The story so far… first director Darren Aronofsky was all signed on, the script was coming together (Logan was heading to Japan) and shooting was set to begin around spring this year, but then due in part to the environmental crisis in Japan and Aronofsky’s worries about being away from his family for a long period of time, he pulled out and the production was back to square one. Loads of potential names were then thrown around as a replacement, including Duncan Jones (Moon) and Mark Romenak (Never Let Me Go) but now Fox have revealed that neither of them will take the director’s chair, that honour will be taken by James Mangold.

Mangold has worked in a variety of genres including action adventure (Knight and Day), character drama (Walk the Line) and even Stallone action (Copland… it’s a genre!) so I will be interested to see what he brings to the table. Also, Jackman has let slip that production is going to begin this autumn, so the film will most likely be hitting cinema screens late summer 2012.

I wasn’t a massive fan of the first Wolverine spin off so I’m hoping Mangold and Jackman will really up the game for the sequel, keep checking back to GCB for all the latest Wolverine 2 news.

Oh and since I couldn’t find any related photos to go with this news piece, I attached a photo of Jackman looking ripped whilst preparing for the role back in February.

LOOK AT THAT NECK!

Will Pond.

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Wolverine #10, part one of “Wolverine’s Revenge!” from superstar writer Jason Aaron and acclaimed artist Renato Guedes! It’s a claws and carnage-fueled kill spree as Logan sets out for retribution on the Red Right Hand! What are the secrets of this shadowy council and why would they target the world’s most dangerous mutant? Can anything spare them from Wolverine’s unforgiving rage? Find out this June as Logan cuts the secrets out of the men who sent him to Hell as he begins a mission without mercy, only in Wolverine #10!

WOLVERINE #10
Written by JASON AARON
Penciled by RENATO GUEDES
Cover by JAE LEE
On Sale – 08/06/11

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at chapter one of the Dark Angel Saga – beginning in this June’s Uncanny X-Force #11, from superstars Rick Remender, Mark Brooks and Dean White!  Warren Worthington is no more… there is only Archangel!  As their leader succumbs to the darkness within him, Uncanny X-Force has only one place left to turn for a cure – the Age of Apocalypse! But before they can find the one thing that can save their friend, the Uncanny X-Force must battle the Amazing X-Men! The next big X-Force epic begins here and no member of Wolverine’s black ops squad will escape unscathed.

Now is the a time to find out why fans and critics agree – Uncanny X-Force is redrawing the boundaries of the Marvel Universe one issue at a time!

“Five stars… Uncanny X-Force is one of the subversively smartest books Marvel puts out…” – Ryan K. Lindsay, ComicBookResources.com

“Rick Remender’s revamped X-Force series is streamlined, violent, hilarious, and operating at breakneck speed.” – Jesse Schedeen, IGN.com

“[E]xactly the kind of comic book I’d like to see more of.” – David Pepose, Newsarama.com

“Uncanny X-Force is one of the best and ballsiest mainstream comics in ages…” – Rafael Gaitan, ComicsBulletin.com

The viscera-strewn, smash hit comics sensation of 2011 enters its most devastating story yet when the Dark Angel Saga launches this June, only in Uncanny X-Force #11!

UNCANNY X-FORCE #11
UNCANNY X-FORCE #11 BROOKS VARIANT
Written by RICK REMENDER
Penciled by MARK BROOKS
Cover by ESAD RIBIC
Variant Cover by MARK BROOKS
On Sale – 01/06/11

Join John Paul De Quay, William Pond and Joe Innes in some idle chit chat!

Discussion topics include:

To tie in with a landmark issue number, the first release was The Invincible Iron Man 500.1 and I’ve got to say it was a disappointment, writer Matt Fraction provided a basic first person re-telling of Tony Stark’s entire life story. Apart from running over a few helpful plot points and setting up familiar adversaries ( The Mandarin) the issue didn’t offer much more than a simple search on Wikipedia could provide, and it only takes one viewing of Jon Favreau’s Iron Man to find out Tony Stark has major issues with booze and woman. I think Fraction failed to provide the springboard Marvel set out to provide with the point one releases, the end two preview pages did more to persuade me to buy the next issue than anything.

ED – Yeah, this put me off Iron Man a lot, which is a shame because #500 was a great jumping on point…

Just from the cover art I became interested in the next point one, Wolverine 5.1. Whilst at first I was worried Jason Aaron might rely on the lazy inner monologue technique used in Iron Man, these fears were immediately dashed as Aaron set up a double narrative between Logan fighting cannibal hillbillies and his girlfriend setting up a surprise birthday party! Aaron used the situation and action to convey the character rather than dialogue heavy exposition, the issue was violent but still comedic, and the artwork was interesting and nicely coloured; we even met further characters in the Marvel universe (we’ll be coming to Deadpool next time!) An epilogue set up the narrative for the next issue and left me wanting to find out where Logan might be heading…

ED – HELL! Didn’t tell you that did it?

The February releases finished with the highest issue number point one, The Amazing Spiderman 654.1. Once I got over the fact that Peter Parker is not the primary character in this issue (Didn’t I just see him on the cover?) I enjoyed it. The use of panels within the pages are really kinetic and the plot points exciting; The spy and espionage elements to the narrative were even reminiscent of classic James Bond (Flash Thompson very quickly ends up putting on a tux and uses dance to get close to a
girl, it’s Sean Connery in a Venom Symbiote!). Although the end two preview pages did interest me enough to continue reading, I was left wondering why Spiderman only now takes over the narrative drive, and who will have it in issue 655?

