My picks of the solicits for May 2015...

Right, well here are my picks from the May solicits, this has been sitting in draft form for sometime but here they are...

Marvel: A-Force

When I first started collecting comics it was the post Civil War Mighty Avengers and Avengers Initiative that I began reading. Since then I always like to pick up new takes on the Avengers books. Dark Avengers being one of my favourites. The creative team and idea behind this series is exciting. But no disrespect meant towards Jorge Molina who I don't doubt will do a great job, looking at the variant cover by Russell Dauterman I wish he was on interiors. This has the set up to be a great series and in G. Willow Wilson and Marguerite Bennett I believe it is in safe hands. 

A-FORCE #1
G. WILLOW WILSON & MARGUERITE BENNETT (w) • JORGE MOLINA (a)
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
VARIANT COVER BY RUSSELL DAUTERMAN
VARIANT COVER BY STEPHAN HANS
• Marvel’s Mightiest Women finally get their own explosive series!
• In a secluded corner of the Battleworld, an island nation is fiercely protected by a team of Avengers the likes of which has only ever been glimpsed before…
• Fighting to protect the small sliver of their world that’s left, the Amazing A-FORCE stands shoulder-to-shoulder, ready to take on the horde!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Marvel: Old Man Logan

I took advantage of a Comixology sale to get the original issues containing the brilliant Old Man Logan by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. Old Man Logan is a killer character and I am excited to see him getting a series during Secret Wars, will this be our Wolverine moving forward post Secret Wars? I wouldn't be disappointed if it was. Again another brillitant creative team on this one and I can not wait to see how Sorrentino and Bendis collaborate to continue this characters story.

OLD MAN LOGAN #1
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • ANDREA SORRENTINO (a/C)
VARIANT COVER by STEVE McNIVEN
VARIANT COVER BY ANDREA SORRENTINO
YOUNG VARIANT BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
BLANK VARIANT COVER
• Enter the Wastelands…a realm where all heroes have been murdered by their arch-enemies, villains who now rule over the land with an iron fist. In the midst of this dystopian chaos, one man may make a difference…a reluctant warrior who was once the greatest mutant of all…a man known as OLD MAN LOGAN.
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

Dark Horse: High Crimes

High Crimes is the critically acclaimed digital series from Monkeybrain comics finally heading to print in this collection from Dark Horse. I'll be looking to grab this one, I really enjoy when these successful digital formats head to print. 

High Crimes HC
Christopher Sebela (W) and Ibrahim Moustafa (A/Cover)
On sale July 8
FC, 184 pages
$19.99
HC, 7″ x 10″
Disgraced Olympic snowboarder Zan Jensen runs a sideline business as a high-altitude grave robber. When a body is found at the summit of Everest with a treasure of state secrets under its skin, Zan finds herself in the crosshairs of a government hit squad. As she races to the roof of the world, Zan will navigate bullets and avalanches to find salvation in the deadliest place on Earth.
Collecting the critically acclaimed Monkeybrain digital comic the A.V. Club calls “a high concept executed with precision, delivering real-world intrigue.” 
“Instead of just yelling at people to read High Crimes, now I can throw it at them at the same time.”—Matt Fraction (Sex Criminals)


Boom!: Adventure Time #40

I am a big fan of the TV programme and I collect the Mathematical Editions of the collections. Adventure Time #40 sees the previously teased story created by Matt Fraction and his son Henry Leo. This is the main reason this is in my pick, I look forward to seeing what Matt Fraction and his son have created.

ADVENTURE TIME #40
Retail Price: $3.99 
Author: Christopher Hastings, Henry Leo & Matt Fraction
Artist: Zachary Sterling
Cover Artists:
Main Cover: Paul Pope
Subscription Variant Cover: Lauren Dawson
Variant Cover: Simon Leclerc
It’s a special interactive, one-shot issue! Magic Man plans to use the reader to help beat Finn and Jake, but can our heroes turn the tables? Features a special short written by debut writer Henry Leo and Matt Fraction (Hawkeye)!

Image: Injection #1

There are no reasons this shouldn't be in my pick and 3 easy reason why it should. Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire. I have been waiting for this since its announcement from the incredible creative team previously on Moon Knight, May seems to far away. 

INJECTION #1
STORY: WARREN ELLIS
ART / COVERS: DECLAN SHALVEY & JORDIE BELLAIRE
MAY 13 / 24 PAGES / FC / M / $2.99 
Once upon a time, there were five crazy people, and they poisoned the 21st Century. Now they have to deal with the corrosion to try and save us all from a world becoming too weird to support human life.
INJECTION is the new ongoing series created by the acclaimed creative team of Moon Knight. It is science fiction, tales of horror, strange crime fiction, techno-thriller, and ghost story all at the same time. A serialized sequence of graphic novels about how loud and strange the world is getting, about the wild future and the haunted past all crashing into the present day at once, and about five eccentric geniuses dealing with the paranormal and numinous as well as the growing weight of what they did to the planet with the Injection.

