This March writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Steve Epting unveil the first issue of FF!
Following on from the traumatic events of Three, this sees a new direction for Marvel's First Family.
New friends and foes gather as the World's Greatest Comic Magazine enters its second half-century.
Covers are supplied by Steve Epting, Daniel Acuna and Marko Djurdjevic with a classic artist cover to be announced.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
SPIDEY GETS ANOTHER NEW COSTUME
After the black costume of the 80s and the red and gold outfit of the Civil War era, Spidey dons new threads in March.
In the 40-page Amazing Spider-Man 656 from writer Dan Slott and artist Marcos Martin, Spidey steps out in a black and yellow powered costume as he takes the fight to a deadly new foe called Massacre.
The new costume is a pleasing blend of Ditko quirkiness and the sleek contours of the outfits worn in Tron Legacy.
In issue 657, Spidey considers the shocking ending to Three, the dramatic storyline running in the pages of Fantastic Four.
In the 40-page Amazing Spider-Man 656 from writer Dan Slott and artist Marcos Martin, Spidey steps out in a black and yellow powered costume as he takes the fight to a deadly new foe called Massacre.
The new costume is a pleasing blend of Ditko quirkiness and the sleek contours of the outfits worn in Tron Legacy.
In issue 657, Spidey considers the shocking ending to Three, the dramatic storyline running in the pages of Fantastic Four.
MARVEL LAUNCH A CAP SPECTACULAR
With his movie exploding in cinemas this summer Captain America is gearing up to show there's no stopping the star-spangled hero.
This year is Cap's 70th anniversary and the Sentinel of Liberty's avalanche of titles begins in March with issue 615.1 of his ongoing series.
Described as the perfect jumping-on point, this issue sees the climax of the Trial of Captain America. Who will assume the red, white and blue after the dust has settled? New Cap aka Bucky Barnes or Steve Rogers?
The drama continues in issue 616 as both Steve Rogers and Bucky deal with the aftermath of the trial.
This issue is written by Ed Brubaker, veteran Howard Chaykin, Mike Benson, Frank Tieri, Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel. Art is from Butch Guice, Chaykin and Paul Grist all behind a cinematic Travis Charest cover.
As well as the main story, there is a tale set in the final days of WWII plus more of Steve Rogers: Super Soldier and the Secret Avengers. This 104-page issue ships in March.
The anniversary celebrations continue with Captain America and Falcon, a 40-page comic from Brit writer Rob Williams with pencils from Rebekah A Isaacs. Greg Tocchini supplies the cover artwork.
Sam Wilson, the Falcon, has been many things in his life: a hero, an activist and an Avenger. Now when an old friend's son becomes involved in gang warfare, Sam must confront his own past to save the boy.
Another 40-page title is Captain America and Batroc, written by Kieron Gillen with art by Renato Arlem. Greg Tocchini again provides cover art. Batroc the Leaper once again locks horns with Cap in this title.
In Captain America and the Secret Avengers, from Kelly Sue Deconnick and Greg Tocchini, the Black Widow and Agent 13 team up to stop a young girl from murdering her headmistress.
This 40-page book which goes on sale in March sees New York rocked by gals with guns a-blazin'!
Captain America was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in 1941. He was revived by Stan Lee in 1964.
His cinema career started in 1943 with a chapterplay serial. Two TV movies came in the late 70s and early 80s. Cap's first shot at the silver screen came in 1990 with a lacklustre film directed by Albert Pyun.
This year is Cap's 70th anniversary and the Sentinel of Liberty's avalanche of titles begins in March with issue 615.1 of his ongoing series.
Described as the perfect jumping-on point, this issue sees the climax of the Trial of Captain America. Who will assume the red, white and blue after the dust has settled? New Cap aka Bucky Barnes or Steve Rogers?
The drama continues in issue 616 as both Steve Rogers and Bucky deal with the aftermath of the trial.
This issue is written by Ed Brubaker, veteran Howard Chaykin, Mike Benson, Frank Tieri, Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel. Art is from Butch Guice, Chaykin and Paul Grist all behind a cinematic Travis Charest cover.
As well as the main story, there is a tale set in the final days of WWII plus more of Steve Rogers: Super Soldier and the Secret Avengers. This 104-page issue ships in March.
The anniversary celebrations continue with Captain America and Falcon, a 40-page comic from Brit writer Rob Williams with pencils from Rebekah A Isaacs. Greg Tocchini supplies the cover artwork.
Sam Wilson, the Falcon, has been many things in his life: a hero, an activist and an Avenger. Now when an old friend's son becomes involved in gang warfare, Sam must confront his own past to save the boy.
Another 40-page title is Captain America and Batroc, written by Kieron Gillen with art by Renato Arlem. Greg Tocchini again provides cover art. Batroc the Leaper once again locks horns with Cap in this title.
In Captain America and the Secret Avengers, from Kelly Sue Deconnick and Greg Tocchini, the Black Widow and Agent 13 team up to stop a young girl from murdering her headmistress.
This 40-page book which goes on sale in March sees New York rocked by gals with guns a-blazin'!
Captain America was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in 1941. He was revived by Stan Lee in 1964.
His cinema career started in 1943 with a chapterplay serial. Two TV movies came in the late 70s and early 80s. Cap's first shot at the silver screen came in 1990 with a lacklustre film directed by Albert Pyun.
2011: THE YEAR OF FEAR!
Marvel keeps the genre of event comics going with Fear Itself.
Written by Ed Brubaker with pencils from Scot Eaton, the Fear Itself: Prologue, which ships in March, is being touted as the comic event of 2011.
Behind a cover by Marko Djurdjevic and a variant by Marvel head honcho Joe Quesada, Fear Itself sees all of the Red Skull's plans and dark secrets in the hands of his psychotic daughter Sin.
