News: Amazing Spider-Man #546 Sells Out & Swings Back Into Action!

Marvel is pleased to announce that Amazing Spider-Man #546, beginning the landmark Brand New Day storyline, has sold out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level). Written by the friendly neighborhood dream team of acclaimed writer Dan Slott (Avengers: The Initiative) and superstar penciller Steve McNiven (Civil War), and kicking off the thrice-monthly shipping of Amazing Spider-Man, this issues launches a bold new era for Peter Parker as he must confront the new criminal elements, new threats…and search for a new job!

To meet the overwhelming demand for this issue, Marvel is going back to press with Amazing Spider-Man #546 Second Printing Variant, with a new cover featuring the spectacular interior art of Steve McNiven!

“As the controversial first issue of a new era for Spidey, Slott, McNiven and everyone else involved hit this one out of the park,” said editor Steve Wacker. “Love it or hate it, everyone’s takling about Spider-Man.”

ComicBookResources.com’s Augie De Blieck Jr gushed that Slott is, “the perfect writer for a Spider-Man book,” a sentiment echoed by SilverBulletComicBooks.Com’s Dave Wallace, declaring Brand New Day, “a reinvigoration of the Spider-Man mythos and a return to the classic roots of the character.”

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on all issues of Amazing Spider-Man, as the series continues to receive high profile coverage from Newsweek, Yahoo.Com, People Magazine, USA Today, The New York Daily News and more!

Now that Amazing Spider-Man ships thrice monthly, it’s three times the amazing, three times the action and three times your favorite super hero!

Keep checking the new Spider-Office blog at http://www.marvel.com/blogs/Spider-Office for images and information you won’t find anywhere else!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #546 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (NOV078192)
Written by DAN SLOTT
Art & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Rated A …$3.99
FOC—1/17/08, On-Sale—1/30/08

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #547 (OCT072078)
Written by DAN SLOTT
Art & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Rated A …$2.99
On-Sale—1/16/08

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #548 (OCT072079)
Written by DAN SLOTT
Art & Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
Rated A …$2.99
On-Sale—1/23/08

SPIDER-MAN: SWING SHIFT DIRECTOR’S CUT ONE-SHOT (OCT072080)
Written by DAN SLOTT
Pencils & Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Rated A …$3.99
On-Sale—1/30/08

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

Preview: Uncanny X-Men #495

The Uncanny X-Men Are No More!

In the wake of Messiah CompleX’s jaw-dropping conclusion, the X-Men are no more—but where do Xavier’s former students go from here? In Uncanny X-Men #495, from Eisner-winning author Ed Brubaker and rising star artist Michael Choi, the surviving mutants must reassess Xavier’s dreams and decide if peaceful coexistence is still an option. An X-Men: Divided We Stand tie-in, this issue sets the stage for mutantkind’s future and while former allies are mourned, is the world truly safer? Meanwhile, Iron Man confronts Cyclops with a plan for ensuring the safety of all mutants—but will he agree?

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Uncanny X-Men #495 and all X-Men: Divided We Stand tie-ins, as all X-titles continue to sell out at Diamond and buzz keeps growing around this bold new direction for the X-Men! The only thing that’s certain for Cyclops and his allies is that a world without X-Men will be unlike anything you’ve seen before—and it all begins in Uncanny X-Men #495!

UNCANNY X-MEN #495 (DEC072219)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Pencils & Cover by MICHAEL CHOI
Rated T+…$2.99
FOC—1/17/08, On-Sale—2/6/08

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

Preview: The Twelve #2

Freshly Defrosted, The Twelve’s Journey Continues

After being frozen for decades by the Nazis, the heroic Mystery Men of the World War II era are back in action! Acclaimed writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Chris Weston, bring this team back in The Twelve #2 (of 12) with a fantastic cover by superstar Kaare Andrews. With Captain Wonder at the helm, the team is faced with living in a world where everyone they knew and loved are no longer around, as they wake up to a new world! After surrendering their secret identities and registering with the Initiative, the American government tries to ease these heroes back into a world where the definition of heroism may have changed.

