoyable.


RATING :

            I give Young Avengers # 1 a 7.5 out of 10. Seriously, the Nor-Vahh thing just erked me too much to make it an 8 or 9.  Still, I look forward to this Young Avengers team.

Laid Back Comics: Uncanny X-Force #1

Uncanny X-Force, not to be confused with just X-Force, or now Cable and X-Force, Uncanny X-Force is fairly young book with only 35 issues before getting this re-launched with Marvel NOW, we get a brand new team inside of the book as well as the creative team behind it. This shows that X-Force as almost separated itself as its own brand now with in the X-Books. As we enter the second volume of the title there is definitely a different feel to it and there is one thing I can say about this issue and new direction. There is a lot of cussing and it all coming from Psylocke?!

We should start at the beginning here, Wolverine has for most part disbanded the X-Force team and this has left a few members stranded to find a direction for themselves. In the case of Psylocke she tried to be at the Jean Grey School, but certain incidents had made things hard for everyone to be there. So Logan just in what can be assumed is one last mission to take on so she can get back into the field.

And that is the only real back story you get between the end of the last volume and to this current one, other dialog moments that come up is a call back to other series like the end of Avengers vs X-Men when Storm talks about how her marriage ended. And then a tease of something happening with her and Logan which turned more to Wolverine and the X-Men, all the while they are just heading to find their contact. The script here is solid enough with well-established beats, but then while the story is progressing it shoots back to these call backs that currently don’t have to do with the issue at hand you are reading. When we are back to the issues main story it still moves slowly as another character is introduced in Puck, the contact for the mission, and then moving down to the main action sequence with Spiral and Psylocke. But, everything goes back to the cursing; it is just so out of place and obvious. Instead of using just the random characters or even blurred out the word, they are these big black boxes in the text boxes. Your eyes draw right to that trying to fill in the blank. And many times it doesn't come off a clever writing, it just cursing because why not.

Courtesy of Bleeding Cool

I am not sure Sam Humphries was trying to push the idea that Psylocke has herself letting herself go from the end of the last volume, where she lost not only Angel but almost lost Fantomex as well. She sits on a hair trigger now and becoming loose cannon. Written to try and forget the past by throwing herself into these situations.

We are supposed to be caring about what should be a drug bust of mind control pills being spread around. The return of Spiral who Psylocke would love nothing more to just kill right in the middle of this club; but the last section of the story is so fast and hectic we are quickly shuffled off to the sudden return of Bishop last seen abandoned far into the future. And then we meet back with Fantomex and his new ‘partner’ Cluster. Which has its own twist to the story that the definition of narcissism to a literal extreme.

While the story for me is something that could be built on, the start was leaving me a little cold and confused. But, there was very much good going on, Humphries and artist Ron Garney are bring forth a different feel of this book than many of the others. Some things feel familiar like the location of Los Angles, but it feels different, like a new type of underworld they are stepping into. One where a hover car traveling down isn't even given a second look or six armed drug dealers can be the center of attention and is welcomed from the populace. You want to see this more of this sometimes unseen world. That goes to Garney on the art work, with only one moment towards the end where Cluster is jumping around in a possible one of the more awkward positions I could think of. But, also it is odd to say when we get the small visit to France where is was bright and clean as the opposite where the team current was.

Overall, the issue tries to quickly set up the team players as best it can while trying to maintain the feel of the previous volume with slight or in case of Psylocke’s vocabulary manger twist to try and leave a mark on you. The art is the saving grace to everything though as the world we see is something we want to come back to and expand on. It isn't as fast of a start to the new volume as many might like, but there is a lot to build up from here

SCORE: 6.5 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book review and some times video producer, you can follow him on Twitter at @BAClend

Laid Back Comics: Savage Wolverine

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic blogger and sometimes video producer. You can follow him on Twitter at his handle @BAClend

Remember the joke that Wolverine was in every Marvel book and they only did that so said book could sell better. If you haven’t look to what a lot of people are saying about Deadpool now being everywhere and you get the idea. Lately though while Wolverine is still hanging around his appearance count has lowered. So with Marvel Now adding new titles into the mix, one that got announced was Frank Cho Savage Wolverine. I did wonder if this would be the return of said joke when not to long ago 'Wolverine' was announced  So big question was what is going to separate that title from this one. Well, for starters this one does have Wolverine fighting a bunch of dinosaurs.

