Marvel Card Battler Hits iOS and Android

Marvel: Wars of Heroes from DeNA and Marvel Entertainment is now available on the iOS App Store and Android Google Play Marketplace. The card battler, powered by DeNA's Mobage mobile social game platform, lets gamers assemble a team of Marvel heroes with each represented by a unique player card.

“Marvel: War of Heroes is an incredibly unique handcrafted card-battle game that we’re excited to share with consumers,” said Clive Downie, Vice President of Studios at DeNA’s U.S. subsidiary ngmoco, LLC. “Marvel’s breadth of iconic characters and creative storyline offers players a truly engaging and fun gameplay experience.”

The title follows the same basic premise as DeNA's hugely successful social card battler Rage of Bahamut. Players collect and level-up Marvel heroes for their deck. Unwanted or duplicate cards can be "fused" together to create a single more powerful hero.

Like DeNA's other card battlers, Marvel: War of Heroes is a freemium release. Gamers can download and enjoy the App free-of-charge, but can progress faster or boost their heroes by spending premium currency or getting more of their friends playing.

Justin is Editor of IGN Wireless. He has been reviewing cell phone games since the dark days of Java flip phones. You can follow him on Twitter at @ErrorJustin and on IGN at JDavisIGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

NYCC: Wolverine, Iron Man Season One Graphic Novels on the Way

At a retailer breakfast during NYCC today, Marvel unveiled plans for more of its Season One graphic novels -- books that aim to freshen up the earliest adventures of its key heroes -- in the form of Wolverine and Iron Man.

Tackling Wolverine: Season One will be writers Ben Acker and Ben Blacker (of TV's Supernatural) with Salva Espin on art, which explores Logan's journey from hardcore vagabond to X-Man, including his first appearance way back when he battled the Hulk in Incredible Hulk #180.

Iron Man: Season One is being written by Howard Chaykin with art from Gerald Parel, and will aim to modernize Tony Stark's origin once again.

Also announced at the retailer breakfast was Deadpool Killustrated from writer Cullen Bunn, in which the spirit of Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe lives on with Wade Wilson going around to kill off some literary classics, including Moby Dick, Little Women, Sherlock Holmes, and Dracula.

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 Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes - "Code Red" Review

Warning: full episode spoilers follow.

This week's episode of Earth's Mightiest Heroes was nothing if not ambitious. "Code Red" was a loose adaptation of the comic book storyline of the same name (penned by Geoff Johns in a rare foray into the Marvel Universe). But it also brought Red Hulk back into the forefront as well as exploring the mystery of Winter Soldier and his connection to Captain America. Needless to say, the script bit off a bit more than it could feasibly chew in the span of 22 minutes, but "Code Red" was entertaining nonetheless.

The episode got off to a strong, slightly creepy start as Red Skull's virus spread and morphed all it touched into sickly, red-skinned, almost zombie-like creatures. This was some unusually creepy imagery for an animated superhero series, and it lent a nice darker edge to the episode. Unfortunately, the scope of Red Skull's attack was very limited compared to the original story. Rather than being a global pandemic, the Code Red virus only impacted the Avengers and the Manhattan civilians in the immediate vicinity. Ideally, this conflict could have been spread across multiple episodes, with one devoted to the Avengers battling against and ultimately succumbing to the virus, and the second shifting focus to Secretary of State Dell Rusk and his gang of superhuman enforcers.

It was strange seeing Doc Samson, Red Hulk, and Falcon relegated to what essentially qualified as hired muscle. The writers seemed inspired by Jeph Loeb's Hulk work in both the brawl between Red Hulk and Thor and the fact that Red Hulk was a member of a team comprised solely of characters who wear red costumes. Luckily, all three contributed to some memorable action scenes. The highlight was easily the Red Hulk/Thor battle, which was fierce enough to literally rock the Statue of Liberty on its foundations. Falcon showed his bad-ass side as well in the fight with Hawkeye, which should help win him some new fans in advance of his starring role in the upcoming Avengers Assemble series. Lance Reddick's vocal work certainly didn't hurt. Reddick, Fred Tatasciore (Red Hulk), and Steve Blum (Red Skull) all delivered memorable performances this week.

