Marvel Avengers Alliance spoil an Infinity plot point? (Potential Infinity SPOILERS)

Bleeding Cool reported on Friday that a new Avengers Alliance Spec Op based around the current Infinity event may have revealed an important character yet to appear in the series. Now who could that possibly be. Well if you have been reading the current event, you would know that Thanos is currently on a search to hunt down his son, and for some reason he does not want this son to be alive. Systematically going world to world requesting tributes of all men aged between late teens to early twenties. What do you call Thanos' son, well Thane of course, and no thats not Thane from Mass Effect. Bleeding Cool managed to get a description of the character;


"I used to be just a man. Just another healer, nobody of consequence, plying my trade among my people. And then Thanos arrived. How did I get these horrible powers? Why? Did they come from him? All I know is that just as he came to Earth, I… changed. Suddenly I had the power of life and death in my hands. But I could not control it, and the people around me paid the price. Everyone that I had once healed, everyone I knew… dead. I ran before I could kill again, only to find an even greater murderer in my path. Thanos and his lieutenants were coming… for me. This Thanos creature… what does he want from me? If I give myself up to him, will he stop killing people? Or will he just use my powers to kill even more? I need someone to help me understand what I am… what I’ve become. Is that you, Agent? Do you think you can control death itself? I doubt it. But the truth is, I have no other choice. I cannot go back to the way I was, and I cannot go to Thanos. That leaves me with you. But I warn you. Try to use my powers for evil, and I’ll show you what they can do… in abundance."


This description really does link in with the character briefly seen in New Avengers by Doctor Strange a healer in a secluded village among his people. Clearly still human at this point. If Thane as pictured above really does turn out to be the son of Thanos his powers are somewhat ironic having the power of life and death considering his father has an obsession with the latter. The Thane pictured in Avengers Alliance is clearly in his Inhuman form and considering the Terrigen Mists will soon be spread across Earth giving all Inhumans there hidden potential and powers it should not be long until we see him appear in Infinity if this is indeed the character he is believed to be.

I may be remembering this incorrectly but in an interview with a Marvel editor I am sure they mentioned that during All-New Marvel NOW! we will be seeing a new on-going series based on a completely new character. Now considering Thane's power set and his obvious integral role in Infinity, being the thing Thanos is hunting, could this new on-going series be based on this character. Do you think this Thane from Avengers Alliance is indeed the son of Thanos? I find it odd that they would release this Spec Op before the reveal within Infinity but at least we don't have long to wait to see if it is true.

For the original report check out the links below;

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/09/20/from-marvel-avengers-alliance-thane-son-of-thanos/

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/09/21/more-on-thane-son-of-thanos/

The great talent on Marvel's "Arms of the Octopus"

 I have been meaning to write about this since the October solicits and with the most recent preview art on Comic Book Resources this triggered this long dormant thought. October sees writer Mike Costa joined by some great talent on art to bring us the "Arms of the Octopus" bringing All New X-Men, Superior Spider-Man and Indestructible Hulk together within a special issue of each title. Why has this got me so excited well the artists on the issues has. Kris Anka, known for his work on covers, most recently I can think of Uncanny X-Force, will be bringing his illustrative talents to All New X-Men #1. Michael Dialynas most recently on Amala's Blade from Dark Horse  will be drawing Superior Spider-Man Special #1 and from looking at the preview art so far this is gonna be one fantastic looking book. The last of these three talented artists for me to mention is Jake Wyatt, Jake is the artist I am least well pretty much wasn't familiar with but since seeing his preview pages I have checked out his blog and this dude can draw. Jake is also accompanied by the brilliant Jordie Bellaire on colours for his work and the preview pages are looking gorgeous. Want to see more from Jake I strongly recommend checking out his blog and Tumblr by clicking his name above, where he is currently beginning his online comic which looks really interesting and the art is great.

For an interview with the writer and images of the upcoming work check out the link below;

http://marvel.com/news/story/21128/friday_qa_michael_costa

Some preview images;

Top Left: Michael Dialynas
Top Right: Kris Anka
Bottom Left: Kris Anka
Bottom Right: Jake Wyatt

My thoughts on Knuckleheads #1 to #3

Knuckleheads #1 to #3

Writer: Brian Winkeler

Art By: Robert Wilson IV

Colours: Jordan Boyd

Letters: Thomas Mauer

What happens when you let a lay about, video game playing, tv watching, pizza eating, slob get implanted with some sort of jagged crystal knuckle duster that channels the power of “The Crystal Light”. Well you get Trevor K Trevinski . We are introduced to Trevor as he goes about what is clearly his usual day to day life this new found power from the crystal attached to his knuckles only used to cheat on Video Games and get free Netflix, seeing as I would probably have done exactly the same thing I like how Trevor thinks. The sidekick position seems to have been taken up by Trevor’s roommate Lance who, as most would, questions why on earth would aliens give this power to a bum like his friend. Also we get introduced, who I at first only thought of as being an extra, to the Pizza Guy. There is great chemistry between these three characters.

