My Thoughts on Avengers Assemble #15 AU

Avengers Assemble #15 AU

Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Butch Guice

One of the main reasons I am writing about this issue is because this has been one of my favourite tie-ins to the Age of Ultron storyline so far and with the story being set in London, my home city where I work and buy my comics from gave it more appeal. Also the Ultron bots learning to say "Ext-Er-Min-Ate!" was awesome! making obvious reference to one of Britains greatest science fiction franchises Doctor Who. The action taking place in some of London's greatest landmarks, St Paul's Cathedral and the British Museum. This all made for a great read.

I am not incredibly familiar with the Marvel Universe's super hero initiative for Britain, apart from Captain Britain, recently in Remender's Secret Avengers, and Black Knight, and this was a great way to get introduced to some of these characters. Although I wasn't too sure about the magical football boots. I loved the idea of Excalibur being used and granting power to its owner.

The fact that a team-up of British Superheros manages to take down the influence of Ultron in Britain, albeit with great losses, makes for a great read, especially as the Avengers team have had no such luck across the pond. It was also great to see Captain Marvel turn up as she had not yet made an appearance in Bendis's main Age of Ultron title.

I was apprehensive about Age of Ultron in the beginning, but since the end of issue 6 this event has really turned up a gear and with tie ins like this it is really turning out be leading somewhere and being a success. But I will not proclaim that just yet. I strongly recommend you pick up this issue of Avengers Assemble AU and give it a read.

Adventures of Superman

Adventures of Superman (Digital First)

Writer: Jeff Parker/ Jeff Lemire

Artist: Chris Samnee/ Jeff Lemire

There was a lot of hooha surrounding the beginning of this Digital first series better known as the Scott Card Saga. But the time has finally come and the first two installments have since been released. If, like most, the New 52 currently isn't providing you the Superman stories you enjoy or expect then these are a great way to the stories that are great fun and make the most of the character, and as you can notice this is not New 52 Superman, he has pants.

Adventures of Superman Chapter One: The first installment was from the creative team of Jeff Parker and Chris Samnee, and well the moment this team up was announced I could not wait to see Chris Samnee illustrating a Superman story. Both the story here and the art are great. The drama in the issue of Superman protecting both the innocent but also trying to do his best not hurt or kill his enemy really portrays the characteristics of Superman and his virtues. Also the concept of Luthor testing out weapons until he can find a way to defeat Superman is enjoyable, and seeing Superman at his heroic best is of course what you expect from the character. Chris Samnee's art is stunning, action packed, seamless and has great energy, also whether deliberate or not there is a great easter egg in this issue which comes with the name of the Irish Pub, Shalvey's, has this anything to do with his artist pal Declan Shalvey? Well if not it is a huge coincidence. This chapter was thoroughly enjoyable and a great way to start this new digital first title.

Adventures of Superman Chapter Two: The second installment of these digital firsts was both written and illustrated by Jeff Lemire. This is the first opportunity I have had to see Jeff Lemire illustrate a book, and I was not disappointed and leaves me more excited for his upcoming Vertigo title Trillium, but anyway back to the point at hand. Lemire writes and illustrates a heartfelt story of two kids playing at being Superhero and Supervillain, at the beginning there was obviously a fight over who gets to be Superman. What I love about this issue, is how the boy who gets stuck being the supervillain goes through the whole Superman rogues gallery in an attempt to defeat Superman, but obviously at the end of the day Superman always wins! And the final scene is touching when it is revealed that Superman appears and witnesses the influence and hope he is giving these children. This chapter is on par if not better than the first, but these two chapters have completely different concepts.

Quite frankly at 69p per issue you really don't have an excuse not to get this, and with these being possibly the best Superman tales to be released recently any fan should be looking to download these, or picking these up when the first compilation issue is released in June. With Man of Steel out in just over a month this is a great way to get good Superman stories in anticipation for the film. Click the link below to download your copy;

http://www.readdcentertainment.com/Adventures-of-Superman-2013/comics-series/10176

EW Release First Look at Angela for the Marvel Universe

Entertainment Weekly today revealed the exclusive first look of Angela for the Marvel Universe as drawn by Creative Editor in Chief Joe Quesada. Although elements have been tamed and not added to this incarnation of Angela for the Marvel Universe Quesada, in my opinion, has created a great look for the character. July can not come sooner, as I am so excited to see Sara Pichelli's portrayal of the character when Angela appears in Guardians of the Galaxy, and I am confident Pichelli's art will be gorgeous. What do you think of the redesign? Check out the image below.

EA agree deal to Produce Star Wars games with Disney Lucasfilm

 So Disney and Lucasfilm announced that they have agreed a partnership with EA Games to produce new Star Wars titles for consoles, PC, tablets, mobile, handheld and more. This has come as a surprise to me, and I am left with the only hope being that within EA there are developers who have either worked with Star Wars and Lucasarts before or there are developers who should be able to create great and justifiable games for the franchise. The thing to listen out to now is how much will they listen to fans. For years and years there have been huge groups of Star Wars fans, or just fans of the games calling for Battlefront 3, Knights of the Old Republic 3 and Republic Commando 2.