But again, the script was juggling more material than it could really handle, and the final minutes were really weighed down by the rush to the finish line. Winter Soldier's transition from loyal minion to Cap's savior was abrupt, to say the least. There wasn't even much indication as to what turned him against Skull. Red Hulk quietly vanished, while Samson's recent misdeeds were quickly explained away as a product of brainwashing. In the final moments, the Avengers discuss the downfall of Dell Rusk's political career and the resulting swell of public support for the Avengers, but this is all material that might have worked better if it were shown rather than told to viewers. Ultimately, Code Red either required more running time or a more narrow focus on Cap, Winter Soldier, and Red Skull.

Luckily, this isn't the end for these particular plot threads. Next week's episode will delve deeper into the Winter Soldier mystery, while the following installment (whenever Disney XD chooses to actually air it) will finally bring Hulk back into the fold and reveal Red Hulk's secrets. We're entering the final stretch for this series, and it looks to be an eventful time for Avengers fans.

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

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes - "Emperor Stark" Review

Note: Full spoilers for the episode follow.

After sitting out several episodes of Earth's Mightiest Heroes following his conversion in "Ultron Unlimited," Vision came back in a big way with "Emperor Stark." The episode kicked off with a great premise, as Vision awoke after a 30-day repair process to discover that Tony Stark had inexplicably chosen to take over the world. If superhero movies have taught us anything, it's that any device promising free, unlimited energy will eventually be harnessed for nefarious purposes.

The episode was certainly a strong showing for Vision, whose inorganic mind suddenly became a major asset in a world where Purple Man ruled all. His interaction with his new teammates was very enjoyable, particularly when Hawkeye scolded Vision for calling the battle "easy." Hawkeye had his own solid moments throughout. It was amusing to see Cap trick him out of being brainwashed by reminding Hawkeye that he doesn't like to do what other people tell him to. Hawkeye's trick shot in space also stood out as a memorable moment. Buit nothing topped the brawl between Thor and Vision. Seeing the latter take on 500 tons of mass and dive-bomb Thor from orbit had to be one of the top moments in the show's two-year history.

What was interesting about Christopher Yost's script for "Emperor Stark" is that it showed a bit less less direct influence from the Avengers comics than usual. Technically this episode could be said to be inspired by the Emperor Doom graphic novel, but the cast of characters, their motivations, and Purple Man's role in the story were heavily modified. Purple Man is known for committing some heinous acts against Marvel's heroes. And while his misdeeds in this episode certainly didn't outclass those in Brian Michael Bendis' Alias comic, he still managed to hit Tony closer to home than any other villain in the series. The fact that it was all merely revenge for being made to look foolish in public was a nice extra touch. Star Trek: The Next Generation's Brent Spiner made a welcome guest appearance as the voice of Purple Man. Spiner seemed poorly suited for the Joker on Young Justice, but here Purple Man had just the right blend of shrillness and subtle malice.

My only complaint with "Emperor Stark" was that it could have been drawn out longer. The ending in particular could have used a bit more attention. Stark noted his own culpability in Purple Man's world domination scheme, but Cap seemed content to brush away his concerns and deliver a typically heart-warming, sappy speech. The extended brawl between the two brought to mind the conflict in Mark Millar's Civil War comic. For a time it seemed as though the series was moving towards a full-on adaptation of that conflict, but with EMH ending in a few months, clearly that won't be the case. Even so, it would have been nice to see the episode end on a slightly more ambiguous note in terms of the Cap/Iron Man dynamic.

That aside, this was easily one of the better installments of Earth's Mightiest Heroes this season. Next week brings the long-awaited return of Hulk and the resolution of the Red Hulk mystery.

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

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

Marvel Heroes Closed Beta Begins Next Month

Gazillion Entertainment has announced that a closed beta for Marvel Heroes will begin on October 1st. Players can sign up on the game’s official site for a chance to get early access, playing as characters including the recently-announced Daredevil, The Punisher and Squirrel Girl.

Marvel Heroes is a free-to-play MMO created by David Brevik, director of Diablo and Diablo II. Set in the Marvel Universe, Heroes features Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine, Hulk, Spider Man, Captain America and more. For more, check out our impressions from July.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s associate news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following him on Twitter or IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Action Comics #0 Review

If this month's #0 issues are all about looking back and shedding light on the origins of various heroes in the New 52, where does that leave Action Comics? Grant Morrison's relaunched series has essentially been one big origin tale from the start. Luckily, Morrison finds room before the events of issue #1 to explore Clark Kent's very first adventure as Superman and the theft of his indestructible cape. While Action Comics #0 doesn't really need to exist in the larger context of this run, it delivers enough memorable character moments that it's well worth  read regardless.

