There were a lot of fun announcements and first looks at Disney+ Day (She-Hulk!!), but the one that surprised me the most was X-Men ’97, a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series. The original animated series was the show that introduced a generation to X-Men & Marvel Comics and totally set the stage for so much we see now. The show expertly adapted storylines from the comics with serial storytelling and a fantastic voice cast.
I had the pleasure of meeting X-Men: TAS director Larry Houston at Free Comic Book Day and I was really glad to learn that when he directed the series he was a huge X-Men fan. You could see that love on the screen as he had a big hand in shaping the stories that they told. I hope that the new series continues what TAS established, with the same animation, the same X-Men team, and adapting more recent X-Men stories into the world of the 90s.
Disney+ Day announced returning voice cast members including Wolvernie’s Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann and Chris Potter as Rogue and Gambit, George Buza’s Beast, Alison Sealy-Smith’s Storm, Catherine Disher’s Jean Grey (I still have the feels for her Phoenix saga), Adrian Hough’s Nightcrawler, and Christopher Britton’s Mister Sinister. Houston will be acting as a consultant on the new series along with Eric Lewald and Julia Lewald, producers of the original. Leading the creative team of X-Men ’97 is writer/executive producer Beau DeMayo, supervising director Jake Castorena, and supervising producer Charley Feldman. The show will launch in 2023 on Disney+. I can’t wait to see what they come up with!
What storylines from the comics that have happened since the ’90s would you like to see adapted?
This Wednesday Marvel Comics is releasing a pretty epic Women of Marvel special, while DC Comics’ Batman crosses over with one of the most popular video game worlds. Learn more about them and a few other select issues that will be coming out this week!
MARVEL COMICS
WOMEN OF MARVEL #1 Official Description: WHO RUN THE WORLD? YOU ALREADY KNOW. CELEBRATE THE WOMEN OF MARVEL WITH AN EXTRAVAGANZA OF EXTRAORDINARY TALENT! The future is female! Get in on the ground floor with this amazing assembly of writers and artists from all over entertainment. Comics legend Louise Simonson kicks things off with a must-read introduction! Nadia Shammas punches the glass ceiling with the Jade Giantess! Elsa Sjunneson grits her way to the front line with Captain Peggy Carter! Sophie Campbell goes feral with a bone-grinding Marrow story! Video game-and-comics writer Anne Toole makes her Marvel debut in a blaze of glory! Natasha Alterici of Heathen fame charges sword-first into the Marvel Universe! With astonishing art from new and established artists Kei Zama (Transformers, DEATH’S HEAD), Eleonora Carlini (Power Rangers, Batgirl), Skylar Patridge (Resonant, Relics of Youth), Joanna Estep (Fantastic Four, Fraggle Rock) and more, you’re sure to come away powered up and ready to slay – in high heels and boots alike. Writers: Mariko Tamaki, Elsa Sjunneson, Sophie Campbell, Louise Simonson | Artists: Joanna Estep, Eleonora Carlini, Maria Frohlich, Naomi Franquiz | Cover: Sara Pichelli
WAY OF X #1 Official Description: THE WAY TO THE FUTURE OF X! Mutantkind has built a new Eden… but there are serpents in this garden. Some mutants struggle to fit in. Some mutants turn to violence and death. And the children whisper of the Patchwork Man, singing in their hearts…Only one mutant senses the looming shadows. Snared by questions of death, law and love, only NIGHTCRAWLER can fight for the soul of Krakoa. Only he – and the curious crew he assembles – can help mutants defeat their inner-darkness and find a new way to live. The WAY OF X. Writer: Si Spurrier | Artist: Robert Quinn | Cover: Giuseppe Camuncoli
DC COMICS
