SPOILERS: Wolverine and the X-Men # 40

Here's the most important part that happened over at Marvel Comics' Wolverine and the X-Men book this month WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN # 40 by Jason Aaron and Pepe Laraz.

So, Wolverine and Cyclops successfully dismantle a S.H.I.E.L.D. base contain mutant-killing sentinels. They get banged up pretty bad and Wolverine scouts for medical supplies while Scott Summers looks on. Fortunately for these two X-Men leaders, Logan also spots a hidden cache of beer. Boxes and boxes full of beer. Which leads to this lengthy conversation between the two.

Taken out of context, this could be fanfic material for Scott and Logan shippers

I like the fact that Wolverine knows how things were and there's an implication that he want things to go back to what they used to be pre-Schism. Logan however is still a sanctimonious dick as a character because he refuses to admit that Cyclops was taken over and influenced by the Dark Phoenix force back in AVX when he kills Charles Xavier.

Wolverine is right however that Cyclops is not seeing it all throughout and Cyke's right about a lot of things about Logan too. There's an old saying that the first road to a full recovery, especially in alcoholics and depressed people is accepting the fact that they are broken or f*cked up. This issue has the two dealing with it and though we're still not seeing a full Scott-Logan bromance here, we can definitely say that we are on the road to a unified X-Men soon.

Oh and there's also a subplot in this issue between the SHIELD spies sent to infiltrate JGH and Aaron's students. But that's not really important for this writer.

Wolverine and the X-Men # 40 is out now.

Indestructible Hulk # 9 Review

Mark Waid and Matteo Scalera bring us an unlikely team-up in Indestructible Hulk # 9 which is also brought to us in partnership with Castle Geek and Comicx Hub!

I wasn't supposed to pick up Indestructible mainly because I still thought that this was an issue drawn by Walt Simonson. Imagine my relief however when I open the book and I see Matteo Scalera's artwork plus Daredevil to boot. Then there's also Mark Waid, who's name alone is worth every penny you spend in buying the issue.

So what should you look forward to in IH # 9? Well aside from the very blatant appearance of Daredevil in this issue, there's also a looming threat in the horizon. This threat isn't someone from Hulk's veritable stable of gamma-powered villains. Clue, it's actually somebody from Captain America's past.

Wild as it may seem, the team-up between this iteration of the Hulk together with the Daredevil from Waid's current run is somewhat fun to see. It's further proof that this Hulk should be definitive version of the Green Goliath as he's both interesting and entertaining at the same time. Plus it doesn't hurt that he works well with Bruce Banner.

Speaking of Banner, amongst all the different Banners written throughout Marvel's NOW books, I have to give the highest praise to this Banner. He's got some coolness and smugness in him that I haven't seen before in past versions and volumes of Hulk. Waid makes it a point to really show us that when Banner's doing the driving and there are even some light moments during the mission:

Don't let that fool you though as this book is still all about punching and smashing, and although that's been tapered down, it doesn't mean that it won't pack a punch.

Between this issue and Avengers # 14, I can really say that this week is all about Bruce Banner and the Hulk doing good things and standing by his promise of not hurting people. I implore Marvel to stick with this characterization of the Hulk as long as possible because if they do, then I really might stick around until the end of the road. For now though, I'm just enjoying the ride and I sincerely hope that you do too.

Get your copy of Indestructible Hulk # 9 HERE.

Verdict: 8.5/10

Special thanks to Castle Geek and Comicx Hub.

Indestructible Hulk # 1 Review

Got my hands on Indestructible Hulk # 1 by Mark Waid, Leinil Francis Yu Sunny Gho and Gerry Alanguilan.

A new direction for the Hulk is given in this new relaunched title featuring the badass art team behind Mark Millar's "Super Crooks" and the man responsible for making Daredevil cool and hip and significant.

In this new book, some things are still the same; Bruce Banner is still the Hulk and he's still bound to become very angry and smash things but the more interesting bit for me happens to be Bruce Banner himself.

This new 'Banner' is something more akin to Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner. He's grown to accept that the Hulk is a condition that needs to be checked once in awhile like cancer or diabetes. He's accepted that he will no longer be able to get rid of his big green counterpart and has started down a path towards redemption. 