The best compliment I can give this issue is that it feels more consistent and cohesive than the majority of Morrison's previous issues have been. The plot is relatively simple by Morrison standards, so rather than cutting between scenes and points in time intermittently, Morrison is able to follow the journey from point A to B in a more methodical manner. Issue #0 opens where one of the recent backup stories left off, with Clark ordering his first batch of Superman T-shirts. From there, we see him settle into his role at the Daily Star, interact with Jimmy Olsen, and put his growing abilities to the test for the first time as Metropolis' new defender.

Again, it's the character work that makes this issue. Morrison once again shows how easy it is to craft a compelling Clark Kent -- one who is both human and relatable yet also powerful and noble. Clark enjoys a definitive Superman moment in this issue that pays homage to his Golden Age, "man of the people" roots. But Jimmy Olsen also has a strong showing in this issue. Morrison sheds a great deal of light on what drives the character in the New 52 universe. The result is a more down-to-earth and independent-minded take on Jimmy than the flamboyant globetrotter Morrison wrote in All-Star Superman.

Issue #0 doesn't add much to the greater picture. The script acknowledges the recent revelations about Cark's landlady and her 5th Dimensional origins, but apart from that the book could just as easily have shipped a year ago to kick off Morrison's run. The subplot involving the stolen cape doesn't amount to much. What this conflict does accomplish is reminding readers that Morrison's Superman is as concerned with the individuals of Metropolis as he is with alien invasions and Justice League matters. It takes a deft hand to pit Superman against a child abuser and not have the results turn out hokey or preachy, but Morrison manages it.

Issue #0 benefits from a much more consistent visual style than the series tends to offer. Ben Oliver fills in for Rags Morales this month. While there's a certain sterility and coldness to Oliver's work (some of the smaller details Morales worked into his panels are sorely missed), there's a lot to be said for clean lines and an overall much smoother presentation.

Sholly Fisch delivers another backup feature to complement the main tale. Interestingly, this story delves into Morrison's ongoing mythology much more than these backups have tended to in the past. Fisch doesn't focus on Superman here, but rather the origins of the Captain Comet/Neo-sapiens subplot from recent issues. Again, this material isn't necessarily that vital, but it adds a bit of color to previous stories. It's nice to have one issue that slows down the breakneck pace of the series and focus on the characters before Morrison begins his final push.

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

Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates #14 Review

One thing that can be said about the Ultimate Universe is that its heroes are forced to deal with an even heavier dose of misery than those of the regular Marvel Universe. Currently, Ultimate America is in shambles, with soul patch-wearing robots ruling the Southeast, various states seceding from the union, and Texas primed to drop a bomb on New York City.

That's the situation the Ultimates are struggling to deal with in this second chapter of the Divided We Stand arc. And it's that sense of scale and sheer desperation that helps the book stand apart from the umpteen other Avengers-themed titles on the stands. Sam Humphries is finally able to write the Big Three in action as they team with Hawkeye and Black Widow to prevent Texas unleashing nuclear armageddon. Thor isn't given the chance to do much, although this issue does hint at ties between current conflicts and the Asgardian material that Jonathan Hickman dealt with in his issues. But Cap and Iron Man have some solid material. In terms of both the team roster and their personalities, this is a series that should appeal very much to fans of the Avengers movie.

In addition to the main cast, there's also a healthy dose of political conspiracy and maneuvering by the current villains. This material helps spice up the conflict and lend an air of unpredictability to the conflict. Unfortunately, these scenes don't always integrate that well with the Ultimates-focused ones. In particular, the final sequence reaches an awkward and unfulfilling conclusion.

Also disappointing is the return of multiple pencillers. I had hoped the series could avoid that for a while given how prevalent fill-in art was on Humphries' early issues. Billy Tan's pages are generally sound, though his facial work is pretty bland. Timothy Green tackles the remainder. As much as I've enjoyed Green's recent cosmic Marvel work, his pencils are too flat and rushed in appearance here. This series really needs to find a greater level of consistency and regularity when it comes to the visuals.

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

Stallone vs Schwarzenegger: Battle of the Trailers

With cinema’s greatest action heroes going toe-to-toe in The Expendables 2 this week, the powers that be decided it would be a good time to launch the trailers of two action movies starring the two biggest stars of them all last night.