Though while that isn't the main story line, Logan on going battles with dinosaurs in the book at least twice. The issue sets up two mysteries, the first being a group of S.H.I.E.L.D agents, with Shanna the Jungle Girl in tow who stands out like a sore thumb dressed in her leopard print bikini surrounded by the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents attire, mapping out areas in the Savage Land. They come across The Forbidden Island and head over to try and map it out, only to crash on to it for some reason. This is standard when entering the Savage Land.

With the book then suddenly cutting to eight months later and Wolverine suddenly what we can only assume is him getting transported to the Savage Land. Though, he doesn't really question why he is there or how he even got there. The first thing that happens to our hero is attacked by a dinosaur. Then when that is done he tries to rescue a S.H.I.E.L.D. from a group of native warriors leading to another very bloody fight. We aren't left really to breath or understand what is going on just yet with all the fighting going on. Wolverine’s dialog doesn't help either as he is basically saying what we see him doing on the page.

Luckily we do get a moment’s rest when Wolverine and Shanna meet again in the down ship. The issue takes a much needed rest to help try to explain what happened those 8 months to now, leaving Shanna the only survivor of the mission. And while the issue seems to have explained why the mapping crew’s ship crashed in the first place, the second mystery of how and why Wolverine is there is a bit glossed over, with Shanna only asking the question once.

Story wise Savage Wolverine starts out simple enough, but also a bit hazy a lot of the details and doesn’t looks like it wants to give them away anytime soon. But, there was never a time where you were bored while reading it that is for sure. And the moment you thought you would be, there was a dinosaur fight to bring you right back up.

The art work by Frank Cho is well Frank Cho, and by that he loves to draw women. He has an art books just on that. Here his work doesn't suffer.

I would recommend this book same way I would recommend say an cheesy action flick. It is pretty fun, but so far there isn't a lot of story there yet, but plenty of fighting. If there is one major criticism I do have is that this book is presented as an ongoing series but, it doesn't feel like it. It feels honestly more like a mini-series and once the ‘proper’ Wolverine title launches I am not sure how long this Savage one will last.

Comic News: It's Ladies Choice in Bunn's & Sliney's Fearless Defenders

It was announced about a month ago that Cullen Bunn will be writing Fearless Defenders with art by Will Sliney. The main plot of Fearless Defenders revolves around Valkyries vow to the All- Mother at the end of The Fearless maxi-series: To make a new group of Shield Maidens. Well, she sets out to do so and ends up being teamed up with street level hero for hire, Misty Knight.

            In a press conference held by Marvel this past week, Bunn & Sliney divulged more details about the up-coming Marvel NOW book.  For instance, Misty and Valkyrie will be co-leaders of the Fearless Defenders. Bunn stated, “If there was ever an odd couple of characters who are fighting side-by-side, I cannot imagine a more odd of a couple than (Valkyrie) and Misty. They’re fun to write individually, but they are so much fun when they’re interacting with one another. They bring an interesting dynamic to this team and immediately set it apart as completely different from every other superhero group out there.”

            Bunn focuses on Valkyrie’s quest and goes into the core plot of the title: "The initial pitch for this goes back several months when I first put this idea out there as something I though would make a good book. I think it's the fact that it's such a different approach to a team or a 'non-team' as Tom said. A big part of what I wanted to show was Valkyrie choosing who she thinks would be worthy to be a Shield Maiden. Just even from that I started really thinking a lot about how different the challenges they faced would be and how diverse the group itself would be and how much fun it would be to see these very different characters -- presenting them in a different light and how we could see characters that readers might not be as familiar with. We could see them in a bigger way or in a different light."

            And Tom Brevoort promises that this team would be a non team: with no headquarters and rotating membership. Yet, there was some word on the core of the team.

            It has been confirmed that Dani Moonstar, former Mutant & Valkyrie, will be the second member to join Valkyrie on the team. Brevoort confirmed that she will be a core member alongside Misty & Valkyrie. Another big surprise is the resurrection of the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta. Artist Phil Jimenez redesigns the character, who will be appear in issue #3 of the title and take the hero moniker of Warrior Woman. Bunn promises a new approach to the character who was NOT a hero last time readers saw her in Marvel.