ED - I thought it was more a Venom 0 than a Spiderman.1. I guess they figured noone really needs a jumping on point for Spiderman. Not surprised you were confused though, they just used the issue to get people to buy Venom #1.

In part 2 of the point one feature, I’ll take a look at the March releases, including Hulk 30.1, Deadpool 33.1 and Uncanny X-Force 5.1.

Will Pond.

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.

Daniel Acuna does good drawings, Jason Aaron writes good words, and the cover by Jae Lee is excruciatingly beautiful, I’m sold.

Released on the 20th April, 2011

Congratulations, you’ve found the hidden message.

Fear Itself is released on the 6th April 2011.

Marvel Says:

Marvel is proud to debut the sensational cover to Fear Itself #1 (of 7), from superstar artist Steve McNiven! Prepare to fear tomorrow as comic luminaries Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen deliver the most anticipated event of 2011, kicking off in a colossal 56 page first issue! From the halls of Avengers Tower to the spires of Asgard, the entire Marvel Universe is about to enter a waking nightmare and no show of force, no attempt to reason, not even unconditional surrender can ever undo the damage done.

As Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Iron Man and the rest of Earth’s mightiest heroes find themselves drafted into an eons-old war, will they have the combined resolve to combat their own worst fears personified? Can their loved ones and teammates escape from under the boot heel of Sin, the new Red Skull? And just what secret do her perverse plans share with the endless abyss beneath the Rainbow Bridge? Extinguish all hope because, this April, the Marvel Universe changes forever, only in Fear Itself #1 (of 7)!

Joe Read

After collecting every part of the twenty-five-issue run of Astonishing X-Men by Joss Whedon and John Cassady I decided that it was possibly the greatest run of any creative team in the history of the X-Men.

Let me qualify that. The true function of the X-Men has never been very clear to me. One minute they seem to be super-powered aid workers, the next they’re mutant rights activists and sometimes it’s like watching an episode of Teachers with less swearing and more explosions. As Cyclops puts it, ‘We’ve been taking it on the chin so long, just trying to keep from being wiped out, I think we’ve forgotten that we have a purpose.’ Whedon gave this purpose back to the X-Men. From the first issue they launch themselves as a team of superheroes and that is what they remain in spite of a great many obstacles. Each member of this team gets their moment in the spotlight but there is just as much emphasis placed on showing the full force of their powers combined. In this way we’re reminded how their experiences have shaped and earned them their place among other heroes. We also see relationships within the team develop rather than being kept on a loop for convenience. This results in uncomfortable, moving and sometimes hilarious exchanges.

The versatility of John Cassady’s artwork is incredible. Each story arc presents a fresh threat for the X-Men and his style adapts perfectly to each one. Panels are at once bold, energetic and filled with subtlety. As the series begins in clinical, stark surroundings and gradually builds into a gigantic space opera, Cassady never fails to impress with the consistent high quality brought to every issue.

I don’t mean to disrespect any previous interpretations of the X-Men through my praise. A crucial part of Whedon’s success in this run is the sense of nostalgia he creates. There are countless nods made to the early work of Chris Claremont in particular, from the impending intergalactic threat to the climactic sacrifice of a teammate. Respect is paid in full through bright costumes and elements of romance but kept grounded by snappy dialogue and contemporary themes.

I can’t praise this run highly enough and I thoroughly recommend it to everyone.

Joe Innes

I, unlike the other Joe, did not hunt down every issue to this run. Instead I just purchased the hardcover omnibus, it looks fantastic on my shelf.

I’ve been a fan of Joss Whedon, like most people, since Buffy The Vampire Slayer. His writing was sharp, snappy and full of pop culture references, it’s always been a cup of my tea. In Astonishing, those writing skills breathe new life into some ageing archetypes. You know the guy was having fun writing it, and you know he did his homework for it, and you know he was thinking “I can’t believe I’m writing X-Men, I have the best job in the whole Fing world”.

The characters in Astonishing are incredibly well fleshed out. Whedon spends time with seemingly insignificant ‘newbie’ characters to brilliant effect, when they’re struck with tragedy or given a chance to stand their ground you really feel for them just as much as you would for Beast or Wolverine. The classic characters are familiar, but Whedon plays with them enough to shed light on personality traits that haven’t fully been explored. Beast cracks at least two Star Wars jokes, showing him to have an awesome sense of geek humour, and Kitty Pryde is made into a fantastic female role model, incredibly strong willed and with a hilarious distaste for Emma Frost’s wardrobe. He handles stuff like love and evil with a very grey brush, which is always good to see, and sex is well portrayed without being smutty or exploitative or anything.

The stories are incredibly compelling. My favourite episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation were always set in the holo-deck. I think Whedon gets that because he takes the idea of a sentient danger room and just runs all the way with it. The arcs are perfectly planned, with smaller stories all coming together to make a big picture. The set-up is subtle, the problem is big and the solution makes sense, all fitting together like a big awesome puzzle. The stuff Joss Whedon brings to the table is still echoing through Uncanny X-Men right now, which is a testament to how good his ideas are.

So yeah, Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men is awesome, one of the best runs of its kind. Now I need to read Grant Morrison’s run… I love my life.

Jokes we couldn’t fit into this article: The front cover of Giant Size Astonishing #1 looks like X-Men Lemmings. Teenage Mutant Suicide (Don’t Do It).

X-Men Lemmings