Marvel News & Views 11.3.03
Posted by Jim Trabold on 11.03.2003
Ultimate FF teaser reactions, Marvel gets sued again & more
WOLVERINE THE END
Starting this November, Marvel Comics will begin telling the final story of one of it's most popular and iconic characters - WOLVERINE. It's the latest installment of Marvel's THE END series and will be a six issue mini written by ORIGIN scribe Paul Jenkins with pencils and covers provided by 1999
You know these THE END stories seem like a good idea but so far some of them have not been done as well as they could have been. I do like the idea I just haven't liked how some of them have been written or drawn. I hope this one is done well. This can be a great idea as long as the right people are doing it and the books are the best they can be. I hope WOLVERINE THE END is the best so far and will give us better ones in the future.
CABLE/DEADPOOL
Those readers anxiously awaiting the debut of CABLE & DEADPOOL, a new ongoing series from Marvel Comics by writer Fabian Nicieza and UDON artist Mark Brooks with covers by Rob Liefeld, will now have to wait a little longer. Initially solicited as premiering in November, the series was announced in the recently-released AGENT X #15 as having been pushed back until March, 2004.
You know this is not a good start for any series. I understand the artist is doing another series at the moment. But it always gets the fans questioning where's CABLE/DEADPOOL # 1 or say something like one of Kevin Smith's books. What happens if he can't get away from finishing what he's doing when they want to actually put the book out. Delay it again? We don't need more delays. If the artist can't do it try to get someone else to replace him or just fill in for the first few issues. Don't delay it constantly. Many fans can't wait for this book so please don't play around Marvel.
X-MEN EVOLUTION
The airing of the 2-part season finale of X-MEN: EVOLUTION, entitled "Ascension", has left fans of the Kids' WB! series wondering whether or not there will be a fifth season thanks to the surprise-filled ending wherein the X-Men were forced to fight against the eternal mutant Apocalypse and his possessed Four Horsemen - Professor X, Magneto, Mystique, and Storm.
You know the way the show ended it seemed like a final episode. I would like WB to continue the series. If they don't someone like Cartoon Network should allow it to continue. I don't think WB did everything they could do to pump up the series. I mean I remember when the new season was going to start they put it off for a few weeks and then pushed it back more. I think WB made some big mistakes that maybe Cartoon Network or someone else could fix. I say Cartoon Network because they show the old episodes so they are a great option. Although there's a lot of DC characters on the network. I think a Marvel hero group staying there would be nice.
DODSON & QUESADA TALK SPIDER-MAN
Shifting the spotlight of Marvel's new SPIDER-MAN series away from writer Mark Millar, we hit artist Terry Dodson up for some information on the book, how he got on it, and just what kind of pain it is to draw all the lines on Spidey's costume. Marvel EIC Joe Quesada and Terry's wife and inker, Rachel stopped by for a few comments as well
You know I've talked to fans online and in the comics shops and they seem to be excited that Millar and Dodson are doing a new Spidey series. Even if it's like the 4th one on the shelves. I think this one could actually be the best one. I have to say it's a good idea to have these two doing a Spidey series. Many were asking what the mystery book Millar was doing for Marvel next year. Some even thought it was him taking over NEW X-MEN. Millar is likely to do a good job with this character. I think this book should be really interesting to read.
ULTIMATE THING
Though still two months away from its long-awaited debut, the buzz surrounding the fourth cornerstone of the ULTIMATE MARVEL foundation - Brian Bendis, Mark Millar and Adam Kubert's ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR - is already starting to build.
Esquire Magazine has picked ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR as a pop culture event to watch in the "Index" section of its upcoming December edition, and just this week Comics Buyer's Guide (issue #1564, 11/7/03) named it "HEAD OF THE CLASS" of its December 2003 "COMICS IN YOUR FUTURE" selections, giving it three "A+" scores and a composite score of "A-" from a seven-member review panel of comic book retailers.
Here are samples of just some of the retailer reviewers' glowing comments...
"There is a good reason that Bendis wins awards every year for his comic book writing. It's because he clearly cares about what he's writing: both how the reader perceives it and how it treats the material that came before it. This comic book does a masterful job of handling both of these immense tasks... A stupendous start, a must read."
"...This is a luxury vehicle, smooth and sleek."
"This is everything that a first issue should be; beautifully illustrated and expertly faithful to the script. These are top creators at the top of their game obviously working with characters that they care for, and all the joy and discovery and the sense of wonder that the Fantastic Four should engender are here. I can't wait for the next issue."
Readers who want to sample the issue for themselves can also check out the special ten-page preview of ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #1 in this week's new issue of WIZARD (#146), along with these two new sample sketches by artist Bryan Hitch, who contributed the new series' character designs.
The 32-page ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #1 goes on sale 12/31 with a cover by Bryan Hitch and a cover price of $2.25. Retailers are reminded its Final Order Cut-off (FOC) date is 12/11. Readers, ask your local comic book retailer to reserve your copy as well as copies of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #50 and ULTIMATE X-MEN #40, as part of December's new reader-friendly "ULTIMATE STARTS" event!
This THING looks mostly the same as Marvels 616 version of course except for the uniform which to me looks like something that a woman would wear or something. In fact it somewhat looks more like She-Thing because of the outfit. Now of course being this might be just promo work and not the main outfit. I would just say Thing does look pretty good (even with the uniform) I would hope if we get more previews they do look just as good and maybe a uniform change would be nice. These FF uniforms just don't look that good so far.
TRIBUNE SUES MARVEL
According to various reports, Tribune Entertainment has filed suit against Marvel for $100 million, claiming that Marvel made statements about its MUTANT X syndicated television series which were "fraudulent and negligent," and as a result, were responsible for the harming the show, guaranteeing that it would never make money
Here we go again. I just don't understand why everyone wants to sue Marvel. I understand some of them want money from Marvel but damn without Marvel you would not be able to do any of the stuff you're doing. MUTANT X would not be on the air without Marvel. I understand Fox got involved of course in suing both Tribune and Marvel. I just don't really understand them. Marvel tried its best to have a comic based on the show and also did some work to pump up the series in it's comics. I don't know how these guys can keep suing each other. I hope Marvel counter sues at this rate. It's annoying.
Ah it's November now. You know I don't have a special feature ready for this week. I have a cold so my head's still not on straight. So how about a month full of special features? That's right folks. The following weeks of November will have special features.
Here's my schedule for everyone:
Nov 8: 411 comics- A special on Marvel books numbered 411. I'll dig out the old issues and give a short synopsis.
Nov 15: From the Comics Shop- With a special on some of the best Marvel comics you're most likely not buying.
Nov 22: Welcome to Marvel- This week I'll give new readers a little leason on who's who in Marvel.
Nov 29: Mail Bag- This one is where I answer viewer mail.
So hope you like what's coming. From the Marvel Universe this is Jim Trabold have a great week.
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