Review: Eternals #2

First of all, I must admit that I’m not a foremost authority on the world of The Eternals, having only picked up two issues off the stands of the initial run, and drifting from comics at the time of the Peter B. Gillis/Sal Buscema maxi-series of 1985. Of course, I get the basic dynamic of the Celestials, Eternals and Deviants, recognize Kirby’s visual designs for the main cast, and remember Sersi from the ‘Steve Epting Era’ Avengers. I read and enjoyed the 2006 Neil Gaimen/John Romita Jr. re-boot mini-series, and am currently reading the recent first trade paperback of the original series. The conclusion of the Gaimen/Romita Jr. book left me interested enough to try this new series by rising writing talents Charles and Daniel Knauf, with art by Daniel Acuna (who handles the colors as well as line art).

I must also admit that I find myself in the same camp with our humble host, David, in that while appreciative of the technical merit and effort of Acuna’s art style, it’s never really caught my eye, that is, until issue #1 of this series. While the art there really knocked my socks off, here in issue #2 it appears to me a bit inconsistent, muddy and rushed in places. Fortunately, in this issue the generally ambiguous overall story is unwound and clarified, identifying the variables and threats at play in a satisfying way that leaves mystery to the details, but provides enough needed backbone and structure to the story. Appearances by Iron Man and The Order continue to establish this book as part of the Marvel Universe.

So, like me, if you read the first issue and liked what you saw but weren’t sure where this series appeared to be headed, try this issue to get a much better sense of story direction in order to determine if The Eternals is for you. This issue has sold me on the title!

WRITERS: CHARLES & DANIEL KNAUF
ARTIST: DANIEL ACUNA
LETTERS: TODD KLEIN
EDITOR: MARK PANICCIA
Rated T+ …$2.99

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Marvel Noise Episode 35

There's a little bit of everything for everyone from everybody. First, some items of note about the week's new releases followed by a twist on the Bring 'em Back segment by Backwards Dave and Mike Sims with the Mighty Marvel Movie Minute. Carlos calls in with his thoughts on the Iron Man movie and Guardians of the Galaxy and mentions Jim Starlin, while Adam's Marvel Unbound installment focuses on Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross. Finally, Pat Loika breaks down some highlights from Secret Invasion #2 and tie-ins Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four, Captain Britain & MI:13.

Comics mentioned this week include Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers Classic, Incredible Hercules, Wolverine: Origins, and X-Men: Divided We Stand.

Get it here.
Discuss this episode on the Marvel Noise forum.

David Merry, That Ain't Right 2008 (http://www.myspace.com/davidmerry)

Random Thoughts Escaping (http://randomthoughtsescaping.blogspot.com/)
11 O'Clock Comics (http://bullpenbulletinspodcast.com/)

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Marvel items on sale, 5.21.08

Comics

Amazing Spider-Man #560, $2.99
American Dream #2 (of 5), $2.99

AVENGERS CLASSIC #12
COVER BY: ART ADAMS
WRITERS: STAN LEE and BOB BURDEN
PENCILS: DON HECK and JUAN DOE
INKS: DICK AYERS and JUAN DOE
“THIS HOSTAGE EARTH!” In which the mighty Avengers battle to save their beloved planet from a fate so deadly that none but the macabre Mole Man could have devised it! A timeless Marvel tale of most compelling excellence by Stan Lee and Don Heck! PLUS! An astonishing all-new Avengers adventure chockablock with madcap mayhem from masters of mirth Bob Burden (Flaming Carrot Comics) and Juan Doe (FANTASTIC FOUR: ¡ISLA DE LA MUERTE!)!! And MORE all-new material in this double-sized final issue!
Rated A …$3.99

Avengers The Initiative #13 Regular Steve Uy Cover (and Incentive Skrully Variant Cover) $2.99
Black Panther Vol 4 #36 Regular Alan Davis Cover (and Incentive Skrully Variant Cover) $2.99
Captain America Vol 5 #38 $2.99
Captain Marvel Ms Marvel Secret Invasion Infiltration $4.99
Fantastic Four Vol 3 #557 $2.99
Ghost Rider Vol 5 #23 $2.99