Kevin Powers, of ComicsBulletin.com, says, “The Twelve is most certainly J. Michael Straczynski at his finest. It’s sophisticated yet fun, sad yet extraordinary, mysterious and brilliant and has the potential to sail out of the park.”

Their secret identities exposed, the Twelve must adapt to a more dangerous world—one in which some of them do not have super powers! Will these heroes be accepted in the post-Civil War world? Are their days as heroes numbered? These questions and more are answered in The Twelve #2 (of 12)!

THE TWELVE #2 (of 12) (DEC072215)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by CHRIS WESTON
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Rated T+…$2.99
FOC—1/17/08, On-Sale—2/6/08

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

Preview: X-Force #1

The All New, All Different X-Force Battle The Purifiers!

In the wake of Messiah CompleX, the X-Men are no more, but some threats to mutantkind must be dealt with permanently by the new mutant strike force of Wolverine, X-23, Warpath and Wolfsbane! The hotly anticipated X-Force #1, from the acclaimed writing duo of Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost and rising star artist Clayton Crain, brings Cyclops’ mutant black ops team into conflict against the mutant-hating Purifiers… and there are deadly consequences! The all-new X-Force must accept the ramifications of their mission that’s so secret not even the most trusted members of the X-Men can ever learn about it! All this wrapped up in a regular cover by Crain, a “bloody” variant and another variant by superstar artist Travis Charest!

“This series is packed full of action and intrigue,” says series editor John Barber, “If you’ve liked Messiah CompleX, you’ll love X-Force. These are the characters that aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, or to take the fight to the bad guys. And when the bad guys are the Purifiers assembling a truly terrifying group of the worst villains mutantkind has ever faced, no quarter will be asked and none given!”

Perfect for readers new and old, X-Force #1 launches a dangerous new era for mutantkind, featuring the shocking return of a fan-favorite X-villain! Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on this new series spinning out of the red-hot Messiah CompleX storyline and bringing together some of Marvel’s most popular mutants in a Divided We Stand tie-in!

It’s an all-new, all-different X-Force — and not everyone may survive the x-perience of X-Force #1!

X-FORCE #1 (DEC072221)
X-FORCE #1 BLOODY VARIANT (DEC072222)
X-FORCE #1 CHAREST VARIANT (DEC072223)
Written by CRAIG KYLE & CHRISTOPHER YOST
Art and Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Variant Cover by TRAVIS CHAREST
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC—1/17/08, On-Sale—2/6/08

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

Amazing Spider-Man #546

I’m sure this surprises no one coming from me, but as far as Spider-Man stories go, this was really, really good.

I’m not writing this as a full on review, but I had to jot down some notes regarding the main story of this issue (I’m not talking about any of the three backup tales, although the one spotlighting Aunt May was cute).

The art was top-notch. There may be some well of stock poses Steve McNiven goes to from time to time, but no more than George Perez, John Byrne, Dan Jurgens, or Jerry Ordway. Peter looked great, the women looked hawt, and Harry hasn’t looked this good since Gil Kane last drew the chap. Dexter Vines is a phenomenal inker, whose lines give the art just so much more depth. And of course, Morry Hollowell’s colors make everything shine. When the situation calls for it, that is. There are some scenes in alleys and the way they are colored, well, let’s say I’d keep my distance from the walls just out of the fear that I wouldn’t be able to wash the dirt out.

I like Dan Slott. No, actually, I love Dan Slott. He writes an.. er, amazing Spidey tale. And this is only the first part! Peter is witty, Harry is arrogant (in a good way), May cares but doesn’t want her nephew lounging around the house, and J.J.J…. Well, he’s J.J.J.

This issue explains that it’s been a few months since there have been any Spider-Man sightings. We do not know why Peter and Mary Jane split up. Yet. All we know is that she left for California after they’ve been seriously dating for years. We find out where Harry met his current squeeze, what May does at night, that the “Parker Luck” is still in full effect, and that things aren’t all sunshine and roses at the Daily Bugle.

There’s a spread that gives you the status quo and when I read it, I immediately felt that this is something that Stan would have written. Well done, Mr. Bob Gale. Having it illustrated by John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson doesn’t hurt, either.