BATMAN/FORTNITE: ZERO POINT #1 Official Description: A crack splits the sky above Gotham City…a tear in reality itself. This rift pulls the Dark Knight into a bizarre and unfamiliar world, with no memory of who he is or where he came from. Batman has been drawn into Fortnite! As our hero fights to recall his past and escape an endless loop of chaos and struggle, he’ll come face to face with the likes of Renegade Raider, Fishstick, Bandolier and more. While the World’s Greatest Detective strives to make sense of this strange new world, he’ll uncover the shocking truth about the Island, what lies beyond the Loop and how everything is connected to the mysterious Zero Point. Uncover secrets never before revealed in the game or anywhere else! Every fan of Batman, Fortnite, stunning art and edge-of-your-seat excitement won’t want to miss the Caped Crusader facing off against Fortnite champions on the Island in a desperate attempt to save not only himself, but other familiar faces from the DCU…and perhaps the Multiverse itself! Writer: Gage | Artist: Reilly Brown
JUSTICE LEAGUE #60 Official Description: Superman, Batman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Aquaman and Hawkgirl join forces with Black Adam to fight an all-new world conqueror! But how do they stop the unstoppable power known as Brutus? Enter new mega-power sensation Naomi, who comes face to face with the League and brings along Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons for a blockbuster battle for the ages—with a last-page cliffhanger that will leave everyone guessing what’s next! And in the backup tale, the new Justice League meets the new Justice League Dark, and the demon Etrigan calls the team to action—but Batman has other plans. This team needs a leader, but what twisted secret prevents Zatanna from stepping forward? Plus, Ragman makes a startling discovery—one that may cost his life! Writers: Ram V, Brian Michael Bendis | Artists: Xermanico, David Marquez
DARK HORSE COMICS
COJACARU THE SKINNER #1 Official Description: Cojacaru the Skinner, the strange and enigmatic bane of Eastern European witches, has been dead many years. But from a bloodied French town in the throes of World War II, a plea for help carries across the winds of time. A desperate band of resistance soldiers and their white witch allies rest their fate in the hands of Cojacaru’s ghost. And when she answers their call, it will be heard near and far. Writers: Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden | Artist: Peter Bergting
ORPHAN AND THE FIVE BEASTS #2 Official Description: A brave warrior, following her master’s final wish, finds the dreaded bandit leader that used to be a hero–but is now a force of destruction that threatens all life in the valley with his indestructible legs and ”Two Trees Bearing Heaven” fighting style. Writer/Artist: James Stokoe
Here are a few spotlight issues coming out today! #NewComicWednesday
MARVEL COMICS
SHATTERSTAR #1
Official Description: A gladiator, a warrior, a hero…the man called Shatterstar has been many things, but one thing he’s always been is deadly. He’s not a man you want to cross or you’ll learn that fact all too well. Walk back into the darkness with Shatterstar!
Writer: Tim Seeley | Artists: Gerardo Sandoval, Carlos Villa
X-MEN BLACK: MAGNETO #1
Official Description: MAGNETO IS BACK…and so is Chris Claremont! For years, Magneto has done everything he can to achieve his goals for mutant domination. But now Magneto has declared that enough is enough. So what revolutionary plan does Magneto have that will change the face of mutantkind? And will anyone be able to stop him? Will anyone want to? PLUS: Includes Part 1 of X-MEN BLACK: APOCALYPSE the back up story by Zac Thompson, Lonnie Nadler, and Geraldo Borge!
Writers: Lonnie Nadler, Zac Thompson | Artists: Geraldo Borges, Dalibor Talajic
DC COMICS
BATMAN #56
Official Description: The Dark Knight’s looking to drop both the hammer and sickle on the KGBeast, whose rampage across Gotham City takes a toll on Nightwing when he’s injured in the fray. Blaming himself for his ward’s fate, Batman gets grimmer than usual—and vows to take the Russian assassin down like the Berlin Wall. Is even Gotham City ready for that much violence? The streets will run red like borscht if the Dark Knight gets his way against this Soviet scourge.
Writer: Tom King | Artist: Tony S. Daniel
THE CURSE OF BRIMSTONE #7
Official Description: Early-warning sign you’re about to get murdered: a mysterious, cursed ledger directs you to a small, eerie town filled with an unusual amount of amputees who all take a keen interest in you. That’s what the cursed Joe and his sister Annie are up against when their ledger leads them to a town where strangers check in, but they don’t check out.