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #117
COVER BY: JOHN ROMITA JR.
WRITER: FRED VAN LENTE & GREG PAK
PENCILS: RAFA SANDOVAL
INKS: ROGER BONET
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
The Greek Goliath gathers the most powerful super-team ever assembled to counter-attack the Skrull gods! Face front, True Believers, and prepare for the pantheon-pounding premiere of... THE GOD SQUAD!
Rated A …$2.99

IRON MAN: DIRECTOR OF S.H.I.E.L.D. #29
WRITER: STUART MOORE
PENCILS: ROBERTO de la TORRE & CARLO PAGULAYAN
INKS: ROBERTO de la TORRE & JEFFREY HUET
Beginning “WITH IRON HANDS,” a four-part epic! When an unseen terrorist throws a struggling nation into chaos, Tony Stark’s past as a munitions manufacturer collides with his present role as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Is Tony himself responsible? And what’s his connection to the deadly menace growing within S.H.I.E.L.D. itself?
Rated T+ …$2.99

Marvel Adventures Avengers #24 $2.99
Marvel Adventures Two-In-One #11 $4.99
Marvel Illustrated Iliad #6 $2.99

MIGHTY AVENGERS #14
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: KHOI PHAM
INKS: DANNY MIKI
SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!
Where has Nick Fury been and who are the new Howling Commandos? It’s the debut of all-new characters and some surprising revelations about some classic ones as Nick starts to put his plan to stop the Invasion together. But will it be enough?
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

Ultimate Fantastic Four #54 $2.99
Ultimate X-Men #94 $2.99
War Is Hell First Flight Of The Phantom Eagle #3 $3.99

WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #25 (and VARIANT)
COVER BY: SIMONE BIANCHI
WRITER: DANIEL WAY
PENCILS: STEVE DILLON
“The Deep End,” Part 5 (of 5)
The trap has sprung. Wolverine is Deadpool’s prisoner. But Deadpool isn’t getting paid to deliver a prisoner—he’s getting paid to take Logan out, once and for all. Is that even possible? Deadpool has found a way, but just as he’s about to pull the trigger (so to speak)…the other trap springs! Be here for the completely twisted conclusion! Plus: Celebrate the 25th issue of WOLVERINE: ORIGINS with a special BONUS: the very first appearance of Deadpool, from NEW MUTANTS #98, plotted and penciled by ROB LIEFELD and scripted by FABIAN NICIEZA!
Parental Advisory …$3.99

X-Factor Vol 3 #31 (X-Men Divided We Stand Tie-In) $2.99

X-MEN: DIVIDED WE STAND #2
COVER: BRANDON PETERSON
WRITERS: MIKE CAREY, C.B. CEBULSKI, ANDY SCHMIDT, and DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
PENCILS: SCOT EATON, DAVID YARDIN, FRAZER IRVING, CHRIS BURNHAM, and DAVE LAFUENTE
INKS: ANDREW HENNESSEY, DAVID YARDIN, FRAZER IRVING, CHRIS BURNHAM, and DAVE LAFUENTE
Exploring the fallout of Messiah CompleX, the second part of this collection of short stories follows some of our favorite mutants as they make their way in a world without the X-Men. And only those who adapt will survive. Featuring Beast, Dark Beast, Havok, Vulcan and Surge!
Rated T+ …$3.99


Posters

AVENGERS/INVADERS ALEX ROSS
Avengers/Invaders By Alex Ross Poster
24x36 Color Poster…$7.99


Collections

HULK VISIONARIES: JOHN BYRNE VOL. 1
COVER BY: JOHN BYRNE
WRITER: JOHN BYRNE
PENCILS: JOHN BYRNE
When the Hulk came back from the Crossroads, John Byrne was waiting for him – complementing his popular X-Men and FF runs by literally breaking the Green Goliath in two! After the Hulk and Bruce Banner are separated, the Jade Giant becomes the Earth's emerald enemy – outfighting Iron Man, Wonder Man, Sub-Mariner, Hercules and Doc Samson! Could the one to succeed where these powerhouses failed be...Bruce Banner himself?! Plus: the wedding of Bruce Banner and Betty Ross! The new Hulkbusters! And the sinister Scourge! Collecting INCREDIBLE HULK #314-319 AND ANNUAL #14, and MARVEL FANFARE #29.
Rated T+ …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2705-5