Knucklehead isn’t your usual super hero comic; in fact I am not sure it contains a Super Hero. Why do I say this? Well Trevor is only led to help the city against the giant Godzilla like alien invader because it cuts the power to his apartment, therefore not allowing him to carry on mooching about and playing video games. The moment he confronts the monster he immediately scarpers like the coward he is, well at least until he realises there is a damsel in distress and once again this is no heroic act other than an opportunity to save a sexy lady. Whether meant or not when reading this I felt that the support cast are the real heroes helping to point Trevor in the right direction in turn creating this unconventional hero. It is the supporting cast that gave me many of my favourite moments, Lance’s evil glare of hatred at Trevor, the Pizza Guys explanation for being late with the pizza when Trevor was trying to get the pizza for free, to when it turns out the Pizza Guy carries around both pepper spray and condoms, enter improvised mace grenade with the line “Go, Condom, Go!” Out of these two characters it is Lance who does more of the pushing of his friend towards the heroic path, also clearly showing Lance would have been a much better host for this crystal knuckle.

Inevitably Trevor rises to the occasion, unlocking the power of his crystal knuckle duster who would have thought he could fly? and beats the monster saving the Damsel in Distress and in turn the city he lives in. Is this his trigger point to become a hero? Well we won’t find out till next issue but clearly this was the most exercise Trevor had done in some time as the moment clearly took its toll on him throwing up on the woman he had just saved and collapsing much to my amusement as I am sure once you throw up all over a woman your chances of getting lucky are incredible low. What adventures will these characters be moving on to? That’s not quite clear but there is one thing for sure there will be pancakes.

Brian Winkeler does a great job of writing a relatable character giving a realistic view of what many would do if they suddenly received this power, I mean without that Uncle Ben moment or your Parents being murdered in an alley what reason do you have to become a hero? Brian incorporates some fun pop culture reference, the video game obsessed hero channelling his power through a Wii remote is a favourite of mine. Let’s not forget the art from Robert Wilson IV, this is the first work of his I have seen and teaming up with colourist Jordan Boyd the duo create some great visuals and action packed scenes. The use of panelling is done great to pace the story from the big panels containing action scenes to the smaller panels following conversations. Incorporating several of the sound effects for the ensuing action into the scene’s is great from the “KRASH” to the “SPLOSH”. The colours from Jordan Boyd really helping to bring Wilson VI’s art further to life, with the constant reminder of the destruction on my mind with the oranges and dots of yellow on the horizon, the fires throughout the city caused by the battle. There is also a great little 2 page look at how they came up with the covers from Robert, explaining how they came up with the first cover plus the logo. How to make a digital comic stand out in that small stamp on a page full of many others, described by Wilson VI the stamp sized image shows everything they needed to say about the hero in Knuckleheads “bathrobe, superpowers, pizza, pants optional!” and I agree.

I really enjoyed these three issues and whether you think Trevor is a hero or not, Trevor, Lance and Pizza Guy really make a great team, and they make for one funny comic and one fun heroic adventure. Three issues in, alien beaten and clearly the cast set up I truly hope that they keep these 3 dudes together and something tells me we will see more of the damsel in distress. 

Ming Doyle Joins Quantum and Woody in November with issue 5

I'm a strong believer in supporting your favourite creators. Having worked on an issue of the Guardians of the Galaxy Infinite online comic and most recently with Brian Wood and Jordie Bellaire on Mara Ming Doyle brings her wonderful illustration style to Quantum and Woody in November yet another new title to add to my monthly pick list!

Ross Campbell on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in December!

Well this was announced at the end of last week, but having had a busy weekend I didn't get a chance to hop on the blog, so I'm giving the app a shot on my break. Ross Campbell will be joining TMNT for the next storyline post City Fall. Having watched the programme as a kid and having all the action figures I look forward to finally picking up a comic with these characters with the extra highlight of Ross Campbell art!

DC Comics Animal Man #25 Preview

It is nice to be able to write something positive about DC considering all negative press regarding the team on Batwoman recently. But Rafael Alberquerque, the incredible artist from American Vampire, begins his work on Animal Man come issue #25. This was announced some time ago and is only a positive for the title, and considering these preview images this comic looks like it will have a great visual style! The preview art looks great and I will certainly be looking to pick this up come release day!

For more check out the link; http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=18082

The Day of the Doctor

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special gets a cinematic poster! I am really looking forward to this special, the return of Tennant and also the arrival and more about John Hurt's forgotten Doctor.