Howard the Duck #1 gets a preview! And it looks great...

Were you, like many sitting there till the end of the credits during Guardians of the Galaxy. Were you like many surprised to see this scene "only" comprised of a cocktail sipping talking duck named Howard? Were you like many even aware this was a duck named Howard? Well after becoming one of the easter egg highlights of Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel are making sure we know who he is with the new on-going Howard the Duck title coming this March from the creative team of Chip Zdarsky, Joe Quinones and Rico Renzi. A preview for the title has finally been released, without a goose in sight, and it look's great, I mean really great, I'm even more excited for this now than I thought I would be. Just a little note, Rico Renzi's colours for this are gorgeous I haven't seen Quinone's work coloured as flat as this before and it looks great, I only hope I am using the right term as I am no colorist. For more on the title and bigger version of the preview click the word duck.

Anything DC Can Do Marvel Can Do Better... Or Can They?... Marvel announce A-Force...

So DC won the day in regards to most exciting announcement on Friday, but to be fair they did announce a whole host of new titles by exciting creative teams.

Anyway back to the post at hand, Marvel continue to make announcements regarding the upcoming Secret Wars and were to announce a new 'forceful' title that will be released with this event. The word 'forceful' did have me wondering if this would be Star Wars related, but to my relief it did not. As much as I love both Marvel and Star Wars it would be far two soon for these two to be linking Universes.

It was supposedly to be announced on 'The View', as they did with the announcement of the Female Thor. Although as I understand the announcement was pulled from that programme, to many viewers frustration. USA today seemed to get the big scoop regarding the announcement of the new Avengers team A-Force which will take form during Secret Wars and will also contain an exclusively female cast. To be written by G. Willow-Wilson (mastermind behind Kamala Kham Ms Marvel) and Marguerite Bennett an exciting up and coming writer and previous student of Scott Snyder, the series will be illustrated by Jorge Molina, X-Men artist who will also have a fill in issue of Thor coming out this Wednesday.

The main team will comprise of She-Hulk, Dazzler, Medusa, Nico Minuro (Recently seen in Avengers Arena) and a new universal and cosmically powered hero Sigularity. The gorgeous, as always, cover art by Jim Cheung features these lead characters at the forefront of the image but also contains many of the other well known female characters through out the Marvel Universe including Storm, Scarlet Witch, Jean Grey (Phoenix) Spider-Woman, Captain MArvel, Wasp, Elektra, Rescue (Pepper Potts), Spider-Gwen (I know right she's already getting such fan fare and the issue isn't out yet), Black Widow, Pixie, Jubilee, Firestar, Hellcat and a few others who I can't recognise or to be honest don't even know. I am surprised that G. Willow Wilson's own character Kamala Khan, Ms Marvel, isn't featured on the cover. It has been announced that the cast is not limited to the announced characters or characters featured on the cover. Fan favourite artist Jamie McKelvie is already spearheading Ms America being involved in the title and co writer Marguerite Bennett didn't say no to the premise. I look forward to seeing which other female characters from within the Marvel Universe will make an appearance in the series.

I am, for one, excited about this announcement. I really enjoy when Marvel take risks with there flagship titles and although not called 'Avengers' this title does contain the Avengers logo at the beginning and this will be the Avengers team for the events of Secret Wars. Marvel have been taking more and more risks recently and, although I am certain many will not be happy about this announcement, these risks are really paying off.

In recent times one of my favourite Avengers titles was post Secret Invasion when the title became Dark Avengers and I hope that this will have the same impact for me.

The only real problem with the announcement of this title and the many others on Friday is that after working so hard, and being ruthless, to reduce my comic list I now have a lot to think about how many I can increase it by. However this isn't a terrible position to be in. This is looking to be a very exciting year for comics.

For more on the announcement and an interview with the writers behind this title coming in May click the link below.

Click me for more more about A-Force

DC Announce A Mini-Relaunch coming June 2015... 24 new titles... 25 continuing titles... Divergence

Friday just gone was a day full of announcements but, and it may come as a surprise for me to say this, DC won the day. They have announced a new wave of titles to hit the shelves in June 2015, a mini re-launch of sorts, with a new story over continuity focus. This philosophy excites me as superheroes can get so bogged down in having to keep within continuity that it can really restrict and hurt the story. DC are obviously learning from the success of the likes of Gotham Academy and the new re-launched Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) both spear headed by the Bat-Office.

Now I got this excited for the New 52 relaunch in 2011, I think I can go close to saying I practically picked up every new #1, which was helped by just starting my first full time job. But looking back now the only title from the original New 52 that I am reading and collecting is Batman from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo and I have to say it is because this creative team, bar the length of Zero Year which I thought was a little long, are killing it on the title. I did keep reading Justice League for quite some time along with Wonder Woman and Superman. But for some reason or another I dropped several of those titles.

One of the most exciting things about the long list of new titles to be released are the creative line-ups DC are really giving new up and coming talent a shot and also handing over several of the titles to successful Indie creators which I only hope pays off.