HULK: WWH - INCREDIBLE HERC
COVER BY: GARY FRANK
WRITER: GREG PAK
PENCILS: GARY FRANK
When the Hulk returns to Earth for the senses-shattering events of World War Hulk, we can all guess which puny humans will fight against him. But which of Earth's heroes will fight for the Hulk? Don't miss the shocking revelations as Amadeus Cho, the boy genius who took on Reed Richards on behalf of the Hulk in INCREDIBLE HULK #100, confronts She-Hulk and Doc Samson – and precipitates a gamma-powered smash-fest in the wilds of Jersey! Featuring the return of Hulk artist extraordinaire Gary Frank! Collecting INCREDIBLE HULK #106-111.
Rated A …$14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2991-2

INCREDIBLE HULK OMNIBUS #1 (and VARIANT)
COVERS BY: JACK KIRBY and ALEX ROSS
WRITERS: STAN LEE and GARY FRIEDRICH
PENCILS: JACK KIRBY, STEVE DITKO, MARIE SEVERIN, GIL KANE, BILL EVERETT, JOHN BUSCEMA, JOHN ROMITA, DICK AYERS, MIKE ESPOSITO, and BOB POWELL
Dr. Robert Bruce Banner may have the appearance of a mild-mannered scientist, but after being caught in a gamma bomb explosion, he became the unstoppable engine of destruction know as the Incredible Hulk! Marvel is proud to present the tales of everyone’s favorite man-monster from the very beginning: From the earliest Stan Lee and Jack Kirby issues that put an irradiated angle on the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde complex to the Steve Ditko’s psychological slobbernockers in TALES TO ASTONISH and the Jade Giant’s return to his solo series, this Hulk-sized collection is the foundation for every purple-pants’d adventure ever! Featuring artwork by a who’s who of Marvel Age luminaries and scripts by Stan “The Man” Lee, they’ll introduce you to General Thunderbolt Ross; the tortured woman who loves both the man and the monster, Betty Ross; the Leader; the Abomination; and a series of earth-shaking fights between the Hulk and the Silver Surfer, Thor, Giant-Man, Namor, Hercules and more! Collecting the first adventures of the Jade Giant in one painstakingly restored volume with every page, every pinup and every letters column. Not to mention unused covers, critical essays and bonuses galore! Collecting INCREDIBLE HULK #1-6, TALES TO ASTONISH #59-101 and INCREDIBLE HULK #102.
752 PGS./All Ages …$99.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2938-7
Trim Size: Oversized

MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 8: MONSTERS, MOLES, COWBOYS & COUPONS
COVER BY: LEONARD KIRK
WRITERS: STEVE NILES, DANIEL WAY, KIRSTEN SINCLAIR, and JOE LANSDALE
PENCILS: LEONARD KIRK, STEVE SCOTT, and RONAN CLIQUET
All adventure, all action, for all ages! Join Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and the Thing for a wild ride of all-new, unforgettable exploits. Featuring an unforgettable face-off against the Hulk! Collecting MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #29-32.
All Ages …$7.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2486-3

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE MIGHTY THOR VOL. 7 (and VARIANT)
COVER BY: JACK KIRBY
WRITER: STAN LEE
PENCILS: JACK KIRBY
COLORED BY: WESLEY WONG
The epic saga of the God of Thunder continues as the Marvel Masterworks present another volume of Mighty Thor masterpieces by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby! And there’s no holds barred from these masters of storytelling from page one: The evil Loki, God of Mischief, has created a dilemma of Asgardian proportions (natch!). Only with the medical skill of his guise as Dr. Donald Blake can Thor save the life of the lovely Lady Sif, but only with the power of Thor can he keep Loki at bay!
Meanwhile, in the darkened depths, a threat greater than any Thor has ever before faced rises when the malignant Mangog threatens to unsheathe the Odinsword and bring Ragnarok upon the Norse gods. It’s a tale considered by many to be Lee and Kirby’s most-pulse pounding Asgardian epic. Need we say more?
We do! Because with Stan and Jack, there’s always more amazing revelations around the corner. Like the startling secret hidden from Donald Blake, and a galaxy-spanning adventure that includes the origin of Galactus and a melee that pits Thor and Ego the Living Planet up against the infamous world devourer! Collecting THOR #153-162.
All Ages …$54.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2924-0

