Posts Tagged ‘Marvel Comics’

So, yesterday I was reading the second issue of X-Factor Forever, a five-issue comic book series from Marvel Comics written by Louise Simonson, who is basically picking up with the storyline left off when she left the X-Factor series back in the early 1990s (and approaching it as if the last 18 or 19 years of stories never happened). I’m enjoying the heck out of it, because a) I loved Simonson’s run on the series back in the late ’80s, and b) Dan Panosian’s art is just fun and full of energy.

BUT. I have to take issue with this panel, whose appearance in the midst of an otherwise innocent birthday party scene is insignificant, except for one thing:

Anyone who’s been reading X-Men comics for any period of time — or, in my case, for 25 years, knows that CYCLOPS’ EYE BEAMS DON’T EMIT HEAT. They are beams of force, of pressure. Wikipedia says it right here: “they do not give off heat and instead deliver concussive force.” WIKIPEDIA DON’T LIE.

So … cute as the idea of Cyke lighting up young Timmy’s birthday candles with his optic blasts may be, it’s off-character and (sorry Louise) Simonson should know better. It’s as ludicrous as, say, Iceman conjuring up a delightful ice cream topping out of thin air.

A special MOUSE ART THEATRE edition of The Two-Penny Review:

I gave it a try. I really did. But … X-Men Forever just isn’t good. After all these years, I realize now that, despite the downward spiral of suck the X-books (and the rest of the comic book industry) slipped into during the 1990s, writer Chris Claremont was probably best off ending his legendary 16-year run on Uncanny X-Men when he did. ‘Nuff said.

As many of you know, aside from the usual freelance journalism, rock ‘n’ roll drumming and internet self-promotion in which I immerse myself to fill up every nook and cranny of each day, I’ve also been working on pitching a comic book series or two to various publishers. And as you also likely know if you’ve been following my exploits for a while, I keep things under wraps until they’re confirmed and ready to announce. So today I’m pleased to pull back the veil on the latest fruit of my labor. It’s a four-issue limited series for Marvel Comics, a deal I just signed the faxed contract on yesterday, and can now share. The title?

Iron Man: Agent of A.I.M.

If you’ve been reading Marvel Comics for the last year or so, you’ll know that after the end of Civil War, Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, became not only director of S.H.I.E.L.D., but also head of the 50-state Avengers Initiative. But after a nearly successful invasion of the Earth by the shape-shifting Skrulls, Stark was not only excommunicated from the Avengers and fired from S.H.I.E.L.D., but also effectively became a fugitive.

Well, in Agent of A.I.M., Iron Man takes over Advanced Idea Mechanics, the multinational weapons developer and supplier of destructive devices to the super-criminal community. Why? Covertly, to take on the new head of S.H.I.E.L.D. replacement agency H.A.M.M.E.R., Norman Osborn (also known as Iron Patriot), and dismantle A.I.M. from the inside while doing it. This tale of intrigue, deception, romance and over-the-top action culminates in a no-hold-barred final showdown between Iron Man and Iron Patriot!

It’s coming this summer to a comic shop near you, and as soon as I have more details, I’ll post exact dates and what not. For now, satiate yourselves with this one-page preview from the first issue. Excelsior!

As many of you know, aside from the usual freelance journalism, rock ‘n’ roll drumming and internet self-promotion in which I immerse myself to fill up every nook and cranny of each day, I’ve also been working on pitching a comic book series or two to various publishers. And as you also likely know if you’ve been following my exploits for a while, I keep things under wraps until they’re confirmed and ready to announce. So today I’m pleased to pull back the veil on the latest fruit of my labor. It’s a four-issue limited series for Marvel Comics, a deal I just signed the faxed contract on yesterday, and can now share. The title?

Iron Man: Agent of A.I.M.

If you’ve been reading Marvel Comics for the last year or so, you’ll know that after the end of Civil War, Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, became not only director of S.H.I.E.L.D., but also head of the 50-state Avengers Initiative. But after a nearly successful invasion of the Earth by the shape-shifting Skrulls, Stark was not only excommunicated from the Avengers and fired from S.H.I.E.L.D., but also effectively became a fugitive.

Well, in Agent of A.I.M., Iron Man takes over Advanced Idea Mechanics, the multinational weapons developer and supplier of destructive devices to the super-criminal community. Why? Covertly, to take on the new head of S.H.I.E.L.D. replacement agency H.A.M.M.E.R., Norman Osborn (also known as Iron Patriot), and dismantle A.I.M. from the inside while doing it. This tale of intrigue, deception, romance and over-the-top action culminates in a no-hold-barred final showdown between Iron Man and Iron Patriot!

It’s coming this summer to a comic shop near you, and as soon as I have more details, I’ll post exact dates and what not. For now, satiate yourselves with this one-page preview from the first issue. Excelsior!