            And the first major challenge is an unrevealed villain who uses the absence of Shield Maidens to her advantage during the first story arc. And while the villains of the series have not been revealed, Bunn did give one hint: "Her resources and her mile-wide mean streak is going to make her a threat for some time to come for these characters."

            And while Phil Jimenez handled design duties for Warrior Woman, Fearless Defenders artist Wil Sliney did freshen up the designs for the rest of the characters in the book. "As you can see from the covers, they wanted to keep those costumes quite traditional and they wanted me to match up with what Mark (Brooks) had already done. Where my design elements started coming in with the Doom Maidens and some of the villains that we see, because they tie in to Norse Mythology and Asgardians. I got to bring up a lot of the things that I was interested in. In Ireland, we have a lot of that kind of jewelry. That's where I was able to bring out my influence and style. Characters like Misty and Val, their looks are so strong already that we didn't want to go too far away from what we already had."

            With the all this, the Fearless Defenders set themselves apart from many other titles. Let’s see what this book has in store.

            Fearless Defenders # 1 will hit stores this February.

 

First Impressions: Iron Man #1

After months of manga and anime reviews, it seems I've been dragged back into the western world of comics. Special thanks to Frank Rodriguez for giving me a copy to review!


Iron Man #1
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Greg Land, Jay Leisten and Guru eFx
Lettering by Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel Comics



While I do prefer manga to western comics, I still love western comics. Superhero comics were my first comics, having been introduced to them through the Silver Age Spider-Man and Green Lantern comics. Now Marvel is trying to introduce new people to their comics with their new "Marvel NOW!" line-up, which is essentially just a renumbering of their books with new costumes and creative teams as opposed to completely restructuring their stories like DC did with the New 52. I haven't read a Marvel comic in over a year, even longer since I've read an Iron Man comic, so did Marvel managed to make me an Iron Man reader? Well, no actually.

It's not that the comic is bad. Merely competent might be a better term, at least as far as the story goes. Tony Stark is very much like his movie counterpart in this: he's a millionaire playboy with a high-tech company who feels responsible for keeping superpowered weapons out of dangerous hands. He spends the first two pages expositing his views on life, how he questions reality and wants to make a better future. Now if only he would shut up, because every time the scene focuses on Tony, he's narrating the events playing on the panel or explaining stuff to people that they should already know. Some of it is necessary for the new readers, but it came across as overdoing it.

The story itself is pretty standard. Someone is creating superpowered beings known as Extremis with the purpose of selling them as guardians, ala Skynet, but obviously there's something dubious going on, made all the more obvious by one of the Extremis killing someone in their first appearance. It's up to Tony to stop Extremis. It's an old Iron Man plot that's been used countless times in both the comics and movies, and it feels too familiar with not enough new material to freshen it up. Again, it's not bad, but I doubt it would impress a new reader enough that they'd want to buy the next issue of this storyline. Add in Tony's unnecessary chatter and the book almost becomes a grind to read despite being short.

As mentioned before, the characters of Marvel are going through some redesigns, and Tony's no exception. One neat addition to the story is that Tony now has a liquid metal that can reshape itself into the Iron Man armor. One of the fun parts of the Iron Man movies was seeing Tony come up with new ways to store and deploy his armor, and Marvel clearly wanted to capture that fun for the first issue. The armor itself actually doesn't look much different from his regular armor with the big exception of replacing the red paint with black. Personally, I prefer the red and gold to the black and gold, but since Tony constantly changes the way his armor looks its not out of character for him. Still, I question the color change when the red and gold is more iconic and would probably be more appealing to new readers.

However, the armor is the best-looking character in this. The comic tries to go for realistic-looking characters, but the effect comes across as stiff. The expressions of the characters are very limited; for example, Tony can't seem to stop smiling as if his face was stuck like that. Characters often have no eyes either, so the dreaded "Youngblood's Disease" as dubbed by Linkara of Atop the Fourth Wall strikes again. It's kind of an ugly book. I'm not all familiar with Greg Land's art, but I definitely think he's better at drawing robots than people if this book is anything to go on.

