Marvel News & Views 10.6.03
Posted by Jim Trabold on 10.05.2003
Creators coming, going and talking
Welcome again readers. I’m only doing Monday reports from here on out, which does give me more time for the Marvel Handbook. I’ve already got a great issue started and the Book of the Dead will be included.
Also expect more news and more information on everything going on here, as well as features of course. More opinions and more fun. So let’s get started with the Monday Marvel News and Views.
X-TRAITOR
As if Professor Xavier and his dream aren't getting enough of a beating in NEW X-MEN, over in WEAPON X the vision of peaceful cohabitation gets another punchdown as an X-Man joins the mutant-hunting team. Writer Frank Tieri spoke with Newsarama about the upcoming storyline, "Defection"
You know Chamber was the best character for the job. I admit many fans love Chamber and liked the fact that he had graduated to becoming an X-Man. But you will see him more now that he will be moving over to WEAPON X. That’s right, more Chamber and that’s great news for Chamber fans. Yes I know you would rather have him not become a traitor and join WEAPON X but it was a good choice for this character that never really got to much attention in X-Men. Hell, he hasn’t even really been part of the team for a few missions. With a large team and a ton of guests you would expect that of course but if I remember right he was supposed to get more notice in X-Men. Now he might just get that in WEAPON X.
IGOR KORDEY
Igor Kordey is the newest artist to the X-TREME in the Marvel Universe. He’s currently drawing the Intifada story which features the return of Rogue and Gambit to the X-TREME pages. After this arc, Storm takes center stage in a "gladiator" type tale. Kordey promises that after Arena, "Storm, as we know her, will be no more." Kordey talked to THE PULSE about all these mutants, told us what went wrong with NEW X-MEN and SOLDIER X. Plus he provided us with exclusive sketches and character designs for the X-TREME
I know a few fans did not like Igor’s work with NEW X-MEN and also SOLDIER X. He never really got into those titles and I’m expecting him to do better with X-TREME X-MEN. He’s a good artist. He’s been a fill in artist for the most part of his career with X-Men. Although now he will have a title that he will have to do his best or the fans will get on him again and try to stay on schedule for a monthly title. Let’s just hope his art is done well and that he can keep up with this title.
MYSTIQUE
While many of Marvel's Tsunami books have found it rough going when it comes to sales, MYSTIQUE is one of the publishing initiatives' success stories. Buoyed, of course by her status as an X-character, her…hotness, and the creative team, the series is seeing solid numbers. We spoke with writer Brian Vaughan
You know why MYSTIQUE is doing so well and why I think more readers should this title? Brian K. Vaughan. That’s right folks. One of the best writers Marvel has. He has made Mystique the character she should be. The character that many X-Fans love to hate and a character that is very interesting. This series is one of the best out there at the moment. Vaughan is one of the best writers and I expect Marvel to keep him around for some time if they are smart. They can’t let someone like this go. (And they better be careful, because Vaughan is just the type of guy DC would love to snatch up with an exclusive contract. -Ben)
MARVEL MID-BUDGET FILMS
According to a report in today’s Variety, Marvel is looking to make a serious move into film production and rollout more films based on lesser-known characters in deals that would allow the company to retain the equity in the films.
According to the story, Marvel will shortly roll out a listing of films it will produce – all mid-budget ($8 to $50 million), starring 2nd and 3rd tier characters. Marvel will release both film and direct-to-video productions. Financing will mostly come from third parties.
President and CEO of Marvel Studios, Avi Arad told the trade: "It's a sure thing to open and it's strong on DVD," of potential Marvel character-based pics. According to Arad, Marvel will not be getting out of the blockbuster business – films such as Spider-Man and X-Men will continue at the larger studios.
Arad did not say which properties Marvel was currently developing, but noted that even a third tier character such as Blade has developed a large box office presence and performance.
This is an excellent idea by Marvel here. The smaller movies should be done by Marvel. I’m not talking about the X-Men, Spider-Ma, Fantastic Four, Avengers and all the mainstream characters and teams. I’m talking second and third stringers. The likes of a Man-Thing (yep I mentioned he didn’t need one as bad as Strange and Surfer) and a character like Luke Cage even. These characters don’t need the big budget of a Spider-Man or X-Men. You see I do think that those characters should be done but why not do them yourself. That’s what Marvel will do.
GRANT MORRISON
'I'm very proud of my X-Men graphic mega-novel.' Grant Morrison takes a look at the work he's done on 'NEW X-MEN' as his run on the Marvel Comics series winds down.
You know some people liked Morrison’s work with NEW X-MEN. For some people they were happy to see him leave and head over to DC. I’m one of those that aren’t too sure. Some of his stories were pretty good. He did bring something to the X-Men. I know he brought some bad stuff and some good. Some interesting characters. Some good storylines. Some rather interesting new takes on characters that fans love. I can say that he did some stuff that pissed off fans as well. I just hope that fans do remember this run.
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Brian Michael Bendis said that the origin of the Fantastic Four in Ultimate Fantastic Four will not incorporate the elements of the space race that were used in the Marvel Universe version.
"That's not something that's part out of our lives right now," said Bendis, who is writing the December-debuting title with Mark Millar. "We're not going to spoil it now, but we came up with a take on the origin that has something to do with something that is of interest right now, and what our whole world will be like in the next century.
"And making Reed Richards a more fun character with that kind of technology. You have to buy it to find out what it is, but it's not cosmic rays."
Bendis said co-writing the book with Millar has been "a pretty outrageous experience and new challenge for us as writers."
"We thought it would be awesome idea to see what it would be like to have Mark's Ultimate story-telling and my character moments and dialogue mixed in together to see what that would feel like together."
You know Bendis is another writer that's important to Marvel. He’s one of their best. Him doing ULTIMATE FF is a great idea. He’s doing a few great titles already so I hope he can keep up his great writing. I know many fans love his work. I just don’t want to give him too much to do at once. I don’t want his work to suffer. I know Bendis is one guy that can do it though so there’s no reason that he can’t keep it up.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #500
It's said that one picture is worth a thousand words ... but in the case of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #500, one picture is worth 48-pages, if the picture is drawn by the amazing art team of JOHN ROMITA Jr. & SCOTT HANNA. And when those 48-pages are written by the incomparable J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, and features one of the great covers of the year by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL, you know you have one very special anniversary issue on your hands. On-sale October 22nd, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #500 finds Peter Parker spending his birthday as Spider-Man battling an inter-dimensional threat that descends on Manhattan. Fighting alongside Spidey is a who's who of Marvel Universe guest-stars, including the Fantastic Four, Thor, Iron Man, the X-Men's Cyclops and Dr. Strange. The battle culminates in a trip throughtime, where Peter/Spider-Man meets ALL of his greatest adversaries like Doctor Octopus and the Green Goblin, and has one very special and unexpected reunion drawn by none other than JOHN ROMITA Sr. himself! The 48-page AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #500 [AUG031494] goes on sale October 22nd with a cover price of $3.50. Retailers are reminded its Final Order Cut-off(FOC) date is Thursday, 10/2. Readers, ask your local comic book retailer to reserve your copy.
500? That is a lot of issues. (You should try reading ACTION COMICS some time. -Ben) You know how rare it is for a title to reach this type of milestone? With second and third series coming out it is very rare. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN is on it’s second series and has the same numbering under the current one. The fact that Marvel changed that was the best idea because many fans would love to see the numbers go this high instead of 15 number 1’s. The likes of Captain America, Fantastic Four, Avengers and more deserve the same. Marvel should keep the old numbering underneath. This will allow the titles to reach numbers that old and new fans will like to see.
HULK RIDE
A 34-year-old Florida woman who was found unconscious on the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal Orlando last week has died, according to news sources.
Damn this sucks. This seems pretty scary to me. I admit that it’s not cool news either. I’m not sure how bad this is for Marvel. I mean this ride has little to do with the company. Although it is named the Hulk ride it doesn’t mean Marvel had anything to do with the death but this type of stuff is never good for anyone and always scares people.
AVENGERS
This morning, Marvel notified retailers that the the next issue of AVENGERS, #71, originally due to be in stores next Wednesday will be delayed until October 15th, and its normal "PSR" rating changed to "MR" or Mature Readers due to adult content, the first time such a change has been made
*** Marvel Content Advisory: Avengers #71 ***
At this time, Marvel has decided to delay the ship date of Avengers #71 by one week. The book will now ship on October 15, and will be returnable.
Please treat this issue of Avengers as a mature readers issue.
While a PSR rated title, this issue of Avengers contains mature content in the story, (specifically a sexual situation, and domestic violence) which warrants an even stronger warning. The book was inadvertently not labeled as containing mature content.
Marvel Comics respectfully requests that all Marvel First Look retailers use discretion when deciding to display First Look copies of Avengers #71 (JUL031474D4).
Marvel apologizes for any inconvenience or difficulties that this situation may have caused.
This is rather interesting. A normal Marvel title will go to a mature rating for an issue like this one. I’m not too shocked about it seeing as the characters and more do have activities outside the uniform. In fact I wouldn’t doubt if AVENGERS was a mature title for a time they wouldn’t show something more about Scarlet Witch and Vision or Wonder Man. I know you don’t see that happen and I doubt Marvel would do it. Hell I wouldn’t want to change a main title over either. Admit this much: ULTIMATES goes pretty far and towards that already. So the main title doesn’t have to. I do think it’s interesting though. I wonder what else might come out of this.
GUS BEEZER RETURNS
This December sees the return of GUS BEEZER to the Marvel Universe and series writer Gail Simone tells you what you can expect. Includes a 4 page preview of pencils from this issue.
They’re bringing this one back? I thought the first series of these failed to meet fans expectations and more. I know Gail is a great writer and not to say the title wasn’t funny and more but I don’t think it actually was everything it could’ve been. I loved the idea when it came out. I still do think it might work. I just don’t know if this is the right character or that this will work now.
DEATHLOK DETOUR
After being in the works for well over a year, Marvel's Axel Alonso has confirmed that DEATHLOK: DETOUR is due to finally hit stores in January. On board for the four-issue MAX limited series is writer Daniel Way with art by Darick Robertson. Newsarama caught up with the three for the lowdown
Deathlok’s back. Again. What’s this the fifth try? Sixth? I can’t remember. I am not saying the character is not a good one. Hell I’m not saying the character even sucks but I don’t think it can hold a series. Seriously how many times should we try this one out and watch it fail after 10 issues or less. I admit maybe a great writer and artist could being some life to the character. In fact get him back to doing well before a Deathlok movie is made.
Very full issue. Expect more of these in the coming weeks. I’ll throw in a special feature next week. I’ll see everyone on Wednesday with the Marvel Handbook. The first part of the Book of the Dead will be inside the issue. So check it out. Reporting live from the Marvel Universe I’m Jim Trabold. Have a great week.
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