Avengers Assemble #9 Review

With this issue, Avengers Assemble finally becomes the book that it was always meant to be. If you enjoyed the Marvel movies, particularly The Avengers, then you'll feel right at home here. In fact, this is the perfect book to introduce people who loved the movies to the world of comic books. In a lot of ways, this book feels like it takes place in the Marvel movie universe, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Kelly Sue DeConnick focuses on Iron Man and the Hulk in this issue. Or, more accurately, she focuses on Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. What we get here is opposing world views from two brilliant men. It's an interesting angle and a fun way to look at the characters. The dialogue feels like it was ripped right out of the movie in all the best ways. It's funny and snappy. At times, there might be a bit too much of it, but it's a forgivable offense. Who would have ever thought that an issue that takes place almost entirely in the Avengers' kitchen could be so much fun?

Stefano Caselli absolutely rocks this book. It's incredible looking. The double spread that features Hulk and Iron Man could be a poster. In fact, it should be a poster. Get on that, Marvel. Of course, since the bulk of this issue is heroes talking, Caselli gets lots of opportunity to do some amazing character work. It all looks great. Unfortunately, he doesn't get to cut loose on too much action here, but that seems to be coming in the next issue, which means you should buy the next issue.

Benjamin is known as Hardball in some circles. He belongs to a very exclusive club called The Fraternity of Fighting Men. Follow Benjamin on Twitter @616Earth, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Avengers Academy #39 Review

Another week, another batch of Marvel series coming to an end. In the case of Avengers Academy, however, I never expected the series to last this long in the first place. And though there are plenty of plot points left unresolved or open to continuation, Gage is able to deliver a fitting and mostly uplifting end to the series.

Gage brings the book full circle in more ways than one. The revelation from issue #1 that the Academy recruits are not the best and brightest of a new generation, but rather those most in danger of falling into darkness, comes back into play as the kids finally confront their teachers. But as the issue is titled Commencement, the focus is not on darkness and despair but the excitement and uncertainty that comes as a group of young men and women embrace the next stage in their respective lives. This can be said for the series as a whole, but issue #39 excels in delivering a teen superhero book that eschews cynicism and offers a more positive look at growing up. Gage capitalizes on all the attachment readers have built with these characters as we see romance blossom, friendships endure or unravel, and new opportunities open up. The script is equal parts jubilant, whimsical, and wistful as Gage bids the characters farewell. It's hard to imagine any longtime reader feeling disappointed with the results.

Tom Grummett closes out the series alongside Gage. By now readers should know what to expect from his visuals. The art has a distinctly old school flavor that suits the optimistic tone very well. Certain characters sometimes look younger than they should, but Grummett delivers plenty of heartfelt emotion and a nice visual callback to Mike McKone's issue #1.

It's sad to see this series go, partly because Gage makes it abundantly clear that there's still so much story left to tell with his cast, and partly because Avengers Arena does not appear to be the kind of book that will explore that potential. Regardless, we'll always have these past 40 issues to look back on fondly.

Jesse is a writer for various IGN channels. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Avengers #1: Sneak Peek at the Script

Jonathan Hickman is known for meticulously plotting his stories. Fitting, then, that Marvel would be teasing his upcoming Avengers run by showing off some of his script pages for Avengers #1. Here's a snippet:

And of course, the magical transformation of words into images by artist Jerome Opena:

So what does it all mean? I have no idea. But we'll find out when Avengers #1 hits in December.

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter @JoeyEsposito, or find him on IGN at Joey-IGN. He loves superhero pets so hard.

Source : ign[dot]com

Fantastic Four #1 Preview

With Marvel NOW!, Jonathan Hickman has wrapped up his years-long stint on the Fantastic Four franchise and has moved on to the Avengers. With Matt Fraction wrapping his even longer run on Iron Man, he's stepped in to take hold of Marvel's First Family alongside artist Mark Bagley.

The pair are set to deliver a road trip epic that finds the Richards family heading off on a year-long journey that will supposedly only last about four minutes in the regular timeline of the Marvel Universe. Naturally, I wouldn't expect things to go according to plan.

Fantastic Four #1 hits on November 4.

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter @JoeyEsposito, or find him on IGN at Joey-IGN. He loves superhero pets so hard.

Source : ign[dot]com

The New Avengers #31 Review

As the clock ticks down on his time writing the Avengers franchise, Bendis has been all over the place in terms of quality. It has been a most impressive run, but lately he’s been delivering less hits than misses. Luckily, this issue of New Avengers hits strongly by adding a sense of closure to the series while also delving into the mystery of a powerful villain.