Bullet to the Head is an ‘80s action throwback that stars Sylvester Stallone, while The Last Stand is an '80s action throwback that stars Arnold Schwarzenegger.

So with these two long-time rivals going head-to-head, we thought we’d pit their trailers against each other in a winner-takes-all deathmatch. So read on to find out if Sly or Arnie comes out the other side victorious.

THE PLOT

Bullet to the Head

Sylvester Stallone stars as a New Orleans hit-man who teams up with a New York City cop to bring down the killers of their respective partners.

The Last Stand

Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a small-town sheriff who is forced to put his life on the line when a drug-lord enters his jurisdiction while making a break for the border.

THE ACTION

Bullet to the Head

The trailer kicks off with a near-naked Stallone – save for a pair of boxer shorts – kicking the proverbial out of someone poor unfortunate soul in what looks like a bath-house. There follows several montages of quick-fire punch-ups and bodies falling from tall buildings alongside shots of cars blowing up. Lots of shots of cars blowing up.

The Last Stand

Arnie’s film kicks off with a spectacular car stunt involving lots of guns and bullets and continues in this vein, with The Last Stand clearly featuring more than its fair share of car chases, including one involving a school bus. Schwarzenegger himself gets thrown through a door before putting the beat down on one of the baddies, and it concludes with the money shot – Arnie firing a shotgun with purpose, Terminator-style.

THE DIALOGUE

Bullet to the Head

Stallone does tough: “You know who I am? A problem solver. I take out the trash.”

Stallone does racist: “What are you going to do – bring out some kung fu from the homeland?”

Stallone makes a threat: “I swear to you when I get this guy, it’s going to be bad.”

Stallone does funny: “Are we gonna fight, or are you planning on boring me to death?”

The Last Stand

Schwarzenegger gets it wrong: “It’s my day off – should be a quiet weekend.”

Schwarzenegger does serious: “I’ve seen enough blood and death – I know what’s coming.”

Schwarzenegger makes a threat: I’m not going to let that guy come through our town without a fight.”

Schwarzenegger does funny: “How are you sheriff?” “Old!”

THE CO-STARS

Bullet to the Head

Christian Slater, looking like he’s about to get a bullet to the head.

The Last Stand

Johnny Knoxville, looking like he’s channelling his character from The Ringer.

THE STARS

Bullet to the Head

Stallone is looking as tough as he’s ever been in Bullet to the Head, cracking bones and gags with the effortlessness of an experienced pro. Judging from the top-less brawl he’s still in good shape, while the tag-line reads ‘Revenge never gets old,' and from this trailer it appears that neither does Sly.

The Last Stand

Schwarzenegger is looking a little creaky in this one, although that might be because the trailer plays upon his aging sheriff enjoying the quiet life in a small town. That said, once he gets that murderous look in his eye and starts shooting the place up to protect his patch, it’s a bullet-ridden joy to behold.

THE WINNER

Got to be Bullet to the Head, with Sly’s vengeful hit-man narrowly defeating Arnie’s aging law-man on the anticipation front. But that’s just our opinion - let us know in the poll below which trailer you like best, and look out for The Last Stand in cinemas next January and Bullet in Feb.

Chris Tilly is the Entertainment Editor for IGN and hopes Arnie doesn't read. His idle chit-chat can be found on both Twitter and MyIGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes - "Assault on 42" Review

Warning: full episode spoilers follow.

We've been seeing Earth's Mightiest Heroes transition towards a slightly more standalone format lately, rather than the episodic approach of the first half of Season 2. But if "Assault on 42" proved anything, it's that this done-in-one storytelling can yield impressive results. "Assault on 42" saw Cap lead a truncated band of Avengers into the Negative Zone to visit Prison 42. S.H.IE.L.D. is convinced that the Negative Zone is an empty realm devoid of any life, but naturally, that isn't the case at all. The showdown between the prison's residents and the savage, almost mindless bugs of the Negative Zone was inevitable.

Last week I noted how "Behold... the Vision!" seemed to be paying homage to Predator during the jungle hunt sequence. The EMH writers must have '80s sci-fi classics on the brains, because this episode gave off a clear Aliens vibe throughout. Early on, our heroes were hounded in dark corridors by an unseen enemy. Later, as the battle intensified, the creeping sense of horror exploded into all-out war between man and bug. For what is largely an all-ages show, this episode did a nice job of maintaining a grim, foreboding tone. The fact that the Avengers and their temporary allies were battling mindless bugs also allowed the episode to be more straightforward in its depiction of violence.