Looking at this new list of titles I will highlight the ones I am most excited for and definitely be picking up the 1st issues of. Right lets dive right in, as the saying goes.

Black Canary -- W: Brenden Fletcher, A: Annie Wu;

Black Canary from Brenden Fletcher and Annie Wu, Fletcher is one half of two exciting team bringing us great comics from the Bat Universe, Gotham Academy and Batgirl. He will now be taking on solo writing duties alongside the talented Annie Wu who illustrated a run on Matt Fraction's acclaimed Hawkeye series. To be honest I am more picking up this title for the creative team, other than her appearances in the new Batgirl series I have not read any comics containing Black Canary, but I'll be excited to learn more about the character and see what the creative team produce come June.

Constantine: The Hellblazer -- W: Ming Doyle & James Tynion IV, A: Riley Rossmo;

Another DC character that I have not had much or any contact with. I've heard about popular takes no the character and I know Hellblazer is definitely a comic sometime in my life that I will need to pick up and read. The Dark corner of the DC Universe has always been one of my favourites, even though I haven't read many titles based around the characters, but I do spend a lot of time on Wikipedia reading about certain characters and Snyder's Swamp Thing New 52 run was one of the Dark characters I have read comics containing. The creative team on this book is another one that really excites me, many people know of James Tynion IV as Snyder's protégé but he has really come into his own recently, with some exciting titles with Boom! studios including 'The Woods'. Ming Doyle has been a artist I have long admired who I found while browsing the internet, I own her Flashbacca print which is still to be framed and hung, she has a very distinct style. But on this occasion she will be sharing writing duties with James Tynion IV which I look forward to seeing. Finally on art is Riley Rossmo, a fan favourite artist, I have seen his work in a couple of things mainly Image books and I can not wait to see what he brings to this title.

Dark Universe -- W: James Tynion IV, A: Ming Doyle;

I have read this this is the title that will be taking over from Justice League Dark and also has the same name as the animated movie project being worked on by Guillermo Del Toro. But most importantly the creative team is what is to be excited for, the same two members of the new Constantine title to be released are also the creative team on this book. It would certainly seem that James Tynion IV and Ming Doyle have been given the job of reviving this corner of the DC Universe and it is one that I certainly look forward to seeing. I can't wait to see how Ming Doyle's distinctive art style will bring to these characters, well in June I will be able to find out.

Justice League of America -- W: Bryan Hitch, A: Bryan Hitch

Bit of an honourable mention really, along with Marvel's Civil War by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven I also read Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch's Ultimates which also got me into comics. So although I don't have as much to write about this as I do with the previous announcements I will be looking forward to picking this up and see the very talented Bryan Hitch take on the iconic characters of the DC Universe. 

A few others I may flick through are We Are Robin from Lee Bermejo and Khary Randolph. On a side note it is interesting to see a creative change to the Superman books with Gene Luen Yang taking over the reins on Superman after the end of Geoff John's run, John Romita Jnr will still be on art duties.

Finally more has been released regarding DC comics Free Comic Book Day contribution. The issue will be called Divergence and will contain teasers for the beginning of post Convergence storylines including Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok's Darkseid War within the pages of Justice League, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's next arc of Batman and Gene Luen Yang and John Romita Jnr.

To check out the full list of new and continuing titles coming June 2015 click on the link below;

Click Me... Please

The Uncanny Inhumans a new series from Marvel Comics

During all the excitement of the Ant-Man trailer the Agent Carter premier and yesterday the Daredevil Netflix series getting its release date, Marvel Comics announced a new Inhumans series. With the reveal of the Inhumans in the mid-season finale of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the strong rumour that Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver are Inhumans in the upcoming Avengers Age of Ultron film the push for this corner of the Marvel Comics Universe continues.

To be written by Charles Soule, the current writer on Inhumans whose lead character is Medusa and the NuHumans, he will be working alongside his Death of Wolverine collaborator, Steve McNiven. Killer team right? I love McNivens work, Civil War is what got me into comics. This new title, The Uncanny Inhumans, will be character led by Black Bolt, the long thought missing/dead, King of the Inhumans. 

This will begin in April with a #0 issue. Check out the link below for more info and also check out the cover below; 

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=58270

Image Comics: Southern Cross #1 Preview from Cloonan, Belanger and Loughridge.

This was in my most anticipated of 2015. I am a huge fan of Becky Cloonan's and although unfortunately I have never read a book illustrated by Andy Bellanger I look forward to seeing his art style and what the two can work together to create.

In anticipation of its release in March this year a preview has been released! Check it out below! And let your local comic store know you want to grab a copy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here's what I'm looking forward to in 2015 so far...

After a great New Years eve, a few to many drinks, and a days recovery. Another year has flown by, and now its time to look ahead. Here's what I'm looking forward to in 2015 from the world of comics, movies, tv and more...

So to begin with...

STAR WARS! STAR WARS! STAR WARS!