I’m not going to spoil anything because I think this is an issue that should be read. Judge it on its own merits. Without complaining about editors. Or tales from the past. Or delays. If you don’t think this is a real and honest-to-goodness Spider-Man story, I’d love to know why.

Highly recommended.

Writer: Dan Slott
Pencils: Steve McNiven
Inks: Dexter Vines
Colors: Morry Hollowell
Letters: Cory Petit
Editor: Stephen Wacker

Preview: Ultimate Spider-Man #118

Ultimate Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends

Spider-Man is the quintessential lone hero, but when he finds himself in a situation where he’s way out his league, Spidey’s going to need a little help from his friends… his amazing friends, that is!

That’s right, Iceman from the world-famous mutant team X-Men and the Ultimate version of Firestar (making her debut in this story) lend Spider-Man a helping hand in Ultimate Spider-Man #118. But is Firestar a new character — or a face that we’ve seen before in the Ultimate Universe?

But those aren’t Peter’s only superhero friends, as Johnny Storm, the hot-headed young member of the Fantastic Four, pays Spidey a visit – and ends up pursuing Mary Jane’s friend Liz Allen!

The highly-acclaimed dream team of Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen kick off the first part of a new Ultimate Spider-Man story in issue #118, entitled (what else?) “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends.”



ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #118 (NOV072121)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by STUART IMMONEN
Rated A…$2.99
FOC—1/10/08, On-Sale—1/30/08

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

Preview: From The Ashes Of Messiah CompleX Comes X-Men: Legacy!

X-Men: Legacy continues the aftermath of Messiah CompleX, centering on the lives of Professor X, Magneto, Rogue and Gambit. With the X-Men no more, mutantkind must look to the past as they move forward into a future like you’ve never seen before! Similar to the acclaimed X-Men: Deadly Genesis, this ongoing series promises to reveal shocking secrets about your favorite mutants while also launching a bold new era for the X-Men.

Retailers, please note the title change from X-Men to X-Men: Legacy with issue #208.

Messiah CompleX is over. The X-Men are no more. An X-Men: Divided We Stand tie-in, X-Men: Legacy provides a surprising look a look at the future of mutantkind!


X-MEN: LEGACY #208 (DEC072220)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Rated A…$2.99
FOC—2/7/08, On-Sale—2/27/08

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

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

Marvel Noise Episode 16

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

It’s the first full week of the year and we’ve got a little bit of everything for ya! Here is the sixteenth episode of the Noisy Award winning Marvel Noise! After the rundown of what’s gettin’ released this week, you can look forward to the Pick of the Week, SkrullWatch, Bring ’em Back, Current Events, and feedback to some forum feedback presented to you in a nice, tidy package. Mighty Avengers, The Twelve, a new website, and our host’s Golden Age are also waiting inside.

Discuss this episode on the Marvel Noise forum.

Get it here

Around Comics: http://aroundcomics.com
KomicsKast: http://komicskast.libsyn.com
Noisy Award Winners: http://deliberatenoise.com/awards

Voicemail: (206) 312-5239
marvelnoise@comicbooknoise.com
Forum: http://forum.marvelnoise.com
ComicSpace: http://comicspace.com/marvelnoise/
Digg: http://digg.com/podcasts/Marvel_Noise
Top Five: topfive@comicbooknoise.com

Pat Zelenka, Chelsea’s Blues (http://www.myspace.com/patrickzelenka)


Marvel Titles On Sale, 1.9.08

Comics

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #546 (and VARIANT)
COVERS BY: STEVE MCNIVEN and BRYAN HITCH
WRITER: DAN SLOTT
PENCILS: STEVE MCNIVEN
INKS: DEXTER VINES
AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING!
This is it, Arachnophiles!!!! Prepare for what promises to be 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! Starting with Amazing Spider-Man #546, you now have THREE times the action! THREE times the villains! THREE times the danger! Amazing Spider-Man – Now 3 times every month! Bank on it, buck-o! And if that weren’t enough: ASM #546 goes double-sized to bring you back-up features that introduce you to the new players in the lives of Peter and his family!
Rated A …$3.99