Speaking of temporary allies, the decision to include a number of past Avengers rogues in the battle lent a but of fun to the otherwise dark series of events. Some of these villains, like Leader and Abomination, haven't really been seen since the early episodes. Cap's decision to exclude Baron Zemo from the festivities was a nice touch. We saw Skurge the Executioner take a major step from simple villain to heroic warrior as he silently acknowledged Thor as a comrade and embraced his new mission. I was beginning to think the writers were going to borrow from the classic comic The Mighty Thor #362 and depict Skurge's iconic moment of sacrifice in slightly different surroundings. However, Thor's reference to Enchantress' current plight may suggest that big moment is coming down the pipeline.

On the other side of the battle, Annihilus had a memorable debut as this episode's central villain. The series is 2 for 2 so far when it comes to borrowing major Fantastic Four foes. The writers offered a cool take on Annihilus by rendering him entirely mute and only conveying his rage and motivations through the Leader's psychic probing. It helped emphasize Annihilus' inhuman, otherworldly qualities. I do wish there had been a bit more variety in Annihilus' drones. If anything, the bugs looked more like the Brood aliens from the X-Men franchise than the usual Negative Zone creatures on display in the comics. But given how much the Brood resemble the Xenomorphs from the Alien movies in form and function, that may have been an intentional design choice.

"Assault on 42" was necessarily that important in terms of advancing the currently open conflicts of the series. It was, however, a very well executed chapter that managed to go a little darker and more violent than the series usually strives for. Hopefully this level of quality is a sign of what we can expect as the series moves through the second half of Season 2.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and various other IGN channels. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes - "Behold... the Vision!" Review

Warning: full episode spoilers follow.

If last week's Earth's Mightiest Heroes featured Cap trying to rebuild the public's trust in himself and the Avengers, this week's installment turned inward as Cap tried to heal the broken bonds among his teammates. The efforts to repair his shattered shield served as a not-so-subtle metaphor for that healing process. Alongside this interpersonal conflict, the Vision finally made his EMH debut as the latest villain to threaten the team.

The battle scenes with the vision were easily the highlight of the episode. This is a character who is practically a Superman-level powerhouse, but writers rarely seem to reflect that fact except when Vision serves as an antagonist. "Behold... the Vision" took its cues from the character's original appearance in Avengers #57 by presenting him as an agent of Ultron designed to pick apart the team with his impressive density-altering powers. As such, the Ultron reveal at the end was entirely predictable, but it's still nice to know we'll get another major storyline involving that villain before this series wraps.

The various character dynamics were generally well handled in this episode. Thor wasn't much more than ineffectual muscle, but the hostility between Hawkeye and Black Panther was very entertaining. We also got to see Cap step up and prove that he, more than any character, is best qualified to lead this ragtag band of heroes and spies. Seeing characters like panther and Iron Man get called out for essentially abandoning the team during the Secret Invasion storyline was a nice touch. The sometimes hostile and abrasive team dynamic is often what sets the Avengers apart from other superhero teams like the Justice League.

What didn't work so well was the B-plot involving Wasp and Jane Foster. The writers didn't focus on the characters nearly enough to justify their inclusion. The two shared a brief girl's night as Jane pined over Thor, and that segued into a brief battle with Vision. I was expecting there to be more drama with Wasp's injuries, but she merely woke up and seemed to shrug off the effects of being squeezed half to death by a homicidal android.

On the plus side, the writers seemed to have some fun with homages in this episode. Early on, we saw a cameo of Professor Thorton and the Weapon X facility as Vision kicked off his rampage. Later, the episode offered homages both to the Dracula movies (in the case of Vision's attack on Wasp and Jane) and the first Predator (when Vision stalked the Wakandan soldiers in the jungle). In the case of the latter, however, the animation wasn't quite up to the task. The rigid, unchanging layer of shadows in the jungle proved a bit distracting and surreal. I've mentioned this before, but there are times when the gulf in visual quality between this series and a show like Young Justice is depressing.

In any case, "Behold... the Vision" was a fun episode that set up a new, larger conflict and helped ease the Avengers back into working order. Now we just need Hank Pym back in action for this Ultron conflict to really kick off.

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and various other IGN channels. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Valve Adds Three More Dota 2 Heroes

Another three heroes have been added to the roster in the closed beta test for Valve’s Dota 2. Though it hasn’t yet officially launched, Dota 2 is routinely the most popular game on Steam, beating out Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike and Football Manager 2012 in terms of concurrent and peak players.

The added heroes include Keeper of the Light, a ranged pusher, Nyx Assassin, a melee disabler and nuker, and Visage, a ranged support hero.

As noted on the blog, updates will slow down from now until The International competitive tournament, scheduled to take place August 31 through September 2 in Seattle. “With The International arriving in just over a month, we want to give the competing teams some time to practice with a stable Hero roster, and as few new bugs from us as possible. With that in mind, after today’s update we’ll be clamping things down a tad, focusing on getting the existing feature and hero set polished to a high sheen. Fear not, we will continue to work on new heroes internally, getting them ready for a release once The International is over.”

Though Dota 2 does not have a set release date, invites can be purchased and traded within Steam for $30.

Source : ign[dot]com

What We Want Next in DC's Earth One Graphic Novels

In 2010, DC introduced a new line of graphic novels under the Earth One imprint. These books aim to offer standalone, accessible, and contemporary takes on popular DC heroes, not unlike Marvel's Ultimate line. And despite the fact that only two Earth One books have been released so far, their sales success is proof that fans are responding well to these new takes on Batman and Superman.

Despite this popularity, many speculated that DC would shelve the Earth One line in the wake of the New 52 relaunch. However, the second volume of Superman: Earth One is hitting stores this fall, and Geoff Johns has confirmed that a follow-up to Batman: Earth One is coming. It seems Earth One is here to stay.

Read Our Review of Batman: Earth One!

The question is where DC should take the line from here. Surely there's room for more than just Batman and Superman in this new, barely charted universe? We selected a handful of DC heroes (and villains) we feel are ripe for the Earth One treatment. Be warned, there are some spoilers for the Batman: Earth One and Superman: Earth One in this article.

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is an oddity among DC's big heroes. She's considered to be one of the “Trinity” of the DCU alongside Batman and Superman, and yet her own comics tend to be far less popular. Many writers struggle to grapple with the conflicting mythological and superhero elements of the franchise. Conveying Diana as both a powerful warrior and a relatable hero has been more of a challenge than it really should be.

Though Brian Azzarello has successfully reworked the character in the New 52, the Earth One line can go even further in terms of breaking down the character to the essentials and streamlining her story. Much as George Perez did following Crisis on Infinite Earths, Wonder Woman continuity needs to be treated like a Gordian Knot – cut straight through the problem and start from scratch.

This doesn't mean the ties to Greek mythology necessarily need to be removed. Though the Earth One universe is a comparatively realistic and grounded place, Superman is still an alien from a doomed world who crash-landed on Earth. The goal is merely to streamline, simplify, and focus on fleshing out Diana.

Interestingly, DC may have several unused Wonder Woman stories that could fit the bill. Grant Morrison has revealed he's been working on a Wonder Woman graphic novel that deconstructs the feminist and fetishistic roots of the character. We wouldn't be entirely surprised if this project turns out to be Wonder Woman: Earth One. Adam Hughes has been slowly developing a Wonder Woman series for the now-defunct All-Star imprint, and was apparently still working on it right up until Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan took precedent. And not unlike how Dynamite Entertainment converted Kevin Smith's unused Green Hornet movie script into a comic series, perhaps Joss Whedon's Wonder Woman script could be re-purposed into a graphic novel.

Green Lantern

The Green Lantern comics are in a pretty good state right now, as evidenced by the fact that DC left Hal Jordan and the gang relatively untouched in the New 52 relaunch. Geoff Johns is continuing the run he began way back in 2004 with Green Lantern: Rebirth, and at this point he still isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

Regardless of the quality of these books, it can't hurt to offer new readers a completely fresh and standalone entry point to the Green Lantern concept. The Earth One line can only expand so far before a hero as significant as Green Lantern makes his debut anyway. But rather than showcase Hal Jordan as Johns' book has been doing, we'd like to see John Stewart or Kyle Rayner take center stage. A universe that aims to be more modern needs a little added diversity.

One of the hallmarks of the Earth One line is that it presents more flawed versions of DC's heroes. Earth One Batman is more prone to failure, while Superman is less sure of his place in the world. The same treatment can easily be applied to John or Kyle. For instance, the book could present John as a recently discharged military veteran still struggling with the horrors of war. That internal struggle would play into his quest to overcome fear and harness the power of the ring. Kyle, meanwhile, has always been the least confident and most self-doubting among Earth's Lanterns, so he's already well-poised to make the jump to Earth One.

With the Green Lantern movie disappointing last year, an Earth One graphic novel could serve as a template for how to streamline and contemporize the character for casual audiences.

Batgirl

The final pages of Batman: Earth One teased a number of plot points and characters fans can expect from the sequel. Among these teases was a shot of Barbara Gordon sketching a Batgirl costume. It's safe to say Batgirl will be making her Earth One debut within the next few years.

We ask, why relegate her to a supporting role? Why not grant Babs her own OGN? Gail Simone's current series is renewing interest in this version of the character, and we'd love a book that focused squarely on the early months of her career. Whereas Bruce Wayne had Alfred to guide him in his path to becoming Batman, Barbara is on her own in this universe. That can't make for an easy path.

Gotham City is a crowded place. One Batman graphic novel every few years means that a lot of heroes and villains are bound to get glossed over or ignored completely. Expanding this branch of the Earth One universe may be the best way to ensure characters like Batgirl get their due. Along with Babs herself, the spinoff can tackle villains like Catwoman or even Joker that don't appear to be in Geoff Johns' immediate game plan.

Aquaman

You'd think a guy strong enough to withstand the crushing pressures of the deep ocean and able to control marine life would garner plenty of respect among comic fans, but respect rarely seems to be in the cards for Aquaman. He's often seen as the joke of the superhero world by comic readers and non-readers alike. Even Geoff Johns' current Aquaman series has used this chronic misconception of the hero as a plot point.

While Johns' book is also doing its part to counter the notion that Aquaman is lame, we'd like to see an Earth One graphic novel that fully attacks the idea. We want something that proves without a doubt how cool and competent the king of Atlantis can be. While shows like Justice League Unlimited and comics like Flashpoint have amped up Aquaman's badass factor, at some point that approach puts him too close to Namor territory. There has to be a more even-handed balance between coolness and vulnerability.

Not to mention, we haven't really seen a proper, full-fledged retelling of Aquaman's origin story in a while. Aquaman: Earth One could offer a new look at a young man very literally in over his head as he grapples with strange powers and an unexpected destiny. The book can continue the trend started by Johns' Aquaman and work Black Manta's origins into Arthur's own story in a more tangible and significant way. And because the Earth One books strive to be more contemporary and relevant in their conflicts, Aquaman's role in defending the oceans from exploitation and pollution would have to be a major element as well.

And when all is said and done, DC will have the perfect foundation with which to build an Aquaman movie.

Lex Luthor

The two Earth One books released so far have made a point of working entirely new villains into the respective characters' mythologies. But while Batman: Earth One still featured Penguin alongside new baddie Birthday Boy, Superman: Earth One focused entirely on the alien warlord Tyrell. For once, Superman's origin story didn't include Lex Luthor. Somehow, we think Mr. Luthor would find that omission inexcusable. He is the greatest mind humanity has to offer and all that.

From what J. Michael Straczynski has revealed about his second Superman OGN, Parasite will emerge as the main villain. If Luthor does appear, don't expect his role to be a major one. Perhaps the best approach is to give Luthor his own graphic novel. While he won't be appearing in next year's Man of Steel, we can't imagine Luthor will sit out WB's rebooted franchise for long. A new Luthor-centric graphic novel could be the best way to get prospective comic readers up to speed on Superman's greatest villain.

The difference between a potential Lex Luthor: Earth One and Brian Azzarello's Luthor is in terms of focus, the latter explores Luthor's hatred of Superman after both have become well-established in Metropolis. Earth One could follow the example set by previous books and explore Luthor's rise to power from troubled childhood to titan of Metropolis. It would be important that readers understand his motivations and his rivalry with Superman, even if they don't necessarily support his actions.

The aforementioned Luthor graphic novel and Paul Cornell's recent Action Comics run both suggest there's plenty of room for comics starring the villain rather than Superman himself. Lex Luthor: Earth One would merely provide him with an even larger platform to enthrall readers.

Who would you like to see get the Earth One treatment? Sound off below!

Jesse is a writer for IGN Comics and various other IGN channels. Follow Jesse on Twitter, or find him on IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes - "Along Came a Spider" Review

Warning: full episode spoilers follow.

