Review: Astonishing X-Men #25

Astonishing is the right word.

Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi jump right into things in this first issue of their run. You might’ve seen some of the teaser art that’s been either released or leaked. If you’re a fan of the X-Men, and more specifically the Astonishing X-Men, you’ve probably even developed some expectations for this issue. Certainly the previous team set the bar high. Ellis and Bianchi appear set to step over that proverbial bar.

Ellis sets everything up in this first issue, giving readers both old and new, everything they need to know. From the very first page we begin to get a sense of who these characters are and how they interact. A very new status quo is set up and although tied into current continuity almost everything about this issue feels like a first issue.

Bianchi’s art is amazing. His page layouts are a revelation, actually. From the first page to the last, he consistently controls the pace of the story as well as the reader’s eye from panel to panel, and page to page. Line work, use of pattern, texture, contrast, all combining to create some truly beautiful pages.

The phrase “great jumping on point” has often been used when a new team takes over a book. Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi have made sure that it truly applies here. Be sure not to miss Astonishing X-Men #25!

COVER BY: SIMONE BIANCHI
WRITER: WARREN ELLIS
PENCILS: SIMONE BIANCHI
INKS: SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated T+ …$2.99

Review by David McFalls

Lee Bermejo Covers Astonishing X-Men #25

Marvel is proud to unveil superstar artist Lee Bermejo’s cover, premiering at Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 23rd, to the hotly-anticipated Astonishing X-Men #25, as the red-hot team of legendary scribe Warren Ellis (Thunderbolts) and acclaimed artist Simone Bianchi (Wolverine) begin the second stage of the top-selling X-series! With a new home and a new mission, the Astonishing X-Men welcome a familiar face to the team — Storm — as they enter uncharted territory in a story that’ll shake them to their cores as part of X-Men: Manifest Destiny!

ASTONISHING X-MEN #25 (MD) (MAY082323)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Pencils & Wraparound Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—06/12/08, On-Sale—07/2/08

ASTONISHING X-MEN #25 BERMEJO VARIANT (MD) (MAR088289)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Pencils by SIMONE BIANCHI
Variant cover by LEE BERMEJO
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—07/03/08, On-Sale—07/23/08

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Sneak Peeks: Titles Shipping 4.30.08 (Part I)

Another week, another batch of Sneak Peeks! With many thanks to Marvel, we have the opening pages of Immortal Iron Fist #14, X-Men: Legacy #210, Ultimate Human #4, and New Warriors #11; and the first two pages of the four stories in Marvel Comics Presents #8 all scheduled to be in stores next Wednesday!


Be warned, you may find some spoilers in the following images.


IMMORTAL IRON FIST #14
COVER BY: KAARE ANDREWS
WRITERS: MATT FRACTION & ED BRUBAKER
PENCILS: TONCI ZONJIC, CLAY MANN, and KANO
INKS: STEFANO GAUDIANO and KANO
This is it, kids--the skull–busting, chest–punching, punch–kicking conclusion to THE SEVEN CAPITAL CITIES OF HEAVEN. Seven practitioners of super kung fu, champing at the bit to bloody each other to a pulp. A rogue Hydra cell, intent on destroying K'un-Lun from Earth, loads its terror train full of explosives and prepares to fire it through a warp in space-time. A schism in the leadership of K'un-Lun threatens to tear the city in two. The original Heroes for Hire, outgunned, outmanned, and out of time somewhere in Tibet. And Davos, the arch-rival of Iron Fist, intent on exploiting all this chaos, wants to assassinate Danny Rand once and for all. When was the last time a comic melted your face off? When was the last time you read THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST?
Rated T+ …$3.99

X-MEN: LEGACY #210
COVER BY: DAVID FINCH
WRITER: MIKE CAREY
PENCILS: SCOT EATON and GREG LAND
INKS: JOHN DELL & ANDREW HENNESSY and JAY LEISTEN
In the wake of Messiah CompleX, there are no X-Men and mutantkind still lies in ruin. With Magneto depowered and Xavier gravely injured, it seems their reign as the preeminent mutants has ended. But neither of these old soldiers is willing to go gentle into that good night, as Exodus learns when he squares off against Xavier on the psychic plane, with the fate of Professor X’s mind at stake.
Rated A …$2.99

ULTIMATE HUMAN #4
COVER BY: CARY NORD
WRITER: WARREN ELLIS
PENCILS: CARY NORD
Hulk vs. Iron Man – the conclusion! The full scope of Peter Wisdom’s terrifying plan is revealed, but Tony Stark and Bruce Banner are powerless to stop his mad scheme! Has the world traded the horror of the Hulk for a menace many times more deadly? The dream team of Warren Ellis and Cary Nord deliver a shock ending to the climax of this critically acclaimed event.
Rated T+ …$2.99

NEW WARRIORS #11
COVER BY: NIC KLEIN
WRITER: KEVIN GREVIOUX
PENCILS: PACO MEDINA
INKS: JUAN VLASCO
Would you trust a man who puts you in harm’s way? Someone who throws you into the path of a maniac for what he claims is the greater good? The New Warriors are becoming increasingly suspicious of their leader. When Night Thrasher pits the team against a super-villain who’s out of their league, the Warriors are left to wonder: What could possibly be worth their lives?
Rated T+ …$2.99

MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #8
COVER BY: BRANDON PETERSON
WRITERS: MARC GUGGENHEIM, IVAN BRANDON, ANDY SCHMIDT, and RICH KOSLOWSKI
PENCILS: FRANCIS TSAI, NIKO HENRICHON, MARCO TURINI, and MARCO CHECCHETTO
Aaron Stack has been drinking again…drinking to keep the ghosts of his past at bay. It wouldn’t be a problem if he was just a man—but he’s MACHINE MAN, and his past has a way of coming alive! Join 24/7 creator Ivan Brandon and Pride of Baghdad artist Niko Henrichon for the debut of an all-new 5-part Machine Man tale! Plus: CYCLOPS & WOLVERINE go hunting, WEAPON OMEGA battles U.S. Agent, and VANGUARD reveals the truth about the murder of John Doe.
Rated A …$3.99

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Preview: newuniversal: shockfront #1

newuniversal Returns For A Second Season

In a world experiencing superhuman powers for the first time, four heroes have risen — but now it’s time for chaos to erupt as more discover their abilities! The acclaimed newuniversal, from award-winning scribe Warren Ellis (Thunderbolts, upcoming Astonishing X-Men) and rising star Steve Kurth (Last Of The Mohicans) present newuniversal: shockfront #1 (of 6), a gripping new series that’ll leave you on the edge of your seats. As Starbrand, Nightmask, Justice and Cipher continue to deal with their new powers — and the people hunting them down — similarly gifted individuals appear. But will they be a force for good or evil?

Wrapped up in a gorgeous cover by Brandon Peterson, newuniversal: shockfront #1 sets the Earth on a collision course with its destiny — but will these new superhumans be the planet’s saviors or its doom?

newuniversal: shockfront #1 (of 6) (MAR082216)
Written by WARREN ELLIS
Penciled by STEVE KURTH
Cover by BRANDON PETERSON
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC—4/24/08, On-Sale—5/14/08

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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

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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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