Marvel News & Views 01.02.03
Posted by Jim Trabold on 01.02.2004
Fantastic Four, Ultimate Fantastic Four, 4, & the new New X-Men team?!?
I’m back. As if you didn’t get enough of me this week. I’ve got the news for Friday January 2nd. I would just like to say happy New Year to everyone. Let’s start this up.
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR PRINT RUN TOPS 200K
Now just two days from its long-anticipated launch, Marvel wants to thank readers and retailers for making ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #1 the highest ordered new ongoing series debut this decade, with a print run of over 200k issues!
"This is the first time in years that a new, ongoing series has launched so impressively," said Diamond Comic Distributors President and CEO Steve Geppi. "It's a win-win situation for everyone from Marvel to the retailers to the fans. Congratulations to Marvel and the creative team of Ultimate Fantastic Four on their achievement."
"The early critical response and attention the series has received – with mentions in publications like this month's ESQUIRE and Sunday's WASHINGTON POST - has been especially gratifying, and the response by retailers has been extraordinary," said Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada. "And with creative team like Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Millar & Adam Kubert (and a cover assist by Bryan Hitch), comic book retailers AND readers will be richly rewarded for their show of faith! What a great way to kick off the New Year for comics' fans! This is just the start of a VERY BIG 2004 at Marvel!"
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #1 goes on sale Friday, January 2nd. "This is everything that a first issue should be; beautifully illustrated and expertly faithful to the script," reads Comics Buyer's Guide review of the issue. "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."
ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #2 [NOV031487] goes on sale 1/28 and retailers are reminded its Final Order Cut-off [FOC] is Thursday, 1/8. Readers, ask your local comic book retailer to reserve your copies today!
You know I actually am not too surprised that this one sold like it did. There where a lot of fans looking forward to it and I would just say this one is a must read for FF fans as well as the Ultimate fans out there. I have a strong feeling this will be the best of the bunch and the FF will never be the same after this. ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR is out now so run and get your copy as soon as possible before your store sells out.
FIGURING OUT THE "OTHER" 4
If you hadn't heard, there was some shaking up of the FANTASTIC FOUR this year. One of the results launches in February - 4 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Steve McNiven. We caught up with the writer for a chat:
This one I’m still questioning. You know I didn’t like the idea of these two taking over for Waid and the current FF artist. I really don’t know how this series will go. I have a feeling a good amount of fans will hold a grudge against this one. I may be wrong but it will be a tough sell. I do like the idea it’s a Marvel Knights book though. It’s a little more of a different feel and it’s not your everyday FF stories. Who knows fans may enjoy it. I just am not sure how fans will react at first when this one comes out.
HERMES TADEU, HULK COLORIST MURDERED
According to reports and Glass House Graphics chief David Campiti, HULK colorist Hermes Tadeu was murdered in Sao Paulo, Brazil on December 21st. He was completing his first issue...
I was shocked when I read this one the other day. I couldn’t believe we lost a colorist while he was on vacation. This one really was a surprise. He was even still working on his first issue. I know Marvel will find a replacement fast. I know Marvel will have something about it in the issue just to tribute the guy or something. Shame to lose him.
ANT MAN AND DANIEL WAY
Daniel Way's written an eclectic mix of projects recently for Marvel. Before its cancellation his GUN THEORY was the only creator-owned title at Epic. He's worked on a few Tsunami series and is still writing VENOM. Now the first issue of his Mature Readers/MAX Marvel ANT MAN series is on the stands. Way told us a little about ANT MAN, VENOM, and his ... inspirations. He's a man of few words, but he does knows a lot of profanity
Mister Way is a very busy man. Not as busy as say Brian Bendis but he does do a few books for Marvel. He is a pretty decent writer as well. I know there’s a good amount of people that do like reading VENOM and also I do believe this ANT-MAN series will get many of those same fans on board. ANT-Man to me will not be one of those series many fans demanded for like say a VENOM but the series will bring something different to MAX. I have a feeling Way will help the title do very well.
FF 509 DOES A MEMBER DIE?
A certain beloved member of the Fantastic Four may have died tragically in this month's FANTASTIC FOUR #508 (don't look at the images if you don't want to know), but the fan-favorite creative team of Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo LIVE! As Marvel readers demanded, the creative duo start their new FF lease on life with January's FANTASTIC FOUR #509, the beginning of the new three-part story arc, "HEREAFTER"!
In their journeys, they've traveled to other planets, other universes and even other dimensions, facing down such cosmic threats as the destroyer of all things - Galactus. But where the now "Fantastic Three" are going in January is an otherworldly realm they've never been. They're embarking on the most desperate adventure in their careers, storming the gates of Heaven itself and leading to an ultimate showdown with the CREATOR of everything!
The 32-page FANTASTIC FOUR #509 [NOV031488], the first chapter in the three-part, HEREAFTER" story arc, goes on sale January 21st with a cover price of $2.25. Retailers are reminded its Final Order Cut-off (FOC) date is Monday, 12/29. Readers, ask your local comic book retailer to reserve your copy!
Here we go again fans. Someone dies. Ok we know who it is in this preview as well. I know as well as everyone reading this knows that the character will be back. Maybe even the following month. The FF has been thru this a few times. Reed died in the 90s even. This one here will be interesting though. I have a feeling Waid will make this better then the last one in fact. I have a strong feeling that this character won’t be gone to long and I’m not even going to say he’s dead until I have prove he’s gone for awhile.
WHEDON, MAMET, CASSADAY... NEW X-MEN?
Ever since writer Grant Morrison announced his intention to leave NEW X-MEN, the Internet has run rampant with speculation as to just who would be the new creative team for the Marvel Comics series.
The most popular topic of conversation has been that the publisher was looking outside of the comic book industry for a replacement for Morrison on the title…
Check out the possible confirmation of all the rumors at ComiX-fan
You know this rumor has been out there as long as the rumors of who is taking over NEW X-MEN have been around. No one is willing to confirm it at Marvel and no one is willing to deny it. The problem is until they have a press conference there will be more and more of these rumors. It’s about time they just have this press conference and end all of the rumors. I won’t even confirm this one myself until Marvel tells me it’s right.
Well that’s it for me this week folks. Been a fun week. I’ve been very busy and I want to kill whoever sent me that worm last week. I really hope no one did it on purpose. Remember to label your emails to me guys. I don’t want to open up a file or email and get a worm or virus. I sort of can’t do any articles if my computer goes down. Either way I hope everyone had a good year and get ready for another one here at 411 comics. I’m not leaving anytime soon and you’ll be seeing me every Wednesday and Friday. No more News and Views though unless I’m needed. Unless someone wants to start one of those online petitions to get me back. Kidding of course. See everyone next week. Reporting from the Marvel Universe this is Mister Marvel Jim Trabold. Have a great week.
STAY CURRENT