Writer: Justin Jordan | Artist: Eduardo Pansica
BOOM STUDIOS
SPARROWHAWK #1
Official Description: Teen Victorian fairy fight club! As the illegitimate daughter of a Naval Captain, Artemesia has never fit in with her father’s family, nor the high class world to which they belong. However, when she is targeted by the Faerie Queen and pulled into another realm, she has no choice but to try and save the world that has always hated her.
Writer: Delilah Dawson | Artist: Matias Basla
JIM HENSON BENEATH DARK CRYSTAL #3
Official Description: The challenge for the throne between Thurma and Nita begins in Mithra! Meanwhile, Kensho and his new companions visit a village with hopes of helping the locals… but things are not as they appear.
Writer: Adam Smith | Artist: Alexandria Huntington
This week the Watchmen continue to invade the DC Comics universe, Marvel preps for the Infinity War, and Image introduces a fantastical alternate world. Check out a selection of previews for new comics coming out tomorrow.
DC COMICS
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #3
Official Description: The story takes a turn in the third chapter of this 12-issue series you never thought you’d see, from writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.
Writer: Geoff Johns | Artist: Gary Frank
ACTION COMICS #996
Official Description: “Booster Shot” part four! Superman and Booster Gold are out of time, and they’ve found themselves marooned on a strange planet sometime in the future. So why does this planet’s infrastructure look…Kryptonian? The answer shakes the Man of Steel to the core as the ruler of this planet reveals himself…the son of Zod reigns supreme!
Writer: Dan Jurgens | Artist: Will Conrad
MARVEL COMICS
MARVEL’S AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PRELUDE #1
Official Description: When a terrorist puts the Avengers at odds, CAPTAIN AMERICA and THE WINTER SOLDIER go rogue to find him – but IRON MAN isn’t far behind. Will the Avengers survive the fallout? Then, find out where Captain America, the Falcon and the Black Widow are headed next – because the world needs heroes, whether it wants them or not. And get a sneak peek at Tony Stark’s brand-new armor! Get ready for MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR in part 1 of this special prelude!
Writer: Will Corona Pilgrim | Artist: Tigh Walker
X-MEN: BLUE ANNUAL #1
Official Description: THE CROSSOVER BETWEEN VENOM AND X-MEN BLUE STARTS HERE! Spinning out of the events of Venomverse, the Children of the Atom and the Lethal Protector team up to take down an extradimensional threat! This is it, folks, the team-up you’ve been asking for: X-MEN BLUE and VENOM must band together in the cold reaches of space to protect our universe from a threat more diabolical than you can imagine. But will EDDIE BROCK, his faithful SYMBIOTE, MARVEL GIRL, CYCLOPS, ICEMAN, BEAST and ANGEL be enough to save this universe? I really, really hope so.
Writer: Cullen Bunn | Artist: Edgar Saul Salazar Arteaga
IMAGE COMICS
RINGSIDE #14 Official Description: “SHOOT,” Part Four Potential 2018 Eisner Award-winner for Most Brutal Beat Down in a Continuing Series! Find out why RINGSIDE’s the ongoing premier series of choice for broken dreams and shattered spines!
Writer: Joe Keatinge | Artist: Nick Barber, Simon Gough
DISSONANCE #1
Official Description: In an alternate world where Earth is populated with powerful human-spirit hybrids called Fantasmen, Folke and Roisia Herviett, two siblings with opposing worldviews, are challenged to prove their worth and take up their parents’ positions in a devious group who secretly run the world. Meanwhile, Seraphim, a Fantasmen warrior guard, is sent to prevent a catastrophic event from affecting the Earth and its own universe. From designer MELITA CURPHY, writer SINGGIH NUGROHO, and featuring the art of SAMI BASRI (Power Girl, WITCHBLADE), comes a fantasy drama set in a sci-fi world unlike any other.
Writer: Singgih Nugroho | Artist: Sami Basri
Only one more week until 2018! Lets take a look at some of the final issues of 2017. Who is ending the year with a bang (and the return of a classic character!)?
MARVEL COMICS
PHOENIX RESURRECTION: THE RETURN OF JEAN GREY #1
Official Description: She will return, like a Phoenix from the ashes. Years ago, Jean Grey died and the X-Men mourned her. Since then, the world has changed, her teammates have lived without her and died without her. And now, when strange events start happening all over the world, those teammates can only come to one conclusion – the one true Jean Grey is back!