Stiff and merely competent really sums up this first issue. It's not bad, but not good enough to really grab any interest. If you're a big Iron Man and not sick of this kind of story, you might enjoy it, otherwise I'd say it's safe to skip it.

EXCLUSIVE Comic News: Apocalypse! Kang! Uncanny Avengers! New Artist & More.

 
In a live blog chat at Marvel.com, Associate Editor Ben Morse & Assistant Editor Marc Storm was joined by Rick Remender, Tom Brevoort and more to talk about what is to come in Uncanny Avengers.

  It has been confirmed that there will be a new artist on Uncanny Avengers as of issue # 6. That artist will be Daniel Acuna ... who did a stint on the previous Avengers volume.


"Daniel does beautiful work. He does pencils, inks, colors--the whole package. It's like getting stylized, fully painted art on a regular release schedule." - Tom Brevoort

The new arc will be entitled "Ranarok NOW" which will deal with not the Thor Clone but the actual Norse end of the World. The new story arc will feature Young Thor meeting APOCALYPSE as well as connect ole Blue Lips with Avengers villain, Kang.

  "I wanted to come up with ways to connect Uncanny Avengers to other books in the Marvel Universe. Young Thor from Jason Aaron's Thor: God of Thunder and his axe play a major role in Uncanny Avengers." - Rick Remender


    Apocalypse and Kang, according to Remender, Storm and Morse, will have met during the time in Ancient Egypt and have clear ties to the story.  Young Thor, who was introduced in Jason Aaron's Thor: God of Thunder, will tie into it.


"When Apocalypse first rose, it was during the reign of Rama Tut, Kang's scientific pharaoh persona. They have history. There is more of a relationship than we've seen, but they share a common era of origin." - Tom Brevoort

   There will also be some additions to the roster as Wasp, Wonder Man and former X-Man Sunfire will be joining the Uncanny Avengers in issue #5. All this set up works out as we are promised that Apocalypse's return in these pages has close ties to many members of the team.


"Thor has a big role in Ragnarok, he's deeply involved in the inciting incident, but that doesn't mean every character isn't featured as well. Everybody looks to Wolverine as the guy who has gone after the last Apocalypse and is raising one at his school. There is also plenty of stuff on the table for Havok, Rogue, Scarlet Witch and Sunfire. Every single one of our heroes has somebody involved in this story that gives them a personal context for the fight. . . . Wolverine is also a former Horseman. Sunfire would have been a perfect member of X-Force. He is damaged. Between what Apocalypse did to him, the Marauders, losing his legs...he's been broken. It's similar to where Archangel tried to kill Apocalypse in the first arc of Uncanny X-Force. Sunfire will be presented with a similar situation. Things do not work out well for everybody." - Rick Remender

   And while the story may start in the past, we fast forward to the present where we find Pestilence giving birth to the child she was impregnated with during the Remender's Dark Angel Saga from Uncanny X-Force.  When asked if Evan from Jason Aaron's Wolverine & the X-Men plays a part in the story:

 

"I don't want to say anything other than that Jason and I are in close contact. We have a conclusion in mind. We might get to it here, we might get to it in a year or two, but we know the end result." - Rick Remender



   And fans who are enjoying Red Skull in this first arc of the Uncanny Avengers, there was some other news:


"Without telling you the end of the first story, we have not seen the end of Red Skull. He will be in Ragnarok Now.     . . I'm in love with villains. This is a chance to put a shine back on three of the greatest villains in comic books period." - Rick Remender





   So to recap, Ragnarok Now will feature Young Apocalypse, Young Thor, Kang, Red Skull and an Uncanny Avengers roster of up to 9 members. Daniel Acuna will now be artist. Ragnarok Now will start in Uncanny Avengers #6 this March.

Comic Review: Thunderbolts #1

THUNDERBOLTS #1
Written by Daniel Way
Art by Steve Dillon & Guru eFX
Marvel Comics


FLIPPING THROUGH:

     This is a brand new beginning. These are NOT the Thunderbolts of old. If you want to see any of them, read Dark Avengers. This is a whole new team with a different purpose.And we see this team being formed. Each member of the group is getting a very ... personal invite from Thaddeus Ross aka Red Hulk. As the team is slowly being formed, we get a glimpse into the purpose behind Ross's new Thunderbolts group. Um ... A LOT of people get killed in this first issue.