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY VOL. 1 PREMIERE
COVER BY: STEVE MCNIVEN
WRITERS: DAN SLOTT, and MARC GUGGENHEIM
PENCILS: STEVE MCNIVEN, SALVADOR LAROCCA, and PHIL JIMENEZ
This is it, Arachnophiles! The most pulse-pounding piece of four color fiction to be delivered unto the Mighty Marvel Minions in decades! You asked for more Spidey! You demanded it! And, by Buckley, you're gonna get it!
After the devastatingly heartwarming events of ONE MORE DAY, Peter Parker puts the past behind him and sets forth on a Brand New Day! Spidey's new status quo gets a swift punch in the gut with new villains, new friends and some familiar faces that promise to make Peter's life messier than ever before. This is where it's all happening. Same Old Power. Same Old Responsibility. Brand New Day. Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #546-551 and SPIDER-MAN: SWING SHIFT – plus Dan Slott’s never-before-reprinted first Spider-Man story from 1995’s VENOM SUPER-SPECIAL, illustrated by Spidey artist extraordinaire Mark Bagley!
Rated A …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2843-4
Trim size: standard


Variant/Signed Editions

Avengers Invaders #1 DF Exclusive Alex Ross Variant Cover $14.99

Secret Invasion Animated Webisode Released

Secret Invasion is almost here! The hottest and most highly anticipated event of 2008 begins on Wednesday, April 2, and fans everywhere are wondering who is and who isn’t a Skrull. Who can you trust? How deep does this conspiracy go? Well, True Believers, get ready to find some answers in this incredible new, animated short!

Presenting perspective from both the Skrulls and Iron Man, this webisode is filled with clues as well as insight into the coming invasion.

04.02.08. Secret Invasion #1. Change is coming! Who can you trust? Reserve your copy today!

SECRET INVASION #1 (of 8) (FEB082240)
SECRET INVASION #1 (of 8) MCNIVEN VARIANT (FEB082241)
SECRET INVASION #1 (of 8) YU VARIANT (DEC078206)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Variant cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Rated T+ …$3.99
On-Sale—4/2/08

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

Sneak Peeks: Titles Shipping 3.19.08 (Part I)

Here are the opening pages of a few titles shipping next week: Captain America #36, Franklin Richards: Spring Break, Immortal Iron Fist #13, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle #1, and Iron Man #27.

There will be another batch of sneak peeks for next week available soon.

Captain America #36
By Ed Brubaker (writer), and Jackson Guice & Mike Perkins (art)

Franklin Richards: Spring Break
By Marc Sumerak (plotter/writer) and Chris Eliopoulos (plotter/artist)

Immortal Iron Fist #13
By Matt Fraction & Ed Brubaker (writers) and Tonci Zonjic, David Aja, & Kano (artists)

War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle #1
By Garth Ennis (writer) and Howard Chaykin (artist)

Iron Man #27
By Daniel & Charles Knauf (writers), Carlo Pagulayan (pencils), and Jeffrey Huet (inks)

Initial thoughts:

I still stand by my earlier statement that Guice needs to be seen more. His Captain America is insane and I love it. This issue does not let you catch your breath from earlier issues. Franklin Richards is a guilty pleasure. Two words to sum up Iron Fist: "whoa" and "nelly". I wasn't sure what to expect with Phantom Eagle and I was pleasantly surprised with what I ended up with. This is a very good first issue. Finally, it's not an easy job being Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Thanks to Marvel for the previews.

My Laugh Out Loud Moment

This panel caught me completely by surprise.

It's from Mighty Avengers #10 (by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Danny Miki, and Allen Martinez), available today, and this whole Mighty Avengers vs. Doom arc really whets my appetite for the upcoming Iron Man: Legacy of Doom story by David Michelinie, Ron Lim, and Bob Layton.

Iron Man Super Bowl Spot Now on Marvel.com

Watch new Iron Man Movie Trailer in Hi-Res, Full Screen

The New York Giants may have ruled the field during Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, but Iron Man crushed the competition.

If you didn’t catch the new Iron Man movie spot that debuted during the Super Bowl yesterday, well, no worries. Just head on over to Marvel.com RIGHT NOW to relive it again and again — in gorgeous full screen, hi-res!

