Marvel https://comicbook.com/marvel/feed/rss/ Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:42:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Marvel RSS Generator Deadpool & Wolverine: Emma Corrin's X-Men Villain Reportedly Confirmed https://comicbook.com/movies/news/deadpool-wolverine-emma-corrins-x-men-villain-cassandra-nova-confirmed/ Thu, 29 Feb 2024 01:17:00 +0000 Timothy Adams baebc582-4923-4c45-92e6-303ee5d86935

Deadpool & Wolverine has seemingly revealed one of its surprising guest stars. The movie reunites Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as the titular Deadpool and Wolverine, respectively, marking the first X-Men movie developed by Marvel Studios. There have been numerous rumors that the film will feature some surprising guest stars, with reports of Taylor Swift playing Dazzler making the rounds. While nothing has been confirmed just yet regarding additional cameo appearances, a new U.S. copyright filing potentially confirms that star Emma Corrin is playing Charles Xavier's twin sister Cassandra Nova.

The U.S. Copyright Office's official filing has a February 13th preregistration date for Deadpool & Wolverine. Inside it has a description of the film and lists its cast, including the co-stars Ryan Reynolds / Deadpool and Hugh Jackman / Wolverine. Along with the returning Morena Baccarin as Deadpool's girlfriend Vanessa, the filing lists Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova. Corrin's role as the villainous Cassandra Nova was hinted at in the first trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine when eagle-eyed fans caught a glimpse of the back of a bald person's head that didn't appear to be Charles Xavier.

Who is Cassandra Nova?

Created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, Cassandra Nova debuted in 2001's New X-Men #114. Cassandra Nova possesses similar telekinetic and telepathic powers to her twin brother, Charles Xavier, and uses them in her crusade against what terms "the mutant menace." One of her worst acts involves sending an army of evolved mutant-hunting machines, the Sentinels, to the mutant island nation of Genosha that results in the death of 16 million Homo Superior.

It's later revealed that Professor X tried to kill his twin sister while they were both in the womb after detecting just how evil she really was. However, Professor X has no recollection of even having a sister. Jean Grey explains that the Xavier twin was born without a body -- using Charles' cells to survive and mimicking human traits. Cassandra is what's called a "Mummudrai": a formless being of living emotional energy.

An official, synopsis for Deadpool & Wolverine has not been released by Marvel Studios, but what's clear is that it will not only bring Deadpool into the Marvel Cinematic Universe but usher in a major new era of the X-Men under the banner of Marvel Studios. Shawn Levy directs Deadpool & Wolverine which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen.

"Not only have Kevin Feige and Marvel and Disney supported this extremely Deadpool-ian, audacious, R-rated tone, they've also supported our super meta, self-referential self-awareness," Levy told Wired about the first R-rated MCU movie. "Some of the jokes are dirty, some of them are cultural observations, but that's what we love about Deadpool, that he knows he's in a movie, even though the stakes are real. Our movie is very loyal to that DNA too, with tremendous Marvel and Disney support, in making fun of and being self-aware about everything, including themselves."

Marvel Studios' Deadpool & Wolverine opens only in theaters July 26.

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Marvel's Avengers: Twilight Reveals the New Hawkeye https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-avengers-twilight-3-bullseye-new-hawkeye-ramona-jones/ Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:10:00 +0000 Cameron Bonomolo ef9b3e89-a86b-4e1f-b6f5-a549bca8456b

[Spoiler alert for Avengers: Twilight #3.] Avengers... assemble. Decades after "Hero Day" -- a battle against Ultron that resulted in the deaths of many of Earth's mightiest heroes -- the Avengers disassembled. Their replacements are the new "Avengers" working with the totalitarian government manipulated by Kyle Jarvis -- secretly a disguised Red Skull conspiring with an A.I. Ultron -- and James Stark, the CEO son of the original Iron Man and the Wasp. In this future without heroes, Luke Cage recruited an elderly Steve Rogers to his underground resistance, the Defenders, and had his freedom fighters replicate the Super-Soldier Serum that transformed Steve into Captain America.

After "Jarvis" had the U.S. military engage the Thunderbolts to quell Captain America's Defender rebellion, Ramona Jones -- a Marine sniper nicknamed "Bullseye" -- disobeyed a direct order to fire on an unarmed Cap, who then escaped. Cap and Cage's Defenders sought help from the "world's smartest man": the visionary Tony Stark, whose disembodied head is kept prisoner in the Raft.

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This week's Avengers: Twilight #3 sees Captain Americainfiltrate the prison on the East River, which the government converted into a monstrous research facility with relics from past supervillains: Doctor Octopus' tentacle-like arms, the Vulture's wings, the Green Goblin's glider, the Venom symbiote. After techie Tyler manages to transmit a distress signal that Cap calls his "Hail Mary," he flies an old Avengers quinjet to the prison surrounded by miles of icy water. Tyler accompanies the rescue mission to help Cap override the Raft's security.

At the Raft, James tells his father that he created his own Iron Man armor -- without using Tony Stark's brain. James believes he's smarter than his father and "actually saving the world," unlike his superhero parents who "just flew around punching baddies." Cap sneaks into the high-security prison turned research facility to find and free Tony, but he's caught by Bullseye: "The soldier who didn't shoot me." A soldier who has been ordered to shoot the "terrorist" Captain America on sight.

James confronts "old man" Cap and threatens to call the Avengers. As he rants about locking up dissidents and the countless rights violations under this totalitarian regime, Bullseye strikes James with an arrow -- a flesh wound to his shoulder. Before Bullseye can explain why she's suddenly switched sides, the new Iron Man calls in a security breach as the two soldiers escape with Tony's head.

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Bullseye trades in her sniper rifle for a bow on "quiet missions," but alarms turn Cap's stealth rescue mission into a prison break. "You call yourself 'Bullseye'... but I know a Hawkeye when I see one," Cap tells the Thunderbolt he's just christened an Avenger. The new Hawkeye abides by Cap's no-kill rule and leads him to a room where he'll be "made whole."

"I thought it was age that made me feel incomplete," Cap thinks. "With the serum, I can lead armies. With you... I can do anything." For the first time in what feels like a lifetime, Captain America is reunited with his star-spangled shield. The Sentinel of Liberty lives again. Cap and Hawkeye make a run for the quinjet, but James -- suited up in a brawny Iron Man armor -- impedes their escape with a repulsor blast. Iron Man shoots down the aircraft and nearly kills Tyler... but as Cap says: "Nobody dies today. Nobody. Not while Captain America lives."

Hawkeye covers Cap as he rescues Tyler from the crashing quinjet, but the trio are surrounded by S.H.I.E.L.D.'s armored Iron Cops. Iron Man trades blows with the Super Soldier, telling the old man he's "the past, fighting the future." Old-fashioned as he may be, Cap reminds the young man: "No. I fight for the future." James is intoxicated on the power granted to him by his Iron Man armor. Hawkeye embraces Cap's no-kill rule as she tries to save the Raft soldiers who are collateral damage from Iron Man's recklessness.

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"You want to save people? All our rules that you hate do just that," the Authoritarian Avenger tells Cap as he tries to beat him into submission. "A few examples made. A few dreamers put to sleep." Cap resists and questions what gives James Stark the right to decide who lives or dies: His money? His father's brilliant mind? James throws Tony's head into the East River and declares he no longer needs his father's brain. Hawkeye dives into the water to save the Iron Cops... and is fished out by the giant hand of Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel, who lifts them to safety with Tony's head in hand.

Captain America's shield trades blows with Iron Man's armor, but he's outmatched. "I'm James Stark," the iron war monger says, "and I run the world." But Cap has met men like him. "You won't run it for long. The power resides in the people." As Iron Man fires up a repulsor blast to kill the dream, he's struck by a thunderbolt from the heavens. But it's not Cap's prayers that are answered: it's his distress signal. It's the mighty Thor, the God of Thunder, wielding his enchanted hammer Mjolnir as the skies rage with righteous fury. "It's been a wolf's age, Captain," Thor proclaims. "Shall we assemble?"

Avengers: Twilight #3 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

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Spider-Punk Introduces Punk Versions of Other Marvel Heroes https://comicbook.com/comics/news/spider-verse-comic-spider-punk-band-marvel-heoroes-variants/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 23:09:00 +0000 Kofi Outlaw 4df86278-39e0-4fce-9ea9-72490e504792

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse made Hobie Brown/Spider-Punk a mainstream breakout character, and Marvel Comics is keeping that momentum going with an entire new Spider-Punk series featuring Hobie.

And, like the current Spider-Gwen: Smash series, Spider-Punk: Arms Race (2024) makes it clear that Marvel fans are going to see more of Hobie's world on Earth-138, and the alternate versions of the Marvel heroes and villains that reside there!

(SPOILERS) In Spider-Punk: Arms Race #1, are quickly introduced to Hobie's team the "Spider-Band," whose ranks include: Mz. Marvel (Kamala Khan) on guitar, Daredevil (Mattea Murdock) on drums, Riotheart (Riri Williams) on keyboard, and Captain Anarchy (Karl Morningdew) on bass.

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

In addition to the Spider-Band, Spider-Punk #1 also introduces the Earth-138 versions of T'Challa and Shuri, who both hold the mantle of Black Panther in this reality.

All in all, the world of Earth-138 seems like a perfect fit for Hobie Brown/Spider-Punk: dingy, grungy, with a punk edge. Underneath the novelty of seeing familiar characters in punk form, the Spider-Band members are each interesting spins on the familiar Marvel characters - including a deeper look at Hobie himself. Ironically enough, this Gen-X punk aesthetic has a very Gen-Z feel and tone under the pen of writer Cody Ziglar - which should surprise no one.

Spider-Punk: Arms Race Villains

In addition to the Spider-Band and Black Panthers of Earth-138, there are also villains to the punk universe to meet.

This new series is set after Spider-Punk toppled President Norman Osborn and the people rose up to reclaim the streets. Rising up in that void we find the Earth-138 Doctor Octopus is serving as a mastermind villain, working with the likes of Justin Hammer to create Sentinels that are targeting the Spider-Band. The issue also opens with Spider-Band taking on "The Lzrdz," a gang that consists of punk versions of The Lizard, Vulture, Sauron, and a couple of other Dinosaur-themed Marvel foes.

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

Writer: Cody Ziglar
Penciler: Justin Mason
Cover Artist: Takashi Okazaki

ENCORE! YOU WANTED MORE! In a world without NORMAN OSBORN, SPIDER-PUNK REIGNS! This ain't no victory lap though - as HOBIE BROWN and team try to rebuild society, JUSTIN HAMMER & DOCTOR OTTO OCTAVIUS have other plans...like introducing the world to the SPIDER-SLAYING SENTINELS! Cody Ziglar (MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN) & Justin Mason (SPIDER-MAN 2099: DARK GENESIS) reunite to bring the Brooklyn boy back with the whole crew you know and love! Grab your boots, your instruments, your amps and LET'S GO!

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Marvel's Gang War Victor Revealed in Amazing Spider-Man https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-gang-war-ending-explained-spider-man-tombstone-beetle-madame-masque/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:05:00 +0000 Cameron Bonomolo f4054488-6ba8-4c2e-b03f-b79ab2a78de6

[This article contains spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #44.] To the victor go the spoils. Ever since Amazing Spider-Man #31 incited the conflict between New York's crime bosses and Amazing Spider-Man: Gang War First Strike sparked all-out war in the criminal underworld, the heroes have been plunged into a city-wide gang war. Madame Masque hired Shotgun to take out Tombstone in an attack that left the Harlem gang leader comatose, then deposed Hammerhead to seize control of the Maggia from Count Nefaria and Silvermane.

Marvel's Gang War event came down to a final battle between Madame Masque and Tombstone's daughter, the Beetle, who took over her father's territory to control everything in Manhattan north of Central Park. But when Tombstone emerged from his coma and teamed with Spider-Man to spare his daughter from becoming another casualty of the deadly gang war, he learned Shotgun was working with a government agency sent to assassinate the gang lords of New York -- and stop the growing threat posed by Beetle.

"Whoever wins today is gonna own everything. And they're gonna have to be a monster to keep it," Tombstone told Beetle before clipping her wings and removing her from the fight to end last issue. "That's not you, Janice. It's me." This week's Amazing Spider-Man #44 picked up with Team Spider-Man -- including She-Hulk, Spider-Woman, Miles Morales, and Daredevil (Elektra) -- joining forces with Beetle's Syndicate to battle Madame Masque's army: a legion of A.I.M. grunts, the technopath Rabble, and a hypnotized Nefaria and Silvermane.

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But when Tombstone took control of the Syndicate from Janice, he ordered Electro (Francine Frye), Lady Octopus, Trapstr, Scorpia, White Rabbit, and Digger to turn on the heroes. "We help Spider-Man win and we're all gonna lose," said Tombstone, who was already known to be (temporarily) allied with Spider-Man. The heroes rallied with the help of reinforcements -- Mayor Luke Cage, Danny Rand, Shang-Chi, Spider-Boy, and Jackpot -- and Spider-Man defeated Madame Masque to finish the fight. The gang war was over.

Peter Parker's activist friend, Randy Robertson, was almost among the casualties: Randy was shot when Hammerhead hired assassins to kill Janice and her then-fianc?. Randy lobbied against former Mayor Wilson Fisk's Anti-Vigilante Act that outlawed superheroes (during Devil's Reign) and awoke from his coma in time to learn that Fisk's law was repealed in the aftermath of the gang war.

In an epilogue, White Rabbit told Tombstone that Beetle escaped arrest and is out of the game. The city, once full of gangsters, now belongs to Tombstone and the Syndicate. His new number two, White Rabbit, said there won't be any challengers to Tombstone's new empire -- but no one would forget that the city's reigning crime lord worked with Spider-Man. Tombstone admitted he owed Spider-Man for helping him... but his next move would be beating Spider-Man to death in broad daylight. "No one's gonna remember anything after that," he told White Rabbit. "Come on. We've got a city to run."

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Amazing Spider-Man #44 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

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Black Widow Star Calls Reshoots "Soul-Destroying," Wanted Their Role to Be Recast https://comicbook.com/movies/news/black-widow-mcu-reshoots-soul-destroying-recast-role-ray-winstone/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 21:01:00 +0000 Aaron Perine dbd3cc56-2c07-42e7-aa26-a205297c74e0

One Black Widow star says that working on the Marvel Studios movie was "soul destroying." Ray Winstone singled out his time on the MCU feature in a new interview with Radio Times. In particular, the Dreykov actor pointed toward executive notes and the reshooting process as the biggest negatives. Winstone alluded to being really happy with his performance in Black Widow. But, when the reshoot process began, he felt like there was executive meddling going on. The star even mentioned that he wanted them to recast his character at one point. Now, that didn't happen because he had signed a contract. But, it's clear that Winstone was not a happy camper at that point.

"It was fine until you have to do the reshoots," the star explained. "Then you find out that a few producers have come down, and your performance is too much, it's too strong... That's the way Marvel works. It can be soul-destroying because you feel like you're doing great work."

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(Photo: Marvel Entertainment)

"I actually said, 'You ought to recast it because that was it for me,'" Winstone revealed. "And you end up doing it again because you're contracted to do it. Otherwise you end up in court. It's like being kicked in the balls."

Black Widow's Reception

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(Photo: MARVEL)

Funnily enough, Black Widow is one of the Marvel's best received post-Endgame movies. On Rotten Tomatoes, it is certified fresh with a 79% from critics and a very cheery 91% from audiences. However, writer Eric Pearson told ComicBook.com's Phase Zero podcast that he had received hate mail for things like the Taskmaster twist in the film.

"I got one. I made the mistake of looking in direct message requests and someone said, 'I don't mean to be out of line, but Taskmaster was the biggest betrayal of my life.' I got mad for a second and then I was like, 'Well, you've had a pretty good life then,'" he told us. If that's the worst thing that's ever happened to you, then you should be psyched because someone in a movie wasn't who you wanted them to be."

"Taskmaster was going to be involved and there was versions before I came that was Tony Masters," Pearson added. "I kept thinking, I was like, 'Can this guy somehow not just be a goon?' Because Dreykov in the Red Room is the thing that's tied into Natasha personally in her past of giant, nefarious, that as we learned, the spy station, that is circling the globe in the atmosphere. Why is there this guy? Why would this guy be an arm of them? That's what I kept trying to be... Trust me, I looked very, very far for how do we get this Tony Masters guy to believably be an agent of the Red Room? And then just leaned more towards other things were making sense, other parts of the puzzle were adding up."

Did you like his Marvel villain? Let us know down in the comments!

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Women of Marvel 2024 #1 Review: A Familiar Form of Celebratory Anthology https://comicbook.com/comics/news/women-of-marvel-2024-review-comics/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:27:00 +0000 Nicole Drum c77c5f7f-1405-4ac9-9864-766b8e9dda8a

March is Women's History Month so it is only fitting that Marvel kicks things off with their annual Women of Marvel anthology. Generally speaking, these sorts of anthologies designed to celebrate specific groups on honorary months can be a mixed bag. They frequently highlight underused characters or stories in way that serve less to amplify them and more to offer a "feel good" for consumers while, in the larger continuity of stories there is no greater representation. While this year's Women of Marvel seems to aspire to be more than that--the issue's introduction reminds readers that some of Marvel's ladies are getting bigger stories coming in the core line soon--this year's issue is also full of stories reminding readers of the value of Marvel's roster of powerful female characters.

The issue contains five stories and it starts off with what might be the two strongest: "Malice the Mitigator" by writer Gail Simone and "Witch House" by writer Sarah Reese Brennan. "Malice the Mitigator" kicks off with what looks like a Golden Age tale featuring Sue Storm and Namor but quickly subverts itself when the women begin disappearing from the story due to the machinations of the Mitigator. Simone turns the story into a little bit of a cheeky humor. There's a great "What If" gag going on with the story. And it offers a bit of commentary on the importance of the female characters and women in general by proxy to deliver a fun team up of Marvel's heroines across eras. Lydia Rasero's art is a standout here as well, particularly with Triona Farrell's colors, in how beautifully it represents all of Marvel's time periods.

Brennan's "Witch House" is a Scarlet Witch story that takes on the idea that sometimes a woman's best defense is herself, just in magic terms. It's a charming story which sees Wanda have her own back, highlighting that women can and do take care of themselves. It's a short story and a little on the light side, but Arielle Jovellanos' art is absolutely charming and it's always good to see Wanda having her own back.

As for the other stories, they're fun reads. Writer Erica Schultz's Black Widow centered "The Favor" is mostly panels of action with an adorable reason for said action, but it seems very silly even for all its charm. The Squirrel Girl story, "The Endgame" by writer Nao Fuji is adorable, but too short; I will always want more Squirrel Girl when offered. The final story, a Julia Carpenter centered tale called "The Future is Here" from writer Celeste Bronfman isn't exactly a tie-in to the recent Madame Web movie but it's hard not to get the feeling that the timing of the issue to the release of that film was on Marvel's mind when including the character in this issue.

Like most special event or commemoration anthologies, Women of Marvel 2024 #1 is a little bit of a mixed bag. There are some strong stories, some less strong. The prose components, written by Angelique Roche, provide a good read. But the issue still feels superficial in how it celebrates the women of Marvel Comics. As the opening story highlighted, there are a lot of amazing female characters on Marvel's rosters as well women creators. Issues like this only serve to remind us that Marvel can do a lot more to utilize them in stories that aren't just feel good moments of respite.

Published by Marvel Comics

On February 28, 2024

Written by Gail Simone, Sarah Rees Brennan, Erica Schultz, Nao Fuji, and Celeste Bronfman

Art by Lydia Rasero, Arielle Jovellanos, Giada Belviso, Nao Fuji, and Leila Leiz

Colors by Triona Farrell, Brittany Peer, Giada Marchisio, Nao Fuji, and Ceci De La Cruz

Letters by Ariana Maher

Cover by Carmen Carnero and Rachelle Rosenberg

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Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 2/28/2024 https://comicbook.com/comics/news/new-comic-reviews-dc-marvel-image-february-28-2024/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000 Chase Magnett b7669592-cf3f-4c80-b94a-7922a65cb847
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Welcome to this week in comic book reviews! The staff have come together to read and review nearly everything that released today. It isn't totally comprehensive, but it includes just about everything from DC and Marvel with the important books from the likes of Image, Boom, IDW, Dark Horse, Dynamite, and more.

The review blurbs you'll find contained herein are typically supplemented in part by longform individual reviews for significant issues. This week that includes Women of Marvel #1, Power Girl #6, and Hack/Slash: Back to School #3.

Also, in case you were curious, our ratings are simple: we give a whole or half number out of five; that's it! If you'd like to check out our previous reviews, they are all available here.