   Wow. Way and Dillon seem to be off to a bloody start.


ART:

   Dillon has been around for quite some time now. He's drawn Frank, the Punisher, before. He's also done stuff like Preacher. This definitely seems to be up his alley. We have an in-continuity book for Punisher to really explore the Marvel Universe. And Dillon is definitely exploring the darker corners of the Marvel U.

   Dillon's style is somewhat unique. Yet, it works well as we see Deadpool, Elektra, Venom and more looking distinct. Emotions are easy and the backgrounds were various and colorful. Guru eFX does a great job of showing off Dillon's pencils and inks. Although with the scenes with  Ross and Punisher, I felt that they may have been colored a bit more brightly. Otherwise, solid job by Dillon and Guru eFX.


WRITING:

  Way does a good job on seeing how Ross personally recruits his team and the whys. He also delves into the impact the Punisher has had on the rest of the Marvel U; which is definitely an interesting speech. Ross goes about his recruitment face to face but each of them while they are killing a lot of people ... save for Frank. Ross uses his recruitment of Frank to help push along the issue and it is done well.  Ross's unique way to bring the Punisher onto the team was very smart and true to both characters.

 While the other members did not seem to be recruited in such a grandiose fashion ... it felt real enough. Ross and Punisher's interplay in the book will be the most interesting from the way things look from this first issue.  My gripes are because of the recruitment being quick ... we did not see much of the rest of the team while having an overall focus on Punisher. It makes sense but still. Plus, the issue felt breezy. This was too much Punisher & Ross, not enough Thunderbolts


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

    Thunderbolts #1 was a good opening issue for the new series. It establishes how the team gets together. It establishes the motivation behind the team and helps display  that this team's purpose will be killing who Ross deems has "bad guys."

   The art is good and the pacing was okay. After consideration, there was entirely too much Punisher & Ross and not enough Team. The story telling technique was okay but over all. It could have been stronger if the issue was perhaps double sized. This is a team book ... but it felt like the Ross/Castle show more than anything.



I give Thunderbolts #1  ... a 3 out of 5. Get ready to feel the pain.

CoW: Cover of Week 12/5/12

This just had to be the CoW... I'm not even gonna say anything. I'm just going to post the video with it.

Comic Review: All New X-Men #1

FIRST IMPRESSION


ALL NEW X-MEN # 1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger & Marte Garcia
Marvel Comics



  INFO:

        A lot has changed over the last several years. Cyclops, dealing with the weight of being the leader of mutant kind, decided it was time to protect mutants and turned his back on his dream of co-existence. And while having Asteroid M become its own Mutant Nation seemed like a good idea ... at the end of the day, it wasn't. Isolating Mutants from Humans only made things worse. Schism ripped apart the team. And Scott Summers seemed fine with some of the decisions he's made.

    Then the Avengers ... led by Captain America Steve Rodgers .... in all his wisdom, decide when they found out Scott's granddaughter was the next host of the Phoenix, that they were gonna take her: whether she wanted to be taken or not.

   This lead to a war between the X-Men and the Avengers ... which flip flopped in which side was doing wrong. At the end of the day, it took the X-Men and the Avengers against the 5 X-Men who became the Hosts for the Phoenix (Cyclops, Emma Frost, Namor, Magik & Colossus) to take them down. Scott Summers was imprisoned after he and the Phoenix 5 were out of control . .. including Scott killing Professor Xavier when he became the Dark Phoenix.

   Scarlet Witch, Hope Summers and the others were finally about to free Scott of the Phoenix but it changed him even further. Scott Summers completely turned his back on Xavier's dream. After breaking out of prison, Scott leads Magneto, Emma Frost & Magik on his crusade to help mutantkind his way.



 FLIPPING THROUGH:

     This is the beginning of Brian Michael Bendis' run on the X-Men. This first issue. And it starts with a bang. Hank finds that he is mutating again ... possibly a result from the Phoenix's dispersion reactivating mutants worldwide, giving way to some serious issue for Hank.

