j. michael straczynski – Marvel Noise

Marvel Noise Episode 68

We’re talkin’ Thunder God this week with thoughts on Thor #12 and #600. Pat has the new releases and Steve impresses us with the first part in his series on the DeFalco and Ryan Fantastic Four. Plus, not one, but two messages from Chris Chavez, aka Equinox!

Titles mentioned this week include Thor and Captain Britain and MI:13.

Discuss this episode.
Discuss previous Marvel Noise episodes here.

Ric Seaberg, Smiley Emoticon (http://www.ricseaberg.com/)

Random Thoughts Escaping (http://randomthoughtsescaping.blogspot.com/)
El Dave Photography (http://eldavephoto.blogspot.com/)
Dave Wachter’s Sketchblog (http://davedrawscomics.blogspot.com/)
Pat Loika’s Sketchblog (http://patsketch.blogspot.com/)
Cactus Comics (http://www.cactuscomics.net/)
What Kind of Trouble Did I Get Into Today? (http://mikeysims.blogspot.com/)

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Marvel items shipping 2/25/09:

Avengers The Initiative #22 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Captain America Vol 5 #47 $2.99
Dark Avengers #1 2nd Ptg Mike Deodato Jr Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) $3.99
Dark Reign Files $4.99
Dark Tower Treachery #6 Regular Jae Lee Cover $3.99
Dr Doom And The Masters Of Evil #2 $2.99
Enders Shadow Battle School #3 $3.99
Fantastic Four Vol 3 #554 Top Cow Marc Silverstri Variant Cover – [PI]
Fantastic Four Vol 3 #564 $2.99
Ghost Rider Danny Ketch #5 $3.99
Hulk Vol 2 #10 Incentive Art Adams Variant Cover – [PI]
Hulk Vol 2 #10 Regular Left Side Defenders Cover $3.99
Hulk Vol 2 #10 Regular Right Side Offenders Cover $3.99
Incredible Hercules #126 $3.99
Kick-Ass #1 Umpteenth Ptg $2.99
Kick-Ass #2 Umpteenth Ptg $2.99
Kick-Ass #3 Umpteenth Ptg $2.99
Kick-Ass #4 Umpteenth Ptg $2.99
Lords Of Avalon Knight Of Darkness #4 $3.99
Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #45 $2.99
Marvels Eye Of The Camera #4 Black & White Version $3.99
Marvels Eye Of The Camera #4 Regular Version $3.99
Marvel Illustrated Treasure Island TP $14.99
Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Strange Tales Vol 2 HC Regular Dust Jacket $59.99
Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Strange Tales Vol 2 HC Variant Dust Jacket $59.99
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor Vol 8 HC Regular Dust Jacket $54.99
Marvel Masterworks Mighty Thor Vol 8 HC Variant Dust Jacket $54.99
Mighty Avengers #22 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Ms Marvel Vol 2 #36 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
New Avengers #50 Regular Billy Tan Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) $4.99
New Avengers #50 Variant Kubert Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) $4.99
Nova Vol 4 #22 $2.99
Runaways Vol 3 #7 $2.99
Scourge Of The Gods #2 $5.99
Secret Invasion Black Panther TP $12.99
Secret Invasion Runaways Young Avengers TP $12.99
She-Hulk 2 #38 $3.99
Skaar Son Of Hulk #8 Incentive Ron Lim Variant Cover – [PI]
Skaar Son Of Hulk #8 Regular David Yardin Cover $2.99
Skrulls vs Power Pack TP Digest $9.99
Thunderbolts #129 Incentive Clint Langley Variant Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) – [PI]
Thunderbolts #129 Regular Francesco Mattina Cover (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Ultimate Spider-Man #131 (Ultimatum Tie-In) $2.99
War Machine Vol 2 #3 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Wolverine First Class #12 $2.99
Wolverine Origins #33 (Dark Reign Tie-In) $2.99
Wonderful Wizard Of Oz #2 2nd Ptg Skottie Young Variant Cover $3.99
X-Force Vol 3 #12 $2.99
Ythaq Forsaken World #3 $5.99

