2008 Preview: Spider-man: Brand new day

So, after One More Day, it only makes sense to have a Brand New Day storyarc. Here's what's happening in the Spidey-verse in 2008!


2008 PREVIEW: SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY
Meet the new villains tormenting Spidey in ’08

By Kiel Phegley and Matt Powell

Posted December 20, 2007

Spider-Man has always boasted one of the best rogues galleries in comics featuring classic villains from the Green Goblin to Doctor Octopus and beyond. But come January, the creators behind the thrice-monthly Amazing Spider-Man stories known as “Brand New Day” aim to prove that fans ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

“Seeing this as a real ground zero for Spidey, it was a rare opportunity to introduce some new threats at a time when the spotlight was focused on them very brightly,” says Amazing editor Steve Wacker. And for a taste of the cruelty to come, co-writers Dan Slott, Zeb Wells, Bob Gale and Marc Guggenheim delve into the maniacs, murders and mob bosses that will test Spidey’s mettle in 2008.

MR. NEGATIVE
APPEARS IN: January’s Amazing Spider-Man #546
This monochromatic Chinatown mob boss takes it to Spider-Man through old school crime, says Slott. “Mr. Negative is on his way to being the crime boss of New York—not the fancy, shmancy ‘people running around in costumes’ boss, none of this Hood stuff. We’re talking drugs, prostitution, assassinations. Real crime.”

MENACE
APPEARS IN: February’s Amazing Spider-Man #549
The glider-riding maniac at the heart of the series may seem slightly familiar to fans. “There very much is an essence of Goblin-ocity about Menace, isn’t there?” laughs Slott. “It is a legacy. It is something he’s been tied to and something that always leads to anguish, pain and torment.”

JACKPOT
APPEARS IN: February’s Amazing Spider-Man #549
This near-invulnerable redheaded bombshell is a hero that sill creates trouble for Spidey. “Jackpot is very new at the game, and as a result she makes a lot of rookie mistakes,” promises Guggenheim. “She ends up making a mistake that has some pretty serious consequences.” Could this perhaps be Mary Jane post-“One More Day”? The best we can get from Guggenheim: “Hmm…”

FREAK
APPEARS IN: March’s Amazing Spider-Man #552
A drug addict who mutates with new and strange powers, Freak has ties to a certain Spider-Man mainstay. “Freak’s connection to Curt Connors [aka the Lizard] is accidental,” notes Gale. “They have the same things in common that any research scientist would have in common with a drug addict who hangs out in a soup kitchen!”

DEITY
APPEARS IN: April’s Amazing Spider-Man #556
An immortal and supernatural foe who blows into NYC along with a horrific blizzard, Deity is more a force of nature than a supervillain. “He can be heard referring to himself as ‘The One Who Walks the Black Road,’ ‘The Wayep of Kulkulkan’ and ‘The Death Dealer,’” says Wells. “I don’t know what that means, but people who see the Deity tend to agree with him.”

SCREWBALL
APPEARS IN: May’s Amazing Spider-Man #558
An acrobatic assailant, Screwball lives up to her name while fighting Spider-Man. “It’s the first time Spidey is going up against a villain who’s funnier than him. That is really frickin’ annoying!” says Slott.

PAPER DOLL
APPEARS IN: May’s Amazing Spider-Man #559
“Usually you’ll have supervillains who use their powers to make crimes or try to take over the world or take revenge,” says Slott. “Paper Doll is a supervillain who uses her power for a whole new obsession. Her particular brand of obsession will be very much fed by Peter Parker and a horrible choice he makes.”

[PREVIEW OF THE WEEK] Avengers: The Initiative #8

I know I've said I probably wouldn't buy Avengers: The Initiative anymore, especially what I THOUGHT was a pretty ordinary first six issues. And then issue 7 put the title back on the map for me again. So looks like I might keep on buying!

Here's a preview of issue 8:


[PREVIEW OF THE WEEK] AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #8
Meet Camp Hammond’s new drill instructor

Posted December 20, 2007 2:30 PM

“Killed in Action” (Part 1 of 4): Training is almost over for our cadets. Some will graduate. Some will wash out. And, yes, some WILL die! It all starts here, in the Initiative’s biggest story to date! And with the clock ticking on the first class of recruits, get ready to meet the next batch! Including new Marvels, old Marvels, at least one SKRULL, and...THE IRREDEEMABLE GIANT-MAN? Also, with the Gauntlet out of commission, just wait until you meet Camp Hammond’s new drill instructor... he’s a real Taskmaster!