Then we see Scott doing what he's become known for ... attacking humans if there is a mutant nearby. Actually, Scott and his team find 2 new mutants. Sure. They beat up comes and feds in order to get them. And both mutants seem like they were being perscuted by humans but ...

Back at the mansion, we get Storm, Kitty, Bobby and Hank talking about what Scott is doing. Iceman reminences that the Scott of old would slap some sense into Scott of present day. Which ends up giving Hank and idea ...

   We see the original X-Men as teens. Young Hank says he is fed up protecting humans.  Just before he leaves he runs into ... himself  ... older. bigger. Present day Beast talk to the original X-Men for his big plan ... for young Cyclops to talk to old Cyclops in order to save Scott from becoming what he is now.



ART:

   Stuart Immonen's art has evolved a lot since his days as artist on DC's Legion of Super Heroes. The style has changed drastically. And it definitely works here. The pages are kinetic. The action is vibrant. The emotions feel really and almost palpable. You can tell that Immonen is having fun with this. Even more so than he did with Fear Itself. I can honestly say that besides his work on New Avengers .... All New X-Men seems to be the most his work has come to life since Nextwave. And that is saying a lot.

     Wade Von Grawbadger's inks really help give the power to Immonen's pencils. Really strong black but not too deep in inks that the book would look dark. This is not a dark, depressing book. Still, the inks help Immon's pencils give a strong first impression. Well done Wade.

   Marte Garcia ... I thank the comic book gods for you. Your colors were exquisite in this first issue. They really gave Immonen's & Grawbadger 's pencils and inks. This world is very different and alive. You can feel the excitement off the pages. The mood and colors for the X-Men of the Past and Present day Beast are even a little different. Slightly enough to show the difference in attitude and manner. Well done to Marte Garcia.


WRITING:

    Brian Michael Bendis. People either love him or hate it  it seems. He either brings horror or joy. And I can honestly say that Bendis is off to a better start here than he was when he wrote Avengers Dissembled years ago. The pacing is   excellent. The dialogue was very natural. We see the national progression of the characters we have followed since AvX, if not before that.

   This is a new world. Mutants are no longer endangered. And Scott Summers is considered a criminal. Makes you think, doesn't it? And we get to see the world quickly as new mutants are popping up and guns are being pointed. And Scott ... in his infinite wisdom ... decides he needs to help mutants his way.

   All the motivations of the characters feel real. All the choices that the characters have made feel authentic. This is truly a great start for this book. My only real gripe ... it feels breezy. I enjoyed the issue but I expected more.

 Nothing was really disappointing. I just felt like a scene was missing from the issue. I just felt like the issue stopped more than ended.  Otherwise,  great writing by Mr. Bendis.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:

    All New X-Men #1 set a new bar. Bendis has the reigns now and I am gonna enjoy it. This along with Wolverine and the X-Men and the other X-books, it is an interesting time to be a mutant. I am very happy to see that this is the start of something new for the X-Men. Roles have changed. People have changed. They are all evolving and this book gives you a front row to that evolution.

    Despite the feeling that their could have been more, it was a great start to the Bendis X-Men era. Immonen and company paint a clear picture of it and it is gonna be a fun ride.


I give All New X-Men #1 a 4 out of 5. Not bad Marvel. Not bad.

Comic News: Adjectiveless X-Men Book to End in February

 Marvel NOW has started with new titles popping out every week this month and more. Yet, with new titles coming in, there are casualties: Titles that are being cut and/or cancelled. Well, the latest book to join the chopping block is "X-Men." Announced this Friday, X-Men final issue will be #41. It will be written by Seth Peck with art by Jeffe Palo.

   The final issue will feature Storm taking a team of X-Men to find a new mutant only to find Angel challenging her for leadership. Which is kind of weird cause Angel isn't really Warren Worthington anymore (at least not the one we knew) so he's been kind of just there. Still should be interesting.


  The final issue of X-Men will be written by Seth Peck with art by Jeffe Palo and a variant cover by Adam Kubert and hits stores in February.