Product Updates:

Captain America #47 (DEC082361D, $2.99; FOC 01/29/09) will have art by Butch Guice, not Steve Epting.
The previously unannounced cover artist for The Dark Tower: Treachery #6 Variant (DEC082331D, $3.99; FOC 02/05/09) will be Dennis Calero.
Dr. Doom and the Masters of Evil #2 (DEC082365D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) will have art by Jon Buran, in addition to the previously solicited Patrick Scherberger.
Incredible Hercules #126 (DEC082374D, $3.99, FOC 02/05/09) will be rated T+, not A.
Ms. Marvel #36 DKR (DEC082316D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) will have a new cover by Phil Jimenez that was previously solicited as the cover to Ms. Marvel #37 DKR (JAN092485D, $2.99; FOC 03/05/09), which will now have a new, previously unseen Phil Jimenez cover.
Nova #22 (DEC082385D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) will have art by Andrea Di Vito, not Wellinton Alves.
She-Hulk 2 #38 (DEC082390D, $3.99) will be 40 pages, not 48 pages. No content has been changed.
Skaar, Son of Hulk #8 (DEC082391D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) & #9 (JAN092525D, $2.99; FOC 03/05/09) will have art by Ron Lim, not Jackson Guice.
War Machine #3 DKR (DEC08 2318, $2.99) is now Rated T+, not A.
Wolverine: First Class #12 (DEC082409D, $2.99; FOC 02/05/09) will have art by Scott Koblish, not Wil Quintana

Thor’s Latest Sellouts Lead to Thor: Search for Odin Must-Have

Thor #7 and #8 have both sold out at Diamond and Marvel is going back to press on a Must-Have collecting both scorching-hot issues in Thor: Search For Odin Must-Have.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski is joined by special guest artist Marko Djurdjevic (Daredevil) for a two-part story collected in Thor: Search For Odin Must-Have which finds Thor searching for his father Odin. Hoping to restore Odin to his former life as Thor has already done for many Asgardians, the Thunder God may be in for the fight of his recently restored life as he finds his father locked in a battle that neither of their combined efforts can hope to win.

Thor’s return to the Marvel Universe continues to wow critics and fans alike as the Thunder God’s new ongoing series has been hotter than lightning.

Jesse Schedeen of IGN.com’s review of Thor #8 called it “another terrific issue in what is quickly developing into one of Marvel’s best series.”

Adam Chapman of Comixtreme.com said “JMS delivers a powerful script, and Djurdjevic captures it brilliantly with his artwork. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!”

Thor: Search For Odin Must-Have is the latest example of why Thor is one of the hottest characters at Marvel right now so don’t miss your chance to pick up this marvelous must-have.

THOR: SEARCH FOR ODIN MUST-HAVE (MAR088240)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils and Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+…$3.99
FOC – 5/15, On-Sale – 6/4/2008

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

The Twelve #3 Returns With A New Printing!

Marvel is pleased to announce that The Twelve #3 (of 12) is going back to press with a second printing, to meet the overwhelming demand that led to a quick sell-out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level). The Twelve #3 (of 12) Second Printing Variant, from red-hot scribe JMS (Thor) and acclaimed artist Chris Weston, continues the journey of the time-lost Twelve, as they must adjust to a new world where heroism and normalcy have much different definitions. This new printing features the nuanced interior art of Chris Weston on a new cover! Marking a fourth straight sell-out for one of 2008’s most acclaimed new series, The Twelve continues to enthrall audiences with a timely, socio-political thrill-ride.

IGN.Com awarded the series an Editor’s Choice award, gushing, “The Twelve is a resoundingly great book… readers will come away with a great experience.”