Watch as Tony Stark (as played by Robert Downey Jr.) tricks out his armored suit and soars into heated battle — blasting his way through 30-seconds of on-screen magic.

Iron Man, the summer’s most anticipated movie, arrives May 2 — we can’t wait either!

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

Preview: Ultimate Human #2

It’s The Ultimate Smashfest — Hulk vs Iron Man!

The Hulk is back, and he’s not happy! In Ultimate Human #2, the dream team of writer Warren Ellis and artist Cary Nord continue their sold-out Ultimate event, unveiling a dilemma even bigger then the grey goliath himself! After a failed attempt by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner to figure out how to turn off the Hulk’s unique transformation cells, Banner has turned back into the big grey powerhouse and is adapting to everything that Stark’s scientists and security throw at him. Now Stark’s Ironworks base, a hi-tech facility created to carry out the inventor’s wildest dreams, has been laid to waste. And that’s only the beginning!

Meanwhile on the other side of the world, the ultimate version of the Leader has given the green light to “Operation Gamma” and armed forces are swarming our heroes’ location. What does the Leader want with the blood of Banner and Stark? And can Stark’s world-famous suit of armor halt the behemoth’s rampage? Find out why Newsarama.com’s Troy Brownfield praised the series for “really strong art and intelligently scripted interplay between two iconic characters” in Ultimate Human #2!

ULTIMATE HUMAN #2 (of 4) (DEC072163)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Pencils & Cover by CARY NORD
T+ …$2.99
FOC—1/31/08, On-Sale—2/20/08

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

News: Ultimate Human #1 Sells Out!

Marvel is pleased to announce that Ultimate Human #1 (of 4), featuring a pivotal meeting between Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, has sold out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level). As a desperate Banner holds out hope that Stark, better known as Iron Man, can cure him of his transformation into the grey gargantuan known as the Hulk, shadowy forces are at work to sabotage the experiment—and this issue ends with plenty of smashes to come! The acclaimed creative team of award-winning author Warren Ellis and superstar artist Cary Nord have drawn praise from all corners, with Adam Chapman of Comixtreme.com deeming it “highly recommended… quite an inspired bit of writing.”

“As Tony Stark would say, it’s a pretty simple equation,” explained editor Bill Rosemann. “Smart writing + awesome art + compelling characters = another Ultimate hit.”

The ultimate collision between Iron Man and the Hulk continues in Ultimate Human #2 as Stark and Banner must deal with the “incredible” results of their experiments—and you better believe the Hulk will smash!

Please note that Marvel currently has no plans to go back to press on Ultimate Human #1.

ULTIMATE HUMAN #2 (of 4) (DEC072163)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Pencils & Cover by CARY NORD
T+ …$2.99
FOC—1/17/08, On-Sale—2/6/08

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News: Iron Man Continues the Adventure In New AdverVideos!

Fans all over the world thrilled to the first groundbreaking Marvel Adventures Animated AdverVideos last week, as your favorite heroes were brought to life like never before! In the second AdverVideo, Iron Man arrives on the scene to take on a seemingly unstoppable foe — but will his genius and amazing suit of armor be enough? Or could a certain “incredible” ally be the key to victory? Click on http://www.marvelkids.com to experience the Mighty Marvel adventure that has everyone buzzing!

The second Marvel Adventures Animated AdverVideos debuts this Thursday, January 10th, at http://www.marvelkids.com/videos and then the can’t miss final installment smashes into your web browsers on January 17th! True Believers, have you spotted all the special cameos and bonus Easter Eggs hidden throughout the first AdverVideos? Keep your eyes open cause there are more to come!

Also don’t miss Marvel Adventures Iron Man #1 Special, a new digital comic book that stars Iron Man, Hulk and Spider-Man; the exciting prequel to The Marvel Adventures Animated AdverVideos! It’s a brand-new story featuring your favorite heroes…and it’s free at http://www.marvelkids.com/ironman!

Don’t forget, you can pick up Marvel Adventures comics and digests every month wherever comics are sold — ask for Marvel Adventures Iron Man, Marvel Adventures Hulk, Marvel Adventures Spider-Man and more by name!

Visit http://www.marvelkids.com to experience it now!

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