The girl uncovers a secret mission that her father undertook in WWII and the risk he faced could rip the Marvel Universe apart in the present day.
Written by Ed Brubaker with pencils from Scot Eaton, the Fear Itself: Prologue, which ships in March, is being touted as the comic event of 2011.
Behind a cover by Marko Djurdjevic and a variant by Marvel head honcho Joe Quesada, Fear Itself sees all of the Red Skull's plans and dark secrets in the hands of his psychotic daughter Sin.
The girl uncovers a secret mission that her father undertook in WWII and the risk he faced could rip the Marvel Universe apart in the present day.
CROSSGEN LIVES AGAIN
Founded by Mark Alessi and Gina M Villa at the turn of the century, Crossgen Comics boasted an impressive array of characters and creators.
However, the Florida-based outfit imploded in 2004 amidst animosity between management and the creative talent.
Crossgen's roster of comics included fantasy series such as Meridian and Sigil and retro-future adventure in Ruse and SF action with Negation.
Now two of the Crossgen series are back courtesy of Marvel Comics. Sigil, a four-issue mini-series, returns in March from British writer Mike Carey with art by Leonard Kirk.
The New York Times best-selling scribe has re-imagined Sigil. A 16-year-old girl from south Carolina discovers the mystical sigil on her body and becomes embroiled in a time-spanning conflict.
Ruse is the second Crossgen character to pitch up at Marvel. Written by creator Mark Waid with art by Mirco Pierfederici, Ruse is the tale of Simon Archard - the greatest detective of the Victorian era.
The new four-issue Ruse sees Archard squaring up to the enigmatic and enchanting Emma Bishop. Ruse 1 ships in March.
However, the Florida-based outfit imploded in 2004 amidst animosity between management and the creative talent.
Crossgen's roster of comics included fantasy series such as Meridian and Sigil and retro-future adventure in Ruse and SF action with Negation.
Now two of the Crossgen series are back courtesy of Marvel Comics. Sigil, a four-issue mini-series, returns in March from British writer Mike Carey with art by Leonard Kirk.
The New York Times best-selling scribe has re-imagined Sigil. A 16-year-old girl from south Carolina discovers the mystical sigil on her body and becomes embroiled in a time-spanning conflict.
Ruse is the second Crossgen character to pitch up at Marvel. Written by creator Mark Waid with art by Mirco Pierfederici, Ruse is the tale of Simon Archard - the greatest detective of the Victorian era.
The new four-issue Ruse sees Archard squaring up to the enigmatic and enchanting Emma Bishop. Ruse 1 ships in March.
VISIT MARS FOR A TENNER!
London's Prince Charles Cinema's run of silent films continues this month and next with two classics from the era before talkies.
The cinema's silent films season started in November with The Cameraman, a Buster Keaton romantic comedy from 1928.
Coming next is The Hunchback Of Notre Dame from 1923 starring Lon Chaney as Quasimodo on January 27th at 8.45pm.
Then on February 24th the season concludes with Aelita: Queen Of Mars, the first SF film from Soviet Russia made in 1924, being screened at 8.45pm.
The films have live musical accompaniment from John Sweeney and Minima. Tickets are £10 for non-members and £6 for members. For more details go to http://www.princecharlescinema.com/
The cinema's silent films season started in November with The Cameraman, a Buster Keaton romantic comedy from 1928.
Coming next is The Hunchback Of Notre Dame from 1923 starring Lon Chaney as Quasimodo on January 27th at 8.45pm.
Then on February 24th the season concludes with Aelita: Queen Of Mars, the first SF film from Soviet Russia made in 1924, being screened at 8.45pm.
The films have live musical accompaniment from John Sweeney and Minima. Tickets are £10 for non-members and £6 for members. For more details go to http://www.princecharlescinema.com/
THE OTHER MEN OF STEEL PART ONE
Before Christopher Reeve took flight as The Man of Steel on the silver screen in 1978 there was a short-lived TV series called THE WORLD’S FINEST starring Curtis Weathers as Superman and Roderick Donaldson as Shazam.
THE WORLD’S FINEST aired on NBC from January to July 1977. The shoe’s tone veered wildly between WONDER WOMAN camp and the character-driven power of Kenneth Johnson’s INCREDIBLE HULK that debuted a few months later. This was due to Johnson script-editing several episodes.
Former TV cowboy Curtis Weathers referenced George Reeves’ portrayal of Supes from the 50s with the easygoing 70s charm of Robert Redford.
Weathers directed the show’s final two episodes, LAST RITES and THE WAY BACK. In the 80s Weathers went on to direct more than 50 episodes of MURDER SHE WROTE and MAGNUM PI.
He co-scripted and directed the 1988 revival, THE RETURN OF THE WORLD’S FINEST.
The two-hour telemovie, aired on March 18th, saw Weathers as an middle-aged Superman donning the costume alongside Sam J Jones as Shazam. Roderick Donaldson had died from an AIDS-related illness in 1987.
Roderick Donaldson, the son of 50s film director Al Donaldson, started his career in 60s sitcoms before becoming a bodybuilder in 1971, winning the title of Mr California in 1972 and 1973.
As Shazam, Donaldson captured the character’s immense power and child-like innocence. He worked well with Weathers despite the pair’s well-known political differences. Donaldson was a staunch conservative while Weathers was a liberal.
Donaldson had been plagued for years about rumours regarding his sexuality. In 1984 he declared that he was homosexual.
THE WORLD’S FINEST is available on Warners Bros DVD. Joss Whedon and Kevin Smith are big fans of the show.
Whedon said: “I cried over the final episode,” and Smith added: “Supes and the Big Red Cheese together? Man, what’s not to like, dude?!”
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