DC #1

AMAZONS ATTACK #5

The messaging of Amazons Attack continues to impress, perfectly toeing the line between subtlety and over-explanation. There are moments exploring the world's turn against the Amazons that you feel at your core. Some of the character evolution gets a little lost in this issue, as the bigger twist of the series comes into focus, but it sets the table for a great finale in Amazons Attack #6. -- Charlie Ridgely

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #10

Batman: The Brave and The Bold resets its lineup this week with three new ongoing stories and two one-shots. "Mother's Day," a continuation of characters and plot threads from Gotham Academy, is the most engaging of the serialized tales. It establishes an array of intriguing leads, including romantic interests, Man-Bat-linked threats, and an ever-adorable Maps as Robin in a story that establishes itself without any prior knowledge required. "The Poison Within" delivers a bundle of vague exposition that will only be apparent in its framing to dedicated Wonder Woman fans; this part one is filled with so much prologue that it doesn't manage to even arrive at its story before the final page. "The Game" features similar problems in a Lois Lane story that references an online riddle community without providing much reason for readers to engage. While "The Nameless" certainly provides a complete story, its significance is based entirely within the realm of superhero tropes as one nameless henchmen makes a statement that's largely detached from humanity. Perhaps it would play better with more meta-knowledge, but within the confines of this story it's a soulless tragedy. And so the final installment of Batman: The Brave and The Bold #10, "The Cheeseburger," proves to be the most captivating as it portrays a comedy focused on Batman's absurd drive and the simple pleasures of humanity. Artist Ricardo L?pez Ortiz renders an outstanding vision of Clayface in battle and captures the story's punchline with mouthwatering presentation. Although this reset misses more than it hits, both "The Cheeseburger" and "Mother's Day" are set to provide readers with sufficient satisfaction. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

DETECTIVE COMICS #1082

Batman grapples with Dr. Hurt (or at least a version of him, created in his own tortured mind), while his allies try desperately to keep the Orghams from completing their takeover of Gotham. This mindbender of an issue shows Batman grappling with his own identity and the consequences of his never-ending crusade and its effects on both Gotham and himself. While it appears that Dr. Hurt is a figment of Batman's own tortured psyche, he plays a much more real role in the backup, as we see the sadistic lengths he'll go to torture those who catch his eyes. The third act introduction and focus on Dr. Hurt is interesting, although it feels somewhat late in this long-running arc to bring him in and play anything more than a representation of the devil on Batman's shoulders. -- Christian Hoffer

Rating: 4 out of 5

THE FLASH #6

The Flash #6 is designed to function as a culmination of the series to date, drawing upon its many new elements, various villains, and family dramas to reveal a conspiracy drawing them all together. Yet that climax fails to feel climactic as its characters hardly resonate on the page. There's hardly any evidence of character as every protagonist is buried beneath a mask and presented in mid-range or distant panels, especially the borderline comical presentation of Linda beneath a mask. Emotional states are increasingly difficult to define in an artistic style that seems scared of human reactions. And the continued need for rushed explanations of past interactions struggles to portray how any of these ideas connect to one another. There's a lot of potential in prior issues, but none of it is drawn together in The Flash #6, a detour without much purpose. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 3 out of 5

GREEN ARROW #9

I'm liking where this story is heading. With the news of DC's "Absolute Power" event kicking off this summer, Green Arrow helps lay the groundwork with Amanda Waller factoring in heavily in Green Arrow #9. Green Arrow may be the headliner, but Waller steals the show. It's hard to know if she's being trustworthy or just manipulating Oliver Queen and his family. Plus, there's the last-page reveal of another controversial DC story that factors into the proceedings. -- Tim Adams

Rating: 5 out of 5

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DC #2

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(Photo: DC)

HARLEY QUINN #37

Harley Quinn #37 is a wild ride that sees Harley jump from multiverse to multiverse again as she tries to escape Brother Eye only to come to some realizations about herself and face her fate. It's an interesting idea but it's also something we've already seen some version of in this run already. Having Harley do this yet again, this time on an even more technicolor scale just feels chaotic and repetitive in ways that make it hard to follow and ultimately feel anti climactic when we get to the end and the whole journey feels like it was really for nothing. As a reader, I'm still not sure what this whole story was about. -- Nicole Drum

Rating: 2 out of 5

JAY GARRICK: THE FLASH #5

The latest issue of the oldest Flash still running the streets suffers from both the strengths and weaknesses of DC's Silver Age. The fifth installment of the series that has seen Jay Garrick coming to terms with his daughter's return has some killer action, but also has some rough dialogue that is emphasized by some zingers and one-liners that fall flat. The threat of Dr. Elemental might be personal for Jay, but it's one that can often feel a bit too comedic, especially when you have one of the villain's biggest henchmen running around with the name "Ro-Bear". Garrick's latest series is one that manages to cross the finish line, but is missing a major spark to help it find its way into the Speed Force. --Evan Valentine

Rating: 3 out of 5

THE PENGUIN #7

The Penguin #7 plays heavily into crime tropes and excels in presenting a dark underworld in which law enforcement (or Bat-themed vigilantes) and informants play roles in which it's never clear who exactly holds the most power. It clarifies Oswald Cobblepot's role in Gotham City and presents the arch-villain as a skillful, intelligent underworld actor. The cat-and-mouse games presented in issue #7 are more effective than the excessive violence and colorful antics of earlier issues in the series, and Stevan Subic's exaggerated forms portraying a twisted vision of humanity elevate this approach. There are surprising layers of subtlety, as well, presented using multiple perspectives and narrators. Simply tracking the significance of a single piece of cloth and how various characters interact with it is revealing. The Penguin #7 presents the best of what this series has to offer in a crime-genre oriented take on the Batman mythos. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 4 out of 5

POWER GIRL #6

[READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE]

Seeing how Power Girl exists in this new world is the enticing hook that sets up the rest of the arc, especially after learning that she has lost her powers. There's a lot of fun to be had as Power Girl continues, and issue #6 does exactly what it needs to in order to set up that exciting future, even if that means not being terribly exciting in its own right from time to time. -- Charlie Ridgely

Rating: 3 out of 5

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Marvel #1

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #44

"Gang War" hangs as the middle chapter in a streetlevel saga of Tombstone's rise and fall that traces its origins to the very beginning of Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr.'s run on Amazing Spider-Man. The opening installment, reminded readers why Tombstone is one of the most memorably violent figures in Spidey's expansive rogues gallery, but "Gang War" was hung up by many problems common in middle installments - setting up future stories and new statuses with greater stakes, but less memorable climaxes. But the final issue manages to play up the big battle in Central Park to great effect and set the stage for what's still to come exceedingly well. Romita plays with splash panels showcasing a massive collection of heroes and villains with some excellent staging (just check out what Luke Cage does to those helmets). The emotional payoff after the action subsides marks the issue's best qualities with heartfelt reunions and coldhearted progressions. It's clear that "Gang War" is building to something bigger and its' finale shares in some of that future promise. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 4 out of 5

AVENGERS: TWILIGHT #3

Avengers: Twilight finally picks up the pace and delivers an issue that's both expressive, creatively dynamic, and poignant. After his failures in the previous issue, Captain America turns to rescue one of his oldest allies, who is being kept in something of a disembodied state inside the Vault. While the masses are being kept under check through a pervasive government program, Cap's sheer will and force of personality has started to bring allies to his side. More importantly, the issue finally delivers some visual excitement to the series, with full-page spreads showing more Avengers joining the foray. This is the first great issue of Avengers: Twilight - the previous two were good, but this is clearly a step above. -- Christian Hoffer

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

CABLE #2

Cable has a role to play in the grander scheme of the Fall of X event, and that role is a somewhat vital one. The role in the overall event unfortunately takes priority over the series story from time to time, making for a frustrating narrative. But the dynamic of the two Cables is a strong one and their back-and-forth elevates this book from quite a few Cable adventures in recent years. -- Charlie Ridgely

Rating: 3 out of 5

CARNAGE #4

Carnage #4 gives up the ghost in revealing that this series is merely moving pieces around for whatever is going on next with Venom. The book slow crawl and lack of clear purpose make it ill-positioned for a crossover with another title, but all Carnage stories seem to inevitable lead back to Venom, and here we are. Carnage cuts Flash Thompson down with comments about his nature, whether he is the real Flash, or a simulacrum created by the Anti-Venom symbiote, which may be confusing to those unfamiliar with Flash's comic book canon. Regardless, it is a much less interesting line of interrogation than Carnage questioning why Flash doesn't his supposed drive to good and his considerable healing abilities toward noble pursuits that don't involve glory and violence. Perhaps that's a line of questioning ill suited to exploration in a mid-tier Marvel Comics superhero title, and thus the pivot to more conventional fare. Throughout, the visuals still fail to match the dark tone the story wants to strike, with little distinguishing features to speak of or make any given age memorable, making the entire endeavor a forgettable affair. -- Jamie Lovett

Rating: 2 out of 5

DEAD X-MEN #2

Not that it didn't last month, but Dead X-Men #2 fully embraces the absolute whirlwind of a story the Fall of the House of X. It's camp to the fullest, and that's something this issue wears proud. It's a non-sensical plot, but Foxe's script handles it well and the method of introducing a new artist for each of Moira's lives is a brilliant idea. -- Adam Barnhardt

Rating: 4 out of 5

GIANT-SIZE FANTASTIC FOUR #1

As an anniversary celebration of Marvel's Giant-Size format, this issue is almost as dated as the concept. Fabian Nicieza's script has the occasional moments of charm, but its larger conflict comes across as clunky and baffling. Creees Lee's art also excels in some degrees, but delivers baffling body proportions and overdesigned action in others. If you're seeking a worthwhile standalone volume surrounding Marvel's First Family, you might be better off looking elsewhere. -- Jenna Anderson

Rating: 2 out of 5

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Marvel #2

THE IMMORTAL THOR #7

Immortal Thor #7 sees Loki finishing his tale of his and Thor's earliest encounter with the Utgard gods. As with the previous issue, the story borrows the cadence and logic of a campfire tale even as outside influencers work their magic to alter the narrative to their own ends. It's an entertaining read but feels primarily invested in laying groundwork and seeding themes that will pay off later in the series' run. As such, it lacks some of the urgency and impact that characterized the book's debut arc. Yet, it's hard to argue with the stellar artwork, comprised of clean visuals and soft colors that give Thor's world a youthful vibrancy. There's an MCU-themed joke embedded in the issue that feels out of place in a story appealing to a much older storytelling tradition. Otherwise, while it may not be as memorable in a vacuum as previous issues of the series, Immortal Thor #7 (and its immediate predecessor) provides some needed breathing room in this epic tale, setting the scene, providing the backstory, and foreshadowing things to come in a manner that remains a joy to read. -- Jamie Lovett

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #15

You know that feeling when you pick up a comic book that reminds you just how incredible of a medium the art finds itself part of? Invincible Iron Man #15 provides you that feeling and then some; not because of an Eisner-worthy script or a story that tugs at your heartstrings. But because of a tale that unfolds like the classic Silver Age superhero haunts that turned sequential storytelling into the behemoth today. Gerry Duggan unabashedly embraces the silliness of out-of-the-box, near-impossible storytelling ideas. Together with Creees Lee, the duo executes a flawless comic with epic character work and even better comic-booky goodness. -- Adam Barnhardt

Rating: 5 out of 5

MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #17

I'm enjoying seeing Miles spending more time with his crew of heroes (Ms. Marvel, Shift, Starling, and Misty Knight). It helps having them as supporting characters in his book. Rabble has really impressed me with how she's set herself up as Miles' #1 rival, and I can already see her redemption arc will be satisfying... that is, if she doesn't do something horrible in the big 300th issue next month. -- Tim Adams

Rating: 4 out of 5

POWER PACK: INTO THE STORM #2

Power Pack: Into the Storm #2 goes live with this with an array of colors on hand. Our pint-sized heroes continue to explore their newfound gifts while keeping their parents out of the loops. Of course, things get hard when some intergalactic aliens rear their heads to the chagrin of the gang. This week's issue shines with its gorgeous otherworldly art, so Marvel fans will want to pay color attention to palette this week. -- Megan Peters

Rating: 3 out of 5

PUNISHER #4

As the first arc of this new Punisher reaches its end, it's to the point where the series has solidified that it's not really aiming for something new. I've noted before that nothing about this story, save for a few edits, would make this any different if the lead character was Frank Castle rather than Joe Garrison, which remains disappointing. However, series writer David Pepose has a good grasp on what makes this corner of the Marvel universe compelling, and he does it by making the individual missions themself unique and fun. Series artist Dave Wachter take the ball and runs with it too, delivering clean action and fun moments that deliver the kind of wackiness you can only expect from turning the page of a comic book. -- Spencer Perry

Rating: 4 out of 5

RESURRECTION OF MAGNETO #2

Resurrection of Magneto #2 presents readers with a disquisition on Magneto's moral merits within Marvel Comics, leaning into recent events requiring exposition that is not immediately relevant to the narrative at hand. It is a tedious reading experience to say the least. The subject matter is pondered without a clear thesis as the outcomes of this miniseries are plainly displayed in the title and the genre itself demands that even characters with multiple atrocities under their belts be provided with further opportunities for redemption. Those demands result in a dialogue that would have been much more interesting as an essay with a conclusion not dictated by commerce. It's worth noting that this interminable back-and-forth to nowhere is guided by fabulous illustrations of the afterlife and grand metaphors for the worth of Magneto's life, but with this slog marking only the miniseries' halfway point those visuals alone can't quite justify the price of another issue. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 2 out of 5

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Marvel #3

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

SPIDER-PUNK: ARMS RACE #1

The newest volume of Spider-Punk kicks off with a dense, but impossibly clever first issue. While a handful of moments seem to resonate better for those who read the previous ongoing series, there is still so much charm and inventive worldbuilding on display in Cody Ziglar's script that makes an impact. The art from Justin Mason carries that tone through with ease, even as some of the more nondescript sequences fall a little flat. If you're finding yourself wanting more Hobie Brown following last year's Across the Spider-Verse movie, this is a pretty good place to start. -- Jenna Anderson

Rating: 4 out of 5

STAR WARS: THRAWN - ALLIANCES #2

The debut issue of the series teased one adventure in the past between Anakin Skywalker and Thrawn, along with another adventure unfolding in the present between Darth Vader and Thrawn. This second issue, well, furthers that concept, delivering exploits between these characters that fail to bring with them anything that feels substantial or has stakes. The segmented encounters with all these characters - Anakin, Vader, and Thrawn - showcase their diverse array of abilities and resourcefulness in times of tension, so it's hard to actively dislike the events as they unfold in short bursts, though it evokes an entirely ancillary and superficial feeling about the whole adventure. We don't feel like any of these characters are poised to do anything significant in the galaxy far, far away, and we had hoped that after the somewhat underwhelming debut issue, this next chapter would offer something more narratively fulfilling. This isn't to say any specific element about the book is poor, more that the prevailing sentiment is that this is just a sidequest for all of the figures involved that serve more as a detour rather than a journey worth embarking upon. -- Patrick Cavanaugh

Rating: 3 out of 5

WHAT IF...?: VENOM #1

What If...?: Venom looks to take Marvel's usual alternate universe concept and mash it together with everybody's favorite cannibalistic symbiotic. What If: Venom #1 merges Venom with with She-Hulk rather than Eddie Brock, and but instead of keeping the story squarely in the 80s during Venom's initial arrival we quickly see a time jump where Venom's ability to overtake Jennifer Walter's body at night derails her life, eventually leaving her homeless. Unfortunately, the book never wants to dig any deeper than that. There's no indication that Jen is either for or against being bonded with Venom until after the timeskip and the fact that she's a Hulk never plays a factor in the psychology between She-Hulk and Venom. All we have is a green Venom. -- Connor Casey

Rating: 3 out of 5

WHITE WIDOW #4

Please don't let this be the end of White Widow. Not that issue four of this limited run wasn't a good finale; it's quite the opposite, in fact. White Widow's balance of a team element and Yelena's own inner monologue made for a fantastic read from start to finish, and this final issue ties a wonderful bow on the entire series. It would just be disappointing to not see such a great run continue beyond four issues. -- Charlie Ridgely

Rating: 5 out of 5

WOLVERINE #44

Wolverine #44 finally gives us something of a break from the gorefest that has been the "Sabretooth War." There's not too much in the way of plot - Wolverine reflects on his seemingly endless blood feud with Creed, there's mourning over the lost and Creed fury over being imprisoned underneath Krakoa is given some visuals straight out of Dante's Inferno. But overall the focus is setting the table for what's coming in the next few months. -- Connor Casey

Rating: 3 out of 5

WOMEN OF MARVEL #1

[READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE]

Like most special event or commemoration anthologies, Women of Marvel 2024 #1 is a little bit of a mixed bag. There are some strong stories, some less strong. The prose components, written by Angelique Roche, provide a good read. But the issue still feels superficial in how it celebrates the women of Marvel Comics. As the opening story highlighted, there are a lot of amazing female characters on Marvel's rosters as well women creators. Issues like this only serve to remind us that Marvel can do a lot more to utilize them in stories that aren't just feel good moments of respite. -- Nicole Drum

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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Other Publishers #1

AVATAR: FRONTIERS OF PANDORA #1

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - Solek's Journey is a tie-in to the Avatar prequel video game release last year. As the title suggests, it spotlight Solek, a supporting character in the story of The Sarentu. While the specifics of the situation may be confusing for those who aren't familiar with the video game's plot, the narrative soon take shape as that of a jaded soldier returning from a fight to find his home in ruins. Now, he must embark on a spiritual journey to find new purpose and the hope to fuel his continued fight. This debut issue doesn't get much further than that setup, but there's some interesting wrinkles, such a Solek struggling with a panic attack caused by a PTSD-induced flashback but lacking the knowledge to understand what he's experiencing. Pandora is rendered with heavy lines and ample shadow, making the environment feel solid and matching the story's dark, somber tone until the moment the sun breaks through the clouds. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - Solek's Journey #1 is a solidly assembled start to the character's pilgrimage. - Jamie Lovett

Rating: 3 out of 5

BOREALIS #3

While Borealis #3 may conclude this Dark Horse miniseries, the issue itself reads like the final chapter in a rushed prologue. The origin of Osha's mystical abilities are partially revealed in a climax that hardly connects to the action and events at hand. The sequences resolving Alaskan gangland struggles are rushed, but provide some necessary meat for the story at hand. Yet there's little tension when readers are already aware that Osha's eyes can turn red and all of her immediate problems will be solved. It may be appropriate that the issue concludes with a cliffhanger that will likely never be resolved. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 2 out of 5

DEEP CUTS #5

Deep Cuts' latest issue just might be among the series' best, crafting a tale of criticism and discovery amid the backdrop of 1968 Los Angeles. Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark's script is extremely satisfying, and Juni Ba's exaggerated art style lends itself perfectly to the premise, as it illuminates the most mundane of sequences into something extraordinary. Even if you haven't joined Deep Cuts on its musical journey thus far, this issue absolutely deserves your attention. -- Jenna Anderson

Rating: 5 out of 5

DUKE #3

Duke #3 is straightforward and solid. We get our introduction to this universe's Baroness, Duke mentally toils with being seemingly betrayed by his country and Major Bludd shows up to create an explosive situation that's half prison escape and half shoot-out. It's a fun read, though the clock is still ticking on when the book will fully circle back to the Transformers and the fully-realized G.I. Joe team. But between this and Cobra Commander, it doesn't seem like Skybound is in any hurry. -- Connor Casey

Rating: 4 out of 5

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: SATURDAY MORNING ADVENTURES II #2

Dungeons & Dragons: Saturday Morning Adventures brings in another Forgotten Realms celebrity and sets up a confrontation between Bobby and the rest of the adventuring group. The comic struggles a bit to make sure that every character from the cartoon gets a spotlight without Minsc and Boo dominating the comic with their oversized personality. Honestly, the comic is a fine dose of nostalgia, but it hasn't really provided a particularly compelling hook or any sort of strong storytelling. -- Christian Hoffer

Rating: 2 out of 5

EDENWOOD #5

Like so many other comics before it, Edenwood continues the rich tradition of aesthetically pleasing series with amazing art whose near nonsense story is almost best ignored. It's often not entirely clear what is going on narratively at any moment, nor which characters are aligned with whom, but damn if it isn't cool to look at. Tony S. Daniel's pencils are killer, and the colors by Leonardo Paciarotti are an elevating element that makes great art even better. Shame that the story itself is barely engaging. -- Spencer Perry

Rating: 3 out of 5

THE EXPANSE: DRAGON TOOTH #9

As this miniseries enters its final act, the scope and stakes surrounding the initial mysteries confronting the Rocinante's crew rapidly expand. By the issue's end it's apparent why the titular antagonist poses a massive problem for the entire system and readers familiar with either the television series or novels will recognize the familiar structure of this story. It's a compelling set up and one that supports several compelling character beats, as well as some more minor elements potentially sowing seeds for future miniseries at Boom. However, the art struggles to portray these characters as facial linework lacks the variety of weights necessary to not leave many middle-aged individuals looking elderly. Talk of having a baby is difficult to parse when everyone involved looks like they're pushing those biological limits. Yet overall, The Expanse: Dragon Tooth #9 makes a strong case for continuing the televised adaptation of the novels in comics. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

GODZILLA: WAR FOR HUMANITY #4

The penultimate installment of Godzilla: War for Humanity binds its personal and global stakes closely together as it aligns both Godzilla and Dr. Honda's motives in protecting their children. Combine those obviously sympathetic motives with an unending array of kaiju controlled by an increasingly large Zoospora and War for Humanity is set to explode. A series of spreads fill readers in on the chaotic combat and spiral-eyed menaces crashing into Tokyo. The cartooned collection of kaiju is outstanding and their combat is consistently thrilling. It proves to be an effective approach for a miniseries that is clearly celebrating tropes of the Godzilla franchise with roots sunk into the Showa era. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 4 out of 5

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Other Publishers #2

HACK/SLASH: BACK TO SCHOOL #3

[READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE]

Hack/Slash: Back to School is both gorgeous and disgusting, something that can be found in longer expository sequences and explosive action beats. But it's also sensual and personal, taking the series' sexy aesthetics and making sure to dig into the personalities of these woman who find themselves becoming weapons at a school that tries to strip them of their humanity. Zoe Thorogood was already a comics creator to keep your eye on, but her work in Hack/Slash: Back to School confirms that she's fully capable of maintaining her identity as a writer and artist even when taking over someone else's world and characters. -- Spencer Perry

Rating: 5 out of 5

ICE CREAM MAN #38

An endless array of Garys are unleashed on readers in Ice Cream Man #38 in an oddball sci-fi conceit of clones compelled to work meaningless jobs behind prison walls and compelled to never acknowledge this exceedingly strange unreality. It's plainly constructed as metaphor with the (mostly) single scoops of vanilla ice cream served for all meals serving to nod at the series' antagonistic overseer. Yet the slow path for one Gary to challenge his circumstances proves as compelling in just over 20 pages as similar stories like The Giver and 1984, but Ice Cream Man #38 opts to end at an earlier point in that quest for freedom and proves much more optimistic in the offing. It's an exceedingly strange concept and one that readers already familiar with Ice Cream Man's aesthetics ought to find very rewarding. The final page is a wonderful celebration no matter how ephemeral it may ultimately prove to be. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

JILL AND THE KILLERS #2

All of the flaws found in Jill and the Killers #1 persist in issue #2; flat characters, hackneyed dialogue, and forced discoveries all make the exploration of a decades-old conspiracy feel like a chore. The second installment struggles to connect its many sequences in a natural fashion within its more limited page count. Flashbacks are not immediately evident and transitions in time and space make for disconnects in the reading process. Much of what's uncovered must be explained and even then the logic often feels flimsy when considered for more than a moment. Jill and the Killers reads like the first draft of a mystery and can't quite justify its cover price, even if there are a few gems hidden within the overall iffy effort. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 2 out of 5

MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #117

The sheer scale of Darkest Hour has been quite impressive, but Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #117 takes that concept even further. Writer Melissa Flores shifts across the various fronts and lends them a unique importance to the overarching story, and yet doesn't let that expansion dilute the personal arcs of the main cast. Jason, Tommy, Billy, Phantom Ranger, and Mistress Vile all have their chances to not just shine but evolve, especially in Vile's case. The level of empathy Flores has managed to illicit for Mistress Vile is not at all expected but more than welcome, and the eventual showdown between Vile and Dark Spector is going to be all the better for it. Speaking of Vile, artists Simona Di Gianfelice and Marco Renna and colorists Raul Angulo and Jose Enrique Fernandez truly outdo themselves throughout the issue, pivoting from thrilling confrontations on the battlefield to equally captivating confrontations of a more personal nature, with those last few scenes being one of many highlights. Don't sleep on "Darkest Hour," because you will assuredly regret it. -- Matthew Aguilar

Rating: 5 out of 5

MONSTRESS #49

Monstress is back and while issue #49 has the daunting task of catching readers up with a recap of sorts and pushing the story forward, it does so almost flawlessly. We quickly are reminded of what happened in the previous story arc and are given a quick catchup with just how long Maika and her companions have been unconscious, how they ended up where they are, and the mess things are in now. It doesn't take long for some of the bigger issues to start presenting themselves - such as the absence of Zinn who is now in the clutches of Lord Doctor and is responsible for the war of annihilation that is currently ongoing. The issue is expertly paced lays a good bit of groundwork for what's to come all while giving readers just enough of what came before to get them back into the action. It's a nearly perfect issue of the series. -- Nicole Drum

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

NEGADUCK #4

The end of Negaduck's first solo storyline ends as chaotically as the Darkwing Duck Doppelganger himself. Jeff Parker and Ciro Cangialosi are able to juggle quite a few moving pieces here, giving Negaduck a finale that works well for his villainous personality. Cangialosi specifically is able to inject some serious energy into this twisted tale while still keeping it looking as though it was ripped straight from the Disney Afternoon cartoon. Negaduck as a lead could work well if Dynamite wants to keep returning to this nefarious well, even going so far as to surpass the main comic focusing on the Terror That Flaps In The Night. Hopefully, Dynamite will continue exploring this animated universe in the future. -- Evan Valentine

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

NEWBURN #15

It has been apparent that the return of Newburn marked an acceleration in the series as long-running tensions and mysteries quickly came to a simmer, but the series' consistently deliberate pacing to this point still makes the climax of Newburn #15 an absolute shocker. There's no specific point in the story that feels unearned in a quick series of escalations that draws the handful of figures at the center of this conflict into the open. Each new step makes tactical sense within the established trade of Newburn and his underworld employers, which makes the overall effect all the more stunning. Readers with a careful reading of the characters involved will appreciate the various bluffs and turnabouts employed, but there's no anticipating this cliffhanger. It's simply something to be admired after 15 issues of exacting and excellent storytelling. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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Other Publishers #3

PHANTOM ROAD #9

It only took nine issues, but we finally get some much-needed backstory about our two protagonists here in Phantom Road #9. As one might expect, both have had a major traumatic event turn them into the characters we've seen in the issue. Despite back-to-back gut punches and two wild-as-Hell introductions, there still seems to be a bizarre sense of hope within these pages. Indescribable, really. -- Adam Barnhardt

Rating: 4 out of 5

RADIANT BLACK #28

Radiant Black's two-pronged approach to the Catalyst War has been something altogether unique in the comics landscape, and yet also challenges certain character biases for fans of the series. Radiant Black #28 follows Marshall's story after losing Nathan and becoming the sole Radiant Black, and it plays out a lot like one might expect if you've been following Marshall's point of view in this grand story. Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark lean into Marshall's established patterns, and while they are effective in some regards, in others they fall woefully short. Those instances are stunning by the way courtesy of artist Eduardo Frigate and colorist Raul Angulo, who deliver bombastic action sequences throughout. What the issue doesn't do though is highlight why those who lean towards Nathan should invest in Marshall in this point forward, as the curiosity for me is more about how things go further awry for him as opposed to being invested that he'll eventually succeed. That's clearly my bias to Nathan showing, though is a credit to how Radiant Black has created multiple compelling leads to this point. Despite that bias, I was still engaged and immersed in what would happen in Marshall's journey, and I will continue to be intrigued by how this will all tie-in to everything down the line. -- Matthew Aguilar

Rating: 4 out of 5

RADIANT BLACK #28.5

In the review for Radiant Black #28, the topic of bias emerged, and Radiant Black #28.5 is exactly why that bias exists. While issue #28 follows Marshall, Radiant Black #28.5 follows Nathan in a scenario where Nathan is the sole Radiant Black, but Marshall is still alive. There are several other big departures from Marshall's story throughout the issue, and they all only deepen that aforementioned bias to Nathan's place in this grand saga. Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark continuously highlight Nathan's ability to come around to other's ideas and logic, so while Nathan does let himself fall into more conventional self inflicted traps, he's also continuously evolving, both as a hero and as a human being. The involvement of the other Radiants also gives Marcelo Costa, Rod Fernandes, and Becca Carey more opportunities to create unique scenarios on the battlefield, and they absolutely take advantage. Radiant Black #28.5 was a masterclass in storytelling, and after that last page, it will be a minute before I'm ready for issue #29.5. -- Matthew Aguilar

Rating: 5 out of 5

RARE FLAVOURS #4

Rare Flavours #4 is likely to surprise readers, especially after the expectations established in issue #3. With Rubin's hunters upon them and his true nature revealed, the time has come to consider the series' protagonist and his purpose in pursuing new endeavors. That story proves to be revealing on multiple layers as Rubin's millennia-long history reveals a shockingly human story of pursuing change that also questions our own role in consuming the world. Each step of this journey is, once again, aligned brilliantly with a recipe and its step-by-step preparation. Mythology, cuisine, and human experience are all brought together in concert in imagery that summons each of those elements in brilliant color and unforgettable style without ever losing Rare Flavours' distinctive humor and ultimately grounded sensibilities. The miniseries has been a wonder to behold so far, but it's in Rare Flavours #4 that it finally showcases a powerful thesis on what makes our appetites a wonder. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 5 out of 5

RED SONJA #8

While a number of elements of this Red Sonja run still remain competently executed, this issue only rarely captures some of the book's potential spark. Outside of when the issue begin to revs up towards its next outlandish premise, the plot developments and dialogue feel a bit more rudimentary than they could or should be. Walter Geovani's art, too, is a mix between well-executed panels and goofy framing. Although I'm still excited to see what the future of Red Sonja holds, this issue does make me a bit hesitant about how it will be presented. -- Jenna Anderson

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

THE RIBBON QUEEN #8

Ennis and Burrows' latest horror outing comes to a close with one of its strongest issues yet. While there are parts of the series that didn't conjoin as well as they ultimately could have, Amy's story sticks the landing. Unsurprisingly, this final issue is also one of the series' most grotesque, not holding back on blood letting and transforming a good amount of skin into ribbons. The final page is perhaps my favorite page of the entire series, sending a shiver down my spawn when I finally hit it. Now seems like a fantastic time to be a comic book fan who has been dying to see more horror in the medium, and The Ribbon Queen acts as a nice brick in the overall foundation. -- Evan Valentine

Rating: 4 out of 5

SAVAGE DRAGON #268

Savage Dragon #268 has some pretty good action sequences - in service of a pretty sad main story. The issue is pretty good at humanizing characters who are generally larger than life, even if it's in the middle of a pretty gross larger story with Mister Glum. Pacing-wise, and character-wise, it's a strong issue. -- Russ Burlingame

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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Other Publishers #4

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(Photo: Image Comics)

SLOW BURN #5

Slow Burn's finale ultimately is something of a smolder rather than a blaze, one that doesn't really feel like it is every truly extinguished. That's a bad metaphor to say that while the issue gives the series a conclusion, things don't feel concluded or resolved in a way that is satisfying for any of the characters. At issue here is the timelines, or more specifically the book's approach to the histories of various characters. It is difficult at times to determine whose story we're in and what time or experience we as the reader are being made privy to as it's interspersed with the final showdown of sorts. That showdown, if you can call it that, is understated but does work as the sins of the past sort of come together to lead Roxy and Patti on their next journeys but something about how it all comes together just feels missing. This is definitely an issue that requires going back to the first one to read through from the start to get the full grasp of it all. -- Nicole Drum

Rating: 3 out of 5

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG: FANG THE HUNTER #2

One thing that's certain in this Fang the Hunter miniseries is that it lands every punchline. There are consistent laughs every step of the way with about half coming from the ever delightful Bean. Although Fang's gang moves between two distinctly colorful locales, the action and journey between them is lacking in comparison to the first issue with few distinctive action beats in encounters that primarily serve to move the plot forward. The artwork also appears lacking when set contrasted with the standards established for the Sonic franchise at IDW as many panels appear flat even in the midst of seemingly exciting concepts. The core trio remain vivid in their projections of personality and the humor that stems from that, but the style is certainly lacking in Sonic the Hedgehog: Fang the Hunter #2. -- Chase Magnett

Rating: 3 out of 5

STAR TREK: DEFIANT #12

Star Trek: Defiant takes a hard left turn from sci-fi politicking and puts itself smack dab in the middle of a terrifying tale of cosmic horror. Although Unzueta's lineart helps give the comic a lighter tone with bold outlines and simple backgrounds, Cantwell's words examine the definition of what it means to be alone. That's a particularly scary notion when you find yourself in a parasitic outbreak in the furthest reaches of space. -- Adam Barnhardt

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

STAR TREK: PICARD'S ACADEMY #6

Picard's Academy draws to a close as you might expect, albeit in a roundabout way. It's a light, feel-good ending for the crew we met in the series, and there's a heartfelt message of perseverance and pushing on throughout this finale. On that front, the angst in Maggs' script is warranted and well-written. -- Adam Barnhardt

Rating: 4 out of 5

SYPHON #4

As someone who was a fan of the first Syphon mini-series, I feel that the sequel suffers from one too many missteps in creating this new comic book world. Ultimately, Syphon perhaps works best as a street level story that focuses on its main character coming to grips with the power he is now struggling with. In this second volume, the creative team swings for the fences but in doing so, strikes out. The dialogue can often seem a little clunky and some of the artistic choices fall flat in terms of direction and detail. The ending might also have readers scratching their heads as to why they introduced a key plot point that may never be wrapped, unless a third volume is on the way. I'd be anxious to see what the creators could do with a third volume, but this second outing doesn't stick the landing by any stretch of the imagination. -- Evan Valentine

Rating: 2 out of 5

TERRORWAR #9

The war between the Terrors and the Terrorfighters comes to a climactic close, as the two sides team up to take down the evil government that has been taking advantage of the Terrors this entire time. There's not much resistance, even though Muhammad has to say goodbye to a member of his team for making the ultimate sacrifice. Terrorwar is all about the disenfranchised fighting back against the establishment to make their world a better place. They succeed in that, giving hope to the rest of us out there that anything is possible. -- Tim Adams

Rating: 3 out of 5

UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY #28

The team behind Undiscovered Country has the unique ability to reset the status quo often, helping keep things fresh in an increasingly rare years-long indie ongoing. Sometimes that's led to redundancies within this story, but Undiscovered Country #28 is the freshest this comic has felt in a while, giving readers an intimate look into the inner happenings of Janet, Chang, and the rest of the story's ensemble. -- Adam Barnhardt

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

W0RLDTR33 #8

This issue works well at showing what is in store for the survivors of the first arc now that their very rich friend has passed this mortal coil. While there is a lot of exposition left in a video will, Tynion has a great handle on the dialogue deliver wherein it never feels dull. Even when the series isn't focusing on the terror of the Undernet, W0rldTr33 still remains captivating as a horrifying new world is fought against. The final pages inject more horror into the proceedings, but pound for pound, W0rldTr33 still has my vote for the best horror comic book on the market right now. While the first arc seemed like a solid finale, I'm beyond interested in seeing what the future holds in store for this one. -- Evan Valentine

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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Daredevil Yellow Suit Funko Pop Exclusive Is Finally Here https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/she-hulk-attorney-at-law-funko-pops-daredevil-yellow-suit/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:57:00 +0000 Sean Fallon e567e31d-0794-4634-aa7b-6c71a05a215d psx-20230802-140643.jpg

Way back in August of last year, Funko revealed that a Pop figure based on Charlie Cox's reintroduction into the MCU as Matt Murdock aka Daredevil was on the way. You would be forgiven if you completely forgot about it in the seven months since the announcement, but the good news that it wasn't cancelled. It will launch as an exclusive starting today, February 28th at 9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET right here at the Funko Shop. Quantities are expected to be low, so a quick sellout is likely.

Below you'll find the previously released Funko Pops in the She-Hulk lineup, preserved in the episode order that they were originally unveiled in. You can also keep up with news on the next appearance of Daredevil in the MCU for the Daredevil: Born Again series that's headed to Disney+ next year.

Daredevil: Born Again brings back Charlie Cox, and Vincent D'Onofrio as Daredevil and Kingpin, with Arty Froushan playing Kingpin's associate, Harry. The supporting cast includes Sandrine Holt (The Crossing) as the MCU Vanessa Fisk and Jon Bernthal, returning as Frank Castle/The Punisher from Netflix's Daredevil and Marvel's The Punisher. Rounding out the cast are Michael Gandolfini (The Many Saints of Newark), Margarita Levieva (The Deuce), Nikki M. James (Severance), and Michael Gaston (Prison Break) in undisclosed roles. Series directors include Micahel Cuesta (Dexter, Blue Bloods), Clark Johnson (Homicide: Life on the Street), and Jeffrey Nachmanoff (The Day After Tomorrow). Grainne Godfree and Jill Blankenship are writing the series, alongside Aisha Porter-Christie, David Feige, Devon Kliger, Thomas Wong, and Zachary Reiter.

Previously released She-Hulk Funko Pops (August - October 2022):

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The season finale of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law "Whose Show Is This?" is now streaming on Disney+, and fans are calling it the best finale of any MCU show. We finally got our first actual She-Hulk Funko Pop figure last week, but now it makes sense why Funko and Marvel took so long to deliver. They were saving the She-Hulk Funko Pop motherlode for last. You can now pre-order She-Hulk in several different variants below, though the pose is (sadly) the same for each.

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Last week's She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Funko Pop features Jennifer Walters in her sparkly (glitter) gala dress, and it is available to pre-order here at Entertainment Earth (free US shipping on orders $39+ using the code FALLFREE22 at checkout) and here on Amazon. It follows a Pop figure of the villain Titania (Jameela Jamil) from episode 5 that you can also pre-order here at Entertainment Earth.

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Pre-orders for the episode 3 She-Hulk Wong Funko Pop are live here at Entertainment Earth as well. It is arguably the best looking figure in the She-Hulk wave thus far thanks to the addition of the portal. A breakdown of the rest of the current She-Hulk Funko Pop lineup can be found below.

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Given the events of episode 2, it's no surprise that the villain Emil Blonsky / Abomination (Tim Roth) was the Funko Pop release for the episode. The Abomination Funko Pop is available to pre-order here at Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon. The first wave of She-Hulk Pop figures include Jen Walters (Tatiana Maslany), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Nikki Ramos (Ginger Gonzaga). All of these common Pop figures are also available to pre-order here at Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon.

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If you want more She-Hulk figure options, Hasbro and Disney have you covered with figures based on Tatiana Maslany's Hulked-out Jennifer Walters character. Hasbro's Marvel Legends figure looks especially fantastic with a spot-on head sculpt. If only they included an alternate angry head - it would have been perfect. The Disney She-Hulk figure is actually a 12-inch doll, so you have that option as well. There's a She-Hulk for everyone.

"I think people receive Jen very differently when she's She-Hulk than they do Jen Walters," Maslany told ComicBook about the star attorney's transformation into a green-skinned superhero. "And that's something that Jen, I think feeds off of in a way that she does get, you know, a little hit of confidence. It's fun to be looked at like that. But then at the same time, I feel like she also has a fraudulent sort of feeling around it. Or she doesn't totally feel like she can own that and that people might not be looking at her, but looking at just She-Hulk."

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is streaming on Disney+ now. The show has been a hit with critics and fans, including our own Jenna Anderson who writes:

"Anchored by Maslany's mesmerizing and masterful performance, the series is unafraid to be genuinely authentic, gleefully weird, and downright clever in a way that's electrifying to watch."

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X-Men: Marvel Reveals New Details Around Relaunch https://comicbook.com/comics/news/x-men-marvel-relaunch-2024/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:21:00 +0000 Jamie Lovett 5f6007e4-c359-4eea-8f36-7ecb6c2d8aa0

X-Men fans have their first clue as to the direction of the X-Men line following the end of the Krakoan era. Though announced last year, little has been revealed about the upcoming X-Men relaunch. The current X-Men line will end in May, with a final planned for June ahead of July's new beginning. While creative teams are still to be announced, along with the breadth and mission statement of the line, today's Women of Marvel one-shot confirms the first details about the X-Men's new status quo. Some spoilers for Women of Marvel #1 will follow in the remainder of the article.

Ang?lique Roch?'s Women of Marvel #1 introduction confirms that there will be at least two teams of X-Men in the new era. Rogue will lead one team, and Kate Pryde the other. While neither are usually the first mutants to come to mind when thinking about the X-Men's leadership (that's usually Cyclops and Storm, leaders of the classic teams up to the first big X-Men split into the Blue Team and Gold Team in the 1990s), both have leadership experience. Rogue led an unorthodox team of X-Men ahead of the Messiah Complex event and later led the Avengers' Unity Squad. Kate led the X-Men during the ResurrXion era and the Marauders during Krakoa's age.

The final story in the Women of Marvel anthology may also offer a glimpse at Rogue and Kate's respective team lineups. The story sees Madame Web getting a premonition of things to come. The visions include a shot of Rogue leading a team that includes Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and her husband, Gambit. Kate, meanwhile, is backed by Emma Frost, and some others who are too obscured to be identified. Interestingly, there's also a panel of Storm at a podium, suggesting she's giving a speech or holding a press conference, though she's not mentioned in the introduction.

With details like this beginning to make it to the public, and with solicitations releasing two months ahead of releases, it seems like it won't be long until we get the full story about the new era of the X-Men. Women of Marvel #1 is on sale now.

The X-Men Set for a Big Year in 2024

The X-Men's upcoming comics relaunch is one part of a busy year for Marvel's mutants across various media. X-Men '97 debuts in March, reviving the story of X-Men: The Animated Series, a touchstone for an entire generation of X-Men faithful. Marvel released the X-Men '97 trailer earlier this month.

The X-Men will also return to theaters in July in Deadpool & Wolverine, starring the title characters (played by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, respectively) and some other familiar faces. Marvel Studios released the first Deadpool & Wolverine trailer during the Super Bowl to record-breaking views.

The X-Men will also be a part of Marvel's new Ultimate Universe. Peach Momoko will take Marvel's mutants in a new direction in her new Ultimate X-Men series.

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Top 10 Comic Books Rising in Value in the Last Week Include Sentry, Spider-Man, and X-Men https://comicbook.com/comics/news/top-10-comic-books-rising-in-value-sentry-spider-man-x-men/ Wed, 28 Feb 2024 02:38:00 +0000 Matt DeVoe 7387ccca-974b-4a35-8af9-00b46b143143

Rumors are the lifeblood of the aftermarket community. Well, that and first appearances. Both propel this list as the market divides its attention between the Ultimate Universe and what's to come. The Sentry pops up once again, we get a new version of Spider-Man, AND a Galactus-level threat is preparing to decimate the Marvel Universe. Of course, Deadpool 3 news and rumors are still elevating books, as many fans are resting their hats on the project. We detail all that and more in this week's Top Ten!

Want to know what comic books are trending each week and why? COVRPRICE.COM uses live sales analytics to identify and compile the most robust market price guide, highlighting the weekly top trending comics. No opinions. Just data. Each week, they present a newly updated list of the TOP 10 COMICS trending in the aftermarket. These trends are due to rumors, fan-favorite covers, story-driven content, and content-related news.

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(Photo: CovrPrice)

#10: CAPTAIN MARVEL #5 - RUSSELL DAUTERMAN (1:25) | MARVEL | 2024: Marvel has been hyping the Undone, a Galactus-level threat, for months. Finally, the Undone has made its debut, which didn't disappoint! Dauterman rang in the occasion with this vibrant 1:25 variant featuring iterations of Captain Marvel, both past and present. It will take their combined might to take down the Undone should they live up to the hype! We tracked it at a high sale of $165 for a raw copy and a current raw NM FMV of $145.

#9: THE SENTRY #1 | MARVEL | 2000: Poor Steven Yuen. Robert Kirkman stated he would be playing the titular character of Sentry in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie. That was shot down, with Yuen leaving the project. A cloud hung over the film for months until recently. Now that filming has begun, the secrecy surrounding the Sentry has hit new heights. We don't know if he will be in the film. The rumors he will not only appear but will be the main villain are pushing this book into the aftermarket. The Sentry is an interesting character and could be a STAR in the MCU. Fans are grabbing up his first appearance before any more news, and rumors propel it even higher. We tracked it at a high sale of $350 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a raw NM FMV of $89.

#8: NEW X-MEN #114 - DIRECT EDITION | MARVEL | 2001: If you recall, you may have seen this book on this list now and again for months. The reason is that it features the first appearance of Cassandra Nova, the rumored villain for Deadpool 3. Fans have dissected every inch of the trailer and have landed on Cassandra Nova as the culprit behind the madness. There has been a heavy rumor that actress Emma Corrin will play the character since late last year, and those rumors persist to this day! We tracked it at a high sale of $160 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a raw NM FMV of $15.

#7: ULTIMATE UNIVERSE #1 | MARVEL | 2023: The Ultimate Universe is alive and well, thanks to Ultimate Spider-Man and the smashing follow-up that is Black Panther. Fans have begun to look to the past; however, they are returning to the launch point for the new Ultimate Universe. That falls upon this book, which features the first cameo for the all-new Maystorm, a character growing among fans rapidly. It's received less attention than the previously mentioned books, but its aftermarket has been extremely healthy. We tracked it at a high sale of $135 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current raw NM FMV of $27.

#6: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 - MARCO CHECCHETTO - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2024: It's incredible to see this book maintaining its trajectory week after week. It speaks to fans' interest in the character, relaunch, and series. Issue #2 is hot out of the gates, which is a good indicator this series has legs. After the constant flashes in the pan, it's great to see fans and collectors warmly embrace a pillar of the comic community! We tracked it at a high sale of $248 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current raw NM FMV of $84.

#5: ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #1 - STEFANO CASELLI - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2024: Despite being the hottest thing since sliced bread, this book is cooling. It debuts the new Ultimate Black Panther, a character fans immediately wanted a piece of after getting a taste of Ultimate Spider-Man. Paired with rumors that thousands of copies had been lost, the hype train for this book was at breakneck speed. It's still moving significantly on the aftermarket, but the hype has settled. We tracked it at a high sale of $42 for a raw copy and a current NM FMV of $36.

#4: SECRET WARS #5 - ALEX ROSS - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2015: From the moment it flashed across the screen in the Deadpool 3 trailer during the Superbowl, this book went bananas. It has slightly cooled as copies traded hands like lightning, and the market is growing scarcer. Still, it's been rising in value despite the community not knowing exactly what Marvel meant when they included it in the trailer. The consensus is currently leaning toward it being an easter egg and nothing more, but when this book can be had for under $30 in most cases, fans aren't willing to take a chance. We tracked it at a high sale of $285 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current raw NM FMV of $32.

#3: EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #1 - SURPRISE | MARVEL | 2024: The community sure does love a surprise! While the fanbase wanted to check on the all-new Weapon VIII (8), this cover was hard to resist. It was a surprise variant that Local Comic Shops received between one and three copies for collectors to acquire. The fact it's outselling the regular cover is incredible, as it's the only variant for issue #1 to hit this list. That classic Spidey look is always a plus! We tracked it at a high sale of $61 for a raw copy and a current raw NM FMV of $49.

#2: EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #1 - CHAD WAYNE HARDIN - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2024: What a callback! This book and cover feature the first appearance of Weapon VIII (8), an alternate-reality version of Spider-Man. Everything about the cover, from the color scheme to the goggles to even the 'Weapon VIII,' screams X-Men. Specifically, the 90s version returning soon. We tracked it at a high sale of $22 for a raw copy and a current raw NM FMV of $17.

#1: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #2 - MARCO CHECCHETTO - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2024: So far, the love for the new Ultimate Universe has been incredible. While it would be hard to match issue #1, issue #2 is trying its damnedest. It bears the distinction of being the first full in-story appearance of our new Spider-Man and the Shocker. An interesting story is playing out within the book, causing collectors to grab it in droves. We'll be keeping a close eye on this run! We tracked it at a high sale of $30 for a raw copy and a current NM FMV of $21.

And that's your TOP 10 COMICS OF THE WEEK for 2/26/24! Want to know what your comic books are worth? COVRPRICE.COM offers the ULTIMATE price guide with LIVE ungraded (raw) and graded sales for today's market trends. Manage your collection and track your portfolio's overall value with our robust tracking systems. With a free 10-day trial and several affordable price tiers, discover the value of your comics and sign up today! CHECK OUT THE TOP 10 ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!

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The Marvels Star Brie Larson Celebrates Disney+ Release With BTS Post https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-marvels-brie-larson-behind-the-scenes-disney-plus-streaming/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 23:45:00 +0000 Adam Barnhardt a1870763-3497-4bb5-9632-72434b00c4c5

Now that The Marvels is streaming on Disney+, the actors involved in the show have been given the ability to take fans on a journey behind the filming of the movie. Tuesday, Captain Marvel star Brie Larson took to social media to share some of the snapshots she's holding back. Not only is Larson in the pictures on the set of her Captain Marvel follow-up, but Ms. Marvel's Iman Vellani has a presence as well.

"ICYMI, The Marvels is now on Disney+," Larson said on Instagram alongside a series of pictures, which you can see below.

Are we getting Captain Marvel 3?

Though it once appeared a Captain Marvel franchise was a guarantee given the stellar box office performance of the property's first film, The Marvels earned the MCU's smallest box office haul. When asked about her MCU future earlier this month, Larson bluntly said she didn't "have anything to say about that."

There's also been speculation Ms. Marvel could end up receiving a second season given the character's popularity, but Marvel Studios hasn't confirmed anything on that front either.

"No, we're waiting for The Marvels, so that will decide what the next step will be," Ms. Marvel helmer Adil El Arbi said on an episode of The Discourse podcast last year. "So we're very much looking forward to that. I can't wait to see it, man. It's great to see the trailers and to see the whole family back there and Iman Vellani doing great work, so looking forward to that."

What is The Marvels about?

In The Marvels, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan, Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol's estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Together, this unlikely trio must team-up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as "The Marvels." The Marvels will also see the franchise returns of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Saagar Shaikh as Aamir Khan, Zenobia Shroff as Muneeba Khan, and Mohan Kapur as Yusuf Khan. New cast members include Zawe Ashton, Park Seo-joon, and Shamier Anderson. Produced by Marvel Studios, The Marvels is directed by Nia DaCosta with a script from DaCosta, Megan McDonnell, and Elissa Karasik.

The Marvels and Captain Marvel are both now streaming on Disney+.

Where do you want to see Carol Danvers pop up next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

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Why Are People Freaking Out About Captain Marvel? https://comicbook.com/movies/news/marvel-mcu-brie-larson-captain-marvel-2-avengers-future-addressed/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 23:15:00 +0000 Aaron Perine 606b2fc4-2fe8-444a-bbd8-7c41e093387f

Captain Marvel has been a topic of conversation this week and a lot of people have been making a big deal about her. Extra caught up with Brie Larson on the awards circuit and asked about her Marvel future. When the actress said, "I don't have anything to say about that," chaos ensued on social media. But, does that small aside really mean there won't be anymore Captain Marvel in the MCU? Is Captain Marvel 3 not happening anymore? Well, the first one is hysterically unlikely and the second one is cloudy at best right now. Here's why everyone is freaking out about Captain Marvel.

First, a little recent Marvel history. The Marvels underperformed against projections as a result of numerous factors. (Launching during a dual actors and writers strike that cut promotion off at the knees, Marvel Studios seemingly pivoting on marketing the movie three times, and of course, a summer at the movies that saw all but a handful of films underperform as a result of those strikes paired with some corporate-gouging-influenced inflation to boot.) Mix all of that into the constant observer-led navel gazing about the theater system and the picture starts to take shape.

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(Photo: Marvel Entertainment)

One thing that didn't help The Marvels was its close proximity to Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Secret Invasion. Both of these Marvel Studios efforts weren't well-received by critics or fans in the way a majority of the studio's output tends to be. So, there was just an ill-wind all around. An absolutely tough hand for director Nia DaCosta to maneuver through. (The movie is the highest-grossing box office performance for a Black female director) Still, the path forward isn't as clear as it might have been two years ago.

The Idea Of Superhero Fatigue And The MCU

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As a larger part of the conversation around these movies, critics have decried "superhero fatigue" as evidence for the recent swaths of underperformance. Such tidy explanations fails to explain why a majority of last year's blockbusters failed to take hold. (In this area, the continued effect of the pandemic, streaming habits and numerous worldwide real-world events might loom larger than a lot of observers are willing to admit to themselves.) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was universally beloved. Black Panther's sequel managed more than 800 million in this post-reopening climate. Spider-Man continues to print money.

Clearly, this idea of superhero fatigue is selective at best and disingenuously deployed at worst. Last November, Disney CEO Bob Iger pointed towards executive oversight when pinpointing what happened with The Marvels. "The Marvels was shot during COVID," Iger told onlookers at The New York Times' DealBook Summit. "There wasn't as much supervision on the set, so to speak, where we have executives [that are] really looking over what's being done day after day after day."

That first part is true and might be the most important part of the statement. Keep in mind how many media reports there have been about pivots, of projects being shuffled due to the ongoing health emergency. Is it any wonder things may have felt disjointed. Also, Marvel Studios probably should have ushered in a team-up movie before Phase 4's end because of the fans' constant outcries for it. They underestimated how impatient a lot of them would become in "The Multiverse Saga."

So, What's The Path Forward?

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(Photo: Marvel Entertainment)

Well, to be brief, cohesion. Deadpool & Wolverine just broke the record for most trailer views ever. That movie is set to move The Multiverse Saga right along. (You don't put a Secret Wars comic book in the trailer if you don't plan to speed things up expeditiously.) They're also putting more characters together. Daredevil is coming next year with all the familiarity you could imagine. Captain America: Brave New World would be a natural place for some more appearances. Later this year, Agatha is poised to bring back mid-pandemic favorites from the Marvel show literally everyone watched. So, getting the band back together is the move.

Ms. Marvel star Iman Vellani told The Direct that getting these people together and establishing connection is the way forward. She's assembling a group of Young Avengers as we speak. There's virtually no way Marvel Studios doesn't have one of the strongest Avengers on-hand whenever Secret Wars gets rolling. So, buckle up and mute some words on Twitter because the ride is not over yet.

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(Photo: Marvel Entertainment)

"I don't know. I don't know if it's about just getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Because then, like, what's left? You know, I think it's just about making the audience care about their characters," Vellani told the outlet. "And I think they've established so many wonderful characters in the last phase of the MCU that it would be nice to see them all again and see them team up."

"I think, because there are so many new characters people want to like, start shipping people together and be like, 'Oh, seeing Kamala and like the Red Guardian together,'" the actor Continued. "Like imagining all these pair-ups, and I think that would definitely pay off. It'll be like, you know, the next Avengers."

The Marvels Is Now Streaming On Disney+

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(Photo: Marvel Studios)

In The Marvels, which arrived in theaters on November 10th, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan, Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol's estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Together, this unlikely trio must team-up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as "The Marvels."

The Marvels will also see the franchise returns of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Saagar Shaikh as Aamir Khan, Zenobia Shroff as Muneeba Khan, and Mohan Kapur as Yusuf Khan. New cast members include Zawe Ashton, Park Seo-joon, and Shamier Anderson. Produced by Marvel Studios, The Marvels is directed by Nia DaCosta with a script from DaCosta, Megan McDonnell, and Elissa Karasik.

Where do you think Captain Marvel will show up next? Let us know down in the comments!

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Arcade1Up's X-Men '97 Cabinet Is Packed With 8 Games https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/arcade1ups-x-men-97-cabinet-is-packed-with-8-games/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 20:33:00 +0000 Sean Fallon 81c85abe-6213-4ea7-bb7c-e62baa89a437 psx-20240227-153027.jpg

The X-Men '97 animated series is finally on the way, and there are plenty of action figures out there to get fans hyped. However, if you want to go even further into the '90s nostalgia, Arcade1Up has you covered with the Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 X-Men '97 Edition cabinet. It comes with 8 classic Marvel fighting games along with online multiplayer, dual speakers, two player controls, a 17-inch display, and a light-up faux coin door for that extra touch of authenticity. There's even some pretty fantastic artwork on the cabinet itself.

Pre-orders for the X-Men '97 arcade cabinet are live here on Amazon priced at $499.99 with a release date set for April 25th (you won't be charged until it ships). That's not a bad price as far as Arcade1Up cabinets are concerned. Their original Marvel vs. Capcom 2 cabinet was priced at $600 for example. Odds are it will sell out, but restocks are expected, so keep tabs on that link for updates. The 8 Marvel games included in the cabinet are as follows:

  • X-Men vs. Street Fighter
  • Marvel Super Heroes: War of the Gems
  • Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter
  • X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse
  • Marvel vs. Capcom 2
  • X-Men: Children of the Atom
  • Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
  • Marvel Super Heroes
See the X-Men 97 Arcade1Up cabinet on Amazon

When Does X-Men '97 Premiere?

The X-Men '97 series premieres on Disney+ on March 20th. X-Men '97 features the voices of original X-Men: The Animated Series cast members Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann, George Buza, Alison Sealy-Smith, Chris Potter, Catherine Disher, Adrian Hough, Alyson Court, and Christopher Britton. The X-Men team includes Wolverine (Dodd), Storm (Smith), Rogue (Zann), Beast (Buza), Cyclops (Ray Chase), Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale), Jubilee (Holly Chou), Bishop, and Morph.

"This is the first X-Men title produced by Marvel Studios," Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios' Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation, said when announcing X-Men '97. "What an amazing first step to reintroduce audiences to the X-Men with a look at one of the most pinnacle eras of the X-Men comics, which was the '90s."

Added Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, VP of Animation at Marvel Studios, "As an animated show, the original X-Men was the forerunner to some amazing action series. Everyone that is making X-Men '97, top-down, is a fan. On this project, instinctually, we knew exactly what this is. To bring this series forward and pick up that baton, and not just keep running at the same pace, but to really elevate. That's the responsibility."

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The Weekly Pull: Green Arrow, The Immortal Thor, The Savage Sword of Conan, and More https://comicbook.com/comics/news/new-comics-this-week-february-28-2024-marvel-dc-image/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 18:32:00 +0000 Jamie Lovett 120cf961-1adb-415e-a92f-e9569273f127
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Dave Bautista Opens Up About Marvel Future After Ending Drax's Journey https://comicbook.com/movies/news/marvel-mcu-guardians-of-the-galaxy-dave-bautista-future-drax-ending/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:27:00 +0000 Aaron Perine f89c3dca-ecfc-419f-88ca-8a1905f22084

Dave Bautista took a moment to elaborate on his Marvel future after the end of Drax the Destroyer's journey in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. io9 spoke to the Dune: Part Two star as he gets ready for the premiere of that massive sequel. However, a lot of people are still sad about the Guardians packing it up. Bautista clarified that he wasn't done with Marvel entirely and if the right role came across his desk, a return could be in order. However, that big MCU appearance wouldn't be as Drax. He says that door is closed. But, he's always wanted to play a complicated villain in that universe.

"No, no. When I said that I was done, I was really just done with my journey as Drax," Bautista clarified. "I still have a relationship with Marvel. I've seen Kevin Feige again, Lou [D'Esposito] as recently as two weeks ago. And they know that I would be up for a role. I love the universe--the superhero universe, I love it. I'm a fan."

"So Marvel or DC, if they call, I would answer the phone. And if the role makes sense, I'd be all over it," he added. "I just would like the opportunity to do a bigger role, a different role. Maybe a deeper role. I'd love to have the opportunity to play, like an ominous villain in the superhero universe. Yeah. But never. I'm not done with it. But my journey with Drax is over."

Bautista On Working With James Gunn And DC

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(Photo: WBD/Getty)

There's been a lot of reflection for the former WWE star over the last 12 months. ComicBook.com had to ask Bautista about the possibility of working with James Gunn again. He obviously loves the Guardians of the Galaxy director and would leap at the chance at a reunion. Despite that desire, Gunn hasn't come calling yet. But, Bautista wants the filmmaker to know he's down if the opportunity presents itself.

"I couldn't give you an honest answer to that because I think..." Bautista told us. "And, I'm only gonna say this because we've had conversations, over the years, it would the WWE Hall of Fame. I was supposed to go in last year and I was on a film and I just couldn't travel. I was on a film in South Africa and logistically we just couldn't make it happen. So, you know, and I haven't talked to James about the DC Universe."

"I would love to work with James again, whether it's DC Universe or not. I just love James Gunn. He's an incredible director and we have a camaraderie that's priceless," he continued. "So to work with him again ? I mean I'd do it for free. But, we just haven't had the conversations. He's on top of DC now. He's doing his thing. I'm trying to grind along in my processing. But, I'm always open-minded too and I've expressed that to him."

How Drax Changed Bautista's Life

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It's clear from previous conversations about Drax that Bautista cares for that character a lot. Back in 2021, he told IGN that the Guardian changed his life. The former champion explained how his exit from WWE led to a period of uncertainty. Now, he's in a much better spot with a clear vision for his future.

"For people to really understand how much my life has changed, they would have to understand where I came from, what I went through when I was in wrestling, what I left behind to take a chance on going into acting," Bautista explained.

"And when I got the role of Drax in Guardians, I barely worked in three years. So I'd really left wrestling behind and I could have gone back with my tail between my legs, but I still [would] have been just stuck in a place that I never would have gone any further, but I just took a chance," the actor shared. "And then when I got [cast], not only because I was broke, [everything changed]. When I say broke, my house was foreclosed, I had nothing, man. I sold all my stuff. I sold everything that I made from [when] I was wrestling. I had issues with the IRS. I was just lost in everything."

Do you think we ever see Bautista in the MCU again? Let us know down in the comments!

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Thunderbolts: Lewis Pullman Plays Coy on Sentry Casting Reports https://comicbook.com/movies/news/thunderbolts-lewis-pullman-plays-coy-sentry-casting/ Tue, 27 Feb 2024 01:02:00 +0000 Adam Barnhardt f9480102-b771-4804-ab12-4fe52a2946db

Even though Marvel Studios has revealed Thunderbolts is a movie the studio is producing, the production house has yet to confirm Sentry is a character actually appearing in the film. Trade reports, however, previously revealed Steven Yeun as the Marvel character Sentry, although the actor eventually departed the project because of scheduling conflicts. Subsequent trade reports have said Top Gun 3 star Lewis Pullman has signed onto the project, except Pullman is far from making a public unveiling. During a recent red carpet, Pullman was asked when he starts filming Thunderbolts, and it's something the actor didn't come close to touching on.

"I am having fun at Venice Beach in Santa Monica. I'm just going wherever the wind takes me," Pullman said with a laugh.

Why did Steven Yeun leave Thunderbolts?

Yeun has said he hopes to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at a later point, hinting he only left Thunderbolts because the film's delays caused conflicts with another project schedule. Florence Pugh revealed Sunday Thunderbolts just started filming this week.

"I think for me, time passing and things shifting kind of pulled me out of it," Yeun explained to Variety earlier this year. "But [director] Jake [Schreier], I know, is going to do an incredible job."

"I think it's too early to say that," Yeun added, when asked what other Marvel project he would like to join. "I probably pissed off too many people leaving, so I'm just gonna say, 'Thank you for having me.' I have some ideas. But I heard if you put it out there, you'll never get it, so I'll keep it close to my chest."

Thunderbolts is expected to be based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name, an alliance of antiheroes and villains who reluctantly work for the government. The cast of Thunderbolts includes Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent, Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost, Olgya Kurylenko as Taskmaster, and Harrison Ford as Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross.

Thunderbolts is set to be released exclusively in theaters on July 25, 2025.

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Thunderbolts Star Florence Pugh Confirms Marvel Movie Is Now Filming https://comicbook.com/movies/news/thunderbolts-filming-marvel-mcu-florence-pugh-cast/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 21:06:00 +0000 Charlie Ridgely a3a026b1-f1ef-4d2f-b196-044a4f1dce05

The future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in full swing. The Fantastic Four cast was officially announced on Valentine's Day, getting the ball rolling on franchise's biggest title over the next couple of years. Now, it appears the Thunderbolts team-up movie has finally started filming.

At a premiere event for Dune: Part Two on Sunday night, MCU star Florence Pugh confirmed that she's already filming Thunderbolts. While the film is a team-up movie, Pugh's Yelena Belova is set to be one of the lead characters.

"I've just started my next movie, my next Marvel movie, Thunderbolts," Pugh told Entertainment Tonight on Sunday. "I've been shooting that."

Pugh is one of many returning MCU stars set for a role in Thunderbolts. The rest of the cast includes Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, and Olga Kurylenko. The film is being directed by Jake Schreier, with a script from Joanna Calo, Lee Sung Jin, and Eric Pearson.

After several release date shifts, Thunderbolts is now poised to hit theaters on May 2, 2025. It was scheduled for later that year, but a recent shift saw Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four swap release dates.

Thunderbolts Casting Changes

Following the delays caused by the strikes last year, a couple of key actors from the Thunderbolts cast had to drop out of the movie. Steven Yeun was set to play Sentry in the film, but had to depart due to scheduling conflicts. He was replaced by Top Gun Maverick's Lewis Pullman.

A similar situation happened with Ayo Edibiri, who was cast in the film in a mystery role. She was replaced by Drive-Away Dolls and Miracle Workers star Geraldine Viswanathan.