I liked the book because of the dialogue that Waid infuses the characters with; from Maria Hill's anxiety over her work schedule to Bruce Banner's wit and later his dedication to his new goal. The Hulk might not have any significant dialogue here but the frenetic action sequences are glorious and lets us remember that "actions speak louder than words". 

Goals are something that gets played pretty well in this relaunched title. Banner wants to join his peers Tony Stark and Reed Richards in terms of developing technology but is unable to because his flat-ass broke. He strikes a deal with SHIELD on both ends. It's this kind of smart writing that got me hooked in the book. 

The art team did an incredible job in this book like the boyband that they are they manage to kick some serious ass. First there's the sharp and dynamic pencils of Leinil followed by the sick inks of Gerry Alanguilan and then there's the really great colors provided by Sunny. Explosions and rubbles never looked as good as what they've managed to do here in issue number 1. 

Of course I'd like to thank Comicx Hub for the support for this review. 

Leonardo DaVinci Makes an Appearance in New Avengers # 26

New Avengers # 26 features a character who I haven't seen for quite some time, Marvel's version of Leonardo DaVinci.

So it seems like Kun'Lun, the mystic city where Iron Fist got his training and his dragon tattoo, has some plans for the arrival of the Phoenix Force.

How long HAVE they known?
Is K'un L'un's extradimensional existence a way to hide the city from the Phoenix?
You had a plan for Galactus and the Celestial Child... what's the plan for the Phoenix?
Was the Iron Fist program designed to create an ideal host?

Not only is Leonardo here in this AVX tie-in issue, the same issue is handled by Mike Deodato Jr. which makes it even better.


Too bad though as Brian Michael Bendis is writing the same book as well. 

Anyway, nice looking cover and very interesting premise/plot. Definitely picking this up. 

Marvel's The Avengers" Defends the World in IMAX 3D (Opens Apr 25)

Marvel Studios and The Walt Disney Studios recently announced that the epic super hero adventure “Marvel's The Avengers” will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® 3D format and released in IMAX® digital theatres in the Philippines on April 25, simultaneous with Digital 3D and regular cinemas across the country.

“Marvel's The Avengers,” based on the well-known Marvel comic book series, is written and directed by Joss Whedon and stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson.

Distributed by The Walt Disney Studios, “Marvel's The Avengers” marks the third Marvel Studios film presented in IMAX, following the releases of “Iron Man 2” in 2010 and “Thor” in 2011.

This highly-anticipated gathering of Marvel's epic superheroes combined with the brilliant vision of Joss Whedon is sure to wow audiences when presented in IMAX 3D," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "The Avengers is a perfect film to kick-off our 2012 summer slate and we anticipate this limited IMAX engagement will be a must-see for fans around the world."

The IMAX release of “Marvel's The Avengers” will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

Marvel Studios presents, in association with Paramount Pictures, “Marvel's The Avengers” – the super hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow.

When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

(“Marvel’s The Avengers” will assemble in the Philippines on April 25 2012. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.

Marvel's “Spider-Man” and “The Incredible Hulk” animated series are now aired over ABS CBN, comprising an hour of early programming on Sunday mornings from 8:30-9:30am. ABS-CBN previously aired Marvel's “The Avengers” and “X-Men” animated series.)

Meet Ultimate Spider-Man's Supporting Cast

Disney XD's Ultimate Spider-Man TV series is about to be released and to build up more hype, Marvel has released new images for Peter Parker's super powered supporting cast.

Luke Cage

In the TV series, Luke Cage reverts to his old school code name of Power Man and will be part of the teenage class that SHIELD will be teaching to be the next generation of metahuman heroes.

(Being that Brian Michael Bendis is lending a helping hand with the development of the stories for this, we should be expecting Luke to make an appearance.)

Iron Fist in Ultimate Spider-Man Animated Series

Iron Fist aka Danny Rand will be appearing in Disney XD's "Ultimate Spider-Man" together with other fan favorites such as Nova, White Tiger(?), Luke Cage and of course Spider-Man.

I am taking a liking at this new costume because it ditches the elements I hated such as the tattooed chest and the those weird looking yellow slip-ons which spells old-school.

Also, it's interesting to note that the back story about Kun'Lun and all that mystical stuff that was discussed and featured during Matt Fraction's run will be appearing prominently for Danny's story.

Can't wait for April 1 which will be the official date for the release of the pilot.