Review: Avengers/Invaders #3

Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, and Steve Sadowski continue to thrill with their third issue of Avengers/Invaders. The action picks up where it left off and the pace increases through the issue.

Ross and Krueger have created a mystery not only in how these two teams from different eras have come to meet, but also in how closely this series will be tied into current Marvel continuity. There are a few scenes in this issue that seem to tie directly into Secret Invasion with characters saying things that can be taken completely differently when Secret Invasion is taken into account. Even Bucky seems different if you’ve been following his return in the pages of Captain America. Current continuity plays a big part in this tale even if it is told as a stand alone story. However, with each passing issue that seems less and less likely. At times it seems like it should have Secret Invasion banner at the top of the cover.

Steve Sadowski’s art achieves the feel of realism without going overboard. His backgrounds give enough detail to let you know where things are taking place. It’s the close-ups and facial expressions that really impress me though. He captures the age, expressions and unique appearance of each person well.

At first glance Avengers/Invaders seemed like a stand alone tale intended to have loose ties to current Marvel continuity, but this latest issue may leave readers wondering if there’s more to it than that.

COVER BY: ALEX ROSS
WRITERS: JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
PENCILS: STEVE SADOWSKI
Rated T+ …$2.99

Review by David McFalls

Avengers/Invaders #1 Sells Out & Returns With A Director's Cut!

Trapped in a future they know nothing about, the team of Captain America, Namor, Toro, the Human Torch and Bucky, are scrambling to find out just what has happened to them. Marvel is pleased to announce that the latest action packed epic, packaged by Dynamite Entertainment, from the legendary team of Alex Ross and Jim Krueger has sold out at Diamond (although copies may still be available at the retail level) and due to overwhelming demand, will return with Avengers/Invaders #1 (of 12) Director’s Cut! Not only will the second printing include the epic first battle between the Invaders, Thunderbolts and Spider-Man, but it also includes all new, never before seen content! Featuring a new cover by Alex Ross himself, this director’s cut also features unique behind-the-scenes look on the creative process of the book.

After the haunting confrontation between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark, is there any way to calm the Invaders down? Transplanting the heroic war heroes of WW2 to the present is sure to shake things up — but will these two teams find a way to co-exist?

If you missed the first issue of this jaw-dropping saga, here’s your second chance to catch yourself up in Avengers/Invaders #1 Director’s Cut! Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Avengers/Invaders as this legendary story continues to generate buzz!

AVENGERS/INVADERS #1 (of 12) DIRECTOR’S CUT (MAY088146)
Written by JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
Penciled by STEVE SADOWSKI
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC—7/1/08, On-Sale—7/23/08

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook

Sneak Peeks: Titles Shipping 6.4.08 (Part I)

Thanks to Marvel, Marvel Noise is able to provide you with preview pages for some titles shipping June 4. Below are teases for Invincible Iron Man #2, Omega: The Unkown #9, Avengers/Invaders #2, Young X-Men #3, and American Dream #3.

Be warned, there may be some spoilers in the images below.

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #2
COVERS BY: SALVADOR LARROCA and BRANDON PETERSON
WRITER: MATT FRACTION
PENCILS: SALVADOR LARROCA
INKS: SALVADOR LARROCA
The new ongoing series - - a perfect jumping-on point for fans of this summer’s blockbuster - - continues here! Tony Stark comes face-to-face with his biggest nightmare: an amoral twenty-something biohacker with no loyalties or allegiances to anything other than money and power. Oh, and he also happens to be the son of Tony’s greatest nemesis. But what's the exact nature of Zeke Stane's menace? It's something unlike anything Tony has built before...and unlike anything Iron Man has had to beat before. The Golden Avenger faces the fight of his life! By rising star Matt Fraction (PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL, IMMORTAL IRON FIST) with jaw-dropping art by Salvador Larroca (UNCANNY X-MEN)!
Rated A …$2.99

OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #9
COVER BY: FAREL DALRYMPLE & PAUL HORNSCHEMEIER
WRITERS: JONATHAN LETHEM & KARL RUSNAK
PENCILS: FAREL DALRYMPLE
INKS: FAREL DALRYMPLE
COLORED BY: PAUL HORNSCHEMEIER
LETTERED BY: FAREL DALRYMPLE
In the astounding climax of the saga of Omega versus the robot horde, a battle extraordinaire which will leave all our heroes changed, and one of them really and truly dead. The greatest rooftop performance since the Beatles' "Let It Be".
Rated T+ …$2.99

AVENGERS/INVADERS #2
COVERS BY: ALEX ROSS and MIKE PERKINS
WRITERS: JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
PENCILS: STEVE SADOWSKI
LETTERED BY: TODD KLEIN
The cross-time team-up of the year continues with the award winning team behind EARTH X, Justice and Project: Superpowers! With World War II's greatest heroes mysteriously transported to 2008, it takes the Mighty Avengers to bring them in before the world realizes that the Invaders are back…including the original Captain America. But will Iron Man and S.H.I.E.L.D. have enough firepower to hold them…or do the Invaders have everyone just where they want them?
Rated T+ …$2.99

YOUNG X-MEN #3
COVER BY: TERRY DODSON
WRITER: MARC GUGGENHEIM
PENCILS: YANICK PAQUETTE
INKS: RAY SNYDER and KRIS JUSTICE
COLORED BY: ROB SCHWAGER
LETTERED BY: DAVE SHARPE
It’s the Young X-Men vs. the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants! A traitor is revealed and the casualties mount as the team goes to battle. We hope there are Young X-Men left when the smoke clears.
Rated A …$2.99

AMERICAN DREAM #3
COVER BY: RON FRENZ
WRITER: TOM DEFALCO
PENCILS: TODD NAUCK
INKS: SCOTT KOBLISH
COLORED BY: AVALON STUDIOS
LETTERED BY: DAVE SHARPE
“Shattered Dream”
Accused of being a traitor, American Dream falls into a deadly trap, discovers a terrible secret and faces the most horrible transformation of all!
Rated A …$2.99

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook

All-New Iron Man Series Blast Off Into Stores Today!

There’s only one superhero everyone’s talking about — Iron Man — and today you can check out three new series featuring the Armored Avenger! Debuting in stores today, Invincible Iron Man #1, Iron Man: Viva Las Vegas #1 and Avengers/Invaders #1 feature Iron Man in all new stories from the industry’s top creators!

An all-new era for Iron Man begins with Invincible Iron Man #1, a brand new ongoing series from rising star writer Matt Fraction (Immortal Iron Fist, upcoming Uncanny X-Men) and red-hot artist Salvador Larroca (Amazing Spider-Man). As the son of a fallen enemy conspires to destroy Tony Stark, armed with Iron Man technology and all the advantages of youth, Iron Man may find out that this is one challenge he can’t overcome! A perfect jumping-on point for all fans of Iron Man, this series also features all your favorites such as James Rhodes and Pepper Potts!

Jon Favreau, director of the hit Iron Man film, joins with acclaimed artist Adi Granov for Iron Man: Viva Las Vegas #1 (of 4), the newest limited series from the Marvel Knights imprint. When Tony Stark heads to sin city for some much needed rest, he plans to enjoy the many pleasures of the city — but he’s about to discover a much larger threat hidden behind the glitz and glamour! What do a fifty-foot dragon statue, beautiful archeologist and plague of lizards mean? Well… it’s time to power up that armor!

The super heroes of WW2 have arrived in our time and they’re about to clash with Earth’s Mightiest in Avengers/Invaders #1 (of 12)! The award winning team behind Project Superpowers, Justice and Earth X — legendary writer/artist Alex Ross and acclaimed scribe Jim Krueger — team with fan-favorite artist Steve Sadowski for a twelve-issue Marvel Comics event, packaged by Dynamite Entertainment, that’ll leave the Avengers forever altered! But will these two teams of heroes be allies… or enemies?

And be sure not to miss Secret Invasion #2, from the superstar team of Brian Bendis and Leinil Yu, as the comic book event of the year continues!

Some jobs require more than a man of steel — and today, you’ll learn why Iron Man is the hero everyone’s buzzing about in these can’t miss series!

THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1
THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 TAN VARIANT, LAYTON VARIANT, DJURDJEVIC VARIANT
THE INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 MOVIE VARIANT
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
50/50 Cover by JOE QUESADA
Rated T+ …$2.99
ON-SALE--NOW!

