Everything looks super sized; the cast, the sets and even the explosions, the wide shot 18 seconds in is particularly impressive. Director Joss Whedon is keeping his cards pretty close to his chest, and the trailer shows less than it feels like it does; but he does introduce the main characters and the villain, so it’s enough to get me excited.

Oh, and if your wondering where the hell is the Hulk, just wait to the end. Check out the trailer below and get back to us with your thoughts.

The cast is great; Chris Evans somehow manages to dominate the screen equally as the muscle bound super soldier and as the small, physically weak kid from Brooklyn. Stepping into the role can’t have been an easy task, but to his credit Evans keeps it simple and plays Cap’ just how he should be, his performance is engaging and the CGI used to reduce his body at the beginning is amazing. Hugo Weaving is always a complete pleasure to watch, and here is no different; it’s obvious he is having loads of fun playing Schmidt/The Red Skull. The accent is very ‘German’ and his mere presence on screen creates an ominous mood of tension and dread. Also, Tommy Lee Jones and Toby Jones are great.

The film does slightly loose its way somewhere in the second act, a completely miss-timed montage cuts through what could have been a nice scene of Cap’ and his team working together, and we would have been able to see Cap’ and Bucky together in the battlefield a little bit more. Also, the film’s final scene does really feel like a post credits sequence bumped up to the main feature to make way for The Avengers trailer, which by the way, looks awesome sauce.

Early in his career director Joe Johnston worked at Industrial Light & Magic on features that included Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and he has brought all of that blockbuster flare to Captain America. Johnston also directed the film adaptation of The Rocketeer in the early 1990’s, which Joe Innes loves (YEP – Ed)… Worth a mention! One of the best moments in the film is strangely enough during the credits. In the final few names; Ed Brubaker, Jack Kirby and Joe Simon all get a thank-you, among others. It’s great to see the filmmakers giving the comic writers and creators their dues.

Go and see Captain America: The First Avenger, and that’s an order soldier!

Will Pond.

Marvel says:

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Ultimate Comics Ultimates #1, from the critically acclaimed creative team of Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic! Iron Man, Hawkeye, Nick Fury & Thor are back together after the monumental events of Ultimate Comics Fallout! One of the biggest villains that ever faced the Ultimate Universe has returned. But with a teammate out of action, can the remaining members save the world as they struggle to find their place in the Ultimate Universe?   Ultimate Comics Universe Reborn kicks off this August in Ultimate Comics Ultimates #1!

ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #1
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Art by ESAD RIBIC
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Variant Cover by ESAD RIBIC
ON SALE – 24/08/11

Publicity for Cap’ will be heating up in the run up to August so keep checking back for further developments.

Check out the posters below and get to us with your thoughts, Captain America: The First Avenger will be released worldwide in August.

Invisible Words

I open up Captain America 615.1 and immediately recognise the name Brubaker, I assume Marvel is pulling out all the stops for this issue and eagerly read on! The issue nicely sets up the relationship between Steve Rogers and that shield, a man who doesn’t want to take on the huge responsibility it holds but jumps at the chance to jump over rooftops whenever the opportunity arises! The pages are exciting and action packed, Bettie Breitweiser’s colouring nicely complimenting the art. I do have one gripe though, Nick Fury disguised in a latex suit?! Come on… I must admit though, I am not completely swayed but decide to buy the next issue and see how it goes.

I have to take a double look at the cover for Hulk 30.1, the guy is red! Once I get through the opening page I hit the ground running and read on, or if you’re a hulk… jumping! Parker’s writing is really sharp, never losing sight of Thunderbolt Ross’ voice underneath the red skin; who else would shout “Get out off the way trust fund babies” whilst flying down a ski slope? The relationship between Ross and General Fortean is also well handled, and I like the Moby Dick referencing title. Hulk was exciting and full of adventure; I will definitely be buying issue 31.

Ok so just a few questions about Deadpool 33.1, is it always this crazy? And also so funny? If the answer to all of the above is yes, then I’ll be sticking with Deadpool through the next issue. Next up, Thor 620.1 and I have to admit I am really looking forward to this issue, the film is coming up and I am hoping it will be a good starting point; luckily I am not disappointed. Abnett and Lanning get through all the boring plot details quickly (Asgard on Earth… etc) and move straight into the action, introducing a villain and giving Thor a clear objective that can be completed within one issue. The writing builds up the anticipation to Thor’s arrival to maximum effect and very nicely gives us a way to meet all the other colourful characters in Asgard. I really like this issue and will definitely be putting Thor on my pull list.