The comics are back at Marvel with Star Wars #1 coming out this month and their not holding back with their creative teams. Star Wars #1 has the superstar creative team of Jason Aaron and John Cassaday. Princess Leia is being written by none other than Mark Waid and illustrated by Terry Dodson. Darth Vader is written by Kieron Gillen and drawn by Salvador Larroca and Adi Granov. There is also a comic coming out involving Kanan from Star Wars Rebels. Its important to remember that this is all considered canon.

Obviously there is the new film Star Wars Epidose VII: The Force Awakens coming out at the end of the year, hoping for more trailers not to spoil it but to get a better idea of things, and hopefully plenty more inbetween. We'll be getting more Star Wars Rebels, more books and hopefully some cool memorabilia, statues and actions figures. I already have my eye on the statues coming out for Star Wars Rebels.

COMICS! COMICS! COMICS!

There's plenty to look forward to in the world of comics in 2015 but here a just a few I can't wait for;

Marvel's new titles;

Marvel continue to release exciting titles with exciting creative teams. New artists, new writers. The one issue I am really looking forward to from the 2015 solicitations so far is the Thor Annual #1 released in February, with stories from various creators, including Noelle Stephenson and drawn by Marguerite Sauvage, so more of a anthology if you will.

Image Comics are continuing there fine form of publishing comics by great independent teams. 2015 will finally see the release of Southern Cross by Beckly Cloonan and Andy Belanger! Also lets not forget Injection should soon get a release date for its first issue coming from the fantastic, already tried and tested, team of Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire. With Image Con coming soon in the new year there will probably be plenty more to be excited about in no time.

MOVIES! MOVIES! MOVIES!

There are plenty of decent films to look forward to this year. First one I'll be heading to a cinema to see this year is Big Hero 6 from Disney Animation, the first Disney animated film inspired by a Marvel comic, although there have bee several creative changes. Already out in America this will be in UK cinemas the earll part of 2015 and I am really looking forward to it. There's even an animated Stan Lee cameo I understand.

Marvel Studios Avengers Age of Ultron hits our screens at the end of April. I don't think I need to say much more. We will get another trailer in a couple of weeks time. Hopefully we will see a few more of the new characters. Mainly just a short glimpse of the Vision played by Paul Bettany would be nice. The Vision is one of my favourite characters, and if you like what you see I strongly recommend you check out the Avengers A.I. comic by Sam Humphries and Andre Lima Araujo!! Anyway this is my second most anticipated film of the year!!

Another Marvel Studios film to hit the screen this year is Ant-Man, which will finally be released. Long has it been in development and hitting a sticky patch when fan favourite director Edgar Wright withdrew from the film, the mastermind who had put together the film. Creative differences may have been the reason for the split, but Marvel found a new director and during this Tuesday's two hour premier of Marvel's Agent Carter we will finally get a teaser for the film released, but there are a couple of teasers of the teasers below.

I have been a Pixar fan since I was 5 and my dad took me to see Toy Story in the cinema, the first film I ever saw on the big screen. For the first time Pixar did not release a film in back to back years. That means this year will see the release of Inside Out, which I had my apprehensions about at first but after seeing the below trailer I can not wait for! The other film by Pixar that should be seeing a release this year, but currently doesn't have a trailer is The Good Dinosaur, which I am also really looking forward to.

STAR WARS! STAR WARS! STAR WARS! I reckon we will find out more in April during the Star Wars celebration and coming out a week before Christmas this film will be like an early Christmas present. I am excited to see how JJ Abrams rejuvenates this franchise, the cast is exciting and the first teaser has left me asking more questions than giving me answers. MILLENIUM FALCON!!

VIDEO GAMES! VIDEO GAMES! VIDEO GAMES!

Batman Arkham Knight (02/06/2015)

A game that has been delayed from 2014, a fan favourite and one that genuinely looks stunning and to really take advantage of the next gen consoles power! One of the reasons I wanted a PS4 and I can not wait to get this when it is finally released. Here's to hoping there are no more delays.

Star Wars Battlefront (2015)

The game I have been waiting for since Battlefront 3 was cancelled. The game I was hoping would be put into production when Disney brought Lucasarts. Battlefront 3 in production by EA DICE the studio behind the popular Battlefield series. We won't see a firm release date for this until later in the year but at the moment it has been announced we are looking at a Holiday 2015 release.

Final Fantasy XV (2015)

The game I have been waiting for since the release of Final Fantasy 13. Originally named Final Fantasy Versus 13. I really am excited for this game, no firm release date yet, a Demo will be available for those who buy Finaly Fantasy Type-0. Check out the trailer below for the stunning gameplay footage!

Witcher 3 (19/05/2015)

I'm very much a fan of a good RPG. Having found the start of Dragon Age Origins a little tedious, although I have been told it gets good after about the first 5 hours. I have been looking out for a new franchise. I had heard a little about the Witcher series. Unfortunately it has had an odd release the first game on PC the second on PC and Xbox and finally the third to come out on all next gen consoles. I've decided to grab the Witcher 2 to play on my Xbox and also grabbed the first novel featuring the Witcher by a Polish author, I've been looking for a new series of books to read and the fact these inspired a game that I am really looking forward too is even better. Witcher 3 is another game that has been delayed a couple of times but hopefully this means we will have a problem free launch unlike some games that have been released recently.

SUBSCRIPTIONS! SUBSCRIPTIONS! SUBSCRIPTIONS!

I have this thing where I sign up to subscriptions in the new year. A couple of these I have been looking to subscribe to for quite some time. One of these is Loot Crate, the other is Marvel Unlimited. I got my first Loot Crate at the end of last year and I look forward to getting January's and starting of a new years worth of these! Marvel Unlimited is something I have been looking to get for a while as well to be able to catch up on those critically acclaimed arcs that I couldn't afford to buy or miss. Also for the extensive back catalog other than recent modern titles.

Finally the other subscription I have signed up to is Beer Bods. I have recently got into drinking Ale. My dad is an Ale drinker, and for several years I have passed on going to the local Beer Festival with him. We have a new tradition before Football on a Saturday that sees us heading to a local Micro-Pub close to me before a game. Surprisingly I have really got into this and Beer Bods is an exciting subscription service that sends you 12 beers for 12 weeks and on a Thursday you try one of these. I look forward to receiving my first box of beers and what I'll be looking to enjoy.

TELEVISION! TELEVISION! TELEVISION!

I don't get much time to watch Television programmes but there are a certain few that I make sure I take the time to watch. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is one of the programmes I make sure I watch, the Season 2 mid-season/ winter finale was brilliant, and the series is going from strength to strength since the shake up of Captain America Winter Soldier. I don't want to give away to many spoilers but I strongly recommend if you are a fan of the cinematic universe you take time to watch this series.

A newer series to come out and fill the mid-season gap of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is Marvel's Agent Carter, this hits screens in America on Tuesday the 6th with a 2 hour premier, staring Hayley Atwell returning to her roll of Peggy Carter in Captain America The First Avenger. I'll be looking forward to checking this one out!

Like many I am waiting for Star Wars Episode VII to come out and also one of those that was sad to see the end of Star Wars Clone Wars series. But in Clone Wars place and to fill the gap while we wait for Star Wars Episode VII we have Star Wars Rebels! Rebels is several episodes in and returns to screens on Monday 5th. Set between Episode III and Episode IV we follow a screw of rag tag rebels and their stories! I look forward to there return tomorrow.

Game of Thrones! Game of Thrones! Game of Thrones!! I can't wait for Season 5. I don't think I need to say much more.

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE! Here are my highlights of the year from 2014...

So another year has gone by. A much busier year, a lot less posts than I would like. What will happen in the year to come I can't say but I here are my highlights of the year from comics, to movies, tv and more! I hope you all have a wonderful New Year!

My favourite writer of 2014: Sam Humphries

Why? If your not reading Legendary Star-Lord then you should be!

My favourite artist of 2014: Jacob Wyatt

Why? Did you see those issues of Ms Marvel and Edge of Spider-Verse #5? Well go and check your local comic stores back issues, now, if they have any left!

My favourite colorist of 2014: Matt Wilson

Why? The new Thor just looks incredible and thats partly because of the beautiful colours done by this guy, and many other titles he colours! For example The Wicked + The Divine!

My Favourite Publisher of 2014: Image Comics

Why? "Well sometimes superheroes just get boring and Image do a great job of offering more diverse titles and filling in that gap, The Wicked + The Divine, Southern Bastards, I could go on listing for quite some time."

My favourite single issue of 2014: Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (That Spider-Gwen issue)

Why? "This is when superheroes don't get boring!"

My favourite event of 2014: Spider-Verse

Why? "Every Spider-Man EVER! Need I say more"

My favourite cover artist of 2014: Julian Totino Tedesco

Why? "His covers for the Marvel Event Original Sin were the best thing about the series! And now he's lending his fantastuc to S.H.I.E.L.D.!"

My favourite title of 2014: Thor God of Thunder/ Thor (Avengers NOW!)

Why? "By far the most consistent title this year. Aaron and Ribic have done a brilliant job on this title, King Thor is the stand out for me though. Then they throw in the curve ball of a new Thor, I was a doubter, and now believer... go on what are you waiting for? Go pick it up!"

My favourite collection of 2014: Ms Marvel Volume 1
Why? "This is one of my big highlights of the year. This book proves why Marvel are as successful and influencial as they are. Kamala Khan is the breakout character of the year! Well done to G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona"

My favourite independent collection of 2014: By Chance and Provedence (Becky Cloonan)
Why? "Becky Cloonan is by far one of my favourite artists, I have each issue of her self published comics, more than once, so when she collected these in to white neatly package Tome I had to get my hands on a copy!"

My favourite up and coming writer of 2014: Noelle Stephenson
Why? "Have you been reading Lumberjanes from BOOM! Box? Well you should be! Noelle Stephenson is the creator and writer of this wonderful little comic, she has also completed her online comic Nimona which will soon be coming to print. Check out her stuff you'll dig it!"

My favourite up and coming artist of 2014: Babs Tarr/ Russell Dauterman
Why? "Well I just couldn't decide. Babs Tarr is the exceptional find now illustrating the newly rejuvenated Batgirl title for DC Comics! Russell Dauterman is the new star of the Thor comic working alongside Jason Aaron to create a truly wonderful new take on the character! Look out for more from these two next year!"

 My favourite up and coming colorist of 2014: Ruth Redmond

Why? "Ruth Redmond started of as coloring extraordinaire Jordie Bellaire's intern. Now she is covering several titles from different publishers. You may have seen her work in All New Warriors! Keep an eye out for more from her next year!"

My favourite film of 2014: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY!!!!
Why? "I Am Groot"

My favourite video game of 2014: Game of Thrones Episode 1: Iron from Ice (Telltale Games)
Why? "I've read the books. I watch the TV programme! And now there is a game worth playing. A year in the waiting and TellTale have finally released their first episode of  there Game of Thrones series based on the TV programme and it did not dissapoint!"

My favourite TV programme of 2014: Star Wars Rebels/ Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2
Why? "There are only 2 programmes I make sure I watch at the moment and that is Star Wars Rebels and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2. They are both currently on mid-season breaks. I miss them so."

Just a few Honourable Mentions;

The Wicked + The Divine

"Kieran Gillen and Jamie McKelvie along with Matt Wilson, continue there indredible form from last years Young Avengers with there new independent creator owned title The Wicked + The Divine you should check it out!"

Jason Latour/ Robbi Rodriquez/ Rico Renzi

"They are only the creators of the break out character of the year for me, Spider-Gwen, and because of the huge fan response we will be getting a Spider-Gwen title in the new year! I'm not excited about this... much"

Declan Shalvey/ Jordie Bellaire

"I couldn't do a highlight of the year list without including these two. They continue to create fanatstic covers and were instrumental in the revival of Moon Knight alongside Warren Ellis earlier in the year. Bring on Injection from Image comics next year!"

TellTale Games

"They developed my Game of the Year. They continue to develop my favourite games. Walking Dead and Wolf Among Us (Fables) are all done so far. Borderlands just out with Game of Thrones, and now a Minecraft game just announced being produced. This studio is only on the up and up! And I for one hope it continues, there episodic gameplay is something I love and can't wait for more!"

NYCC 2014: Marvel announce Secret Wars coming May 2015

Well they certainly managed to keep that one quiet. It's been a week for surprises the end of Batman #35 and now the announcement of Marvel's Secret Wars with no teasers running up to NYCC 2014. I must admit that I am not that familiar with Marvels previous Secret Wars event, other than it was the birth of event books and also had a huge commercial push through other avenues, plus I have an issue in my collection with the first appearance of Spidey's black suit.

Sadly from the promo image released I begin to realise my lack of knowledge of the expanded Marvel Universe, reminding me that I've only been collecting comics for the past 6 years, only managing to name the core 616 universe characters and Miles Morales, it certainly seems like I have some catching up to do.

But from what has been released, the fact this is the culmination of what Hickman has been working towards since taking over the Avengers core titles, leaves me excited, add the fact that super star artist Assad Ribic is on art duties, and come May next year we are certainly going to have a book to look forward to.

It has been confirmed that this event will span a year, so 12 issues in total plus cross over. I'm sure we will learn more as May gets closer, in the press and the comics where we get a month closer in each issue of the Avengers with Time Runs Out.

Now I'm off to the book store to buy myself the Marvel Encyclopaedia to work out who these other characters are on the promo image. To take a closer look at the promo check out the link below for a super size image.

http://www.newsarama.com/images/i/000/136/368/original/Secret-Wars.jpg

In 4 Months Past... Time Ran Out

So there has been a long absence since I last posted something on here. The incredible thing for me was that I didn't even get anything SDCC related onto the blog through July, life has just been far to busy and quite frankly my chrome book doesn't stand up to my previous laptop and can be annoyingly frustrating at times.

But back to the blogging, I'm not going to make any promises of this being my return, it may well even be another 4 months from this post that I finally post something else again, but we will just have to wait and see.

It has been a busy 4 months for the comic world and film and here is a quick well actually fairly long look at what caught my eye and I had hoped to post about.

Image Expo (Tokyo Ghost, Drifter, Injection, Southern Cross)

To begin, and to my surprise it is not Marvel related. The Image Expo that tagged itself to to the beginning of SDCC this year had some of the most exciting announcements of the convention. Image continue to produce some of the best independent comics out there, there philosophy is luring and attracting some of brightest and most promising talents in the business and the titles announced at this expo were testament to that. I am only going to write about the ones which caught my eye but there are plenty of titles to keep an eye out for in the Image solicitations as they are released month by month.