IRON MAN: VIVA LAS VEGAS #1 (of 4)
Written by JON FAVREAU
Pencils & Cover by ADI GRANOV
Rated T+ …$3.99
ON-SALE--NOW!

AVENGERS/INVADERS #1 (of 12)
AVENGERS/INVADERS #1 (of 12) FINCH VARIANT
AVENGERS/INVADERS #1 (of 12) ROSS SKETCH VARIANT
Written by JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
Penciled by STEVE SADOWSKI
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by DAVID FINCH
Rated T+ …$2.99
ON-SALE--NOW!

SECRET INVASION #2 (of 8)
SECRET INVASION #2 (of 8) MCNIVEN VARIANT
SECRET INVASION #2 (of 8) YU VARIANT
SECRET INVASION #2 (of 8) SKETCH VARIANT
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Variant by STEVE MCNIVEN
Sketch Variant by STEVE MCNIVEN
Rated T+ …$3.99
ON-SALE--NOW!

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook

MyCup o’ Joe Week 7

Quesada Talks Iron Man, Avengers/Invaders and Astonishing X-Men

It’s all Iron Man, all the time in this week’s MyCup o’Joe as Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada gives his review of the new Marvel flick Iron Man, which hits theaters nationwide today. Joe also offers up a sneak peak into the return of Alex Ross to Marvel with Avengers/Invaders as well as an exclusive preview of Joss Whedon and John Cassaday' s Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1. Plus, get a look at the all-new character looking to shake up Spider-Man's world -- Anti-Venom! Joe Q also answers your fan questions and lets you know why you can’t afford to miss Ultimate Origins right at http://www.myspace.com/comicbooks!

Want to get in on the action? Head over to http://www.marvel.com/cupojoe and http://www.myspace.com/comicbooks to leave your questions for Joe Q and he’ll answer them each and every Friday!

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook

The Avengers/Invaders Sketchbook & Alex Ross Podcast Arrive!

One of the year’s most anticipated projects, Avengers/Invaders, is almost here, but now you can go behind the scenes with the free Avengers/Invaders Sketchbook, in stores tomorrow! The award winning team behind Project Superpowers, Justice and Earth X — legendary writer/artist Alex Ross and acclaimed scribe Jim Krueger — team with fan-favorite artist Steve Sadowski for a twelve-issue Marvel Comics event, packaged by Dynamite Entertainment, that’ll leave the Avengers forever altered! Now you can get your first look at sketches and colored pages from Avengers/Invaders, along with creator commentary, in this free sketchbook that’ll whet your appetite further before the release of Avengers/Invaders #1.

“Jim and I would like to thank everyone at Marvel and Dynamite Entertainment for helping to put this together to promote the series,” said Alex Ross. “It is one of the most (creatively) satisfying ways to show off what we’re doing.”

And if that weren’t enough, the Mighty Marvel Podcast returns as fan-favorite host (and Marvel Senior Art Director) Jeff Suter interviews Ross, Krueger and Sadowski about their careers and just what they’ve got planned for the Marvel Universe. Check it out at http://www.marvel.com/news/comicstories.1622

The Invaders have traveled to the present time, finding themselves face-to-face with the Avengers…but will they be allies or enemies? The truth arrives in Avengers/Invaders #1, but tomorrow you can get you first peek at the answers in the can’t miss — and FREE — Avengers/Invaders Sketchbook!

AVENGERS/INVADERS SKETCHBOOK
Written by ARUNE SINGH
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Rated T+…FREE!
IN STORES WEDNESDAY!

AVENGERS/INVADERS #1 (of 12)
AVENGERS/INVADERS #1 (of 12) FINCH VARIANT
AVENGERS/INVADERS #1 (of 12) ROSS SKETCH VARIANT
Written by JIM KRUEGER & ALEX ROSS
Penciled by b
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Variant Cover by DAVID FINCH
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—5/7/08

AVENGERS/INVADERS BY ALEX ROSS POSTER (MAR082284)
24x36 Color Poster…$7.99
FOC—4/24/08, On-Sale—5/21/08

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook