TWIC: The Week of The Spider

Unless you've been living in a cave - no wait - under a rock, this week you're getting ready for The Amazing Spider-Man movie, starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone; it starts on Tuesday, but for most of us it'll be midnight tonight. This is definitely the week of the spider and Marvel released Amazing Spider-Man #688 to coincide with the first appearance of The Lizard, one of Spidey's first super-villains. There's a lot to love, but also some originality in this flick, and the reviews have been varied. One of the main points is that you'll be treated to another origin, but you'll get a new enemy.

The viral campaign for Amazing Spider-Man, in my opinion, has been lackluster; if you expected to see a lot of lead-up, keep looking. For the most part, everything must have been spent on the Avengers movie. Regardless, you can still see Spidey in his numerous monthly releases with Amazing Spider-Man, Avenging Spider-Man, Spider-Men, Avengers, FF, Ultimate Spider-Man, and any of the other mags where he appears for a team-up.

Back on Utopia with Avengers vs. X-Men. Well, it's being called Pax Utopia, lately, and that's due to the Phoenix Five - Cyclops, Magik, Colossus, Namor, and Emma Frost - who have the power of that destructive entity. This week it's all about them dominating the world in the name of peace. Does anyone think that it'll work? Nah! But The Avengers made a grab for Hope and The Scarlet Witch is now taking part in the event. Something is going on and we're going to learn real soon what this whole Phoenix Prophecy is about.

Over on the DC side of the fence, if you were finished with Night of The Owls, you closed your comic books too soon. All Star Western #10, which happens almost two hundred years earlier, actually adds a historical flavor that must be included. It just released and is now part of the reading order. Expect the final part of the "Night" to end with Batman #11, on July 11th. (On a special note, if you're in New York, Scott Snyder will be signing the issue during this event.)

Now, let me tell you about Before Watchmen. This running event is actually decent, but it really boils down to the ending. (One of the biggest disparities, for me, was The Comedian #1, which indicated that Blake didn't have anything to do with the JFK shooting. It's a clear separation from the movie, in the intro, which shows him leaving the grassy knoll.) Last week Nite Owl #1 released and we had another good story, seeing Hollis turn his mantle over to Dan. Right now, the verdict is still out and I'm interested in the public opinion.

Want to try something a bit off-kilter, yet realistic? Try Hit-Girl #1, just release from Icon publishing. Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. put this mini-series out to bridge the Kick-Ass and Kick-Ass 2 stories, but also because Mindy McCready's character was too good to leave alone. From the first page, you'll get a serious, punishing, outlook of their superhero life.

Well, that's the highlights, comic books friends, and more on the horizon. Just one last note: be sure to check out The 10 Hottest Super Babes of Summer 2012. It's counting down right now and updates on Wednesday.

The Week In Comics is a new series of articles that will update on Monday on the Superheroes List Blog, and The Superheroes List website. It will cover all the major events and story lines of recent in the superhero and villain world. If you're interested in today's super-news, keep your eyes open and Check out the List! #TWIC

TWIC: As The World Burns...

~Excerpt from X-Men Legacy #268 (2012)

The week of June 13, 2012, while evolving some plotlines, is beginning one to a close. As well, buzz is starting to surface of a movie to come.

Avengers vs. X-Men - The hosts of The Phoenix are on earth now; we know they are purging the world of "problems" (such as guns, war, etc.), but the extent of their control is - as of yet - unknown. X-Men Legacy #268 (2012) gave us a brief glimpse of the struggles to come. In addition to that release, you can view a couple of detailed battles on the moon in AvX: Versus #3 (2012) with The Thing vs. Colossus and Black Widow vs. Magik.


Night of The Owls - The DC event is almost over. Batman, however, has only just begun. After exacting a couple of clues, he found a lead on the Court of Owls and is closing in. By the end of Batman #10 (2012), a complete twist emerges and could change the known history of Bruce Wayne. (It's unlikely, but you'll have to read it to find out.) Batman #11 is probably the final issue of the event (should arrive around July 11th.)

Before Watchmen - Now underway, this week's release is Before Watchmen - Silk Spectre #1 (2012) and details Laurie Jupiter's background. It doesn't comprise a lot of action, but does give a more rounded, historical perspective of the female member of The Watchmen. The real question is whether DC will do more harm than good to Alan Moore's TPB.

Iron Man 3 - Tony Stark's next flick is on the way; they released some new picks. The latest rumor is that he'll be facing The Mandarin. Sorry no official site yet, though. But here's the first set photo from Marvel.com.

Now...let's see what's coming this week, shall we?