While speaking to ComicBook.com about Drive-Away Dolls, Viswanathan opened up about getting the call for a role in Thunderbolts.

"I don't know. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes, but I've always wanted to join the universe in whatever capacity, and this just came up," she told us. "There's a lot of ... It was destiny. Destiny called me on the phone and I picked up and I said, 'I'll be there.' Very excited."

Are you excited to see what Thunderbolts will bring to the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Let us know in the comments!

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A Marvel Hero's Child Was Just Recruited by Hydra https://comicbook.com/comics/news/spider-woman-son-gerry-hydra-recruit/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:12:00 +0000 Timothy Adams 80ec63f5-de75-4e68-a827-de9eaf77f161

A member of the Spider-Man family just found out their child has joined up with Hydra. "Gang War" is currently taking place in Amazing Spider-Man and a number of tie-ins and miniseries. One of the new ongoing series to launch out of "Gang War" is a new volume of Spider-Woman. It's been an eventful time for Jessica Drew. She was erased and then restored to the Web of Life and Destiny during the Spider-Man: End of the Spider-Verse event, which brought with it all sorts of complications for her and her son, Gerry. Now with a new villainous member of Hydra named the Green Mamba on the loose, Spider-Woman is in for the biggest shock of her life.

*WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Spider-Woman #4. Continue reading at your own risk!

Spider-Woman #4 is from the creative team of Steve Foxe, Carola Borelli, Arif Prianto, and VC's Joe Sabino. It picks up following the surprising conclusion of the last issue, where Spider-Woman was reunited with her grown-up son Gerry. Unfortunately for Jessica Drew, Gerry is Hydra's new Green Mamba and has a bone to pick with his mother. When Spider-Woman was erased from the Web of Life and Destiny, she theoretically ceased to exist. Because of this, everyone's memories of Gerry went with her. This means Gerry's babysitter, Roger Gocking aka Porcupine, left Gerry vulnerable for Hydra to kidnap him. Gerry was then aged up, similar to Spider-Woman, and brainwashed by Hydra. Obviously, this is a huge blow to Spider-Woman, who is now making it her mission to save her son Gerry at any cost.

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

Across the Spider-Verse's Spider-Woman to make Marvel Comics debut

Issa Rae's Jessica Drew from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is joining the Marvel Comics Universe. The Insecure star voiced Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman in the animated sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and will presumably return for the third movie in the franchise, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. This Jessica Drew is a Black woman with an afro, who proudly rode into battle pregnant and on a motorcycle. The Spider-Woman from the comics was at one time pregnant as well. Soon, fans will get to see Across the Spider-Verse's Spider-Woman adventures on the comics page.

The anthology series Edge of Spider-Verse is back with new adventures and new Spider heroes. Along with introducing readers to Weapon VIII, welcoming back Spider-Byte (another Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse star), and teasing Spider-Man 2099's involvement in the Spider-Society, we also got word that future issues of Edge of Spider-Verse will feature the comic debut of Spider-Woman from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

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The Marvels Star Brie Larson Offers Disappointing Update on MCU Future https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-marvels-brie-larson-future-mcu-captain-marvel-franchise-reaction/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 18:48:00 +0000 Patrick Cavanaugh adb6a8f8-c51e-484a-b879-ad3bb68da30f

Last year's The Marvels failed to make a major impact at the box office, both in comparison to the debut Captain Marvel and compared to other entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and star Brie Larson offered a disappointing update about her future with the franchise, noting that she has nothing to discuss at the moment. Anyone who has been following the MCU over the past year knows that the franchise has been seeing more disappointments than usual, as both The Marvels and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania were considered financial disappointments as the small screen's Secret Invasion also failed to ignite much excitement in fans. While we can't rule out Larson's return to the franchise entirely, it's possible that even Marvel Studios doesn't know the best place to bring her back.

When asked by Extra about her future with Marvel, Larson bluntly expressed, "I don't have anything to say about that." It's worth noting, though, that she made her remark and followed it with a wry smile, possibly teasing that she was leaning into the well-known shroud of secrecy around all MCU projects.

Despite making many public appearances during awards season, this is one of Larson's first updates on the beloved franchise in months, with her last remarks about Carol Danvers's future coming last November. At the time, Larson was much more optimistic about what was in store for her character's future.

"I don't want Marvel to come for me, but there is something," Larson previously explained to Entertainment Tonight. "There is definitely something, to answer your question, that I would want to say, but I am not going to so..."

With months having passed since those more optimistic comments were made, it's possible that Marvel Studios has reevaluated what its future will look like.

Larson's tenure in the franchise has seen her bring unique dynamics to life, as she was first teased in Avengers: Infinity War before making her feature-length debut in Captain Marvel, while then returning months later for a small yet significant role in Avengers: Endgame. The Captain Marvel sequel The Marvels saw Carol becoming unlikely teammates with Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) and Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), so whether Carol will earn another solo adventure or be established as part of a team is yet to be confirmed.

Two Avengers movies are set for 2026 and 2027, so it's possible we won't be getting significant glimpses of the character until those massive team-up adventures.

What do you think of the actor's remarks? Let us know in the comments!

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Marvel Announces Major X-Men Wedding https://comicbook.com/comics/news/x-men-wedding-mystique-destiny-marvels-voices/ Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:39:00 +0000 Timothy Adams 8b48e752-89df-4e08-a943-2024f2fccd33

There's a very special wedding coming up in the X-Men corner of the Marvel Universe. The X-Men are currently counting down the final days of the Krakoa era in Fall of the House of X and Rise of the Powers of X, but that doesn't mean some happy stories aren't coming for fans. Mystique and Destiny have been at the center of some of the biggest events during this period of X-Men comics, and fans will get to witness the couple's wedding in a special edition of Marvel's Voices: Pride titled X-Men: The Wedding Special.

This year's Marvel's Voices: Pride will make history with Marvel's first woman-to-woman wedding. Kieron Gillen (Immortal X-Men) will write the Mystique and Destiny story in X-Men: The Wedding Special, which features the duo renewing their wedding vows while also taking readers on a trip through Raven Darkholme and Irene Adler's storied history. One of the highlights will be seeing just when and how Mystique and Destiny tied the knot.

"They've been through hell, mainly at my pen. Finally, giving these two a happy day? How can I say no," Gillen shared.

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

What is X-Men: The Wedding Special about?

The description of X-Men: The Wedding Special reads, "IT'S A MUTANT WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA! Mystique and Destiny are one of the most beloved - and longest-lasting - gay couples in comic book history. Together for over 100 years, the pair secretly married during their decades-long romance. See the event and the renewal of those vows for the first time on the page. This year, Marvel's Voices: Pride makes history with Marvel's first woman-to-woman wedding! And with a couple as complex as these two, you know there's a lot more to the story. In the classic tradition of Fantastic Four Annual #3 and X-Men #30, this anthology will be a must-read for every comics fan. We promise party crashing! Villainy! Romance! And so much more!"

Like previous installments of Marvel's Voices, X-Men: The Wedding Special will also feature a lineup of stories written and drawn by LGBTQIA+ talent, including Tini Howard and Wyatt Kennedy, plus the Marvel Comics debuts of acclaimed writers Tate Brombal (House of Slaughter) and Yoon Ha Lee (Ninefox Gambit, Machineries of Empire)! The stories will spotlight characters like Betsy Braddock & Rachel Summers, Loki, and many more.

X-Men: The Wedding Special goes on sale May 29th. Let us know your thoughts on the Marvel's Voices: Pride one-shot in the comments!

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Madame Web Still Hasn't Surpassed Morbius' Opening Weekend Box Office Numbers https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/madame-web-still-hasnt-surpassed-morbius-opening-weekend-box-office-numbers/ Sun, 25 Feb 2024 23:52:00 +0000 Jamie Jirak 5bf87f53-4144-480b-ace1-056ee1a597f7

Madame Web is finishing its second weekend at the box office after opening on Valentine's Day, and the Sony flick has been having a tough run. Not only does it have the lowest Rotten Tomoates score of any Spider-Man movie made by Sony, but it also had the worst opening weekend of the films. The movie even managed to make less in six days than Morbius did during its three-day opening. Now, after 12 days in theaters, Madame Web still hasn't surpassed what Morbius made its first weekend.

Madame Web dropped to fourth place at the box office this weekend and has only made $35.45 million domestically for a global total of $77.4 million. In its first weekend, Morbius made $83.9 million. However, it didn't have much success after that and ended up with a total gross of $167.5 million. While it seems no one is going to the theater to check out Madame Web, the movie did end up being the most popular film on Letterboxed this week.

What Is Madame Web About?

In Madame Web, Cassandra "Cassie" Webb (Dakota Johnson) is forced to confront her past while trying to survive with three young women with powerful futures who are being hunted by a deadly adversary. In addition to Johnson, Madame Web also stars Sydney Sweeney as Julia Cornwall / Spider-Woman, Isabela Merced as Anya Corazon / Spider-Woman, and Celeste O'Connor as Mattie Franklin / Spider-Woman. The film also stars Tahar Rahim as Ezekiel Sims, with Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott, and Zosia Mamet.

"It's really the story of Madame Web," producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura previously told ComicBook.com. "So, in that respect, if you're a Spider-Man fan, you're gonna love the character because you know it from the comic books, which she doesn't really have that big a character in the comic books, we're doing the origin story of Madame Web. And so you meet her before she's actually the person that you know in the comic book and you come to understand how she becomes that person. So, I think that'll be a really fresh new terrain for the fans."

Madame Web is now playing exclusively in theaters. Be sure to check out Phase Zero's Spotlight interview with Madame Web director S.J. Clarkson, which is currently available on YouTube.

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Bob Marley: One Love Wins Second Weekend at the Box Office, Madame Web Falls to Fourth Place https://comicbook.com/movies/news/bob-marley-one-loves-second-weekend-box-office-numbers-are-in/ Sun, 25 Feb 2024 20:19:00 +0000 Jamie Lovett fdecc196-8c1f-40be-8f18-b85e6bf03714
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Venom 3 Star Reveals Filming Is Almost Complete https://comicbook.com/movies/news/venom-3-filming-almost-complete-juno-temple-confirms/ Sun, 25 Feb 2024 02:54:00 +0000 Adam Barnhardt e184eadf-52f8-4777-82c7-9c56d0e3989d

It's a busy year for Sony's superhero output, and the studio's release slate is just getting started. Now that Madame Web has entered theaters, both Kraven the Hunter and Venom 3 will enter theaters. While the former has been wrapped for quite some time, the cast and crew of Venom 3 are putting the finishing touches on the threequel in the coming days. In fact, Venom 3 star Juno Temple says she's nearly done filming on the Marvel film.

"We're coming close to an end at the moment," Temple told Variety at Saturday's SAG-AFTRA Awards gala. "It's been a wild, wonderful ride. It's so new to me. It's a big set! This is crazy. It's been so much fun and I got to work with such cool people. I've been so lucky in my career to just have the most incredible casts. I can't wait for it to get out into the world. I think it's going to be a good one."

Virtually nothing is known about Venom 3, other than it's being directed by Kelly Marcel, who also wrote the film's script alongside franchise lead Tom Hardy. Hardy also serves as a producer on the project.

"These things [usually] come in threes," Hardy previously said of the feature in an interview with Digital Spy. "If there's going to be a new one - and they depend heavily on the success of each individual one, so you can't count on them ever happening again - every one has got to be as if it was the last one. But I think it's really important, if you go into something, thinking that one, two and three are the same... the same story, the same film. So that you don't surprise yourself by being caught out by suddenly having to do a third from nowhere. There's got to be some continuity into a third and fourth and fifth, and if somebody says 'no', that's fine. Let it go, and you move on to something else."

Venom 3 is set to hit theaters on November 8th. Venom is streaming on Disney+ while Venom: Let There Be Carnage can be seen on Hulu.

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Madame Web Was the Most-Watched Movie on Letterboxd This Week https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/madame-web-was-the-most-watched-movie-on-letterboxd-this-week/ Sat, 24 Feb 2024 22:58:00 +0000 Jamie Jirak 5042344e-6143-4c46-aed5-6481de8452f4

Madame Web was released in theaters on Valentine's Day, and the film has been having a rough run at the box office. Not only does it have the lowest Rotten Tomoates score of any Spider-Man movie made by Sony, but it also had the worst opening weekend of the films. While general audiences may be avoiding the Sony flick, there is a group of people who do seem to be heading out to the theater to watch Dakota Johnson play the titular role: Letterboxd users. The popular film logging site revealed the ten most popular movies from this week, and Madame Web managed to clock in at number one.

"The Top 10 Most Popular Films on Letterboxd This Week ?," Letterboxd shared on social media. The rankings were as follows: 10. The Holdovers 9. Bob Marley: One Love 8. Dune 7. Anatomy of a Fall 6. Past Lives 5. Poor Things 4. The Iron Claw 3. The Zone of Interest 2. Anyone But You 1. Madame Web. You can check out the post below:

What Is Madame Web About?

In Madame Web, Cassandra "Cassie" Webb (Dakota Johnson) is forced to confront her past while trying to survive with three young women with powerful futures who are being hunted by a deadly adversary. In addition to Johnson, Madame Web also stars Sydney Sweeney as Julia Cornwall / Spider-Woman, Isabela Merced as Anya Corazon / Spider-Woman, and Celeste O'Connor as Mattie Franklin / Spider-Woman. The film also stars Tahar Rahim as Ezekiel Sims, with Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott, and Zosia Mamet.

"It's really the story of Madame Web," producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura previously told ComicBook.com. "So, in that respect, if you're a Spider-Man fan, you're gonna love the character because you know it from the comic books, which she doesn't really have that big a character in the comic books, we're doing the origin story of Madame Web. And so you meet her before she's actually the person that you know in the comic book and you come to understand how she becomes that person. So, I think that'll be a really fresh new terrain for the fans."

Madame Web is now playing exclusively in theaters. Be sure to check out Phase Zero's Spotlight interview with Madame Web director S.J. Clarkson, which is currently available on YouTube.

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X-Men '97 New Look Released https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/x-men-97-new-look-first-look-released/ Sat, 24 Feb 2024 21:01:00 +0000 Jamie Jirak 14a1e5ec-fce1-4908-b769-b58373f7651d

X-Men: The Animated Series is finally coming back in a big way. The beloved cartoon ran for five seasons in the '90s, and now a new sequel series is heading to Disney+. Marvel Studios' X-Men '97 is debuting next month, and it's going to pick up right where the original series left off in 1997. A tie-in comic for the series has also been announced, and the first issue is also debuting next month. X-Men '97 #1 is the official prelude comic set between the events of the "Graduation Day" series finale and the upcoming X-Men '97 revival on Disney+. The five-issue limited series, which was created in collaboration with X-Men '97 showrunner Beau DeMayo, is written by Steve Foxe (Dark X-Men, Dead X-Men) with art by Salva Esp?n (X-Men '92). Yesterday, Marvel.com shared a new look at the first issue.

"A special first look at X-MEN '97 (2024) #1 shows Magneto terrorizing a street full of people- until he is interrupted by an optic blast from Cyclops. When he turns, he finds Wolverine, Storm, Jubilee, and Bishop as well. Wolverine leaps into action, only to meet a rebuff by Magneto. In one page, Cyclops leads the team to the Danger Room, but quickly finds himself in an argument with Wolverine. In another page, the team swings back into action against some heavily armed foes. Finally, Storm shows off her new look for Jubilee," Marvel shared. You can check out the new image below:

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

When Does X-Men '97 Premiere?

As for the X-Men '97 series, the show is premiering on Disney+ on March 20th. X-Men '97 features the voices of original X-Men: The Animated Series cast members Cal Dodd, Lenore Zann, George Buza, Alison Sealy-Smith, Chris Potter, Catherine Disher, Adrian Hough, Alyson Court, and Christopher Britton. The X-Men team includes Wolverine (Dodd), Storm (Smith), Rogue (Zann), Beast (Buza), Cyclops (Ray Chase), Jean Grey (Jennifer Hale), Jubilee (Holly Chou), Bishop, and Morph.

"This is the first X-Men title produced by Marvel Studios," Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios' Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation, said when announcing X-Men '97. "What an amazing first step to reintroduce audiences to the X-Men with a look at one of the most pinnacle eras of the X-Men comics, which was the '90s."

Added Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, VP of Animation at Marvel Studios, "As an animated show, the original X-Men was the forerunner to some amazing action series. Everyone that is making X-Men '97, top-down, is a fan. On this project, instinctually, we knew exactly what this is. To bring this series forward and pick up that baton, and not just keep running at the same pace, but to really elevate. That's the responsibility."

Are you excited for X-Men '97? Will you be checking out the comic? Tell us in the comments!

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The Fantastic Four: Ebon Moss-Bachrach Teases The Thing's Costume, Talks Cast Group Chat https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/the-fantastic-four-ebon-moss-bachrach-teases-the-thing-costume-cast-group-chat-1960s/ Sat, 24 Feb 2024 20:03:00 +0000 Jamie Jirak 5d944b18-3f1a-42d7-874d-0a4083ef589f

After years of speculation, the cast of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Fantastic Four was finally announced last week. The upcoming film is set to star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. This week, Moss-Bachrach appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and spoke about his upcoming Marvel debut. During the interview, the actor revealed his version of The Thing will be motion capture, and said the character's signature catchphrase, "It's clobberin' time."

"In the past, I think they've done a suit. Michael Chiklis wore a suit that apparently was really uncomfortable, and it's kind of... we're past that," Moss-Bachrach explained. "It's a little kind of cosplay, kind of amateur that kind of stuff now with the technology we have."

"No, I found out at the beginning of August," he added when asked about being cast in the MCU. "I was taking a walk in the city... this was in the middle of the writer's strike and I got a call from my agent. I wasn't thinking about work at all. They said, 'They asked you to play The Thing.' I was so shocked."

"There is a group text," Moss-Bachrach revealed when asked if he's met the cast. "Pedro started [it] a couple of days ago ... everyone has said something ... everyone put a little image, gif, or sticker. So people are invested. No one is being coy."

Kimmel also asked Moss-Bachrach about the rumors that the movie will be set in the 1960s, but the actor didn't confirm or deny the setting. "That image does seem to be '60s themed," he agreed when Kimmel pulled out the poster. You can watch the full interview below:

When Is Fantastic Four Being Released?

Matt Shakman is directing Fantastic Four, which is currently scheduled to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025. Shakman has previously said that the reboot will be much from previous attempts to bring Marvel's first family to life on the big screen,

"It's different in so many ways. I wish I could be specific," Shakman said. "I wish I could say more. But we are doing things very differently from a story standpoint, from an approach to the filmmaking standpoint, that really fits the material. I wish I could say more. I would love to, but I can't. But I think it's going to be unlike anything you've seen before, and certainly unlike anything at Marvel that you've seen before."

Are you excited about the Fantastic Four cast? Tell us in the comments!

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Invincible Creator Shoots Down Spider-Man Crossover Rumors https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/invincible-spider-man-season-2-marvel-mcu-crossover-robert-kirkman-debunks-rumors/ Sat, 24 Feb 2024 19:26:00 +0000 Aaron Perine 95134d91-396f-4f55-815a-954041f785c6

Invincible creator Robert Kirkman is shooting down those Spider-Man crossover rumors all across the web. During IGN's FanFest, he talked about the Marvel's hero possible reunion with Invincible. Basically, he told fans to not hold their breath on that one. "Would that we could pull the powers of Amazon and Disney and Marvel and everybody together!" Kirkman smirked. "Wouldn't that be an amazing thing? But I wouldn't count on it. And that's not a tease." So, that seems pretty conclusive but, he didn't completely say no. Despite Spider-Man's multiverses shenanigans as late, that might be one portal too far, and we're all poorer for it.

These Spider-Man rumors kicked into overdrive when it was announced that Josh Keaton is voicing a mystery character in Invincible Season 2. With his past voicing Peter Parker in The Spectacular Spider-Man, the web exploded into speculation. All of that fan fervor is nice, but these comments from Kirkman throw some cold water on those boiling fan theories about a team-up episode. Even though Spidey and Invincible joined forces in Marvel Team-Up #14 and later in Invincible #33, that might not be enough to will this crossover into existence. And, so we wait, for a hero to save us from that purgatory.

Spider-Man Crossing Over Into Invincible?

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(Photo: Prime Video/Marvel Entertainment)

The show's creators haven't been shy about dancing around the idea of this crossover. Invincible showrunner Simon Racioppa talked to The Hollywood Handle about Season 2. During their discussion, Marvel's Wall-Crawler came up. While the team would love to bring Spidey into the fold, its going to take a lot of work to get there.

Racioppa began, I'd love to have crossovers with all, with DC, with Marvel, with all these other characters. I mean... in our show you gotta have to wait and see if that's a thing that can happen or not. I'd love that to happen, you know, is very tricky nowadays..."

With those caveats out in the open, the showrunner didn't close the door on Spider-Man swinging his way into the Invincible Universe. However, there would have to be a number of behind-the-scenes business deals to see it become a reality. He explained, "Marvel they sometimes license their characters to other studios. So crossing over in television is way harder than it is in comic books."

What About The Invincible Movie?

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(Photo: Amazon)

While everyone's dreaming the biggest dreams about Invincible, there's also been talk about a live-action movie. Robert Kirkman and company have been very quiet about what they're doing in the live action realm. However, Invincible continues to get bigger and bigger with the new batch of episodes approaching quickly. The comics creative knows that they have to nail this treatment.

"It's going through the pipeline slowly," Kirkman told IGN. "The strikes and everything kind of put a pause on things for a while. We're just now getting back into that and it's all very exciting but it's not something that we're rushing, it's something that we definitely want to get right."