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on The Twelve, as the series continues to sell out quickly with each issue and garner mainstream media attention. Just what secrets are the heroes hiding? And who is hunting them? Don’t miss a single issue of The Twelve!

THE TWELVE #3 (of 12) SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (JAN088321)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & Cover by CHRIS WESTON
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—3/20/08, On-Sale—4/9/08

THE TWELVE #4 (of 12) (FEB082256)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by CHRIS WESTON
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—3/13/08, On-Sale—4/2/08

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

Thor #6 Sells Out!

Marvel is pleased to announce that Thor #6 has sold out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level), marking yet another sell out for the series that continues to top the sales charts! The superstar creative team of writer JMS (The Twelve) and Olivier Coipel (House Of M) continue Thor’s quest to restore Asgard — and this issue marks the Thunder God’s most surprising decision yet! The fallout — literally — from this issue will change Thor’s life forever and set him on a path from which there is no return! And just how do Asgardian gods react to regular life in Oklahoma?

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Thor, as the series continues to sell-out with each issue and garner acclaim from all corners, with Jason Sacks of ComicsBulletin.Com gushing, “JMS’s re-invention of Thor has been a success.”

If you’ve missed out on the first six critically-acclaimed, sold-out issues of Thor — and haven’t been able to find any of those sold out multiple printings — then don’t miss Thor By J. Michael Straczynski Vol.1 Premiere HC! Collecting Thor #1-6, now’s your chance to learn just how and why Thor returned!

Marvel currently has no plans to go back to press on Thor #6.

THOR BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC (JAN082208)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by OLIVIER COIPEL
Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
Rated T+ …$19.99
FOC—3/13/08, On-Sale—4/16/08

THOR #7 (DEC072216)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Art and Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
50/50 Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL & MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+…$2.99
On-Sale—3/19/08

THOR BY COIPEL & DJURDJEVIC POSTER (DEC072283)
24×36 Color Poster…$7.99
IN STORES NOW!

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

Preview: Thor #7

Marko Djurdjevic Joins Thor In Battle As Odin Returns!

Acclaimed cover artist Mark Djurdjevic joins the thunderous hit series Thor as special guest artist for a two-issue arc that promises to turn the God of Thunder’s world on its head! Writer JMS (The Twelve) has brought Asgard to Earth, transformed Loki into a woman and pitted Thor against Iron Man… so what could JSM have planned for Thor’s father, Odin? Has he been found? And more importantly… should he be found?

As a special bonus, Djurdjevic and regular series artist Olivier Coipel have teamed-up to create a special variant cover for this issue—and you need to see the results of this superstar jam to believe it! This stunning image is also available as the Thor By Coipel & Djurdjevic Poster!

Thor’s world has been rocked by the machinations of others, but will the return of his father set him on a path of no return? And what of Loki’s machinations with the deadly Dr. Doom? If you haven’t checked out one of 2007’s most critically-acclaimed new series, then don’t miss Thor #7, kicking off a series of events that promise to shatter the status quo!

THOR #7 (DEC072216)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Art and Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
50/50 Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL & MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+…$2.99
FOC—2/28/08, On-Sale—3/19/08

THOR BY COIPEL & DJURDJEVIC POSTER (DEC072283)
24×36 Color Poster…$7.99
IN STORES NOW!

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

The Twelve #2 Returns With A New Printing!

Marvel’s new hit series is four-for-four, as The Twelve #2 (of 12) has sold out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level) and will return with a new printing to meet the overwhelming demand! The Twelve #2 (of 12) Second Printing Variant features the powerful interior art of Chris Weston on the cover, as the collaboration between red-hot scribe JMS (Thor) and Weston continues. As these mystery men and women from WW2 seek to find their new place in the modern world, someone is hunting them — but who? And why?

Critics and fans agree — The Twelve is one of 2008 best books! Earning an Editor’s Choice Award from IGN.Com, with reviewer Bryan Joel deeming it, “one of the best things I’ve read in a while… The Twelve has begun sinking its hooks in me and I’m thoroughly intrigued to see where it’s heading.”