Artist Michael Gaydos has a style not unlike Mike Deodato with lots of thick lines and heavy shadows. Most of the issue looks quite good, but a few panels were not given enough attention, resulting in awkward looking faces. Still, the scenes where the unknown mystic villain strikes are chilling. Without using blood and gore, Gaydos makes you feel just how violent the magical attacks are. The best part about the villain is that I don’t know who s/he is, which helps drive the story forward with a “whodunnit” vibe.

Unrest fills Avengers Mansion as news of Luke Cage quitting the team to spend more time with his family reaches the rest of the crew. Iron Fist takes the news the hardest, which leads to a thoughtful conversation with Doctor Strange that Bendis sneaks a moment of humor into. It was also fun to hear Carol talk to Jessica about her new Captain Marvel persona. Bendis hits his stride here with an excellently paced issue balanced by the right amount of humor and tension. Hopefully he carries this quality on to the end.

Joshua writes for IGN. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl, or on IGN at his poorly chosen screen name. He hopes that one day he will reveal himself to the Jedi; that one day he will have revenge.

Source : ign[dot]com

Chris Hemsworth Has American Assassin in His Sights

Avengers and Thor star Chris Hemsworth may put his mighty hammer down long enough to play the lead role in American Assassin, CBS Films' adaptation of the Vince Flynn novel.

Deadline claims Hemsworth has been made a $10 million offer to play terrorist hunter Mitch Rapp in the action-thriller: "The novel is a prequel that explains how tragedy transformed Rapp from a college scholar and athlete into a ruthless hunter of terrorists for the CIA."

Also in talks to join the film is Bruce Willis, who would play Rapp’s mentor.

Jeffrey Nachmanoff (Homeland, Traitor) will direct from a script by Mike Finch, who rewrote an earlier draft by Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz.

Hemsworth's next film after wrapping Thor: The Dark World will be Steven Spielberg's Robopocalypse.

Source : ign[dot]com

Chris Hemsworth Has American Assassin in His Sights

Avengers and Thor star Chris Hemsworth may put his mighty hammer down long enough to play the lead role in American Assassin, CBS Films' adaptation of the Vince Flynn novel.

Deadline claims Hemsworth has been made a $10 million offer to play terrorist hunter Mitch Rapp in the action-thriller: "The novel is a prequel that explains how tragedy transformed Rapp from a college scholar and athlete into a ruthless hunter of terrorists for the CIA."

Also in talks to join the film is Bruce Willis, who would play Rapp’s mentor.

Jeffrey Nachmanoff (Homeland, Traitor) will direct from a script by Mike Finch, who rewrote an earlier draft by Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz.

Hemsworth's next film after wrapping Thor: The Dark World will be Steven Spielberg's Robopocalypse.

Source : ign[dot]com

Comic Book Reviews for 10/10/12

The Joker is back, baby. Not only did DC launch their big Batman storyline Death of the Family, but Marvel NOW! is officially underway with the launch of Uncanny Avengers.

You might notice that we've only reviewed the week's biggest books -- we're at NYCC, but we'll be back to our usual amount of reviews next week.

DC COMICS

Batman #13

Written by Scott Snyder | Art by Greg Capullo

"Batman #13 is downright Shakespearian. The intro reads like Julius Caesar, filled with darkness and omens. There's a storm that changes the direction of a river, a lion born with two heads. It's scary stuff and it serves as a glimpse of whats to come. If Court of Owls played out a like a big action movie, then Death of the Family moves more like a horror film. It's creepy, dark and 100% Joker. It builds slowly in the shadows before jumping out you, hammer in hand." -Ben

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

9.7

Before Watchmen: Doctor Manhattan #2

Written by J. Michael Straczynski | Art by Adam Hughes

"Initially, Before Watchmen: Doctor Manhattan #1 seems liked it would be a poster child for how not to do a Watchmen spin-off. Though competently executed, it seemed more interested in treading the same ground as Watchmen #4 rather than weaving a new tale. But then J. Michael Straczynski threw readers for a loop by having Doctor Manhattan travel into his past and prevent the accident that created him. Quantum shenanigans abound, and the series is in a much better place with its second issue." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.6

Phantom Stranger #1

Written by Dan Didio | Art by Brent Anderson & Philip Tan

"The Phantom Stranger #0 wasn't just one of the more disappointing books in the Zero Month crop, but one of DC's weakest debut issues since the New 52 began. Theoretically, the series has nowhere to go but up from there. And fortunately, it does improve by a fair margin in its second installment." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.0

Team 7 #1

Written by Justin Jordan | Art by Jesus Merino

"Two issues in and Team 7 isn't doing much to justify its existence. It's not a bad book, there are funny beats here and there, some nice action moments, but it feels kinda pointless. Honestly, there are better DC books out there for your money. Team 7 just treads water, pretending to be important but never being anything more than 'oh, that's was okay.'" -Ben