"Now that the show is out and the animated series is doing we're trying to figure out ways to make sure that it stands apart, works in tandem with the show," the creator added. "To show how cool Invincible is and and doesn't detract from it in any way. So there's a lot of maneuvering that has to go into that and so it is taking a little bit of time but I can't wait for everyone to see Steven Yeun as Cecil Stedman."

Do you think the crossover could happen someday? Let us know down in the comments!

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Bob Marley: One Love To Win Second Box Office Weekend https://comicbook.com/movies/news/bob-marley-one-love-to-win-second-box-office-weekend/ Sat, 24 Feb 2024 16:28:00 +0000 Jamie Lovett d50f1630-03c1-4393-a7ad-6c6dd3e6997f
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Shang-Chi 2: What Does Destin Daniel Cretton's Naruto Movie Mean for MCU Sequel? https://comicbook.com/movies/news/shang-chi-2-destin-daniel-cretton-naruto-movie-mcu-sequel-delay/ Sat, 24 Feb 2024 05:41:00 +0000 Jenna Anderson f5576b40-3a70-4d55-92db-25c35b9f0dc8

The blockbuster world got a surprising update on Friday, with the news that Destin Daniel Cretton is involved with a live-action adaptation of Naruto. Cretton, whose work includes Short Term 12 and Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is directing, writing, and producing the Naruto film. The Lionsgate movie is also expected to be produced by Jeyun Munford, as well as Arad Productions' Avi Arad, Ari Arad, and Emmy Yu.

As anime fans are relishing in the news of the new live-action Naruto adaptation, one question has popped up -- will Cretton's involvement in the movie have any impact on Marvel Studios' planned Shang-Chi sequel?

Does Shang-Chi 2 Have a Release Date?

In late 2021, shortly after the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, reports had indicated that a Shang-Chi sequel was in the works, with Cretton expected to return as writer and director and Simu Liu expected to return as star. In the years since, updates surrounding Shang-Chi 2 have remained few and far between, outside of Liu suggesting that the film could be released at any point after 2026's Avengers 5. Cretton was actually signed on to direct Avengers 5 -- then titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty -- in the summer of 2022, before subsequently stepping away from the gig in November of 2023.

Amid these updates, Marvel Studios has yet to confirm a Shang-Chi sequel as part of their future slate, much less give the film any sort of official release date.

Could the Naruto Movie Impact Shang-Chi 2?

At the time of this writing, it isn't clear when either the live-action Naruto movie or a Shang-Chi sequel will enter production. The Naruto movie has been in the works at Lionsgate in some form or fashion since 2015, but Cretton's involvement does seem to indicate that the film could officially get off the ground sooner than later. If that does prove to be the case and Naruto is Cretton's next project, it could add a longer hiatus to Shang-Chi 2 starting production with him at the helm.

Granted, the ever-evolving nature of Marvel Studios' slate could mean that Avengers 5 and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars could be delayed yet again, and a Cretton-directed Shang-Chi 2 could still theoretically premiere in between the two movies. There's also the chance that Shang-Chi 2 could become prioritized by Marvel Studios earlier, and ultimately enter production with a different director attached -- an move that would definitely disappoint fans of Cretton's approach to the franchise, but would at least ensure the movie gets released sooner. Either way, Cretton's involvement with Naruto definitely adds a wrinkle to whatever the future holds.

Are you excited for the live-action Naruto movie? How do you think it could impact Destin Daniel Cretton's work on Shang-Chi 2? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Marvel's Free Must-Haves Comics Feature Spider-Man, Deadpool, Ms. Marvel and Thor https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-free-must-haves-comics-spider-man-deadpool-ms-marvel-thor/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 21:41:00 +0000 Timothy Adams ef685e69-9f91-40d9-803e-93bef1ff7820

Some popular comic runs featuring heroes such as Spider-Man, Deadpool, Ms. Marvel, and Thor will soon be available for fans to pick up... all for free! Looking to capitalize on the popularity of pop culture trends like the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer and Ms. Marvel's new status as a mutant, Marvel is gathering a new line of "Must-Haves" comics handpicked to get fans excited about the stories currently taking place in the pages of Marvel comics. "Must-Haves" will serve as the perfect jumping-on points for new readers, so they should be easily accessible to pick up and start reading. It doesn't hurt that they're also all free.

Marvel Must-Haves was officially announced yesterday at ComicsPRO the Comic Industry Conference. The first three issues that are going to be collected in the first Marvel Must-Haves one-shot include 2016's Spider-Man/Deadpool #1 by Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness; 2023's Immortal Thor #2 by Al Ewing and Martin Coccolo; and 2023's Ms. Marvel: The New Mutant #1 by Ms. Marvel actress Iman Vellani and Sabir Pirzada. The one-shot features more than 80 pages of exciting Marvel adventures and arrives at comic book shops in March.

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

Marvel reveals free Must-Have comic book stories

Below is a description of the stories that will be found in Marvel Must-Haves - March 2024 #1:

SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #1 (2016)

  • It's action, adventure and just a smattering of romance in this epic teaming up the Webbed Wonder and the Merc with a Mouth! Talk about a REAL dynamic duo! Brought to you by two Marvel superstars--Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness--it's a perfect tale for those looking forward to the Deadpool's return to the big screen.
  • Dive into the full story in SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL MODERN ERA EPIC COLLECTION: ISN'T IT BROMANTIC? TPB (9781302951641)

IMMORTAL THOR #2 (2023)

  • An Elder God of the Utgard-Realm had marked Thor for destruction - and a city with him. Yet the only power that could prevail carried its own terrible price. This is the story of THE IMMORTAL THOR...and the hour of his greatest trial. Following his masterful work on Immortal Hulk, Al Ewing is breaking mythology yet again in this acclaimed new run of the God of Thunder. Featuring breathtaking artwork by superstar Martin Coccolo.
  • Dive into the full story in IMMORTAL THOR VOL. 1: ALL WEATHER TURNS TO STORM TPB (9781302954185)

MS. MARVEL: THE NEW MUTANT #1 (2023)

  • Resurrected back into this world of hate and fear, Kamala Khan has a secret mission to pull off for the X-Men, all the while struggling to acclimate to this new part of her identity! Co-written by the MCU's own Kamala, Iman Vellani, and Sabir Pirzada of both Dark Web: Ms. Marvel and her Disney+ series! Don't miss this exciting evolution for one of Marvel's brightest young heroes!
  • Dive into the full story in MS. MARVEL: THE NEW MUTANT VOL. 1 TPB (9781302954901)
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Marvel Announces Venom War Event https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-venom-war-teaser-al-ewing-iban-coello/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 19:57:00 +0000 Timothy Adams a9edc11c-d8f0-4571-b3a8-84ea2b17b5cd

A Venom War is heading to the Marvel Universe. The next saga for Eddie Brock and Dylan Brock will take place later this year in Venom War, a battle that pits father and son against each other to see who will be the last Venom standing. Of course, Eddie Brock is famously known for being Venom ever since he bonded with the alien symbiote and they started their vendetta against Spider-Man. Since then, Venom has gone from a villain to an anti-hero and now a straight-up superhero, fighting beside the likes of Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Captain America. However, Eddie has recently shared the Venom persona with his son Dylan, who has embarked on his own personal journey as the street-level Lethal Protector. Somehow, Eddie and Dylan Brock will come to blows, and there's new art previewing the epic battle.

Marvel released teaser art for Venom War by Philip Tan. The artwork features Eddie Brock and Dylan Brock as Venom, each leading their armies into battle reminiscent of the superhero showdown in Captain America: Civil War. On Team Eddie Brock we have Agent Anti-Venom, aka Flash Thompson, a former Venom, and Bedlam, one of Eddie Brock's most recent incarnations. On Team Dylan Brock is Red Goblin (Normie Osborn), Sleeper, and Black Widow, who is a new addition to the Venom mythos. Venom War is scheduled to take place in August, with more information to be released at a later date.

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

Venom co-creator David Michelinie writing new series

David Michelinie, one of Venom's co-creators alongside Todd McFarlane, is returning to the Lethal Protector to pen a throwback series. Venom: Separation Anxiety is set during Eddie's early days as a Lethal Protector, with the five-issue limited series pitting Eddie and the symbiote against a different kind of brain eater: the sinister mind-control powers of Zebediah Killgrave, the Purple Man.

"I'm always delighted to write a new Venom story in a retro background," said Michelinie, who previously returned to Marvel for another retro-set series, 2022's Venom: Lethal Protector. "With Separation Anxiety as the required theme, the problem became how to do something that's already been done -- have Eddie Brock separated from his symbiote 'other.' So I thought, what if there was a deeply creepy villain with a decidedly bloodthirsty agenda who was able to take bits of Eddie's symbiote away every time the two touched, with that enemy slowly growing stronger as Venom slowly grew weaker? And that was the nugget that became 'The King In Purple.'"

Are you excited for Venom War? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Marvel Announces Wolverine and Deadpool Team Up Story Ahead of MCU Film https://comicbook.com/comics/news/wolverine-deadpool-team-up-weapon-x-traction-marvel-comics-mcu/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:23:00 +0000 Timothy Adams 57a02546-5916-440a-a585-997f679a8c72

The summer of Wolverine and Deadpool heats up with a new story running through a series of Marvel comics. The duo will famously team up for Deadpool & Wolverine, the first official X-Men movie to launch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film reunites Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as Deadpool and Wolverine, respectively, with the first Deadpool & Wolverine trailer dropping during the Super Bowl. Along with May's Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII, July will see the release of a Weapon X-Traction backup story starring Wolverine and Deadpool teaming up across eight Marvel titles this summer.

Written by Ryan North (Fantastic Four) and drawn by Javier Garr?n (Avengers), Weapon X-Traction will begin in July's Incredible Hulk #14. As an added bonus, Marvel isn't raising the prices of these comics with the Wolverine/Deadpool backup stories, so readers get to enjoy the extra action at no additional cost. At this time Marvel hasn't announced the other titles participating in the Weapon X-Traction story. A piece of promotional art by Javier Garr?n features Wolverine and Deadpool face-to-face, with Wolverine brandishing his Adamantium claws, and Deadpool holding a pistol in each hand.

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

What is Wolverine and Deadpool's WWIII project about?

"The most intensely mismatched team-up in comics and pop culture, the best there is and the merc with the mouth, undergoes a radical change in an all-new three-part, globe-spanning saga for the ages in Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII #1. On stands this May, acclaimed writer Joe Kelly makes his return to Deadpool in the new series alongside legendary artist Adam Kubert," a description of Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII reads.

"The mysterious Delta believes in change. Change is good. But as he sets his sights on Deadpool, and Wolverine is caught up in the plot, is the third time really the charm, or the curse? Get ready for WWIII to erupt on the scene with the wildest duo in comics from legends Joe Kelly (Deadpool, Uncanny X-Men) and Adam Kubert (Wolverine, Uncanny X-Men)!"

"There were so many factors that made me say yes to writing this book," Kelly recently told IGN. "Adam Kubert was number one. I worked with Adam during my early Marvel career and have been a fan of his ever since - both as an artist and a human. So, working with him again? No brainer, yes please."

"The second reason was Wolverine," Kelly continued. "As much as this is a buddy-book, Logan is the entry point to the story, which gave me a chance to explore this character I love. His voice, his perspective on the world, all of it gave me a unique way to approach an epic team-up... And then, big number three... there's the body horror. Deadpool and Wolverine together allow for a bloody playground of a story. A tale of self-examination and introspection as told through some seriously jaw-dropping nastiness thanks to Adam's deft hands. It's a dark, funny, messy ride I hope everyone enjoys as much as I do."

Deadpool & Wolverine reveals first poster

The first poster for the freshly-titled Deadpool & Wolverine piggybacks on the name change of the film. Super Bowl LVIII finally delivered the highly-anticipated trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine, featuring the reunion between Ryan Reynolds' Merc With a Mouth and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. Deadpool & Wolverine is the first X-Men-adjacent movie produced under Marvel Studios, officially bringing Deadpool into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While fans will be digesting every second of the trailer, Marvel Studios also revealed a Deadpool & Wolverine poster that reminds everyone how close the two of them really are.

"Wait till you see the Deadpool popcorn bucket," Ryan Reynolds wrote on X (formerly Twitter) when the Deadpool & Wolverine poster was unveiled. The poster features a split image of the Deadpool and Wolverine mask logos in the shape of a heart. The Deadpool side has the word "Best" while the Wolverine portion says "Friends." The bottom of the poster has the words, "Come Together" as well as the July 26th release date of Deadpool & Wolverine.

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DC and Marvel Crossover and Amalgam Omnibuses Get New Covers https://comicbook.com/comics/news/dc-marvel-crossover-amalgam-omnibuses-new-covers-jim-lee/ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 04:58:00 +0000 Jenna Anderson 0509af05-d06d-4c5f-b7f3-2f402596ef18

Marvel and DC have shaped the landscape of superhero media in some massive ways, and some of their greatest collaborations yet are about to head back into print. Earlier this month, DC and Marvel announced plans to print two new omnibuses of their previous crossovers: DC Versus Marvel Omnibus and DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus. Both DC Versus Marvel Omnibus and DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus will be available at participating bookstores and local comic book shops on Tuesday, August 6th.

Now, as part of DC's presentation at the ComicsPRO Comic Industry Conference, some of the collections' covers have been revealed. This includes art by George Perez for the Mass Market versions of DC Versus Marvel Omnibus and DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus, as well as the pencilled version of the Direct Market version of DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus from Jim Lee, Scott Williams, and Alex Sinclair.

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(Photo: DC)
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(Photo: DC)
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(Photo: DC)

What Is DC Versus Marvel Omnibus About?

Who would win: Superman versus Spider-Man? Batman versus Captain America? The X-Men meeting the Teen Titans? DC Versus Marvel Omnibus collects crossovers between the core DC and Marvel characters, from 1976's Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man to 2000's Batman/Daredevil. Included are stories from some of comics' most revered talents, namely Dennis O'Neil, George P?rez, Dan Jurgens, Chris Claremont, Walter Simonson, J.M. DeMatteis, Mark Bagley, Gerry Conway, John Romita Jr., and more. DC and Marvel fans alike can't miss these thrilling pieces of unearthed comic book history!

DC Versus Marvel Omnibus collects Batman/Captain America #1, Batman/Daredevil #1, Batman/Punisher: Lake of Fire #1, Batman/Spider-Man #1, Daredevil/Batman #1, DC Special Series #27, Darkseid vs. Galactus: The Hunger #1, Green Lantern/Silver Surfer: Unholy Alliances #1, Incredible Hulk vs. Superman #1, Marvel and DC Present Featuring the Uncanny X-Men and the New Teen Titans #1, Marvel Treasury Edition #28, Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights #1, Silver Surfer/Superman #1, Spider-Man and Batman #1, Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man #1, and Superman/Fantastic Four #1.

What Is DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus About?

DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus features stories, first told in 1996, of the two superhero universes fused together into a new Amalgam Universe, combining DC's and Marvel's heroes, villains, and mythologies. The result was a series of unforgettable one-shot comic books starring the likes of Dark Claw (Batman and Wolverine), Super Soldier (Superman and Captain America), Iron Lantern (Iron Man and Green Lantern), and many more! These stories, from creators such as Peter David, Dan Jurgens, Mark Waid, Dave Gibbons, Ron Marz, Jos? Luis Garc?a-L?pez, Gary Frank, Bill Sienkiewicz, Claudio Castellini, and more, represent one of the most fun and unlikely periods in comic book history, and now are available in one omnibus. Included in this volume are the historic DC Versus Marvel miniseries and its sequels, perfect for fans of both DC and Marvel!

DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus collects DC Versus Marvel #1-4, DC/Marvel: All Access #1-4, Unlimited Access #1-4, Bat-Thing #1, Bruce Wayne: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, Bullets and Bracelets #1, Challengers of the Fantastic #1, Doctor Strangefate #1, Iron Lantern #1, Legends of the Dark Claw #1, Lobo the Duck #1, Speed Demon #1, Spider-Boy #1, Super Soldier #1, Thorion of the New Asgods #1, X-Patrol #1, and more, plus a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes material.

What do you think of these new DC and Marvel omnibus covers? Which one will you be picking up? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

As mentioned above, DC Versus Marvel Omnibus and DC/Marvel: The Amalgam Age Omnibus will both be released in participating bookstores and local comic book shops on Tuesday, August 6th.

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She-Hulk Gets Transformed Into the Lethal Protector in What if…? Venom #1 (Exclusive) https://comicbook.com/comics/news/she-hulk-what-if-venom-1-exclusive-preview-marvel-comics/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 21:20:00 +0000 Timothy Adams c259f68e-db5e-4126-a3ac-f252f52dc7e8
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Surprising MCU Project Gets Positive Update Amid 'Retooling' https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/marvel-mcu-wandavision-scarlet-witch-agatha-positive-update-retooling/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 20:40:00 +0000 Aaron Perine 3bd10898-86b4-42a1-b090-7bbce9a63f63

Marvel Studios has a reason to feel optimistic about one of 2024's under-hyped MCU projects. WandaVision fans, your day is almost here because Agatha: Darkhold Diaries is apparently shaping up alright. Yesterday, The Hollywood Reporter published a massive piece about the current "retooling" of the Marvel Universe. In one part of their reporting, they pointed out that internal takes on the return of Kathryn Hahn's witch are rosy. Usually Marvel Studios budgets about a week for reshoots on their project. However, Agatha had things wrapped up in just one day.

Now, that's no guarantee that writer Jac Schaeffer's return to Westview will put a spell on audiences like WandaVision did back in 2021. In the midst of some real tweaks, a show that only needed one day of reshoots is probably a good sign! However, some segments of the fanbase have been quick to write this one off because of how much has happened in the MCU. But, viewers will remember how much a phenomenon Disney+'s first Marvel series was when it aired. Expect some of those who joined the conversation to jump back into the fold.

What To Expect From Agatha?

AGATHA: DARKHOLD DIARIES
(Photo: Marvel Studios)

Agatha: Darkhold Diaries has some real surprises in-store for late 2024. Collider interviewed Kathryn Hahn about her long-brewing MCU return. One of Phase 4's big fan-favorites had to be Agatha Harkness as the actress tormented Scarlet Witch and Vision. While the WandaVision follow-up's story has been under lock and key, there has been massive speculation about a number of plot points. Are we getting Elizabeth Olsen back? Will the twins make an appearance after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Is Agatha a good witch now? All these massive questions have Marvel fans dreaming big. The actress is asking a little patience before Halloween kicks everything into high-gear.

Hahn smirked, "I can't say anything, but I'm so excited! You know, it's interesting you say that because my whole experience with Marvel, starting with WandaVision and then Agatha - everyone talks about the machine of Marvel, but I've really felt like I've been in this amazing splinter circus that has felt so trusted and so off to the side."

"These two projects could not have been more different from each other and could not have asked more different things of me, but a part always takes a little something from you and also gives a little something to you," she added with Collider. "So yes, of course, there was a call and response between the two of them because it's me, it's my life, it's my humanhood stepping from one to the other. I don't know if I could exactly say what it was, but she, of course, prepared me for the witch."

A Lot Of Pressure On The MCU

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(Photo: Marvel Entertainment)

Each one of these shows and movies carries quite a bit of pressure to move the story forward now. Since Multiverse of Madness, Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange's corner of things hasn't really been revisited. For example, what's been going on with the people of Westview? ComicBook.com had the chance to speak to Emma Caufield about the pressure on all of the cast during WandaVision. The Internet was asking so many questions. Now, she'll go through the same thing for Agatha.

"Pain and all. I knew," Caulfield said during the BoxLunch Holiday Gala. "I was like, 'Oh, they're going to hate me. Or they're going to hate you. I'll just pretend I didn't know anything.' There's always pressure with a Marvel show. Especially one where I still can't say anything." She added. "I think people are really going to like [Agatha]. Kathryn Hahn is ... She's so great. Working with her is... I just... [loss for words]."

Does this make you more excited for Agatha? Let us know down in the comments!

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Marvel Announces New Ultimates Series https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-ultimates-series-deniz-camp-juan-frigeri/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 16:02:00 +0000 Timothy Adams 51a92278-e047-487f-8874-903f3823caaa

Marvel is assembling the mightiest heroes of the Ultimate Universe for a new volume of Ultimates. Back in 2002, Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch collaborated on Ultimates, transforming the way superhero stories were told. Their influence can be felt in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Samuel L. Jackson's portrayal of Nick Fury coming straight from the Ultimates. Hitch and Jonathan Hickman came together to usher in a new wave of Ultimate comics in Ultimate Invasion, and the Ultimate Universe #1 one-shot laid the foundation for new launches like Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate Black Panther, and next month's Ultimate X-Men. Now, it's time for Ultimates to join the roster of Ultimate titles.

Marvel has officially announced Ultimates #1 from writer Deniz Camp (Children of the Vault) and artist Juan Frigeri (Invincible Iron Man). The first issue launches in June and directly spins out of Ultimate Universe #1. "Months ago, Tony Stark sent Peter Parker a radioactive spider to set him back on the course to become Spider-Man," a description of Ultimates #1 reads. "Since then, Iron Lad (Stark), Captain America, Doom, Thor and Sifhave begun to do the same for other lost heroes, building a network of super-powered heroes hungry for change... Now they must band together to destroy the Maker's Council and restore freedom and free will to a world ruled from the shadows!"

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

Marvel reveals roster of new Ultimates team

"The new Ultimates line is the most exciting super hero comics event in years, and it's humbling to be a part of it!" Camp shared. "We are reinventing these classic characters and archetypes to be as surprising and vital as when they were first introduced. Our Ultimates is an evolution not just of the Avengers, but of the whole super hero team concept; from the grand and operatic to the small and personal, THE ULTIMATES will feel like no Avengers or Ultimates comic ever before! That's our ambition, anyway; tune in to find out if we succeed."