This season of Earth's Mightiest Heroes has opened the floodgates as far as Marvel cameos go. It was only a matter of time until Spider-Man joined in on the fun. Spidey made his EMH debut in a fairly low-key episode that effectively explored the fallout of Captain America's public disgrace during the Secret Invasion storyline.

The Cap/Spidey pairing isn't necessarily one that crops up a lot in the comics, if only because Cap can be fairly immune to humor and sarcasm. But the angle this episode took worked. Cap was facing the wrath of every New Yorker (most of whom were being egged on by a vindictive J. Jonah Jameson), and who better understands what it's like to be hated and feared by those you protect than Spider-Man? Well, besides the X-Men...

After some early setup and tension between Tony Stark and JJJ, the episode narrowed its focus to Cap and Spidey as they escorted a group of survivors through the underground tunnels of Manhattan. In more ways than one, this episode reminded me of the classic Amazing Spider-Man #33, with Spidey trapped underground and forced to summon every last ounce of willpower to escape a mountain of debris. If a little heavy-handed at times, this episode really drove home the idea that Cap and Spidey are heroes because of their actions and not because of the whims of a fickle public. It helped that Spidey's portrayal was more toned down than I expected. Though ostensibly the same version as the one seen in Ultimate Spider-Man (sort of - see below), Spidey ditched the cutaway gags and fourth-wall breaking for more traditional snark.

The Serpent Society returned to serve as villains. For a brief moment the episode gave off a strong Dark Knight vibe as Clay Quartermain led a S.H.I.E.L.D. convoy through the deserted streets of Manhattan while eerie music played. But about the time the first half-man/half-snake super-villain popped up, that grim tone evaporated a bit. The conflict might have worked better if the writers had chosen a less ostentatious and more creepy set of villains and fully maintained that tone. Also a bit disappointing was the lack of any real depth to the Cap/Viper relationship. Those two took an interesting turn in "Prisoner of War," and it would have been nice to see Viper show more conflicted feelings about resuming her feud.

The voice acting in this episode deserves special attention. In case you missed Eric Goldman's original article, this episode has attracted a bit of fan notoriety because the Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes producers originally cast Spectacular Spider-Man's Josh Keaton but Marvel later chose to re-dub Keaton's lines using Ultimate Spider-Man's Drake Bell instead. Bell did a perfectly fine job, but it would have been nice to hear Keaton one more time to help ease the pain of Spectacular's untimely demise.

On the plus side, J.K. Simmons was on board as J. Jonah Jameson, and that's always a treat. The downside with JJJ was that Simmons practically ran circles around Eric Loomis' Iron Man. I've never been a huge fan of Loomis' portrayal in the first place. The producers seemed more intent on casting an actor who sounded like Robert Downey Jr. than one who truly embodies the charisma and humor of Downey's performance. A JJJ/Stark squabble could have been comedy gold, but the end result was disappointingly tame.

Though it seemed to miss its full potential in a few key areas, "Along Came a Spider" was still a fun team-up episode and a proper coda to the recent Skrull conflict. I suppose it's too much to hope that Ultimate Spider-Man could adopt a similar "less is more" approach to depicting Spidey?

Source : ign[dot]com

Heroes of Newerth Makes All Heroes Free

Starting tomorrow, all heroes will be free in Heroes of Newerth. As part of a new game model called All Heroes Free, players will have access to all 107 released heroes at no cost, a move designed to level the playing field and make Newerth “a truly free-to-own game.”

Players were previously limited to pools of 16 free heroes at a time, with the option to purchase individual heroes separately. Anyone who purchased heroes within the past two weeks will receive a full refund, and anyone who purchased a hero at any point will receive a Mecha Gemini avatar for free.

“As gamers, we all know that games are more fun to play with friends, and All Heroes Free will make it easier for players to bring their friends to the game,” Heroes of Newerth director Pu Liu commented. “This new model will also level the eSports playing field, as all players will be able to build their skills and advance their strategies with any hero they choose.”

Separately, S2 Games is adding more rewards per match for Legacy players, and will soon introduce a new game mode called Gated Mode, which will “allow new players to get into the game faster and easier by pairing them with a smaller group of carefully selected heroes and thereby lessening the initial burden of knowledge.”

More details on All Heroes Free, as well as Gated Mode and Heroes of Newerth’s new patch, are available on the game’s official site.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s associate news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following him on Twitter or IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com