Writer: Matthew Rosenberg | Artist: Leinil Francis Yu
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI – THE STORMS OF CRAIT #1
Official Description: …Learn the secret of the mineral planet Crait! Long before it became a battleground between the Resistance and the First Order, Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa led the Rebellion there in search of a new home! Writers: Ben Blacker, Benjamin Acker | Artist: Mike Mayhew
DC COMICS
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #2
Official Description:DC and Watchmen characters collide at last! The story that began in DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1 comes to a thrilling and unexpected crescendo in the pages of this titanic twelve-issue series by the all-star team that brought you BATMAN: EARTH ONE and SHAZAM! In this second chapter: The Dark Knight discovers another relic from the Watchmen world. Lex Luthor pays a devil’s bargain. And killer clowns trek through Gotham seeking a madman.
Writer: Geoff Johns | Artist: Gary Frank
WONDER WOMAN #37
Official Description:“CHILDREN OF THE GODS” part five! As a fevered battle with Darkseid rages between Wonder Woman and the dark god, the Amazon warrior must choose between saving the lives that hang in the balance and ending the threat before her forever.
Writer: James Robinson | Artists: Jason Paz, Carlo Pagulayan
IMAGE COMICS
BONEHEAD #1
Official Description: “THE MASK IS WHO YOU ARE” In a near future, a sprawling megalopolis sees the rise of “Boneheads” parkour-gangs that use neuro-linked helmets to augment their abilities and live for the thrill of physical risk. As a gang war threatens to tear the city apart, a mysterious Bonehead rises, a man with no past that might be the key to saving the city’s future. From writer BRYAN HILL (POSTAL) and artist RHOALD MARCELLIUS ( Marvel’s Contest of Champions ) comes a story about technological and human revolution.
Writer: Bryan Hill | Artist: Rhoald Marcellius
SAVAGE DRAGON #230
Official Description: “CHRISTMAS STALKING” American Nazis track Malcolm Dragon and his family to the Great White North.
Writer/Artist: Erik Larsen
It has been a while since we spotlighted Wednesday comics, but things are looking very interesting as we head to the end of the year. Marvel has my three favorite X-Men (Gambit, Rogue, & Bishop) on the same team while a bunch of awesome characters are back at DC (Wally West Flash & Tim Drake Robin).
MARVEL COMICS
Astonishing X-Men #5
Official Description: THE LIFE OF X CONTINUES! The SHADOW KING and CHARLES XAVIER continue their twisted game in the ASTRAL PLANE, competing for the very lives of GAMBIT, ROGUE, OLD MAN LOGAN, FANTOMEX and MYSTIQUE. And back in the real world, this game is leaving lasting repercussions as PSYLOCKE, BISHOP and ANGEL attempt to defend LONDON from Shadow King’s psychic attacks. With two of their allies fallen, can Xavier rally his X-Men for one final push against their foe?
Writer: Charles Soule | Artist: Ramon Rosanas
Spirits of Vengeance #2
Official Description: WAR AT THE GATES OF HELL Part 2. Someone’s unearthed a weapon that can the tip scales in the war between Heaven and Hell… And an ancient summit known as the Covenant is the perfect place to use it! Johnny Blaze, the Ghost Rider, joins forces with Blade, Satana and Hellstorm to unravel the plot against God himself. The supernatural corners of the Marvel U will never be the same again!
Writer: Victor Gischler | Artist: David Baldeon
DC COMICS
Titans #17
Official Description: “The Destroyer”! As the Titans face their darkest hour, the terrible truth about the team’s traitor is finally revealed! But how did it come to this? What could possibly turn friend against friend? All the cards are on the table in this stunning issue destined to change the Titans forever!
Writer: Dan Abnett | Artists: Mick Gray, Minkyu Jung
Detective Comics #968
Official Description: “A LONELY PLACE OF LIVING” finale! Tim Drake is back on Earth — but if the deadly threat he brought back with him from outside of time has its way, it won’t be for long…and this shadowy figure wants to take one of Batman’s team down with him, too! Everything Tim died for the first time is at risk, if he can’t survive this attack!