"On a personal note, my first big break in comics was winning the Millarworld talent competition, so there is a strange, sweet symmetry to taking on the title Mark and Bryan pioneered 20+ years ago," Camp added. "We're doing everything we can to live up to the 'Ultimates' name, and the high bar set by Jonathan, Marco [Checchetto], and all the Ultimate creative teams so far!"

A special sneak peek at Ultimates will be included in Free Comic Book Day 2024: Spider-Man & The Ultimate Universe #1, on sale for FCBD being held on May 4th. The cover by Dike Ruan features the new Ultimates team, which consists of Tony Stark's Iron Lad, Captain America, Doctor Doom, Thor, Sif, Ant-Man/Giant-Man, and Wasp. Fans got to see the majority of these characters interact in Ultimate Universe #1, but so far Ant-Man/Giant-Man and Wasp have not made appearances, so perhaps Ultimates #1 will be their official introduction to the Ultimate Universe.

Ultimates #1 goes on sale June 5th.

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Marvel Teases the "Ending" of a Fan-Favorite Series https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-gods-end-teaser-jonathan-hickman-valerio-schiti/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:34:00 +0000 Timothy Adams 8370365f-86fc-42fc-badf-66478b89fe4a

A Marvel Comics series by a fan-favorite creative team is nearing the end of the road. It's very rare to see a new franchise crop up in the Marvel Universe, considering the foundation of the publisher is built around titles such as Spider-Man, X-Men, Avengers, and Fantastic Four. It's also harder to introduce new characters that readers will actually care about and spend their hard-earned money on. But that doesn't mean creators aren't trying to break new ground, which is what we're getting in G.O.D.S. from writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Valerio Schiti.

G.O.D.S. has promised to revolutionize the science and magic corners of the Marvel Universe, and so far each issue has delivered on that promise. However, things may be ending in May just as they were starting to get interesting. Marvel released a teaser for May's G.O.D.S. #8, with the teaser reading, "To All Things, An Ending... For Now." The cover by Mateus Manhanini features Wyn, an avatar of The-Powers-That-Be, in a sword duel with a knight while also dodging gunfire from a gun-slinger. A biking character can also be seen, and they all appear to be variants of Wyn since they share the same hair color and white streak.

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti revamp Marvel's Gods

One of the more interesting things to witness in Jonathan Hickman and Valerio Schiti's G.O.D.S. is how they've redefined the visual look of a lot of Marvel cosmic beings, such as the In-Betweener, Living Tribunal, Oblivion, Master Chaos, Lord Order, Infinity, and Eternity. By the time G.O.D.S. ends, if it is truly an ending and not restarting with a new #1 issue, there should be a new status quo for a lot of these entities.

"One of the things we wanted to do was to take the universal abstracts and do a more street-level version of the character," Hickman explained in a special G.O.D.S. retailer conference. "That's the idea behind Valerio's redesigns. Valerio tweaked the massive god-like aspect of each of these celestial abstracts and then he also made a version of the character that is a more mundane version. So I guess in Marvel Universe terms, there's the Peter Parker version of all these character and then there's the Spider-Man version of all these characters now. And it's a very effective storytelling mechanism. It works very well in the way that we're using it. My belief is that it will make these characters more useable and more frequently appearing in other Marvel books as well."

"We already saw the Marvel gods a lot of times in the past, no surprises here. Or are there?" Schiti teased. "Maybe we saw what they wanted us to see, what our human brains can contain and understand without going insane so maybe there are different, weirder and scarier forms? And if they can change shape and size, what's stopping them from walking among us, hiding in the crowd, using a human form?"

Stay tuned to ComicBook.com to stay up to date on the future of G.O.D.S.

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Marvel Legends Zabu Build-A-Figure Wave Goes On Sale Today https://comicbook.com/gear/news/marvel-legends-zabu-build-a-figure-wave-preorder/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:33:00 +0000 Sean Fallon 39f957c3-fdd1-4bae-92f7-319b3db6e4e4 marvel-legends-zabu-baf-wave-2.jpg

Hasbro's first Marvel Legends fanstream for 2024 included only one pre-order reveal, though it is a Build-A-Figure wave with seven action figures. Six out of those seven figures will include pieces that can be combined to form Zabu, the saber-toothed tiger of the Savage Land.

The figures in the Zabu wave include Red Widow, Ikaris, Black Winter (Thor), Superior Iron Man (no BAF piece), Wolfsbane, Cable, and Ka-zar. In addition to the BAF pieces, the figures will include accessories like alternate hands, weapons, and, in the case of Superior Iron Man, an alternate masked head. Pre-orders for this entire wave will be available starting today Thursday, February 22nd at 10am ET / 1pm ET right here at Entertainment Earth (free US shipping on orders $79). They should also be available here on Amazon around that time. UPDATE: All figures will be priced at $24.99 and you can find direct links that will be inactive until after the launch time below. These links will be updated as needed.

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During the Marvel Legends fanstream, Hasbro also noted that Marvel Legends figures inspired by the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman would be available "later this year", so expect to see them at some point shortly before the July 26th debut of the film in theaters. In the meantime, they have reissued some Deadpool figures that were first released in 2019. If you haven't added them to your collection yet, you can remedy that via the links below.

  • X-Men X-Force Retro Marvel Legends 6-Inch Deadpool Action Figure ($24.99) - See at Entertainment Earth: Includes 4 guns, 2 swords, and Toy Biz-inspired 1990s-esque packaging.
  • Marvel Legends Ultimate Deadpool Corps 6-Inch Action Figures with Scooter ($39.99) - See at Entertainment Earth: Includes 3 figures, a scooter vehicle, 3 accessories, and a label sheet.
  • Again, US shipping is free on orders $79+

What is Deadpool & Wolverine about?

A synopsis for Deadpool & Wolverine made its way online back in January. It's pretty short, and of course, hasn't been confirmed by Marvel Studios. The synopsis reads, "That fu***** irresponsible hero Deadpool will change the history of the MCU with Wolverine!?"

"Deadpool, for me, is kind of like an anxiety-inducing tightrope walk," Reynolds told ComicBook.com in an interview last year. "I always think when I've got Deadpool just right, I'm speaking from experience from Deadpool 1 & 2, that I need to make it 30 to 40% percent better than it already it is. Even if I'm at the moment where I'm like, 'This is perfect, this moment!' Then, I stop and I go, 'Okay, this has to be 30% better than it already is.' It's a stressful thing to get right, or at least right as far as I'm concerned."

The third entry in the Deadpool trilogy reunites director Shawn Levy with Ryan Reynolds (Free Guy, The Adam Project) and Hugh Jackman (Real Steel). It's also a reunion for Jackman and Marvel Studios president and producer Kevin Feige, whose first producing credit was 2000's X-Men. Reynolds co-wrote the script with Deadpool and Deadpool 2 writers Paul Wernick & Rhett Reese, and Zeb Wells (The Marvels, Robot Chicken) & Levy.

Alongside Reynolds and Jackman, the cast includes returning Deadpool stars Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Stefan Kapi?i? as Colossus of the X-Men, Leslie Uggams as Blind Al, Karan Soni as Dopinder, and Rob Delaney as the unpowered Peter. Emma Corrin (The Crown) and Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) also star.

Deadpool & Wolverine arrives in theaters on July 26th.

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First Look: Diamond Select Toys Skottie Young's Mysterio Statue (Exclusive https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/diamond-select-toys-skottie-young-mysterio-statue-first-look/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:04:00 +0000 Russ Burlingame 91dc273c-582e-44cb-b70b-f2363c161cf0
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Top 10 Comic Books Rising in Value in the Last Week Include Fantastic Four, Secret Wars, and Ultimate Universe https://comicbook.com/comics/news/top-10-comic-books-rising-in-value-in-the-last-week-fantastic-four-secret-wars-ultimate-universe/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 03:26:00 +0000 Matt DeVoe f37cd34d-793b-400c-897a-ff9ae11364ad

The Ultimate Universe is still reigning supreme! Black Panther and Spider-Man return with their cover A variants. They also bring in a BossLogic variant and a second printing cover. Also, the Ultimate Universe book that started it all returns to the top ten. The villains are also returning, as The Joker and Cassandra Nova appear in this week's list due to the new Deadpool trailer. The Deadpool & Wolverine trailer also drove attention to a comic book that was featured in a quick scene. The significance of this book is still unknown. Marvel also made a huge announcement about the casting of the Fantastic Four. Ironically, the family portrait created a ton of interest in a character that has yet to be officially cast. Read on below to find out which FF character is getting their own little spotlight!

Want to know what comic books are trending each week and why? COVRPRICE.COM uses live sales analytics to identify and compile the most robust market price guide, highlighting the weekly top trending comics. No opinions. Just data. Each week, they present a newly updated list of the TOP 10 COMICS trending in the aftermarket. These trends are due to rumors, fan-favorite covers, story-driven content, and content-related news.

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(Photo: CovrPrice)

#10: BATMAN #142 - GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI - FOIL | DC | 2024: In the large ocean of Joker covers, a few immediately catch the collectors' interest. Fans of the Joker immediately wanted to collect the foil cover by Camuncoli. The sudden interest caused this book to surge in value and sales. The aftermarket is still chasing this cover, potentially making it another iconic cover of the Clown Prince of Crime. We tracked it at a high sale of $35 for a raw copy and a current raw NM FMV of $22.

#9: ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #1 - BOSSLOGIC - ULTIMATE SPECIAL | MARVEL | 2024: BossLogic has an enormous following, totaling over 2 million followers on Instagram. A huge following collected his artwork once he started producing official comic covers. This book was already trending because of the appearance of the new Ultimate Black Panther. Given that Cover A's are hard to find, collectors are opting for other variants, and who better to collect than BossLogic? We tracked it at a high sale of $50 for a raw copy and a current raw NM FMV of $29.

#8: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 - MARCO CHECCHETTO - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2024: This Spider-Man book is ceasing to slow down! While it is no longer in the number one spot, it is still selling enough to remain in our top ten. Marvel released the second print this past week, proving to be just as popular. This cover A still remains one of the highest-valued covers out of the set. Its value is nearing that of the 1:100 cover at a current FMV of $73 for a raw NM copy! We tracked it at a high sale of $203 for a CGC 9.8 copy.

#7: NEW X-MEN #114 - DIRECT EDITION | MARVEL | 2001: Now that the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer has been out for a week, fans have dissected it, analyzing every scene, and many fans noticed an ominous figure that may be the teased villain, Cassandra Nova. Emma Corrin is the rumored actress who will be portraying the role of the villain. Even with the new trailer, we still do not have official confirmation that this rumor is true. Even so, fans are still banking on her appearance and are picking up copies of her first appearance! We tracked it at a high sale of $190 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a raw NM FMV of $16.

#6: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 - R. B. SILVA - 2ND PRINT | MARVEL | 2024: The 2nd print of this book has opened to a fast market. It immediately moved to the aftermarket, and fans could not get enough of Ultimate Spider-Man! The other ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 variants have fallen off the top ten, making room for this newcomer. This book will likely reappear next week as well. However, it is important to note that a 3rd print is on the way and will arrive on March 6th. The pre-sales for the virgin incentive cover have already started increasing in value! We'll see if the 2nd print will remain in the top ten once the next printing drops! We tracked it at a high sale of $24 for a raw copy and a current raw NM FMV of $12.

#5: ULTIMATE UNIVERSE #1 | MARVEL | 2023: As everyone is collecting the Ultimate Universe, an early book returns to the top ten. This book is starting to get notoriety due to being the first cameo appearance of Maystorm and the new Ultimate Black Panther. This book may have been overlooked when it was first released. However, since the popularity of the two characters has surged, this book deserves a second look! We tracked it at a high sale of $48 for a CGC 9.6 copy and a current raw NM FMV of $29.


#4: FANTASTIC FOUR #209 - NEWSSTAND | MARVEL | 1979: This past Valentine's Day, Marvel took to social media to casually announce the cast for Fantastic Four. Fans entered a frenzy with the project's first official news. One detail that fans noticed was the inclusion of H.E.R.B.I.E. in the family portrait. While the first appearance of the Fantastic Four is a grail that the majority cannot afford, the first appearance of H.E.R.B.I.E is well within most collector's reach. The newsstand copy is currently selling fewer copies than the direct edition, which may be due to the difficulty of finding a newsstand copy over a direct edition. We tracked it at a high sale of $63 for a CGC 9.2 copy and a current raw VF FMV of $10.

#3: ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #1 - STEFANO CASELLI - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2024: The new Ultimate Black Panther has been generating tons of heat. The book itself was already a hot cover before its release, thanks to the massive success of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1. There was also a rumor that a publisher had lost thousands of copies of this first issue. This rumor hasn't been verified or corroborated, but it was enough to keep the aftermarket buzzing. We tracked it at a high sale of $148 for a CGC 9.8 presale copy and a current raw NM FMV of $57.

#2: FANTASTIC FOUR #209 - DIRECT | MARVEL | 1979: H.E.R.B.I.E is here! While casting for the first family's robot was not announced, the family portrait included H.E.R.B.I.E. This led many fans to believe that the casting announcement also announced the inclusion of H.E.R.B.I.E in any future Fantastic Four productions. Although there isn't any official announcement for the ever-loving robot, fans are still banking on his appearance by picking up copies of this issue. The direct edition seems easier to obtain, as it sold nearly twice as much as the newsstand edition. We tracked it at a high sale of $350 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current raw FN FMV of $16.

#1: SECRET WARS #5 - ALEX ROSS - REGULAR | MARVEL | 2015: This book has a small key appearance of Night Machine, an alternate version of Nikola Tesla. However, this isn't the reason the book is trending. Eagle-eyed fans have spotted this cover in the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer. There hasn't been any official information about this easter egg, so purchase it with caution! We have no idea if this book was there to reference a specific storyline or simply a nod to the title "Secret Wars." Until we get official clues as to the purpose of this book, buying it at the current prices is a gamble! We tracked it at a high sale of $249 for a CGC 9.8 copy and a current raw NM FMV of $28.

And that's your TOP 10 COMICS OF THE WEEK for 2/19/24! Want to know what your comic books are worth? COVRPRICE.COM offers the ULTIMATE price guide with LIVE ungraded (raw) and graded sales for today's market trends. Manage your collection and track your portfolio's overall value with our robust tracking systems. With a free 10-day trial and several affordable price tiers, discover the value of your comics and sign up today! CHECK OUT THE TOP 10 ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!

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Mark Ruffalo Reveals The Hulk Is Too Expensive for a Solo MCU Movie https://comicbook.com/movies/news/mark-ruffalo-hulk-too-expensive-solo-mcu-movie/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 02:43:00 +0000 Jenna Anderson e985385c-0eb9-460e-9660-853332b87697

Mark Ruffalo's iteration of Bruce Banner / Hulk has remained a staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making appearances in a wide array of projects within the franchise. Across that tenure, and especially amid the past few years of updates regarding the Hulk film rights being held by Universal, fans have eagerly awaited any sort of update on a new Hulk solo movie. Amid the discourse about possible onscreen adaptations of storylines like Planet Hulk or World War Hulk, Ruffalo recently indicated that a Hulk solo project might not immediately be in the cards. In a recent interview with GQ, Ruffalo argued that a Hulk solo movie might be just too expensive to work, given the CGI nature of his character.

"I think the expansion into streaming was really exciting, but the thing about Marvel movies is you had to wait three years and that created a mystique," Ruffalo said of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "These corrections could be really positive things. Will it be what it was? I don't know."

"I'd love to do a standalone Hulk, I just don't think that's ever going to happen," Ruffalo added. "It's very expensive if you did a whole movie, which is why they use the Hulk so sparingly. I priced myself out!"

Will Mark Ruffalo Return to the MCU?

Ruffalo has not reprised his role as Bruce Banner / Hulk since 2022's She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Disney+ series. While his last cameo on the show seemed to tease an adaptation of the infamous World War Hulk comic storyline, Ruffalo hinted it might not immediately be in the cards.

"I don't know. It certainly does suggest that," Ruffalo told Variety. "There has been some conversations about what happened in the two years where Hulk abandoned Banner and the Avengers [on Sakaar], and the emergence of Smart Hulk, which hasn't ever fully been answered. I think maybe we've given four sentences to that time period since then. It's really an interesting, exciting part of the Hulk story and Banner story."

Will Hulk Appear in Captain America 4?

Ruffalo recently made headlines for comments made at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which seemed to hint that he will be appearing in the new Captain America sequel, Captain America: Brave New World. Shortly after, a report from Variety confirmed that Ruffalo's Hulk will not be appearing in Brave New World, with multiple sources indicating that he misspoke.

During the Q&A, Ruffalo was asked if he is able to talk about Brave New World, and indicated that the film is "going to be great." According to the report, Ruffalo meant to acknowledge that Brave New World is one of the MCU's next films, but not necessarily one of his next films.

What do you think of Mark Ruffalo's new comments? Do you still want to see a solo Hulk movie? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Marvel Teases Comic Debut of Jessica Drew From Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse https://comicbook.com/comics/news/spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-jessica-drew-edge-of-spider-verse-marvel-comics-debut/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 22:31:00 +0000 Timothy Adams 46bfeaaf-c1f0-4dd1-ab37-24c09d82c7c2

Issa Rae's Jessica Drew from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is joining the Marvel Comics Universe. The Insecure star voiced Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman in the animated sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and will presumably return for the third movie in the franchise, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. This Jessica Drew is a Black woman with an afro, who proudly rode into battle pregnant and on a motorcycle. The Spider-Woman from the comics was at one time pregnant as well. Soon, fans will get to see Across the Spider-Verse's Spider-Woman adventures on the comics page.

*WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Edge of Spider-Verse #1. Continue reading at your own risk!

The anthology series Edge of Spider-Verse is back with new adventures and new Spider heroes. Along with introducing readers to Weapon VIII, welcoming back Spider-Byte (another Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse star), and teasing Spider-Man 2099's involvement in the Spider-Society, we also got word that future issues of Edge of Spider-Verse will feature the comic debut of Spider-Woman from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. A creative team for the short story will be revealed at a later date, but it should be fun finding out more of the background of Issa Rae's character.

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(Photo: Marvel Comics)

Web of Spider-Man previews future Spider-Man stories

Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and more Spider-Verse heroes will be tangled in the Web of Spider-Man. Marvel Comics announced it will preview the next era of Spidey stories in the new Web of Spider-Man #1, laying out upcoming storylines in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man, Miles Morales: Spider-Man, and Spectacular Spider-Men, the next team-up comic starring Peter and Miles. The new giant-sized one-shot relaunches Web of Spider-Man, which originally ran for more than 100 issues between 1985 and 1995, and the second volume that ran for another 12 issues in 2009.

Featuring a cover by artist Greg Capullo (Batman), Web of Spider-Man #1 includes Spider-stories from current Amazing Spider-Man writer Zeb Wells, Spider-Men writer Greg Weisman, Spider-Woman (Vol. 8) writer Steve Foxe, and Edge of Spider-Verse (Vol. 4) writer Alex Segura, and artists Ed McGuinness and John Romita Jr. (Amazing Spider-Man), Greg Land (Symbiote Spider-Man), and Salvador Larroca (Uncanny X-Men).

Web of Spider-Man #1 "invites hardcore Spidey fans and new readers into the world of Spider-Man comics with special stories that lay out all that's to come for Marvel's web-swinging icons," per the official synopsis. "Current and future Spidey scribes and artists team up to kickstart their most impactful storylines, spotlight the villains and Spider-Heroes who everyone will be talking about, and introduce the threads that will shake up the Spider-Verse in 2024."

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Marvel's Daredevil Debuts New White Costume https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-daredevil-new-white-costume-doctor-strange-demons/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 20:30:00 +0000 Cameron Bonomolo 2bf6df2f-4fdf-48a5-9b42-f7d0943e16b5

Marvel's Daredevil is giving new meaning to "sins of the father." Father Matt Murdock was born again as a Catholic priest after sacrificing his life to save the souls of his friends trapped in Hell by the Hand cult, mysteriously returning to life with little memory of his past as the horn-headed vigilante Daredevil. Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Kuder's Daredevil run then pit the hero of Hell's Kitchen against the demonic entities of Hell: the Seven Deadly Sins. The demon Sloth possessed Matt's ex-wife, the assassin Elektra; Envy corrupted his friend, newsman Ben Urich; and Gluttony consumed his ally, She-Hulk. Father Matt exorcised those demons... and now, the sorcerer Doctor Strange must help fight Daredevil's demons.

This week's Daredevil #6 begins with Father Matt praying for forgiveness. "I've been slothful in my duty. Envious of others' happiness. Sought escape in gluttony. And I've sinned against God in ways I've yet to recognize," he confesses. "I pray you'll help me root out those sins and repent of them. I've failed miserably at doing so myself." Father Javi gives Matt his penance: James 2:13.

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"Mercy triumphs over judgement," Matt recites. And then, his prayers answered, Stephen Strange tells Matt he's come to remind him of his previous life as Daredevil. "You know exactly what trail these diabolical entities followed to get to Hell's Kitchen," Strange says, using his magic to show Matt that his demons followed him out of Hell. "And it seems they're here to drag you back."

Matt considers that he deserves to be damned, but the demons aren't just punishing him: Elektra, Ben, and She-Hulk all suffered from Matt Murdock's sins. "Why would God allow that?" he questions. Matt then questions why the Sorcerer Supreme can't exorcise the demons with magic, and the answer is that they're Matt's devils. Matt holds the key. Strange can only show him the door.

Strange conjures a mystical door that will only open when Matt names the one who summoned his misery. With a prayer -- "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" -- Matt says, "The sinner these devils followed out of Hell to torment the Kitchen, the man responsible for all of this... is me."