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

5.5

MARVEL COMICS

The Avengers #31

Written by Brian Bendis | Art by Brandon Peterson & Mike Mayhem

"Let's be honest, this is probably not the Avengers book that everyone is looking forward to this week. There is a certainly uncanny title that everyone is talking about and that will no doubt result in this issue being somewhat of an after thought for many readers. But, fear not, because nothing too exciting happens in this issue so the whole thing is kind of a wash." -Ben

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.1

Avenging Spider-Man #31

Written by Kevin Shinick | Art by Aaron Kuder

"With all the changes announced for Spider-Man, let us hope that we don't lose Avenging Spider-Man. Since the first issue, this book has been tons of fun. Issue #13 is no exception, even if it breaks from the done-in-one format that is part of this series' charm. In part two of a story that probably didn't need to be two parts, the focuses shifts more to Spider-Man and away from Deadpool. But don't worry, these pages are still filled to the brim with insanity and humor." -Ben

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.9

AvX: Consequences #1

Written by Kieron Gillen | Art by Tom Raney

"Marvel NOW! may have officially kicked off with Uncanny Avenegrs #1, but there's still plenty of fallout to explore in the wake of Avengers vs. X-Men. AvX: Consequences offers exactly what the title promises -- a look at the consequences of this latest superhero war. And with Kieron Gillen at the helm, it should come as no surprise that the book is worth a read." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.3

Red She-Hulk #58

Written by Jeff Parker | Art by Carlo Pagulayan & Wellinton Alves

"Until the recent Captain Marvel series debuted, Marvel had the dubious distinction of not publishing a single solo series starring a female character. The good news is that we now have Red She-Hulk to help further reverse this trend. The series is both a fresh start for fans of Betty Ross but also a continuation of Jeff Parker's ongoing Hulk saga. The main character may have shifted, but the book retains the same elements that have made it such a worthy read these past two years." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.8

Uncanny Avengers #1

Written by Rick Remender | Art by John Cassaday

"Last year in my Building a Better Digital Comics Marketplace feature, I half-jokingly predicted a future where Marvel only published one book -- Wolverine and the Uncanny Spider-Avengers. But now that Marvel is hinging its entire relaunch on a book called Uncanny Avengers, are we one step closer to that dark future? If it were a lesser creative team I'd be worried, but the pairing of Rick Remender and John Cassaday practically guarantees success. And though Uncanny Avengers #1 suffers from flaws common to most #1 issues, it is a successful start for for the new series." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.9

Wolverine and the X-Men #18

Written by Jason Aaron | Art by Jorge Molina

"Wolverine and the X-Men #18 is heart breaking. Sure, Avengers vs. X-Men had a death that everyone was talking about, but this issue features one that ripped my soul out. It's not done poorly or played for some sort of cash grab gimmick; it's sincere and sad and brutal. Maybe it's not how it looks; maybe the character isn't dead and this is all Jason Aaron playing with us. Either way, this is a character's death in superhero comics done right. This is just a damn good comic book." -Ben

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

9.6

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Source : ign[dot]com

Wolverine and the X-Men #18 Review

Wolverine and the X-Men #18 is heart breaking. Sure, Avengers vs. X-Men had a death that everyone was talking about, but this issue features one that ripped my soul out. It's not done poorly or played for some sort of cash grab gimmick; it's sincere and sad and brutal. Maybe it's not how it looks; maybe the character isn't dead and this is all Jason Aaron playing with us. Either way, this is a character's death in superhero comics done right. This is just a damn good comic book.

Aaron delivers in all the best ways here. He manages to tie-in the ending of the major Marvel event without having it disrupt the story. It feels natural, like the characters populate the same world. Everything just clicks. The dialogue, the pacing, the humor, all of it. You can feel the weight of AvX in these pages and yet the events of Wolverine and the X-Men feel just as important. More so, actually.

The writing kicks major butt in this issue, but so does the art. Jorge Molina nails it. His crispy, clean style showcases the heart and emotion of this story perfectly. That's right: perfectly. There are glimpses of action throughout the book, but the best bits take place at a school dance. A school dance that Lockheed deejays. It's amazing stuff. When you see a little character's heart break, Molina makes sure your heart breaks along with him. If you like comic books, you owe it to yourself to check out Wolverine and the X-Men.

Benjamin Bailey has been crying all day. Follow Benjamin on Twitter @616Earth, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Here's a Closer Look at The Avengers' Thanos

We may have already gotten a glimpse of Thanos at the very end of Marvel's The Avengers, but thanks to the Blu-ray and DVD's Avengers Initiative: Marvel Second Screen Experience app, fans have been able to capture a few gems, including new closeups of the Mad Titan in all his menacing glory.

Check out the images below for a better look at The Avengers' big bad, as well as some never before seen set photos from the production (via ComicBookMovie):

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Secret Avengers #31 Review

Secret Avengers #30 offered readers a nice little swerve by making Taskmaster, rather than Max Fury, become the wielder of the three-piece crown the Shadow Council have been lusting after all this time. Either way, the outcome is bad for the Secret Avengers, as the malignant force known as Abyss is threatening to spread across the globe and consume everything. And only Venom and Ant-Man are left standing in the field. Much like Uncanny X-Force, Rick Remender is a master of pitting his heroes against insurmountable odds.

The Venom/Ant-Man dynamic proves to be one of the highlights of this arc. They're easily the most psychologically damaged of the various team members, and their mutual lack of trust in each other adds a fun edge to their retaliatory attack. The fact that the reader has no idea when Ant-Man might suddenly give up his facade and betray the team adds an extra tinge of drama.

But as has always been the case with this story, it's the pencils of Matteo Scalera that are the main draw. Scalera has really exploded onto the superhero scene with this series. His pencils offer all the gritty darkness one would expect from the seedy underbelly of the Marvel Universe, but he balances that with a sense of style and energy that give the book a distinctly different feel from the past two years' worth of stories.

If there are any complaints to be had with the series right now, it's that it doesn't seem overly interested in functioning as a team book. Many of the Avengers are out of the picture and/or brainwashed, leaving only a handful with any significant screen time. The new Masters of Evil are a disappointment as well. They've become nothing more than recognizable vessels for Abyss to speak through. Still, there's enough drama and intriguing character dynamics, as well as fantastic art, to keep the arc humming along.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following Jesse on Twitter, or on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Avengers vs. X-Men #12 Preview

The end is finally here. Marvel's latest huge event is coming to an end in a few weeks, as the Avengers and X-Men finally unite against Cyclops Dark Phoenix, fresh off dealing a death blow to a rather important figurehead.

Written by Jason Aaron with art from Adam Kubert, Avengers vs. X-Men #12 shows all signs of bringing the series out with a bang. Look for it on October 3.

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on IGN. He loves superhero pets so hard.

Source : ign[dot]com

Comic Book Reviews for 9/12/12

It was inevitable, really. Death was going to strike Avengers vs. X-Men sooner or later, and so here we are. We won't spoil it here, but head over to our big interview with Brian Bendis if you want to get the scoop on the events of AvX #11. If you want to know if it's any good, well then keep on truckin'.

Also this week: the Bat-family gets a whole bunch of issue zeroes, the Rocketeer continues to amaze, and Uncanny X-Force continues to depress. What a week.

DC COMICS

Batgirl #0

Written by Gail Simone | Art by Ed Benes

"Right off the bat (heh) I can say that Batgirl #0 is chock full of fan-service moments, but I’m pleased to say that it’s not at the expense of the story. You’ll see Dick Grayson as Robin, references to Killing Joke, and even some delicious creeper moments for James Jr., but Gail Simone never once loses site of Babs and her motivations for becoming Batgirl in the first place. She creates a refreshing scenario in which we get to see her birth as a crime fighter, all the while lacing the issue with a strong thematic hook that culminates in one hell of a punchline." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.5

Batman #0

Written by Scott Snyder | Art by Greg Capullo

"Batman #0 is kind of a strange beast. It seems to serve as a precursor to the upcoming Death of the Family in that it explores the old Red Hood and his gang – where Scott Snyder suggests that this is indeed a pre-chemical bath Joker -- but it ends with a disappointing 'to be continued in 2013' without any resolution. To that end, on its own, Batman #0 doesn’t really feel like a complete story, instead just snippets of some great character moments for Bruce Wayne, Alfred, and Jim Gordon. There’s a lot of interesting stuff in here, but I suspect this issue will read better once the full context is known." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Batman and Robin #0

Written by Peter Tomasi | Art by Patrick Gleason

"Before we begin, let me just say that if you’re focused on figuring out how Damian could be 10 when Batman’s only been operating for 5-6 years, then stop. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that Batman and Robin #0 is an endearing look at young Damian’s early days under the tutelage of his mother, leading directly into the events of Grant Morrison’s Batman and Son. It’s not exactly a fresh start for new readers, but longtime fans that hold Morrison’s work close to their heart will get goosebumps hitting this issue’s final page to relive one his run’s best moments." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Before Watchmen: Comedian #3

Written by Brian Azzarello | Art by J.G. Jones

"For better or worse, Brain Azzarello seems less interested in replicating the tone and feel of the original Watchmen series with his two Before Watchmen books. But while Before Watchmen: Comedian is less redundant than it might have been, it also isn't managing to provide a compelling narrative or a cohesive look at what makes this dark vigilante tick." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.0

Demon Knights #0

Written by Paul Cornell | Art by Bernard Chang

"Demon Knights #0 is not technically a bad comic book. It's well written and nicely drawn. It boasts a nice flow, with some interesting scenes. Unfortunately, it is also completely and totally unnecessary. It jumps back in time, like most of these DC zero issues, and gives us a glimpse into a time before The Demon Knights story started. This means that the book is devoid of some of the series' best characters and lacks any kind of meaningful story. It feels like an editorial mandate, and that's probably because it no doubt was." -Benjamin

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #0

Written by Matt Kindt | Art by Alberto Ponticelli

"Frankenstein is a series I enjoyed as the New 52 relaunch kicked off but eventually fell behind on. Luckily, Matt Kindt's approach to issue #0 is one that welcomes new and lapsed readers. This completely standalone tale focuses on the creation of Victor Frankenstein's monster and the early battles that shaped him into the sword-slinging hero he is today." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Green Lantern Corps #0

Written by Peter Tomasi | Art by Fernando Pasarin

"'I’ve seen more blood and guts and severed heads in the DC Universe in the past year than I have in quite some time.' That’s what my editor Joey Esposito said in his retrospective on DC’s New 52, a sentiment that couldn’t be felt more in Green Lantern Corps and bears exceptional truth in this zero issue. But after the beheadings, impalings, and bisections, Peter J. Tomasi writes one hell of a Guy Gardner origin story." -Joshua

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

8.0

Grifter #0

Written by Rob Liefeld | Art by Scott Clark

"This book could be made into a four-page short. It also happens to be approximately the same plot of this month’s Superboy #0. In all honesty, the most entertainment that I mined from this book was Rob Liefeld’s hilariously bad cover. For a good laugh, find a copy and check out Grifter’s left thumb, right triceps, right legs, and right hand. Just don’t buy it." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

4.0

Legion Lost #0

Written by Tom DeFalco | Art by Pete Woods

"Legion Lost #0 is a pretty standard origin story for the most interesting character in the title, supplying enough action and drama for the title to transition smoothly into its next issue. Timber Wolf receives a solid retelling of his backstory and motivation for his career as a vigilante/Legion member. In the end, Tom DeFalco’s story is enough to justify this issue’s existence, but it’s unlikely to be your favorite book this week." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

7.0

The Ravagers #0

Written by Howard Mackie | Art by Ian Churchill

"Ravagers #0 takes the more straightforward approach to the Zero Month concept, flashing back to Beast Boy and Terra's origins as prisoners in the N.O.W.H.E.R.E. program. Howard Mackie aims to reveal how their bond developed in the face of great hardship and suffering. It's a nice idea, but the issue fails to offer any sense of progression. The characters barely encounter each other before Terra is throwing herself in the line of fire to protect Garth. There should have been more focus on the duo and less on Harvest and his minions explaining the nature of Garth and Tara's powers. Generally, Mackie's writing style is best suited to more family-friendly superhero fare. The pointless exposition and the overuse of technical jargon and scientific buzzwords do little to make this feel like a smart, science fiction-oriented superhero book." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

5.0

Resurrection Man #0

Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning | Art by Ramon Bachs & Jesus Saiz

"It's a fair question to ask why Resurrection Man needs a #0 issue when the entire series has been devoted to slowly shedding light on Mitch Shelley's mysterious past and the nature of his powers. But with DC bringing the series to an end this month, Resurrection Man #0 is more a patch designed to tie up all the loose ends as quickly and neatly as possible. Unsurprisingly, that makes for an underwhelming finish to the series." -Jesse

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

5.0

Suicide Squad #0

Written by Adam Glass | Art by Fernando Dagnino

"Amanda Waller is certainly getting a lot of attention in the New 52. Though her old Team 7 is making its debut this week as well, Suicide Squad #0 picks up promptly after that team meets its end – something that apparently rubs The Wall the wrong way. While we presumably have quite a while to see the events referenced play out, writer Adam Glass makes it clear that Team 7 didn’t exactly leave Waller in a good place. For its length, Glass does a fair job of establishing the setting of this issue and the relationship of Waller and new character Duren. The book is brisk, but uses careful dialogue to allot for space constraints. However, as solid as the setup might be, the conclusion is lacking." -Joey

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

6.5

Superboy #0

Written by Tom DeFalco | Art by RB Silva & Rob Lean

"Fans of exposition and recapitulation get ready. This book is chock full of it. If you’ve followed the series, you will learn next to nothing. Superboy #0 is a filler issue if ever there was one. Yes, Tom DeFalco’s script does add a bit of backstory, strange as it is. Sadly, the greater part of the book is a rehash of the first few issues of the series. Worse, there is an epic, grating voiceover/monologue by Harvest that lasts almost the entire issue. It does explain how Harvest fits into the whole convoluted scheme, but it fails to register as interesting." -Poet

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

5.0

Team 7 #0

Written by Justin Jordan | Art by Jesus Merino

"The original Team 7 series is a book I have fond memories of. It's probably not quite as good as I remember it, but it was a cool little series that explored the nasty roots of the Wildstorm Universe. It showed that everything was connected and that many of the characters had darker, more violent pasts than we had previously imagined. The new Team 7 book is nothing like that. It's generic, sluggish, and boring. It really shares only one thing with the original book and that's the title." -Benjamin

Click to read the entire review!

Final Score:

5.0

Source : ign[dot]com

When Will Marvel's Ant-Man Shoot?

With Marvel's "Phase 2" in full force -- including a sequel run for Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Avengers -- it's easy to forget that Edgar Wright's Ant-Man is still waiting patiently on the sidelines, just itching to get made.

However, it now sounds like Captain America may have a hitch in his giddy up. According to Chris Evans, who was making the interview rounds at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend, production for Captain America: The Winter Soldier is now scheduled to begin in March instead of the end of this year. This leaves a gap in Marvel's shooting schedule between Thor: The Dark World and Cap 2. As a result, it's possible that Ant-Man could fill that gap.

As Screen Rant points out, director Edgar Wright recently noted that he could begin shooting the film in London directly after Thor 2 wraps production. Additionally, Marvel heads Louis D'Esposito and Kevin Feige have hinted that Ant-Man could hit theaters as soon as 2014, which means the studio could be lined up for three major releases in one year.

Should Ant-Man nab the production slot, fans can expect to see casting announcements in the very near future.

As it stands, Iron Man 3 is scheduled to hit theaters on May 3, 2013; Thor: The Dark World on November 3, 2013; Captain America: The Winter Soldier on April 14, 2014; Guardians of the Galaxy on August 1, 2014; and The Avengers 2 on May 1, 2015.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Avengers vs. X-Men #11 Review

There comes a time in almost every tale of heroes battling heroes where the two factions put aside their differences to confront a common foe. That point has arrived in Avengers vs. X-Men #11. Pretty much any hero, be they mutant, super-soldier, or Asgardian, can agree that Cyclops is a big jerk. The event has now come down to a battle between the combined Avengers and X-Men on one side and the all-powerful Cyclops and Emma Frost on the other.

Issue #11 focuses on this big fracas and little else. As has been the case for the majority of Act 3, the story has become much more direct and focused. This issue really only offers up three main scenes -- Captain America's attempt to recruit a new player into the fold, the reunification of the X-Men under Charles Xavier, and the massive battle that follows. Even at roughly 30 pages, the story is a bit light and sparse. The advantage, however, is that Brian Bendis steps back and allows the art team to work their magic on a very visceral series of pages.

Olivier Coipel returns for one final hurrah on the series (which should hopefully allow Adam Kubert a little breathing room to focus on issue #12). He's more than suited to rendering the massive superhero brawl that consumes so much of the issue. The lines are sleek, the characters bold and dynamic, and the lengthy page count offers Coipel plenty of room to stretch out and deliver large, detailed panels. The biggest weakness to the art in House of M was the sometimes cramped page layouts. It's good to see that isn't a problem for AvX in its climax. But perhaps even more impressive than Coipel's work is Laura Martin's. Her colors are as bold and vibrant as anything you'll find in the industry. This issue is practically a smorgasbord of ethereal lighting and supernatural energies.

That said, the storytelling does falter at times. There are a few key moments in the battle where it isn't immediately apparent what's happening, such as when Scarlet Witch attacks Cyclops and Emma. A re-read of the issue is generally enough to eliminate these problems, but the fact remains that not every panel is as immediately clear as it could be.

In terms of scripting, AvX #11 is neither the strongest nor the weakest installment of the series. As mentioned, Bendis largely steps back and allows Coipel to go to town, making this a very brisk read. Bendis' own writing voice is a bit more distinct than it has been in the past. The opening scene involving Cap is steeped in that familiar, staccato manner of speaking. Cap almost seems overwritten, but this approach does serve the purpose of drawing out suspense before revealing the mystery character it is Cap is attempting to recruit. Generally, though, Bendis finds more success with Xavier. Xavier comes across as a powerful figure in this issue, benevolent and threatening in equal measure.

The problem here is that Xavier's newfound central role within the book seems a bit odd considering how sporadically he's appeared in the story before now. Meanwhile, the formerly important Hope and Scarlet Witch are essentially background figures throughout the issue. It's not that Xavier has no place here, but more that he should have been given a larger presence in the book from issue #1. With as little as this issue focuses on Hope, Wanda, or the Iron Fist/Phoenix mythology, it's difficult to picture those characters and plot points finding proper resolution in issue #12. Even the new character introduced at the beginning has no real importance in the battle that follows.

As for the big death scene that's making news headlines today (check out our interview with Bendis and Tom Brevoort here), the jury is still out. Bendis does devote plenty of real estate to both the build-up and the actual death scene. It's a strong moment regardless of whether you've been spoiled ahead of time. It's a much stronger and more emotional death scene than, say, Wasp in Secret Invasion or Bucky in Fear Itself. But there's also a sense of vagueness about the death. Was the character attempting to fight back or willingly sacrificing themselves? Were they, in fact, courting death with their almost passive/aggressive dialogue directed towards Cyclops and Emma? Given the nature of their powers, how much stock should readers put in the death in the first place? Granted, Bendis acknowledged this vagueness in our interview, so at least the effect is intentional. In the end, the real importance of this death is going to be determined by how Marvel's writers deal with the fallout. I'm optimistic on that front. Unfortunately I'm somewhat less optimistic about the final issue of AvX. Jason Aaron has a tremendous amount of material to work through if the major beats of the event are going to reach a proper, satisfying conclusion.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Remender Confirms Exit from Uncanny X-Force, Secret Avengers

Though it's been suspected since the announcement of Uncanny Avengers, Rick Remender confirmed today via Twitter that he'll be leaving Uncanny X-Force and Secret Avengers. Remender's final issue of X-Force will be the conclusion to Final Execution in issue #35 -- which will also serve as the series finale.

As for Secret Avengers, he'll be wrapping his run with issue #37, but seemed to give no indication that the series itself was ending. Presumably a new team will be revealed soon.

Remender tweeted:

Yes, unfortunately my time on UXF is coming to an end. It's like a friend told me, "Know when to get off the stage."

— Rick Remender (@Remender) September 10, 2012

Lots of the UXF story threads I set up are moving to Uncanny Avengers. And the people involved in the series moving forward are ACES.

— Rick Remender (@Remender) September 10, 2012

Yes, my SECRET AVENGERS ends at issue 37. But we still have the best to come in the finales of SA and UXF. We're going out loudly on both.

— Rick Remender (@Remender) September 10, 2012

The writer also told CBR in an interview, "Hopefully, I'll be able to stick a nice landing with Final Execution and people will really enjoy it, so the series will never have that part where it tapered and stopped being as good. That's the upshot. You do your best work -- and we all have -- and then you wrap things up and walk away from it."

But hey, it's nice knowing that a lot of the threads will be continuing on into Uncanny Avengers. Until then, strap in for the ride of your life on the road to Uncanny X-Force's end.

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator himself. Follow Joey on Twitter, or find him on IGN. He loves superhero pets so hard.

Source : ign[dot]com

Marvel Phase One Blu-ray Box Set Delayed

Fans might need to wait a little longer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One - Avengers Assembled Blu-ray box set to arrive. As it turns out, the nifty case that houses the 6-film, 10-disc set (and the glowing tesseract) isn't just a prop made by the studio, but is actually a copyrighted case design crafted by the German luggage company Rimowa BhmbH. According to a recently filed lawsuit, Marvel allegedly didn't get proper permission to release a replica version. Indiewire is reporting that a complaint was filed with California federal court alleging that "Marvel did not obtain any license or authorization from Rimowa to make replica copies of the case for any purpose . . . the plastic ‘replica case’ [is] a close copy of Rimowa’s Topas attaché case in every respect but quality -- from the proportions and coloring, to the style of the handle and latches, and, of course, in the use of the trademarked parallel ridges around the body of the case.”

It's unclear if a settlement or some agreement can be met before the set's original September 25, 2012 release date. Because of the allegations, retailers like Amazon have temporarily made the box set unavailable for pre-order.

[UPDATE] According to Amazon, "The Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One-Avengers Assembled Collection will not be released by Marvel as we originally expected. We know this delay is disappointing, and we're sorry for any inconvenience this causes. Marvel is planning to offer a similar collection in new packaging. The new collection will include the original titles offered with the first version of the item, and we expect it will be available in the spring of 2013. Additional information will be available on our website and via email when available."

Disney also released the following statement, "We are sorry to inform you that there will be a delay in the availability of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One – Avengers Assembled Collection. Originally, the Collection was to be available on September 25, 2012, but unfortunately we are now unable to make that date. We are currently working with Marvel to identify the exact date when the Collection will be available, but we expect it to be during Spring, 2013.