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on all issues of The Twelve, as the series continues to sell out quickly and draw rave reviews from all corners. Just what awaits these displaced heroes? And can the Twelve survive being targeted by a mystery enemy? Don’t miss out on this year’s hottest new comic book epic — The Twelve!

THE TWELVE #2 (of 12) SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (JAN088034)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by CHRIS WESTON
Cover by CHRIS WESTON
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—2/28/08, On-Sale—3/19/08

THE TWELVE #3 (of 12) (DEC072215)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by CHRIS WESTON
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Rated T+ …$2.99
On-Sale—3/5/08

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

The Twelve Is Three For Three!

Marvel is pleased to announce that J. Michael Straczynski’s The Twelve #2 (of 12) has sold out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level). The book that Entertainment Weekly gives “the politically charged, metaphorical superhero story an A-” has seen all three of its first issues, including The Twelve #0, sell out quickly from Diamond, with a second printing of issue #1 on its way. Check your local retailer as some copies of the second issue may still be available.

In its second issue, the Twelve time-lost Mystery Men of World War II adjust to the reality of life in the 21st century. But where do you go, what do you do, when everybody you knew is either dead and buried or in old-age homes, and the future you thought you were fighting for turned out to be radically different from what you imagined? The murder mystery deepens as life gets deadlier for these Twelve. They survived the War, but will they survive tomorrow? Don’t miss a single issue of The Twelve!

THE TWELVE #3 (of 12) (DEC072215)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by CHRIS WESTON
Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC-2/14/08, On-Sale—3/5/08

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

The Twelve #1 Returns With A New Printing!

Marvel is pleased to announce that the critically-acclaimed The Twelve #1 (of 12), which sold out at Diamond, is going back to press with The Twelve #1 (of 12) Second Printing Variant. The new cover, featuring Chris Weston’s interior art, depicts a stunning team up between the Twelve and The Invaders!

“This series is an absolute labor of love for JMS and Chris Westson,” exclaimed Executive Editor Tom Brevoort. “They’re making this series something special and we’re excited to see fans responding to the story — and it only gets bigger from here, folks!”

Written by red-hot scribe J. Michael Straczynski and featuring the nuanced art of fan-favorite Chris Weston, The Twelve reveals just what led to a band of WW2 superheroes being frozen in time…and just why they’ve been brought back in the new century! With the very definitions of heroism and duty brought into question, this riveting series has proven a hit with fans and critics alike.

Just who is hunting The Twelve? And what is their new place in the world? If you missed it the first time around, now’s your chance to find out what the critics are buzzing about with The Twelve #1 (of 12) Second Printing Variant!

THE TWELVE #1 (of 12) SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (DEC078098)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by CHRIS WESTON
Cover by CHRIS WESTON
Rated T+…$2.99
FOC—2/7/08, On-Sale—2/27/08

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

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

The Twelve #1 Sells Out!

Marvel is pleased to announce that The Twelve #1 (of 12) has sold out at Diamond (though copies may be available at the retail level). Drawing praise from all corners, the acclaimed team of writer JMS (Thor) and artist Chris Weston, with cover artist Kaare Andrews, have transported a band of superheroes from WW2 to the present where they must confront new dangers! As the very notion of heroism is brought into question, the Twelve must adjust to this new world as the government presents them with a new purpose in the post-Civil War Marvel Universe! But just who is trying to kill them one by one? And more importantly… why?

“The Twelve forms an attractive package and the art just leaps of the pages,” said Bart Croonenborghs of BrokenFrontier.Com.

Now that the Twelve have returned, what does this mean for the Marvel Universe? How will the other heroes react to their return? And Captain Wonder must confront the fate of his wife and children—but can he handle it? Find out in The Twelve #2!

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

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: 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