Civil War Chronicles #7, $4.99
Ghost Rider #19, $2.99

HULK #1 (and VARIANTS (ACUNA VARIANT and MCGUINNESS INCENTIVE VARIANT))
COVERS BY: ED MCGUINNESS and DANIEL ACUNA
WRITER: JEPH LOEB
PENCILS: ED MCGUINNESS
INKS: DEXTER VINES
Superstars JEPH LOEB and ED MCGUINNESS will change the way you see THE HULK! In this startling origin epic, the breathtaking events that ended World War Hulk rocket into this brand-new Hulk title. When one of The Hulk’s oldest cast members is murdered, everyone turns to the team of IRON MAN, SHE-HULK and LEONARD SAMSON to solve the grizzly case. All the evidence points to the Hulk as the killer—but {CLASSIFIED}! Join us for a brand–new story and a brand-new team who loves the Hulk as much as you do!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

Marvel Adventures Hulk #7, $2.99

MIGHTY AVENGERS #7
COVER BY: FRANK CHO
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: MARK BAGLEY
INKS: DANNY MIKI
The Ultimate Spider-Man super-team of Bendis and Bagley reunite and just in time for the Avengers’ biggest problem ever!!! A Venom virus hits the city of New York!! A Venom virus!! The entire city of New York turns symbiote. Plus, Wonder Man gets a much needed makeover. All this and Tony Stark!
Rated A …$2.99

NOVA #10
COVER BY: ADI GRANOV
WRITER: DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING
PENCILS: WELLINTON ALVES
A special standalone thriller trapping Nova and Gamora together! Allies, lovers, Phalanx puppets…and now the bitterest of enemies! Captured together by an alien menace, will the Human Rocket and the Deadliest Woman in the Universe work together to survive, or wind up killing each other instead? It’s dark, cosmic action and a love-hate clash as hit series writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and new penciling sensation Wellinton Alves, deliver what Wizard calls a “one-stop shop for sci-fi spectaculars, superhero drama and real humanity.”
Rated T+ …$2.99

Onslaught Reborn #5 (of 5), $2.99 (and VARIANT)
Punisher War Journal #15, $2.99

THE TWELVE #1
WRAPAROUND COVER BY: KAARE ANDREWS
WRITER: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
PENCILS: CHRIS WESTON
INKS: GARRY LEACH
Yesterday’s Men of Tomorrow — Today! Thought lost to the pages of time, a dozen Mystery Men from the “greatest generation” of World War Two find themselves thrust into the morally-gray world of the 21st century! Now, Captain Wonder, Dynamic Man, Mastermind Excello, Mister E, the Laughing Mask, the Witness, the Black Widow, the Phantom Reporter, the Fiery Mask, Rockman, the Blue Blade and Electro the Marvel of the Age must seek a place for themselves in the modern Marvel Universe — while a silent killer seeks to eliminate them, one by one!
Rated T+ …$2.99

Wolverine #61, $2.99

X-FACTOR #27 (and VARIANT)
COVERS BY: DAVID FINCH and JIM CHEUNG
WRITER: PETER DAVID
PENCILS: SCOT EATON
INKS: JOHN DELL
MESSIAH COMPLEX PART 11
The death of an X-Man reveals answers to some of the mysteries surrounding the new mutant, and creates a host of questions. The baby falls into the hands of a major player in the conflict, but things aren’t always as they seem. And it’s high noon for X-Force, the Marauders and the X-Men.
Rated T+ …$2.99

Collections

BEYOND!
COVER BY: SCOTT KOLINS
WRITER: DWAYNE MCDUFFIE
PENCILS: SCOTT KOLINS
An indescribably powerful cosmic being gathers nine of Marvel’s most mismatched super beings for purposes beyond their comprehension. Can Spider-Man, Gravity, Venom, Henry Pym, the Wasp, Medusa, Kraven, Firebird and the Hood keep from killing each other until they must face the dangers of their destination, the deadly artificial planet known as Battleworld? Collecting BEYOND! #1-6.
RATED A …$14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2013-1

ESSENTIAL CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 4
COVER BY: JOHN ROMITA
WRITER: STEVE ENGLEHART, STEVE GERBER, TONY ISABELLA, MIKE FRIEDRICH, and JOHN WARNER
PENCILS: SAL BUSCEMA, ALAN WEISS, FRANK ROBBINS, and HERB TRIMPE
After gaining superhuman strength, the Living Legend learns he’ll need every bit of it against such team efforts as the Crimson Cowl’s Crimewave, the Serpent Squad and Nightshade’s Werewolves! Alongside his crime-fighting compatriot, the Falcon, Cap discovers secrets in the shadows of eras past devised by Dr. Faustus, the Yellow Claw and the mysterious Phoenix – but a final battle with the Secret Empire throws Cap’s future into question! But when Cap dons the cape of the Nomad, will the Falcon stick with him or stand by his replacement? It may be a question only the Red Skull can answer! Guest-starring the Avengers, Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D., the X-Men and Namor the Sub-Mariner! Collecting CAPTAIN AMERICA #157-186.
Rated T+ …$16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2726-0

GHOST RIDER VOL. 3: APOCALYPSE SOON
COVER BY: GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
WRITER: DANIEL WAY and STUART MOORE
PENCILS: MARK TEXEIRA, BEN OLIVER, and JAVIER SALTARES
Johnny Blaze has—against the will of the Ghost Rider bonded to his soul — decided to try to help the people of New York City against the unstoppable juggernaut that is the Hulk…by attacking the Hulk, head-on! Johnny just wants to do some good…but isn’t that what he always says before he does something ultimately catastrophic? Also, there is an important new character in Ghost Rider’s world. A powerful player with a unique place in the battle between Heaven and Hell appears, known only as Mister Eleven, but whose side is he on? Collecting GHOST RIDER #12-13 and ANNUAL #1.
Rated T+….$10.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2556-3

NEW WARRIORS VOL. 1: DEFIANT
COVER BY: NIC KLEIN
WRITER: KEVIN GREVIOUX
PENCILS: PACO MEDINA
Someone is gift-wrapping super-villains for the police. Someone is defacing Super Human Registration posters. Someone is raising eyebrows all around town – from City Hall to Tony Stark’s war chamber. And the only clue to their identity…two spray-painted letters: N.W. Who are these mysterious young upstarts that have dared to fight the powers-that-be? And what do they want from a de-powered mutant named Sofia? Are the New Warriors truly back from the dead? Or has something new risen from the ashes of Stamford? Collecting NEW WARRIORS #1-6.
Rated T+ …$14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2674-4

NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. VOL. 2 – I KICK YOUR FACE
COVER BY: STUART IMMONEN
WRITER: WARREN ELLIS
PENCILS: STUART IMMONEN
What? You haven’t been reading NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E.? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND? Here’s a quick rundown of what you missed: SuperheroesfightingexplosionsexAvengersFinFangFoom giantflyingsubmarinemonstrosities formerX-Forcebabeexplosionskicking MachineManpunchinggiantevilcoprobots hotEnglishchicksecretterroristorganizationsEXPLOSIONS! Whew! And that’s only the beginning! But don’t worry! It’s never too late to join the party! Next up, the Nextwave Squad faces an army of Mindless Ones!!! Yes, insanely powerful stone men without faces! You cannot miss it! Collecting NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. #7-12.
Parental Advisory …$14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-1910-4

ULTIMATE X-MEN VOL. 17: SENTINELS
COVER BY: YANICK PAQUETTE
WRITER: ROBERT KIRKMAN
PENCILS: BEN OLIVER, PASCAL ALIXE, and YANICK PAQUETTE
The X-Men are no more. Long live the X-Men! The man from the future, Bishop, completes his own team of mutants, ready to carry on the legacy of Charles Xavier. And their first task is to stop the attacks of the deadly Sentinels against their kind. And you’ll never guess who’s behind the attacks…or who the new Ultimate X-Men are! Collecting ULTIMATE X-MEN #81-88.
Rated T+ …$17.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2549-5

Posters

NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA BY ALEX ROSS POSTER
24×36 Color Poster…$7.99