The Collection will come in a new briefcase and include even more than the content and features that were first advertised. We know that you are disappointed in this delay, and we are working hard to get your Collection to you as soon as possible. We will have an updated announcement for you in the coming weeks which will include actual timing and final details. Once again, we apologize for the delay and hope that when you do receive the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One – Avengers Assembled Collection, you will enjoy it as much as Marvel enjoyed creating it."

So, looks like fans will have to wait half a year until they can get their hands on this amazing set, but the trade-off is more bonus features. Perhaps a Director's Cut of The Avengers?

Still, this is a pretty colossal bummer. But fear not, you can still pre-order The Avengers on four-disc Blu-ray combo pack, two-disc Blu-ray combo pack, and DVD.

Stay tuned for more news as it develops.

"Enough! You are, all of you, beneath me! I am a god, you dull creature, and I shall not be bullied..." Become a friend of R.L. Shaffer on Twitter, Facebook or MyIGN for quotes, rants, reviews, news and more!

Source : ign[dot]com

Avengers Academy #36 Review

Avengers Academy doesn't have much time left on the stands. And Christos Gage doesn't seem to mind twisting the knife as readers prepare to bid farewell to this team. Of course, that's really a good thing, as issue #36 is host to all sorts of great character moments. It just hurts so good.

In this issue, the fractured team begins to come together again in order to combat Jeremy Briggs' attempt to de-power the world's superhumans. Many Academy members are forced to make fateful choices during the course of battle. No scene is more stirring than the one between Mettle and Haz-Mat. If you thought their material in issue #35 was tear-jerking, this issue raises the bar again. But Gage also has strong material in store for characters like Reptil, White Tiger, and X-23. Many of these characters have been severely down and out since Briggs launched his attack, and it's satisfying to see them cast aside teenage doubts and become full-fledged heroes again. My main complaint, as with last issue, is that it's disappointing to see Briggs degenerate into full-fledged villain mode. The character was much more enjoyable when readers were able to sympathize and even side with him and his grand plans.

Andrea Di Vito sticks around to render this issue. While it's a shame we couldn't have one, consistent artist for the entire arc (important as it is to the series as a whole), Di Vito fits in nicely with the general tone established by Tom Grummett and others. There are some fun metaphysical scenes involving characters like White Tiger and Reptil that allow Di Vito to branch out and deliver slightly more surreal imagery.

Much of this character building seems to lay the groundwork for future stories, which of course raises hope that maybe Gage won't be done with these characters just because the series is ending. No doubt there's still a wealth of material to explore in the coming weeks.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and IGN Movies. He can't wait until he's old enough to feel ways about stuff. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

What's the Deal with Iron Man 3's Armor?

Starting from the original Iron Man all the way up until The Avengers, there have been seven iterations of Tony Stark's Iron Man armor. An eighth version to appear in Marvel's Iron Man 3 was revealed and displayed at Comic-Con back in July. Watch out for spoilers on the details of that suit below!

It sounds like the muted gold and crimson suit we ogled at SDCC was not the Mark VIII, but the forty-seventh Iron Man armor: the Mark XLVII. As Latino Review recently explained:

"The Extremis-enhanced bad guys under direction of Ben Kingsley’s Mandarin villain are going to be too much for Tony to handle on his own, so he thinks ahead, thinks big and has a plan. Tony’s about to go out and fight some bad guys when he mentions the Mark XLVII to Pepper Potts. Pepper asks what happened to the other forty and Tony just smiles.

"From the cockpit of Mark XLVII Tony is able to control multiple armors in battle. We over here at LR have been vaguely aware of an action scene where Tony was going to control multiple Iron Man suits (presumably they look similar to distract his enemies as to the location of kill-able Iron Man Prime), but the number 40 seems... awesome. 40 Iron Men." [End Spoilers]

Keep in mind, of course, this news has yet to be confirmed. We'll offer any updates that come our way.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

The Avengers Cross $1.5 Billion Mark

Anything Batman can do, The Avengers can do better it would seem. For no sooner has The Dark Knight Rises crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office than the Marvel team-up movie has made $1.5 billion.

Following The Avengers’ American re-released over the Labor Day weekend, the film added a further 2.2m to its total gross, hitting the $620m mark domestically.

And as of Monday, it had made $1.502 billion worldwide.

Ignoring inflation and the higher price of a modern-day or 3D ticket, The Avengers is now the third most successful film in history, with only the James Cameron one-two punch of Avatar and Titanic ahead.

Chris Tilly is the Entertainment Editor for IGN and saw The Avengers a grand total of twice. His idle chit-chat can be found on both Twitter and MyIGN.

Source : ign[dot]com