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #8
Written by DAN SLOTT
Pencils & Cover by STEFANO CASELLI
Rated T+ …$2.99
On sale—12/28/07

[PREVIEW] What If? Civil War

So...we all know by now that Iron Man's side won the Civil War. But what if Cap's side had won instead? The new What If? Civil War standalone issue released this week addresses just that!


[PREVIEW] WHAT IF? CIVIL WAR
What if Iron Man had lost?

Posted December 14, 2007 5:45 PM

When a stranger appears in front of Iron Man, visiting Captain America’s symbolic grave at Arlington, he is told of two diverse ways Civil War could’ve concluded. The first: What if Captain America led all the heroes against the Registration Act? The second: What if Iron Man lost the Civil War?

WHAT IF? CIVIL WAR
Written by ED BRUBAKER, KEVIN GREVIOUX & CHRISTOS GAGE
Penciled by MARKO DJURDJEVIC, GUSTAVO & HARVEY TOLIBAO
Cover by MARC SILVESTRI
Wraparound Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+ …$3.99
On sale—12/19/07

[PREVIEW] Mighty Avengers #6

Avengers-fever is at its highest right now with me, what with Ultimates 3 #1 having been released and Bendis and Cho doing some fabulous work on Mighty Avengers! So much so that I've decided I can't wait to read the single issues of New Avengers ONLY when I get back to Singapore...I want to read them now! Hence, I'm looking to obtain all the existing collections of New Avengers in Australia...either the TPB or HC versions, depending on which one is more worth it, and I don't mean just price-wise!

That's a great lead-in to the next issue of Mighty Avengers:


[PREVIEW] MIGHTY AVENGERS #6
The Avengers reassemble and go on the offensive against Ultron

Posted December 14, 2007 11:20 AM

The shocking conclusion to the Ultron terror as the Avengers reassemble and go on the offensive. It’s now or never for an Ultron butt-kicking. How on Earth will Tony Stark survive this??? And how does this connect to the startling Skrull infestation that may have taken over the Marvel Universe? The next big clue to the truth is HERE!!

MIGHTY AVENGERS #6
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by FRANK CHO
Cover by FRANK CHO
Rated A …$2.99
On sale—12/19/07

[PREVIEW] House of M: Avengers #2

Is it time for another issue of House of M: Avengers already!? Could have sworn I bought the first issue like a week back.

Anyway, here's the preview featured on Wizard Universe:

[PREVIEW] HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS #2
Luke Cage’s Avengers battle Shang-Chi’s Dragons

Posted November 30, 2007 1:15 PM

The secret history of the House of M universe continues as Luke Cage’s Avengers battle Shang-Chi’s Dragons...Officer Misty Knight infiltrates the Avengers to take them down from within...and Thunderbird’s FBI task force, the Brotherhood, recruits a new Sapien member: ex-Marine Frank Castle, aka the Punisher! And tragedy strikes as an Avenger heads toward death!

HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS #2
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE
Penciled by MIKE PERKINS
Cover by by MIKE PERKINS
Rated T+…$2.99
On Sale—12/5/07

Bendis talks Skrulls, "Halo"

Well, with World War Hulk finished, Marvel Comics is gearing up towards the new Marvel event of 2008: Secret Invasion! I'm really excited about this, because I'd like to see who's been usurped as a Skrull and has been posing as a hero for a while now!

Here's an interview Wizard had with writer Brian Michael Bendis:

BENDIS TALKS SKRULLS, ‘HALO’
The writer discusses the lead-up to Secret Invasion and Halo: Uprising delays
By Brian Warmoth

Posted November 28, 2007 5:20 PM

Marvel brought writer Brian Michael Bendis to the phone live from Portland, Ore., today for the second in a series of Initiative-centered talks about the state of the Marvel Universe segueing into 2008’s event Secret Invasion. Senior Art Director Jeff Suter moderated the discussion, in which Bendis dropped clues about how Secret Invasion will kick off and apologized for the delay of his Halo: Uprising series with Alex Maleev.

“In my corner of the Marvel Universe, the Initiative is a big part of the story, but I’m already working on my comics for next year, in which the Initiative will be tested to its very core by this book I’m doing called Secret Invasion,” Bendis began. “The Initiative will need to succeed on every conceivable level if we get to keep the Earth.”

“If the Initiative becomes a cohesive unit, it certainly is the first time we’ll see anything like that in years in the Marvel Universe,” he added.

In the meantime, Bendis pointed to Luke Cage as a character whose life has been profoundly affected by the Initiative and registration. “Issue #38 of New Avengers is a very big issue where maybe even his marriage falls apart because of it,” he forecasted.