Writer: James T Tynion IV | Artists: Raúl Fernández, Alvaro Martinez
IMAGE COMICS
Coyotes #1
Offical Description: Underworld meets Sicario in this new series from SEAN LEWIS (SAINTS, THE FEW) and amazing new artist CAITLIN YARSKY. Hunted by a legion of wolves that roam the border, women are disappearing. The survivors band together to wage war. Detective Frank Coffey is trying to understand this mythic-level bloodbath when he comes across Red, a little girl with a secret and a sword. Ultra-violent and smart as hell, COYOTES transforms the everyday into a myth we can rally behind.
Writer: Sean Lewis | Artist: Caitlin Yarsky
Port of Earth #1
Official Description: Imagine if aliens came to Earth not in war or peace, but with a business deal: open up a spaceport here on Earth in exchange for advanced technology. But when our alien visitors break Port restrictions and wreak havoc in our cities, it falls to the newly formed Earth Security Agents to hunt down and safely deport the dangerous rogue aliens back to the Port of Earth. A gritty sci-fi action thriller from new comic book writer ZACK KAPLAN (ECLIPSE) and ANDREA MUTTI (Rebels, Star Wars, Batman Eternal, Prometheus).
Writer: Zack Kaplan | Artist: Andrea Mutti
New Comic Wednesday is bringing an awesome mix of new comics. Here are six spotlight previews from various publishers. I had no idea there was a He-Man/Thundercats series and now I’ll have to try an track down the first three issues!
DC COMICS
Superman #15
Description: “MULTIPLICITY” part two! Superman and New Super-Man fight alongside an army of Supermen from across the Multiverse against the threat trying to wipe them all out of existence! Plus, Jon and his neighbor Kathy investigate a hidden horror that seems to be growing in their town.
Writers: Patrick Gleason, Peter J. Tomasi | Artists: Doug Mahnke
He-Man/Thundercats #4
Description: It’s the battle you’ve waited to see! With the Ancient Spirits of Evil ravaging Eternia, Lion-O rushes to aid the Masters of the Universe in defending their world. The only thing standing in his way is…He-Man?! The epic battle between the super-heroic 1980s icons breaks loose as the Sword of Power clashes with the Sword of Omens! This one you do not want to miss! Writers: Lloyd Goldfine, Rob David | Artist: Freddie E Williams II
MARVEL COMICS
IVX #2
Description: The Inhumans have failed to find a way to stop the deadly effect the Terrigen Cloud has on Mutantkind, so the X-Men have taken matters into their own hands. New Attilan is under attack! The Inhumans aren’t surrendering their home without a fight, but is there something larger a stake?
Writer: Jeff Lemire, Charles Soule | Artist: Leinil Francis Yu Cover
Star Wars: Poe Dameron #10
Description: Poe and Threepio’s covert mission comes to an end! Can they escape with their informant intact? Or will Terex’s past come back to haunt them?
Writer: Charles Soule | Artist: Phil Noto
DARK HORSE COMICS
Angel Season 11 #1
Description: It will take an Angel and a goddess to save the world! Vampire Angel is tormented by a vision linking his shameful past to something very big—and very bad—that is coming. The goddess Illyria gives Angel some insight and incentive. Then she really gets involved, and Angel discovers that it might be possible to change the future by changing the past.
Writer: Corinna Bechko | Artist: Geraldo Borges
Dark Horse Presents #30
Description: Paul Levitz, Carla Speed McNeil, Francesco Francavilla, and more are featured in this month’s issue of the award-winning Dark Horse Presents! Continuing stories include Dean Haspiel’s The Red Hook; Dan Jolley and John Nadeau’s Murder Society; and The Black Sinister by Kaare Andrews, Troy Nixey, and Dave McCaig; as well as McNeil’s Finder, Francavilla’s The Black Beetle, and Levitz’s Brooklyn Blood, illustrated by Tim Hamilton!
Writers: Various | Artists: Various
These issues come out on January 18, 2017, or do you prefer graphic novels? Here is an awesome selection for sale…