Injection #1 (Source Comic Book Resources)

The two which shouted out at me the moment they were announced while I was keeping up with the live blog of the event were Injection from the creative team of Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire, who just finished their run on probably one of the best arcs of Moon Knight I have read. The creative team alone has gotten me really excited for this one. The other title that screamed manically at me is Southern Cross from Becky Cloonan and Andy Belanger, if any of you have read my previous posts you will be well aware of my love for Cloonan's comics. Andy Belanger is a creator I am not particularly familiar with but I look forward to seeing his artistic talents in this creator owned voyage.

Other titles that grabbed my attentions were Tokyo Ghost from Rick Remender and Sean Gordon Murphy, Drifter from Ivan Brandon and Nic Klein. For all the other exciting titles keep your eyes peeled to the Image Solicitations as and when they are released.

DC Bat Universe (Gotham Academy, Batgirl, Gotham by Midnight, Arkham Manor)

Next, and still not Marvel, DC have suddenly and surprisingly announced a new group of Bat-centric titles from creators that have mainly had a independent background. In order of my favourites, Gotham Academy with the incredibly exciting creative team of Becky Cloonan, Brendan Fletcher and Karl Kerschl who will be taking us into the halls of a school funded by Bruce Wayne and being Gotham this will not be your run of the mill highschool. Then there is the re-vamp of Batgirl which sees the long standing fan favourite writer Gail Simone handing the character over to Brendan Fletcher, Cameron Stuart and newcomer Babs Tarr, this is yet another exciting line up and the preview work and what has been revealed so far has already gathered quite the online following including it's own tumblr by the creators for the flurry of fan art. Finally not to be forgotten from the hype of the previous two announcements there will also be Arkham Manor from Gerry Duggan and Shaun Crystal along with Gotham by Midnight from Ray Fawkes and Ben Templesmith. Arkham Manor sees Bruce Wayne's home become the new Arkham Asylum and Gotham by Midnight sees a group of detectives that investigate the mysterious in Gotham led by Spectre.

Gotham By Midnight

Spider-Verse (Spider-Gwen)

Okay now it's time for some Marvel news. Spider-Verse begins this month well the run up to with the Edge of Spider-Verse titles beginning to roll out. These being 5 one shot issues focusing on alternative universe Spider-Men or Women. From the known to the new, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Gwen which I am most excited for and already hope will receive her own stand alone title, Dustin Weaver creates is own alterate universe Spider-Man, there looks to be a sort of pulp horror Spider-Man and the second favourite of the 5 I'm looking forward to is the team-up of Gerard Way and Jake Wyatt for there interpretation of a alternate universe Spider-Man.

As mentioned the most exciting title for me from the 5 is Edge if Spider-Verse #2 from Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez, who sounds like a Marvel character himself but is part of the creative team from Vertigo comic FBPD. They will be bringing us an alternate universe Gwen Stacy who was in fact bitten by the spider. Rodriguez has killed it on the design and there have already been several Spider-Gwen cosplayers at comic conventions. I have high hopes for this issue and really hope I'm not disappointed, Latour has already stated should there be a demand he would be more than happy to write more Spider-Gwen.

The other Edge of Spider-Verse title that has caught my eye is the offering from Gerard Way and Jacob Wyatt. This has potential on so many levels as Jacob Wyatt is one of the rising stars, having worked on his creator owned title and recently on a couple of Ms Marvel issues and well Gerard Way has been around long enough with Umbrella Academy and Killjoys for us to know he can write a good comic it will be interesting to see what he does with his own take on a Spider-Man origin.

Marvel Star Wars (Star Wars Jason Aaron/ Cassaday, Darth Vader Gillen/ Larocca/ Granov &, Leia Waid/ Dodson)

SDCC saw the a announcement of some long awaited news since Disney acquired Lucasfilm and it was officially announced that Marvel will be taking over the Star Wars franchise when it comes to the comics and so the titles and creative teams were finally announced.

There will be a stand alone Star Wars title written by Jason Aaron and illustrated by John Cassaday. Darth Vader will get his own title written by Kieren Gillen and illustrated by Salvador Larocca and Adi Granov and finally Princess Leia will get her own solo title from Mark Waid and Terry Dodson. I can't help but think a better artist could have been found for Leia that more suited the Princess but Dodson may well prove me wrong. These have been confirmed for 2015 so I imagine in the coming months more info and hopefully preview art will be released.

Avengers NOW! All- New Captain America (FalCap) Thor (Female) Superior Iron Man (Tony Stark Gone Mad Scientist) 

Marvels big SDCC announcement was the upcoming Avengers NOW! initiative much like the Marvel NOW! and All-New Marvel NOW! initiatives this sees many new titles and characters beginning from #1 with creative changes, mainly focusing on the characters within the Avengers team. The 3 big announcements are the upcoming changes to the big three Avengers, Captain America, Superior Iron Man and Thor. The mantle and shield of Captain America will be finding a new wielded in Sam Wilson a.k.a Falcon now dubbed Falcap, Steve Rogers has had the super soldier serum removed from his system and now resembles a man of his proper age so obviously he is required to hand over the mantle to someone he trusts. This will be brought to us in the pages of All-New Captain America from Rick Remender & Stuart Immonen starting in November. 