The writer teased that the fate of Tony Stark’s national Initiative program would succeed or fail based on the outcome of his Secret Invasion. “Not everyone who’s in the Initiative will survive the situation,” he promised, adding that his epic 2008 storyline in many ways has already begun. “Some of the Initiative may already have been infiltrated by shape-shifting alien Skrulls,” he stated.

As for how the Skrull invasion has already manifested in the pages of Marvel Comics, Bendis gave few details but offered some insight. “They already may have been doing massive amounts of damage that we’ll be aware of once it’s revealed who they are and what they’ve done,” the writer said.

Bendis also revealed that once Secret Invasion begins and characters are outed as Skrulls, backstories will accompany his present-day arcs. “I’m not going to leave stuff up to interpretation,” he guaranteed. “We’re going to let you guess up until, but when it’s time we’re going to turn all of the cards over and let you see everything.”

Suter asked Bendis to define the word “Skrully,” which the writer has popularized characterizing Marvel heroes who may be Skrulls. “If you’ve been dead and you’re alive again, if your ill-defined powers are being used in ways that seem like many different writers are writing them differently, mustaches—many things can give off a Skrulliness,” he suggested.

The Mighty and New Avengers scribe spent a few minutes on the hero who won Civil War, Tony Stark, explaining how he got to the precarious position as head of S.H.I.E.L.D. where he now finds himself.

“A few years ago, one of the topics was ‘What is the point of Iron Man? It’s Tony, and he’s got the armor, but what’s the point of the book?’” Bendis recalled, referring back to a Marvel retreat where storylines were hatched. “From there, seeds were sewn, and they started in Warren Ellis’ run, reinventing his powers for the modern day,” he told.

Bendis cited Stark as a difficult character to write, elaborating on his creative process as a writer. “You literally have to think of someone than yourself and write that,” he said. “I actually read a lot of books about futurists and inventors from their point of view and try to get into his mindset—not only [Tony], but Reed Richards.”

Ultimately, Bendis framed Secret Invasion as a possible undoing of the rupture Civil War created in the Marvel U. “If the Civil War was the divider of the Marvel Universe, the Skrull invasion certainly has the ability to be the uniter,” he hinted.

Additionally, Bendis took a minute to address the delays on his Halo series Halo: Uprising from Marvel, which is still experiencing delays. “The delays for Halo are not Marvel’s fault and not me and Alex [Maleev]’s,” the writer clarified. “The approval process with Bungie, though necessary, is very slow going, so we apologize for that. The series was supposed to be out before the game was out, but it just didn’t go that way.”

Geeks bearing gifts: buyer's guide

Hey hey! Christmas is around the corner and, as per tradition, Toyfare releases its list of suggested gifts for the movie buffs and comic book geeks out there.


GEEKS BEARING GIFTS: BUYER’S GUIDE
Beware of any advice on what to get someone for the holidays—unless it’s from the ToyFare annual gift guide!

By Rob Bricken

Posted November 28, 2007 9:00 AM

Let’s face it, Christmas has gotten a little too commercial. But is that really such a bad thing? After all, this is the time for showing people how much you care. And while we can all easily give each other a hug, how nice is it to give (or receive) a really awesome toy? Or a statue, DVD set, high-end collectible, or even a small, Rocky-themed keychain? It’s still meaningful, and it still shows people you care enough to give them a nice commercial product. With this in mind, ToyFare would like to give you a few ideas via our annual gift guide. Happy holidays!

FOR THE MOVIE BUFF
Know any movie lovers? Of course you do. Forget the Best Buy gift certificate you’ve been handing them for years and try one of these movie-riffic toys, collectibles and DVDs instead.

1. Star Wars R2-D2 Flip-Top Trash Can

(Gentle Giant, $125)
R2-D2 has had a lot of stuff inside him (lightsabers, holograms, Kenny Baker), but now you can fill him with trash! This 23-inch wastebasket can hold your used “Darth Vader death scene” tissues…or a six-pack with ice!


2. The Goonies Copper Bones Movie Prop Replica

(Mezco, $20)
Give the gift of One-Eyed Willy this holiday season….Okay, we should probably clarify that. Give this perfect replica of Willy’s skull key; you know, the one that led to the treasure in “The Goonies.” Not your johnson.


3. Lego Ultimate Collector’s Millennium Falcon

(Lego, $500)
You might have built Lego Millennium Falcons before, but you’ve never built this monster. It’s over 3 feet long and made from over 5,000 pieces—making it the biggest Lego set ever made!


4. Blade Runner Ultimate Collector’s Edition 5-Disc DVD
(Warner Bros., $55)
“Blade Runner” finally gets the DVD release it deserves, with four versions of the film (including an all-new Director’s Cut!), a disc of extras and a package shaped like Deckard’s briefcase.