I have already been putting together my wish list. Which contains all of the above titles. My hope is that EA will get Bioware working on the third installment of KOTOR and do it justice! If it is done simply as a sales gimmick, I may well boycott all EA releases, which is incredibly difficult as that would not leave me to many more games to play, adding to the fact that they now publish titles for Bioware. I have played Battlefield and believe that DICE are perfectly suited to working on both Battlefront 3 and Republic Commando 2. Developing these games would be a great choice for EA as this would be a way to reassure the fans that the franchise is in the correct hands. There are also a wealth of titles which still have potential, Force Unleashed, X-Wing TIE Fighter, Jedi Academy and many more which deserve there next installments.

Alternatively EA could go down the line of developing all new games, which is a risky business considering how hard Star Wars fans are to please on the gaming front. These are fans who feel they have not been listened to by the studios who ignore there wishes of sequels and continually develop new

ideas, which would be fine if they turned out to be any good but Star Wars Kinect was poor, Star Wars Force Unleashed 2 rushed. The biggest hope was the likes of Star Wars 1313, which is either now cancelled or on hold, but I really hope to hear that this is still in development and handed over to EA as this was a game I was truly excited for, and after such hype regarding its announcement would Lucasfilm and Disney really throw away all that hard work.

I can speculate and wish as much as I like, we will not be hearing anything concrete regarding Star Wars titles at this years E3 or before the end of this fiscal year. So April 2014 is the earliest for any official announcements. So let the rumours and speculation commence, and keep out fingers crossed for those all important titles to be given the green light, developed, announced and to be awesome and meet expectations. EA do not let me down!

                                                                                                                                                                   

 

Man Of Steel Posters and Music by Hans Zimmer

Warner Brothers have released a new poster, in banner form, as seen above and also a full length preview of the Man of Steel theme. Also another poster was released recently see this below. I have my tickets for the 14/06/2013, for IMAX 2D and I cannot wait.

If this isn't ramping up the anticipation for this film I don't know what is, since watching the most recent trailer I have been ignoring any further news, as I am so excited for this film I do not want to spoil anything else for myself. But I couldn't help but listen to this beautiful piece by Hans Zimmer which has Superman written all over it. To check it out click the link below;

https://soundcloud.com/watertowermusic/mos_poster/s-LYFjd

My One to Watch 08-05-2013

Star Wars #5

Publisher: Dark Horse

Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Carlos D'Anda

Well a bit later than usual my one to watch for the week, well tomorrow is Star Wars #5. Dark Horse are doing great things with Star Wars at the moment, firmly cementing why the franchise should stay with them, with the likes of there expanded universe lines, the highlight being both Star Wars Legacy and this new ongoing title Star Wars by Wood and D'Anda.

This title is on the top of my pick list each month it is released, and it hasn't disappointed yet. Wood has been given the reins to delve into a delicate time period in the Star Wars mythos, between Episode IV and V. This restricts what he can and can't do but there is no doubting what he has done so far. Wood now gives us something to look forward to each month from the original characters of the franchise, expanding on their antics and story development during this pivotal time period.

This is really one for the Star Wars fans out there. You will be rewarded if you read this book. My one to watch for tomorrow is Star Wars #5.

For a preview check out the link below;

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=16414

Out This Week 08-05-2013

(This list does not contain collected editions or reprints)

DARK HORSE COMICS

BTVS SEASON 9

CREEPY COMICS #12

STAR WARS #5

X #1

DC COMICS

BATMAN #20

BATMAN AND RED HOOD #20

BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED #14

CONSTANTINE #3

DEATHSTROKE #20

DEMON KNIGHTS #20

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #20

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #3

KATANA #4

RAVAGERS #12

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #13

SUICIDE SQUAD #20

SUPERBOY #20

TEAM 7 #8

THRESHOLD #5

IDW PUBLISHING

FEVER RIDGE MACARTHUR JUNGLE WAR

MEMORIAL IMAGINARY FIENDS #3

ROCKETEER HOLLYWOOD HORROR #4

STAR TREK ONGOING #20

IMAGE COMICS

CHIN MUSIC #1

PROPHET #35

STORM DOGS #5

WALKING DEAD #110

WITCHBLADE #166

MARVEL COMICS

ALPHA BIG TIME #4

ASTONISHING X-MEN #62

AVENGERS #11

AVENGERS ARENA #9

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #15AU

AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #20

CASTLE A CALM BEFORE STORM #5

DEADPOOL #9

FEARLESS DEFENDERS #4

IRON MAN #258.2

MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES #14

SECRET AVENGERS #4

THOR GOD OF THUNDER #8

ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #24

UNCANNY AVENGERS #8

UNCANNY X-FORCE #4

WOLVERINE #3