The Week In Comics is a new series of articles that will update on Monday on the Superheroes List Blog, and The Superheroes List website. It will cover all the major events and story lines of recent in the superhero and villain world. If you're interested in today's super-news, keep your eyes open and Check out the List! #TWIC

Gotham on Fire; Jean Grey School Under Attack!

In the backdrop or a record-breaking week for The Avengers Movie, there have been huge developments for our heroes in the comic books:

Night of The Owls, The Batman saga involving many of the surrounding denizens of Gotham, has escalated and we're getting a vision of the city spreading into anarchy. Commissioner Gordon was given a warning in Batgirl #9 not to light the Bat-Signal. He does it anyway and finds out it's been altered to appear like the Athenian Owl. Elsewhere in Batman and Robin #9, Damian headed off and encounters a Talon trying to kill Major General Burrows in the Gotham Barrens; after reading the issue, you have to admit the kid has talent. In Batman #9, we finally read the conclusion of the fight in the Batcave; Batman finally acheives victory, racing out to see the "Owl" signal in the skyline.

Quick point: This Batman story just keeps getting better. It has the familiar-but-awesome psychological backdrop that keeps the Dark Knight at the top of the favorites list. 


The Avengers vs. X-Men event took a turn back to the Northeastern United States this week. Previously, we knew that Wolverine was kicked off a Quinjet by Captain America. Well now we know what transpired before then. When Logan was checking in on his students at the Jean Grey School For Higher Learning, Cyclops dropped in during Wolverine and The X-Men #10; it was quick attempt to make his point and try to siphon off some mutants for the cause. And it worked.

And now a word about X-Men Legacy #266 (Pictured Above). This is the latest occurrence in the AvX story and in this issue, The Avengers, consisting of She-Hulk, Falcon, and Moon Knight show up to keep the School's staff and students from joining Cyclops' cause. It's one of those What Were You Thinking Moments! By the end of the issue, Rogue and Frenzy are beating the crap out of the trio. Let's be honest, it was stupid for them to head there; next time use a satellite!


Special Mention: If you're interested in a mini-event, check out The Culling, which incorporates the New Teen Titans, including Superboy, and the members of Legion Lost. This breakout story will culminate in the formation of the new DC Second Wave title The Ravagers #1.

The Week In Comics is a new series of articles that will update on Monday on the Superheroes List Blog, and The Superheroes List website. It will cover all the major events and story lines of recent in the superhero and villain world. If you're interested in today's super-news, keep your eyes open and Check out the List! #TWIC

Avengers Movie Opens Amidst FCBD

It all happened this week. You were here.

 Saturday was Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) and with it came the heralded Avengers Movie. Did you go? Here's my review if you're still on the fence. Of course, if you're a comic book fan, what are you doing on a fence? I guarantee you that it will be the box office favorite.

In the comic book world, we just learned that Shattered Heroes can now be put to rest. Iron Man #516 came out and started a new story arc, meaning that closes the chapter of the event. So what happened overall and what were the outcomes. Well, there's Asgardia, Cap lost his powers for awhile, Tony was outed for drunkiness and we have a new Nick Fury. Check it out.

Night Of The Owls released Batwing #9, where the franchise superhero risks his own life to save Lucious Fox from execution by a Talon. You'll especially like Detective Comics #9, which also came out, because the same regenerating killers invade Arkham Asylum; it's written in the perspective of Jeremiah Arkham, who they tried to kill, and you're getting a psycho-logical treat. Batman appears and reluctantly saves him. You can tell he's about to unleash some beat-down.

In the Avengers vs. X-Men event, Captain America and Wolverine came to blows, which was a surprise; Logan was originally helping stop Cyclops and his extinction team, but Cap decided he didn't want his kind of help anymore and kicked the mutant out of a moving plane in Avengers vs. X-Men #3. Meanwhile, in the midst of all of this, the remaining, non-aggressive mutants were brought to Hank Pym's training center in Avengers Academy #29. Tensions are still high and now Earth's Mightiest have split up to look for Cyclops' team and Hope all across the globe. (This should mean lots more fights, right?)

And in case you thought that was it, don't leave now. DC's Second Wave just came out. After the discontinuation of six of their lowest-revenue titles, they were replaced this week by new ones, including the much-anticipated World's Finest #1. And, by the way, a lot of controversy is brewing there because fans are missing the old Power Girl uniform.

The Week In Comics is a new series of articles that will update on Monday on the Superheroes List Blog, and The Superheroes List website. It will cover all the major events and story lines of recent in the superhero and villain world. If you're interested in today's super-news, keep your eyes open and Check out the List! #TWIC