Matt unlocks his memories as Daredevil. The triumphs, the tragedies, the loves, the losses. Battlin' Jack Murdock. Foggy Nelson. Elektra. Karen. Stick. Kingpin. Bullseye. The accident that blinded him. The radioactive liquid that enhanced his remaining senses to make him the crusader for blind justice: Daredevil.

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He's entered a place that is "Hell's Kitchen, but it's not," a realm that may be an illusion, or a vision, or a pocket dimension. In this hellish domain lorded over by a towering Devil, Matt is confronted by his tormentor: "FIRST CAST OUT THE BEAM OUT OF THINE OWN EYE. THEN SHALT THOU SEE CLEARLY," the Devil says. "DELIVER SUCH AN ONE UNTO SATAN FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FLESH, THAT THE SPIRIT MAY BE SAVED."

Matt falls into an abyss and faces the worst version of himself: the one who fears. This demonic Daredevil drags Matt into the dark depths of his soul, telling him that God has banished him to darkness. But Matt remembers that mercy is greater than judgment and expels the demon with the words: "God is light!"

And then... let there be light. Matt is reborn again as a purified Daredevil clad in an all-white costume. (Daredevil's newest white costume is a cleaner and sleeker version of the white suit he wore as "the hand of God" in Chip Zdarsky's "Red Fist Saga," which burned with flames of righteousness.) "In Him there is no darkness at all," Daredevil exclaims. God saved him from Hell, but the rest of Matt Murdock's mortal sins are still out there: Lust, Greed, Pride, and Wrath.

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"Starting tonight, I'm driving the devils out of the Kitchen. Those born of Hell... and those born of Earth," Daredevil says, leaping into action to combat The Heat gang that have been running Hell's Kitchen during the city-wide Gang War. Daredevil tracks down The Heat's lieutenant to The Bar With No Name, a place where Matt Murdock has indulged in his Wrath more than once.

And so, too, has the next demonically-possessed sinner: a wrathful Wolverine, his unsheathed adamantium claws covered in blood.

Daredevil #6 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.

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Todd McFarlane Reveals Unused Revamped Wolverine Costume He Did for Marvel https://comicbook.com/comics/news/todd-mcfarlane-wolverine-costume-unused-marvel-comics/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 19:31:00 +0000 Timothy Adams 12bfb89e-b8a6-4852-9546-48485ce4d152

There was a time when Wolverine almost got a new costume from creator Todd McFarlane. The co-founder of Image Comics is still chugging along with Spawn, as the title reaches its milestone 350th issue today. McFarlane rose to fame as an artist for Marvel Comics, with a fan-favorite run on Spider-Man as one of his many highlights. Even though fans typically think of McFarlane's Image Comics co-founder Jim Lee when it comes to the X-Men and Wolverine, McFarlane reveals he was still tasked with coming up with a new costume for the Canadian X-Man.

Todd McFarlane was a recent guest on ComicBook.com's That Collectibles Show, where he showed off never-before-seen concept art for a new Wolverine costume he created. Marvel decided not to use the costume, but McFarlane still kept a design sheet he came up with. "At one point they wanted to revamp Wolverine's costume," Todd McFarlane said. "They said, 'Hey Todd, you wanna take a wack at a costume?' They never took it up, but that's what I sent to them." McFarlane held up a large sheet of artist paper revealing the Wolverine costume, and while it's only partially shown, you have to wonder how the artist changed Wolverine's classic look.

Inside the artist's studio, you can see some of his classic covers, including the cover of Spawn #1 which was released back in 1992. You can check out That Collectibles Show's full interview with Todd McFarlane in the video below:

Todd McFarlane talks Spawn #350

Ever since Al Simmons killed Malebolgia in Spawn #100, nobody has managed to take permanent control of Hell yet. After 250 issues, that's set to change -- and it's going to chart a new course for the foreseeable future of the Spawn family of titles, from creator Todd McFarlane. The series, which holds the Guinness world record for the longest-running American comic book, is starting 2024 with some big things planned.

Spawn #350 hails from writers Rory McConville and Todd McFarlane, with artists Carlo Barberi and Brett Booth (Booth's inks provided by Adelso Corona). Jay David Ramos provides colors for the issue, with Tom Orzechowski on letters.

"I think it's going to be in keeping with what I've done in the past; you're going to get a thick issue," McFarlane told ComicBook.com. "You're going to get terrific artwork. Brett Booth is coming on, he's going to be the new artist on the book. Carlo Barberi, who's been giving me years of his life, he's going to do one of the chapters on that before moving over to [Gunslinger Spawn]. So, visually, it's going to be a hell of a book, right? And then there's going to be... I don't know if it's a true twist ending, but hopefully there'll be a surprise to the end of it that people will go, 'What? Okay, cool.' But that surprise then, although it's a weird one, that although the story sort of culminates this 250 issues of Hell's Throne being vacant finally being filled, right? That's the punchline of the story. It gets filled."

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Todd McFarlane Reveals Banned Marvel Artwork and Explains Why He Quit the Company (Exclusive) https://comicbook.com/comics/news/todd-mcfarlane-reveals-banned-spider-man-artwork-explains-why-he-quit-marvel/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:58:00 +0000 Russ Burlingame 956e68a6-a9a9-4eea-8865-f88f3c949ce2

During a tour of his studio for ComicBook.com's The Collectibles Show, artist and executive Todd McFarlane gave a look at a piece of art that had been censored at Marvel -- and apparently was the last straw before he decided to strike out on his own. Speaking with Chris Killian, McFarlane showed off a page from his Spider-Man/X-Force crossover with fellow Image Comics founder Rob Liefeld. It was a page that, according to McFarlane, wasn't meant to be a big statement, but ultimately ended up being one, after Marvel nixed it from publication based on their understanding of the Comics Code Authority's guidelines.

The Comics Code Authority (CCA) was formed in 1954 as a self-censoring organization meant to prevent comics from being regulated by the U.S. federal government following a series of high profile controversies. Most mainstream publishers adhered to the code for around 50 years, with Marvel sticking with it until 2001.

"You would have thought I killed a baby or something like that," McFarlane said. "All of a sudden I'm on the phone with like five editors, and a bunch of people going, 'Todd, you can't do it, you can't do it?' and it's like, why? And they said, 'Becuase it's in the Comics Code.' I said, 'The Comics Code? I've been asking for the Comics Code for three years. Why didn't somebody send me the Comics Code? What is the Comics Code? Is there even a copy, or are you guys just making this up?' And they were like, 'Well, we just don't think it'll work,' and then the absurd conversation I had...they just went, 'Todd, you can't stab people.' I can't stab people? What are you talking about? I just bought an issue of Frank Miller, and the cover is Bullsyee gutting Elektra through the gut. 'Ohh, well, you can do it in the stomach, you're doign it in the eye.'"

You can see the complete interview below.

McFarlane pantomimed various other locations around the body that it was or wasn't okay to stab a character, and then delivered the most important part of the story.

"So, I go, 'Here's what's going to happen -- I'm a couple of days from having the baby. I'm going to be a father; I don't know how much that's goign to eat my time....I'm done. I'm done."

McFarlane and Rob Liefeld have both long enjoyed sharing the story of how they marched into Marvel one day to announce they and five other superstar artists were leaving the company to go start their own comics publisher. Of Image's seven original founders, McFarlane has arguably had the most financial success post-Marvel, starting his own toy company as well as publishing comics. A feature film was made based on Spawn -- a comic McFarlane owns in full -- and a few years ago, DC started subcontracting the production of their action figures to McFarlane Toys.

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Madame Web and Spider-Man 2099 Form the Spider-Society https://comicbook.com/comics/news/marvel-spider-society-madame-web-spider-man-2099-edge-of-spider-verse-1/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:30:00 +0000 Cameron Bonomolo 6c9635a8-0c45-45e0-a614-e79a4a0182db

The Spider-Society is swinging out of the Spider-Verse -- and into the Marvel Comics universe. The animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie introduced the Spider-Society: an elite team of Spider-People founded by the Oscar Isaac-voiced Miguel O'Hara, the Spider-Man 2099 of Earth-928. This multiversal Spidey squad included the Gwen Stacy Spider-Woman of Earth-65 and the Jessica Drew Spider-Woman of Earth-332, but excluded canon-threatening anomalies like the Miles Morales of Earth-1610.

But there's a new canon event in this week's Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (2024). The fourth volume of the Spider-Verse anthology series features the story "Prologue," by writer Alex Segura and artist Salvador Larroca, which sees Julia Carpenter -- the psychic called Madame Web -- summon Miguel from the future to present-day New York on Earth-616. Madame Web weaves the Web of Life and Destiny that connects the Multiverse and all Spider-Totems, who are endangered by a mysterious threat. It's time to form the Spider-Society.

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Miguel and Madame Web have been discussing the pros and cons of putting together a team of Spider-Heroes from across the multiverse, but her senses have alerted her to "something big" that is accelerating their timeline. "Whatever will be coming will be targeting our most powerful Spider-Heroes," she warns Miguel. "We need to keep this looming menace off-guard. We need to form a society of the unexpected. A task force built on the Spider-Heroes these villains would never see coming."

Their near-infinite options include Mayday Parker (Spider-Girl of Earth-982), A?a Coraz?n (Ara?a of Earth-616), Peter Porker (Spider-Ham of Earth-8311), Gwen Stacy (Ghost-Spider of Earth-65), Miles Morales (Spider-Man of Earth-616), Felicia Hardy (Night-Spider of Earth-194), Hobie Brown (Spider-Punk of Earth-138), Peter Parker (Spider-Man Noir of Earth-90214), Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman of Earth-616), Peter Parker (Weapon VIII of Earth-72), Zarina Zahari (Spider-UK of Earth-834), and Cooper Coen (Web-Weaver of Earth-71490).

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Miguel needs time they don't have to choose his team. He immediately rules out Spider-Ham and selects the first member of the Spider-Society: Ara?a. Madame Web entrusts Miguel with picking wisely, and departs with an ominous warning: "For all our sakes, let's hope the threat I'm seeing isn't already here." With the fate of the universe depending on Spider-Man 2099's choices, he mulls over options for the Spider-Society roster: they'll need chemistry, especially if the threat is as serious and as sinister as Madame Web suggested.

Just then, the tentacle-like mechanical arms of Doctor Octopus -- a Doctor Octopus -- attack Miguel with two silhouetted villains: a Kraven the Hunter and a Green Goblin. "The Spider-Society will form. But they will barely stand a chance against us," the shadowy figure says. The Goblin responds: "Even a society cannot withstand... an army." This isn't a multiversal Sinister Six... it's a Sinister Society.

The next prelude to Marvel's Spider-Society event is in the pages of new one-shot Web of Spider-Man #1 (2024), on sale March 27 from Marvel Comics.

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Marvel's Thunderbolts Movie Was Going to Take a Controversial Move From The Suicide Squad https://comicbook.com/movies/news/marvel-thunderbolts-movie-mission-death-suicide-squad-mcu/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:15:00 +0000 Timothy Adams 99dca6ee-ba9e-40bf-9d21-3cda38cb776d

Is Marvel's Thunderbolts movie stealing the plot from The Suicide Squad? That's the topic of discussion for a new feature looking at how Marvel Studios is undergoing a creative retooling that isn't considered to be a reboot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of the many projects that has seen changes behind the scenes is Thunderbolts, which just had its release date swapped with The Fantastic Four. The Thunderbolts roster includes heroes such as Yelena Belova, the Winter Soldier, U.S. Agent, and Red Guardians, as well as villains like Ghost and Taskmaster. It's reminiscent of DC's Task Force X from The Suicide Squad, and that may be an adequate comparison.

During The Hollywood Reporter's look at the creative retooling taking place at Marvel Studios, the focus shifted to Thunderbolts. Joanna Calo (The Bear) is reportedly working on the Thunderbolts script, with sources stating previous scripts had the Thunderbolts crew going on a mission that was supposed to lead to their deaths. DC's Suicide Squad films features a similar plot, with Amanda Waller implanting bombs in their neck to help control them. If they fall out of line, the bombs would detonate and kill them. Whether or not the Thunderbolts script will continue to include that plot device remains unknown at this time.

What is Thunderbolts about?

Thunderbolts will bring together Sebastian Stan's Winter Soldier, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell's U.S. Agent, David Harbour's Red Guardian, Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Valentina Allegra de Fontaine among others to form this anti-hero squadron named after Harrison Ford's Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, who will be President of the United States by the time the events of this film roll around. Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick) will also make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in this feature, portraying Sentry, taking the place of Steven Yeun, who had to pull out of Thunderbolts due to scheduling conflicts following the writers' and actors' strikes.

"I think for me, time passing and things shifting kind of pulled me out of it," Yeun explained to Variety earlier this year. "But [director] Jake [Schreier], I know, is going to do an incredible job."

"I think it's too early to say that," Yeun added, when asked what other Marvel project he would like to join. "I probably pissed off too many people leaving, so I'm just gonna say, 'Thank you for having me.' I have some ideas. But I heard if you put it out there, you'll never get it, so I'll keep it close to my chest."

The events of Thunderbolts will directly follow up Captain America: Brave New World, which is slated for a February 2025 release. That project is centered around Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson and will feature his star-spangled hero embarking on his first solo adventure since officially assuming the Cap mantle in 2021's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Thunderbolts hits theaters on May 2nd, 2025.

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Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Update Adding 4 More Suits https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/marvels-spider-man-2-ps5-update-new-suits/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:29:00 +0000 Tanner Dedmon 31a41816-0ab5-4c16-aa5f-1e74918fc024

The next Marvel's Spider-Man 2 update was already confirmed to be a big one given that it is adding the New Game+ mode to the game finally, but it's now looking to be even bigger than anticipated thanks to four new suits that'll be added to the game. Two of those new Spider-Man suits come directly from the pages of Marvel's Hellfire Gala stories and will be added to the game for free, but the other two suits made in partnership with the Gameheads organization will work a bit differently in that they'll be bundled in a DLC you can pay for to get early access to it, but they'll be free for everyone at a later date.

The Marvel's Spider-Man 2 update itself will be out on March 7th, a date that was previously announced alongside with some details pertaining to the contents of the update, but the first looks at the four additional suits are totally new as of today. You can check out what they look like and more details on their inspirations below alongside a better explanation of how the paid DLC will work.

4 New Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Suits

There are indeed four new suits arriving in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 come March 7th, but players will technically be able to do even more in the game when that update drops. Suit styles for Peter Parker's symbiote suits will be added in the same update so that those who've unlocked them through New Game+ Ultimate Levels will be able to customize outfits accordingly, but that's just an extra feature compared to the four suits being added.

"But we couldn't just stop at new styles - we know how much you all love when we add suits with no additional cost to the game," Insomniac Games community director James Stevenson said about the new Hellfire Gala suits. "You're in luck - we've brought Marvel's Hellfire Gala suits to the game for both Peter and Miles. Peter sports the design created by Russell Dauterman, and Miles gets his iconic look from Bernard Chang's gorgeous Hellfire Gala variant cover for Miles Morales: Spider-Man #8."

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These two Hellfire Gala suits will be entirely free when they're added on March 7th, but as mentioned previously, the other two suits will work a bit differently. Peter Parker gets the "Fly Suit" while Miles Morales gets the "Fresh Suit," and both of those are being bundled with 10 new photo mode stickers and two new photo mode frames in the Fly N' Fresh bundle that'll be priced at $4.99.

From March 7th to April 5th, PlayStation said it'll be donating the $4.99 earned from each purchased bundle to Gameheads, the organization PlayStation partnered with which looks to empower underrepresented youth in the video games industry.

"We develop diverse talent and bold new voices in gaming, train students for the tech ecosystem and prepare them for college, career and civic life," Gameheads director Damon Packwood said in a PlayStation Blog post about the topic. "We serve low-income students, and underrepresented students (ages 15-25) in 15 different states with expansions to Honolulu and Atlanta."

Stevenson added a note in the announcement confirming that the suits shown in the trailer above will be free for all players at a later date and that Insomniac Games does not intend to start charging for DLC suits in the future.

"Don't worry, we don't plan to start charging for suits in Marvel's Spider-Man 2; the Fly N' Fresh Suit Pack will be available for at no additional cost to all players at a later date," he said.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2's next update with these suits, New Game+, and more will drop on March 7th.

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Avengers 5 Report Sets up Major Kang Changes After Jonathan Majors' Firing https://comicbook.com/movies/news/marvel-avengers-5-jonathan-majors-kang-mcu-changes-reports-firing/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:08:00 +0000 Aaron Perine c4168fbb-2323-4340-85ac-e7ee01e85f55

Avengers 5 delivered some new Kang the Conqueror news after Jonathan Majors was fired by Marvel Studios. The Hollywood Reporter explained more about what the future of the MCU will look like. In their writing, they say that Marvel is working to minimize Kang after the underperformance of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Contrary to popular belief, that was on the way before Majors was arrested for assault in New York City. It remains unclear just what is going to happen to the Marvel villain in Avengers 5 or how he will be handled there. Whatever the case, the anticipation for whatever big unveiling Marvel has for San Diego Comic-Con continues to grow.

One detail from the THR article that should have MCU fans interested is the incoming subtitle for Avengers 5. The Kang Dynasty was the former title. But, that no longer makes sense if Marvel is downsizing the villain's role moving forward. Many fans of the franchise have been clamoring for Doctor Doom. With The Fantastic Four looming large next year, people are hoping that this gives Marvel an avenue to explore the iconic villain in the upcoming couple of movies. So, you can be sure that something big is coming.

A New Face For Kang?

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(Photo: Leon Bennett/Getty Images, Marvel Comics)

If the role still gets recast, there was some fan momentum behind The Walking Dead universe star Colman Domingo getting a chance to play the role. The Rustin star is currently up for an Oscar and touring the awards circuit. In the midst of this victory lap, he talked to Entertainment Tonight about this whirlwind ride. Of course, they had to ask him about being Kang the Conqueror. He's seen the fan posts and things like that. But, he also knows that the final decisions are not up to him. Domingo is down to see where the ride takes him if that phone rings.

"I don't know, I'm always looking at what I have to do right now... I know there's talk and conversations around, and I don't know how much is true," Domingo shared. "I don't even get that from my team, I can't tell if it's true or not."

"The fans are passionate," Domingo continued. "Somehow my name is out there in the world [and] I like the idea of just having your name called and someone speaking lovingly and kindly about something is a beautiful thing."

Avengers 5 Details

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With so much of Avengers 5 in flux, it seems that even the actors have been in a holding pattern. Simu Liu talked to ComicBook.com at the premiere of Arthur the King in New York this week. The Shang-Chi star explained the process for the next Avengers film and how they're preparing for his second movie in the MCU. Like a lot of the players involved, he's basically waiting by the phone for an update whenever it rolls through. The Shang-Chi star is excited to work with Destin Daniel Cretton again.

"Oh man, I don't know to be honest," Liu told us. "I mean, those things are so above my pay grade. I just wanna continue to be a fan of it. You know, when I get a call of like, 'Hey, this is what your in and this is where you're going to show up. And, this is when you're going to be need to be blacked out for.' That's kind of generally what tends to happen. But, you know Destin is such a special filmmaker and we're very happy to have him on the sequel. So, he'll be working on that and we're really excited to see what he comes up with. I think he's going to do a brilliant job."

Do you think Kang is gone? Let us know down in the comments!

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe Is Being Creatively "Retooled" https://comicbook.com/movies/news/marvel-cinematic-universe-creatively-retooled/ Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:30:00 +0000 Timothy Adams bdf432e1-4f8e-4794-8c7f-0e8bc9fc3569

The landscape of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is undergoing a makeover at the moment, with insiders calling it a "retooling" and not a reboot. Marvel Studios was riding high off the success of Avengers: Endgame, which wrapped up the studio's Infinity Saga and bid farewell to stalwarts like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson. Marvel started focusing on developing original content for Disney+, as well as introducing new heroes and franchises, which haven't always resonated with fans. After dismal performances by last year's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Jonathan Majors' legal issues, the MCU appeared to suffer from "superhero fatigue." However, a renewed focus on quality over content hopes to keep the MCU from hitting the reboot panic button.

The Hollywood Reporter released an article focusing on how Marvel is quietly retooling its future catalog. They discuss some of Marvel's recent misses, including Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Secret Invasion. Moves and decisions made behind the scenes look to rectify some of these duds but also point out how February has delivered good vibes in the form of the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer that dropped during the Super Bowl, the first trailer for X-Men '97, a continuation of the popular X-Men: The Animated Series, and the announcement of the cast of The Fantastic Four.

Marvel making changes behind the scenes to clean up MCU

Things are looking up for the MCU. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has brought in several figures to help clean up scripts for upcoming projects, and reshoots for a Disney+ series are getting rave reviews. THR reports Marvel completed reshoots on Agatha: Darkhold Diaries in February. The show is a spinoff of WandaVision starring Kathryn Hahn. Marvel typically budgets five days for reshoots, but Agatha: Darkhold Diaries reportedly finished in one day, meaning the outlook looks positive, according to sources.

Eric Pearson was also reportedly hired to tidy up the script for The Fantastic Four, with shooting scheduled in London this summer. Bear showrunner Joanna Calo is reportedly working on the script for Thunderbolts, with filming scheduled in March in Atlanta. As far as Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror, there are reports Marvel is looking to minimize the character's importance moving forward, especially after the bad reviews of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Avengers 5 was originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but that title will be reportedly changed.

"The focus is internal this year," an insider said about the Marvel changes. "Some of our studios lost a little focus. So the first step that we've taken is that we've reduced volume," Disney CEO Bob Iger said on an earnings call in February. "We've reduced output, particularly at Marvel," in order to ensure "the films you're making can be even better."

So while all these changes may look bad on the surface, it demonstrates Marvel Studios is looking to reboot its cinematic universe, but rather clean up some of its rough edges lately, which is where the "creative retooling" phrase comes from.

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