The last release of the month is Uncanny X-Force 5.1, one look at the opening page and the size of the team I know I’ll be making quite a few trips to wikipedia in the near future. The issue is really exciting and can only be described as a combination of extreme violence and nice looking pictures, it’s good to see a darker arrow for the Marvel bow and I like the idea of a black opps mutant team. The colouring by Dean White nicely compliments Albuquerque’s scratchy drawing style; this leads to a grimy page, soaked in dark tones, really letting me know I’ve entered the dark side of Marvel. Remender’s writing is very lean and the action moves at a fast pace, and although the attention to the individual characters within the team is a little un-even, I feel we will become acquainted in future issues. Uncanny X-Force is loads of fun; I will definitely be buying the next issue.

You’re gonna end up buying SO many comics Will – ED

In part 3 of this feature, I’ll be taking a look at the final .1 releases including Uncanny X-Men 534.1 and Secret Avengers 12.1.

Will Pond.

Marvel have been bad-mouthing your mum… And they also said this:

Your First Look At CAPTAIN AMERICA #1!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at the blockbuster Captain America #1 from the superstar creative team of Ed Brubaker and Steve McNiven. This July, the original Sentinel of Liberty springs back into action for a high octane adventure that no Captain America fan can miss. When a mysterious figure from Steve Rogers’ past returns, deadly secrets surface that put Captain America back in-between crosshairs. The next big chapter in the life of Steve Rogers begins this summer in an action packed adventure throughout the Marvel Universe, only in Captain America #1!

CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Variant Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Variant Cover by NEAL ADAMS
Variant Cover by JOHN ROMITA SR.
Movie variant available (of course there is!)
Blank cover also available
On Sale – 13/07/11

Your First Look At FEAR ITSELF #2

Marvel is proud to present your first look at Fear Itself #2 (of 7), from comics megastars Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen. The comic blockbuster of 2011 is here and fans and critics everywhere are asking “Who are The Worthy?” Seven hammers of unfathomable power have fallen to the far corners of the Earth and the race is on to see who will be the Serpent’s champions. With the Asgardians leaving the Marvel Universe to fend for itself, can the Avengers repel a foe that gets stronger the more he’s feared? The Marvel Universe’s worst nightmare comes true this May as the event iFanboy.com calls “a huge, epic story that is exactly the kind that comic books are made for” continues, only in Fear Itself #2 (of 7)!

FEAR ITSELF #2 (of 7) (MAR110612)
FEAR ITSELF #2 (of 7) IMMONEN VARIANT (MAR110613)
FEAR ITSELF #2 (of 7) McNIVEN VARIANT (MAR110614)

Written by MATT FRACTION
Penciled by STUART IMMONEN
Cover by STEVE McNIVEN
Variant Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Variant Cover by STEVE McNIVEN

On Sale – 4th May 2011

Matt Fraction is writing a comic blockbuster with movie blockbusters in mind, but it’s still great to read. With the release of Thor at the end of the month it’s apparent that fleshing out the father/son relationship between the two Asgardians is something that the film also shares (if the trailers are anything to go by). It sets up the series for old and new audiences alike, though Steve Rogers had much less of a role in this book, but I can imagine as the film release gets closer, he’ll step up to the wicket (or ‘the plate’ for all you yanks). Especially as he isn’t Captain America at the moment… OOOO, maybe he’ll start Captain America Incorporated!!

Immonen’s art is a safe bet. It does exactly as its told and doesn’t take any chances, while its impossible to fault something merely for being safe (as safe is still good right?) I do like things to be a little more interesting. I want my dragons to be unlike anyone else’s dragons, I want my panels to show more movement than just up and down, and left to right… Who am I kidding though? This is a mainstream comic mega-event. They’re not going to do anything to put people off if they can help it, and it still looks great, I’m just in a picky mood.

There was a worry amongst some, that Fear Itself would be the premature end of The Heroic Age, something many people welcomed after some dark days in Marvel comics. It’s safe to say though, that even with the real world issues Fear Itself touches upon, heroes do still seem to be heroes, and the tone does still seem to be light, and Fear Itself is still perfect escapism. At the heart of it, there is a villain whom is being awakened who will surely endanger the world. Who do you think might try and stop this villain if not for heroes? This was a great start to what promises to be a great read. One that I hope won’t ask me to spend ALL of my money, but may offer me more depth where I want it. You shouldn’t fear Fear Itself… because it looks quite good.

Joe Innes.

The music is a little dull (how many drums does it take to make a Paramount action trailer?) but hopefully we should hear the first parts of the score soon. They’re still holding out on any real footage of the Red Skull, so keep a look out for trailer 2.

Will Pond.