Comic News: Cyclops RETURNS In New "UNCANNY X-MEN" for Marvel NOW

   Confirmed today by artist Chris Bachalo after last week's Uncanny teaser, Marvel NOW will be relaunching the Uncanny X-Men. Bachalo mentioned that while it was tough to jump from Wolverine & the X-Men to Uncanny X-Men, he described his decision in his personal blog as such:

"It's me an Bendis on a new launch of the series," Bachalo said. "This was a tough one as I was really enjoying my time on ['Wolverine and the X-Men'] but Brian asked for me to help him launch the new Uncanny and how do you turn down that offer?"

  The new image teases that Magneto and Magik (or Emma) are along with Cyclops for the ride. So yeah .... Cyclops is not planning on being a prisoner much longer and considering that many of the Marvel Now titles hinted that Magneto and Magik are wanted fugitives ... it is safe to assume that Scott will be breaking out of jail.

    The new Uncanny X-Men will be "a little darker" according to artist Bachalo as well as he redesigned the entire cast for the book. This will be a decidedly different Uncanny X-Men, keeping in route with the schism that had been put in place when the X-Men split a mere year ago. The new Uncanny X-Men will feature at least  2 "new" mutants and some of the former Phoenix Five will have altered abilities. So, Namor and  Emma may also be in this book as well.

Uncanny X-Men #1 (apart of Marvel NOW) written by Brian Michael Bendis and art by Chris Bachalo will hit stores this February.

Comic News: Marvel NOW Gets Femme Fatales in FEARLESS DEFENDERS

 As revealed today after a week of teasing from Marvel, Cullen Bunn will be joined by artist Will Sliney to be the creative force behind the new, all female Fearless Defenders. The new book will feature Valkyrie and Misty Knight as leads as Val picks up her mission to create a new Valkyrior ... but for Midgard (Earth), not Asgard, as assigned by the All-Mother at the end of The Fearless maxi-series.

   Fearless Defenders will start with the unlikely duo of Valkyrie coming together with martial arts expert and former Hero For Hire Misty Knight. The two coming from very different worlds will form the core of the new team, according to writer Cullen Bunn in his interview on Marvel.com from Ben Morse.

Cullen Bunn stated to Marvel.com:

There will definitely be other characters joining the team. In the end, the Valkyrior will consist of eight team members. But this is not a book where we see the entire team, fully formed, on a splash page in the first issue. Rather, a big part of the story will be seeing the team come together logically. We’ll take our time getting there, but some characters will be fairly well known, some will be lesser cult favorites, and some will be introduced for the first time in this book.

In the meantime, though, there will be many guest stars appearing in the series.

In the end, this is Valkyrie’s dream team, and her vision sets the tone for the entire story—making it come true, seeing it sometimes fail, and learning to adapt when changes need to be made

More on Marvel.com: http://marvel.com/news/story/19674/marvel_now_qa_fearless_defenders#ixzz2BfIgpkt1

   There will be 8 Valkyrior in all but not all of them will come right away as the journey to form this team will be one of the driving forces of the book as it starts. Val and Mistry will also be treated with a semi-rotating cast of characters as they work on forming this new team. No other team members have been announced yet but here are some of the most likely suspects to either join or at least appear in this all new , all female incarnation of the Defenders:

Black Cat - She was a recent Defender and her luck powers and attitude would make a great fit for this team. Plus, she's already worked with Misty before in a short lived incarnation of Heroes For Hire that started during Civil War.


Red She-Hulk: She may be in BIG trouble but she was also a recent Defender. She's got strength and brains, like her ex-hubby Bruce. And she has a very big appetite for adventure. Plus, a Hulk on a team may be the best idea.

Clea - Once a student and even lover of Stephen Strange, Clea is a powerful sorceress that may .. . or may not be a key member in this incarnation of the Defenders.

Satana - Fresh from her stint with the Thunderbolts, if they don't have Clea, she'd make a great member. She 'd also bring a lot of trouble to the team: being the Daughter of Satan and all.

Dani Moonstar - She's the most obvious answer. Plus the most interesting. She's been a Valkyrie before. She's worked with Brunhilde several times in the past. With New Mutants now over, Dani does not have a place to call home. She's a former SHIELD Agent. A great marks man. Powers or not, Dani's a great tracker and leader and could really turn into the 3rd piece of this new Defenders (with Val as the body and Misty as the Brains)

Fearless Defenders #1, written by Cullen Bunn and art by Will Sliney will debut this February.