5. The Big Lebowski Urban Achiever the Dude Action Figure
(Bif Bang Pow!, $16.99)
The Dude’s barely urban and even less an achiever. Even so, this awesome vinyl toy of Jeff Bridges comes with his bowling bag and ever-present White Russian.

6. 300 King Leonidas 12-Inch Action Figure with Sound
(NECA, $32.50)
Ancient “300” badass Leonidas rules with this 12-inch figure that speaks four lines from the movie and has an alternate head. Give the gift of 12 inches of pure man! (Again, not your johnson.)

7. Transformers 2-Disc Special Edition HD-DVD
(DreamWorks, $30)
Sorry, Blu-ray fans—the summer’s hottest movie is available on HD-DVD only. Watch the Michael Bay-retooled Autobots and Deceptions beat the crap out of each other in glorious hi-def, plus tons of special features!

8. Back to the Future Mini-Mates Series 1 Box Set

(Diamond Select, $16)
There might be something horribly wrong with your kids in the future, but there’s nothing wrong with these MiniMates in the present.

9. Star Wars and Spider-Man 3 Fatheads
(Fathead, $75-$99)
Got a pal with a blank wall? Not anymore, you don’t. These huge, highly detailed decals show their love of Star Wars or Spider-Man 3 characters in a way that is both classy and incredibly audacious.

10. 300 Spartan Shield
(Windlass Studios, $395)
Whether you really like “300” or need to protect your mostly naked body from Persians, this Spartan shield replica is for you. It’s made of steel, leather and brass. Heck, buy one for all 299 of your friends.


FOR THE COMIC GEEK
As a nerd, you likely have many equally nerdy friends. Sure, they have boxes of comics and a tattered Punisher T-shirt, but they surely can’t have all of these great gift ideas.

1. The Invincible Iron Man Statue
(Hard Hero, $200)
Iron Man’s been a raging alcoholic, a government lackey and now—possibly—a Skrull. But he’s still reasonably invincible, and he looks awesome in this 15-inch-tall statue, sculpted by Seth Vandable.

2. The DC Comics Action Figure Archive Book
Chronicle Books, $40)
Former ToyFare editor Scott Beatty has used his nerd-powers in a scholarly pursuit—he’s written this coffee-table book, archiving toys of over 1,400 DC characters and all their info, variants and more.

3. Marvel Zombies Action Figures
(Diamond Select Toys, $16 ea.)
Superheroes and hunger for living flesh—two great tastes that go great together, thanks to this trio of figures from the best-selling Marvel Zombies.

4. Batgirl 13-Inch Deluxe Collector Figure
(DC Direct, $83)
Remember the happier, less computer-savvy days of Barbara Gordon with this fine 1:6 scale figure of the original Batgirl. She’s got a real cloth costume, but be on the lookout for the special black-outfit variant.

5. Stephen King’s Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born
(Marvel, $25)
Before Roland was the star of Stephen King’s Dark Tower books, he was having plenty of adventures—all chronicled by Peter David and illustrator Jae Lee. It’s literary-tastic!

6. Mjolnir: Ultimate Thor Hammer
(Windlass Studios, $495)
You’d have to be crazy not to want this 42-inch replica of Thor’s badass hammer from The Ultimates. Or perhaps your brother Loki has just set an elaborate ruse to make you doubt your own sanity. Either way, get the hammer.

7. Twisted ToyFare Theatre 10th Anniversary Collection
(Wizard, $30)
Give your pals the gift of puerile humor! This deluxe book collects the top 25 “TTTs” as chosen by us, the writers, who are utterly unbiased. Yes, we’re plugging our own crap.

8. Legendary Comic Book Heroes Series 2
(Marvel Toys, $75)
It doesn’t have to be all Marvel or DC under the tree. The hit toy line’s second wave includes the Darkness, Cyberforce’s Striker, a build-a-figure of Monkeyman from Monkeyman and O’Brien and more!

9. The Complete Invincible Library Vol. 1
(Image, $125)
The teenaged Mark has superpowers and a lot of hard decisions to make in Robert Kirkman’s Invincible. One of the decade’s best comics gets the book it deserves, with nearly 800 pages and tons of extras.

10. Walking Dead Statue
(C.S. Moore Studio, $99)
Sure, it might be weird to give someone a gift representing a zombie attack, but this statue is a gift that keeps on giving—future Walking Dead statues will attach to it, creating a zombie horde. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?


Dark Tower and The Complete Invincible Library are looking so hot right now. On my pull list!