Tony Stark will be moving to San Francisco and after the major fall out from Original Sin, his antics in New Avengers and the events at the beginning of AXIS see him become the Superior Iron Man, an adjective once again made popular by the successful run of another Marvel heavyweight Spider-Man, this sees Tony go a little mad scientist and he will come head to head with another Marvel character recently moved to the area Daredevil. This take on the character certainly sounds interesting and with a new creative team to Marvel of Tom Taylor & Yilidray Cinar may well be worth checking out.

Thor also gets a major shake up. Thor Odinson no longer being deemed worthy of Mjolnir finds the hammer in someone else's hands, a mysterious female. It has been pointed out that this is not Thorita, Lady Thor. This is Thor and the God of Thunder is now a woman. In Jason Aaron I trust and he will be joined on this new era of Thor by Russell Dauterman, he will certainly need to be giving his A-Game as he will be replacing the critically acclaimed Essad Ribic on art duties for the character. This female character who now holds the hammer is shrouded in mystery and it has been confirmed we will have to wait to find out who it is.

Other new titles announced for Avengers NOW! included Angela: Asgards Assassin from Gillen/ Bennett/ Jimenez and Stephanie Hans, Bucky Barnes: Winger Soldier from Ales Kot and Marco Rudy. Deathlok is getting a new series starting in October from Nathan Edmondson and Mike Perkins. Two Inhumans feature in the image, Medusa and Inferno, this may be a continued push for the Inhumans as a whole or NYCC may see the announcement of a solo Medusa title can't really see a solo series for Inferno. Scarlet Witch features in the image also another character that is currently in Uncanny Avengers I have more on my ideas as to why she is in the image in the AXIS section below. Doctor Strange and Ant-Man both are present in the image and with there solo films confirmed or in production it is likely they will see there own individual titles especially considering they were both heavily involved in Original Sin it's only a matter of time.

AXIS

With Original Sin coming to an end, well ended by the time this is posted, AXIS now known as Avengers & X-Men AXIS has been getting a big promotional push. From Special Edition NYC we learnt about the first arc of 3 issues coming in October "The Red Supremacy" which sees the return of the Red Skull in his Onslught duds. This arc sees both the Avengers and X-Men battling the Red Skull on Genosha where he has turned the once mutant country into his base with enslavement camps and this is where he is spreading his message of hate across the world with his new found Charles Xavier mutant powers.

We learnt more about the 2nd arc 'Inversion' during SDCC and since. This arc sees heroes becoming 'bad' guys and villains becoming 'good'. The X-Men team up with one of their greatest villains. Tony Stark goes a little mad scientist and moves to San Francisco to become the Superior Iron Man as teased during the Avengers NOW! initiative. With the AXIS of Evil apparently winning where does that lead the Marvel Universe and what can possibly take place in the third arc to rectify this. Marvel are churning out event after event at the moment and it is understandable why many are apprehensive about this but from the solicitation for both the first and second arc this may be just as exciting and successful as the Avengers vs X-Men event from 2 years past.

Theres also several big teases in the solicitations for the issues during the second arc. The formation of the Astonishing Avengers in issue 6, and with the Uncanny Avengers on hiatus during this event and Remender teasing he will be on a new book by the end of this AXIS is it difficult to put two and two together and believe this will be Astonishing Avengers? Looks as though Remender is just working his way through all the pre-fix adjectives that haven't been before the word Avengers. Bleeding Cool certainly seem to think so and they also think Esad Ribic will be on art duties. Also from the solicits that have since been released issue 5 teases a new sorceress supreme, could the Scarlet Witch be gaining the mantel of Sorceress Supreme and with Marvel's big publishing push for female led titles and the character appearing in Avengers: Age of Ultron next year could she be getting her own title, 'Scarlet Witch Sorceress Supreme'? This would certainly answer why she is in the Avengers NOW! promo image.

Guardians of the Galaxy

So the film I had been waiting 3 years for was finally released at the end of July and is now the highest grossing film in America this year, surprised? I'm not. I've seen the film 3 times now and it was everything I expected and some. I'm counting down the days until the release date is confirmed for the Blu-Ray and then I will be counting down the days until the release date. This film take the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a completelt new and exciting direction and with Guardians of the Galaxy 2 confirmed to be directed by James Gunn and already announced to be released in July 2014 I now only have another 3 years to patiently and excitedly await the sequel. If you haven't yet got to see this I stongly recommed you find a cinema that it still showing it and see it NOW!

And so to end this long and wordy post why not a few teaser videos for some TV shows and Video Games I'm looking forward to coming this Fall.

Star Wars Rebels: October

Agents of Shield Season 2: