Comic books aren’t known for shying away from strange subject matter. But even among brain-meltingly convoluted story lines and utterly bizarre characters, Marvel somehow managed to whip up a few moments that went further than we’d ever imagined possible. These things are meant for kids, after all. Here’s a look at the most disturbing moments in Marvel comics. Some of these events caused major controversies while others flew below the radar, but all of them haunted us after we put them down. Continue reading
Category Archives: Marvel comics Super heroes
Madame Hydra is Coming to Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD
ABC and Marvel screened Tuesday’s upcoming episode of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD at WonderCon in Anaheim, California. The episode revealed that Mallory Jansen will play Madame Hydra (AKA Viper) in the Framework. It’s the third role that Jansen will play on the series, having previously portrayed Life Model Decoy Aida and the real person she’s based on, Agnes Kitsworth. The first look above comes from EW.
“Since we’re bringing back Hydra in the Framework, we thought we’d bring it back with a force to be reckoned with,” executive producers Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen told the magazine. “Madame Hydra is a villain with the perfect combo of strength, sexy, and scary. We’ve thrown many challenges Mallory’s way and she’s always up for the task. We’re excited for fans to see how she makes Madame Hydra come to life.”
Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD Season 4 is back on Tuesday, April 4 with an all-new arc. Titled “What if…,” the episode is described as follows:
Hail the New World Order! Daisy and Simmons uncover secrets and lies in a world gone mad. With Hydra in control, they are our only hope to save everyone.
Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD stars Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, Ming-Na Wen as Agent Melinda May, Chloe Bennet as Daisy Johnson, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons, Henry Simmons as Agent Alphonso “Mack” MacKenzie and John Hannah as Holden Radcliffe.
Guest starring are Brett Dalton as Grant Ward, Mallory Jansen as Aida, Manish Dayal as Vijay Nadeer, Brandon Morales as Agent Pinsky, Taj Speights as Burnell, Chad Wood as Agent Slate, Jade Harlow as Julia Price, Jim Hanna as guy, Heather Olt as woman, Jason Medwin as Hydra guard, Richard Pierre-Louis as Hydra agent, Andrew McGinnis as Hydra agent #1 and Skyler James as Chris Adler
It Sounds Like Spider-Man Is Only Going to Be a Part of the MCU For a Limited Time
When Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures worked out a deal for Spider-Man to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, none of us really knew what that deal entailed. I thought Marvel would get to play with Spider-Man as much as they wanted to, but that doesn’t sound like that’s the deal that was made. It sounds like Spider-Man could only be a part of the MCU for a limited time.
Spider-Man made his big debut in Captain America: Civil War and is set to get his own film with Spider-Man: Homecoming. After that, he will appear in Avenger: Infinity War, and that will be followed by a second solo film. According to former Sony Pictures head Amy Pascal, after that sequel, Sony Pictures will regain full control of the character. When talking to CosmicBookNews, she explained:
“One of the things that I think is so amazing about this experience is that you don’t have studios deciding to work together to make a film very often. In fact it may never happen again, after we do the sequel. Because Sony, and Disney, and Marvel all decided that the right thing to do was to allow Peter Parker and Spider-Man to be in the MCU and to work with the Marvel guys and have them produce this film.
“I think that was a very rare thing for three companies to do, and a very brilliant thing for them to decide to do because there are only so many stories that you can tell again and again and again about Spidey, and this is something that we would have never been able to do in any other way.”
It sounds to me like after the Spider-Man sequel Sony will have to decide whether or not they want to stay in business with Marvel. That’s obviously not a guarantee. It would be a pretty big bummer to see Spider-Man leave the MCU after we get used to him being a part of it. But as you know, Sony is developing their own cinematic universe that will launch with Venom, and if that does well they’ll probably going to want to include Spider-Man in it. I don’t know why else they would want to yank him out of the MCU.
We’ve still got awhile to go before these decisions need to be made, but I hope that Sony will want to continue this Spider-Man sharing relationship with Marvel.
Watch the New Spider-Man: Homecoming Trailer!
Watch the new Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer
Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have released the new Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer!. The web-slinger returned to the big screen in Captain America: Civil War and in the earlier trailer, we got a look at the issues inherent in being a superhero in high school and a secret friend of Tony Stark.
A young Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.
Spider-Man: Homecoming also stars Zendaya, Jon Favreau, Donald Glover and Tyne Daly.
Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: Homecoming was written by Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley, Jon Watts & Christopher Ford, and Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers. The film is produced by Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Jeremy Latcham, and Stan Lee.
Spider-Man: Homecoming will swing into theaters on July 7, 2017. What do you think of the new Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer? What do you think of Tom Holland in the role? How does he compare to Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield? We want to hear your thoughts. Post them in the comments
Marvel’s Inhumans Release Date Set for IMAX
Marvel’s Inhumans release date set for IMAX
IMAX announced today the Marvel’s Inhumans release date! The first two episodes will premiere in IMAX on Friday, September 1, followed by the full eight-episode series on ABC this fall.
The Inhumans, a race of superhumans with diverse and singularly unique powers, were first introduced in Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1965. Since that time, they have grown in prominence and become some of the most popular and iconic characters in the Marvel Universe.
1/6th Scale Hot Toys Spider-Man Homemade Suit for Homecoming
1/6th scale Hot Toys Spider-Man homemade suit for Homecoming
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is officially home in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! The young Peter Parker was introduced in Captain America: Civil War last year and his surprising appearance has made fans hungry for more. This summer, the webslinger will swing back into action, juggling his budding superhero career with frantic high school life in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Today, the 1/6th scale Hot Toys Spider-Man homemade suit collectible figure was revealed.
Expertly crafted based on Tom Holland’s appearance in the movie, the Hot Toys Spider-Man (Homemade Suit Version) collectible figure features a newly-developed Peter Parker head sculpt as well as a masked head sculpt with three sets of interchangeable eyepieces for making a variety of facial expressions. It also comes with a finely-tailored outfit with web-shooters, an assortment of spider-web shooting effect parts, and a specially-designed dynamic figure stand with movie logo.
Special features of the 1/6th scale Spider-Man (Homemade Suit Version) Collectible Figure:
– Authentic and detailed likeness of Peter Parker/Spider-Man from Spider-Man: Homecoming
– One (1) head sculpt with authentic likeness of Tom Holland as Peter Parker in the movie
– One (1) masked head sculpt with three (3) sets of interchangeable eyepieces
– Specialized body with over 30 points of articulation
– Approximately 28.5cm tall
– Eight (8) interchangeable hands in fingerless gloves, including:
– One (1) pair of fists
– One (1) pair of open palms
– One (1) pair of hands for web-shooting
– One (1) left hand for holding spider web
– One (1) right hand for holding the mask
– Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted
Costume:
– One (1) red zip-up hoodie vest with the Spider-Man symbol printed across the chest
– One (1) light blue sweatshirt with wrist-mounted web-shooters
– One (1) pair of light blue sweatpants
– One (1) pair of red socks
– One (1) pair of red shoes
Accessories:
– One (1) Spider-Man mask (not wearable on figure)
– One (1) open spider web effect accessory
– Five (5) strings of spider web in different shapes and lengths, attachable to the web-shooters
– One (1) specially designed dynamic figure stand with movie logo
Artists:
– Head Sculpted by Jae-sung, Eom
– 3D Design by Da-hye, Kim
– Painted by JC. Hong
– Head Art Directed by JC. Hong
Release date: Q3 – Q4, 2017
Michael Shannon Frontrunner to Play Cable in Deadpool 2
Michael Shannon frontrunner to play Cable in Deadpool 2
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Deadpool 2 is getting close to casting the much-sought-after role of Cable, and at the top of the studio’s wish list is none other than General Zod himself, Michael Shannon (Man of Steel, Midnight Special). An intense two-time Oscar nominee (Revolutionary Road and last year’s Nocturnal Animals), Shannon is currently the top choice pending scheduling, though Stranger Things actor David Harbour and several others are also on the shortlist. Kyle Chandler was previously rumored for the role but is no longer in contention, and Liam Neeson was also in the rumor mill.
Being able to play a character in both the DC and Marvel world isn’t a new thing, as Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds proved appearing in Marvel’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Blade Trinity and Deadpool, as well as DC’s Green Lantern. Shannon himself has done three DC Comics movies with Man of Steel, a small part in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and in the flop Jonah Hex. He would certainly be a deadly serious foil to the clownish antics of Deadpool.
We recently talked to screenwriter Rhett Reese, who gave us a taste of what the relationship between Cable and the Merc with the Mouth will be in the upcoming sequel. “Ryan plays Deadpool with a hint of femininity, and I think that can be funny opposite a Cable who’s über-masculine,” Reese told us. “That’ll come into casting and performance and the character design and his wardrobe and things like that too. I think we’ll definitely play into that.”
Reese also recently confirmed to Cinema Blend that both an X-Force movie and a Deadpool 3 are being planned as separate follow-ups to Deadpool 2.
“I also think (Deadpool 2) is working in an expansive way towards X-Force, which will really be more of an ensemble. But then that will allow us to do both an X-Force movie and a Deadpool 3, which actually contracts back down… I think we’ll be able to take two paths. One is where we’re launching something bigger, but then another where we’re contracting and staying personal and small. So I think best of all worlds, really.”
Deadpool 2 is set to introduce two key characters from the X-Force world, including Zazie Beetz (Atlanta) as Domino, a luck-manipulating mutant, and Cable, the time-traveling son of the X-Men’s Cyclops. John Wick‘s David Leitch is directing Deadpool 2 from a screenplay by the returning “real heroes here,” screenwriters Reese and Paul Wernick. Reynolds is again serving as a producer on Deadpool 2 alongside X-Men franchise caretakers Simon Kinberg and Lauren Shuler Donner.
Shannon’s next high-profile gig is one of the leads in Guillermo del Toro’s Civil Rights-era monster movie The Shape of Water, and he will also play George Westinghouse opposite Benedict Cumberbatch’s Thomas Edison in The Current War.
I Am Groot: Going Solo
Christopher Hastings guides the tiny tree on an interstellar adventure!
Groot has gotten himself lost. Lost and stuck in his baby-sized form. With the other Guardians of the Galaxy nowhere to be found, the tiny Groot must fend for himself in a strange world.
Thankfully, he does not have to do it all on this own. He has writer Christopher Hastings and artist Flaviano in his corner for I AM GROOT, a new series coming this May.
Hastings took a break from his bonsai garden to discuss the series with us.
Marvel.com: As a writer, what is the creative draw of Groot? What challenges does he present?
Christopher Hastings: Well the initial draw is that he is hilarious and adorable. That “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” trailer is filled with amazing stuff I can’t wait to see, but the best part is Rocket trying to get Groot not to blow them all up. I’m really excited to put that little guy in all kinds of bad situations and see how he makes them worse.
The main challenge is of course Groot’s limited language. I’m trying to approach the story in a very specific way to make sure it’s not a hindrance, but actually part of what makes it fun.
Marvel.com: In the book, circumstances conspire to separate Groot from his teammates and he is stuck at small size besides. What’s the character’s state of mind as he finds himself alone on the planet?
Christopher Hastings: He’s scared at first. He’s basically a toddler who’s been separated from his family, and is immediately introduced to the strange new terrors of this unknown part of the universe. But that very quickly changes to an impulsive curiosity, driving him deeper and deeper into this weird land.
Marvel.com: Overall, how would you describe the tone you are trying to achieve for this title?
Christopher Hastings: I’m a big fan of stories where little kids have to navigate a weird fantasy land as some sort of metaphor for what’s going on in their normal life. In this case, I’m specifically thinking of “Labyrinth,” “The Neverending Story,” and “Return to Oz.” I’m also pulling a lot from the dreamier Zelda games—“Link’s Awakening” and “Majora’s Mask.” There’s a lot of story in those games, despite the fact that Link can’t even say, “I am Link.” We’ve got a massive advantage there with [I AM GROOT].
Marvel.com: How does artist Flaviano’s work on the book help you to realize that tone? How does his style complement your scripting?
Christopher Hastings: I’m really asking for strange settings and characters that will all tie into a core mystery of this forgotten world Groot’s landed on. Flaviano’s got exactly the kind of thoughtful and specific design mentality that’ll flesh it out perfectly. The characters are so expressive. They can charm you or unsettle you just as easily.
Marvel.com: What kind of supporting cast might readers expect to encounter in this title? Any villains in the early going?
Christopher Hastings: Like I’ve said, there’s an old secret to this planet that’s been completely forgotten, but leaves little hints scattered about. Early characters that Groot [meets] are scavengers, just trying to survive with bits and pieces of abandoned technology and infrastructure. It’s not a great situation, but it’s one they’ve learned to be comfortable with. And Groot’s just going to mess all that up in his quest to return to the Guardians.
As for a villain, there are higher status forces who have a more active approach to keeping things as they are on this planet, which simply can’t be if Groot is to return home.
Marvel.com: Speaking directly to fans, why is I AM GROOT one that they’ll want to buy?
Christopher Hastings: This is a book for anyone who wants to see more of this new really funny, really cute Groot, but pushed to the edge, completely on his own. It’s also for anyone who wants to read the words “I am Groot” a lot.
I AM GROOT #1 by Christopher Hastings and Flaviano plants its roots on May 24!
Unworthy Thor: Revelations
Finally find out what felled the Odinson with writer Jason Aaron!
WARNING: This article contained SPOILERS for UNWORTHY THOR #5, available now!
As Thor fans know, the Odinson has had a pretty difficult go of it lately. With the loss of his worthiness, he has found himself on a bit of a journey of self-discovery. As UNWORTHY THOR wraps up, we’ll see what this arc means both for his role in the larger Marvel Universe, and his place in the MIGHTY THOR series moving forward.
We chatted with writer Jason Aaron about what lies ahead for the Odinson.
Marvel.com: UNWORTHY THOR has forced the Odinson to figure out who he is without his worthiness. Can you give us your take on the journey he has gone through?
Jason Aaron: Everything I’ve done over the last few years with making Thor Odinson unworthy and bringing Jane Foster in was about telling a very specific story with her and with a different sort of Thor. But I also wanted to give Thor Odinson his own journey, so I wouldn’t just push him aside. I like the idea of watching him wrestle with his unworthiness and seeing how that changes him, how it makes him a very different sort of character. I think this [limited series] gave us the biggest version of that kind of story that we’ve done. We’ve seen a darker, angrier, very different kind of Thor Odinson.
Marvel.com: Can you tell us a little about your experience writing both UNWORTHY THOR and MIGHTY THOR simultaneously?
Jason Aaron: I love writing Thor. I’ve been doing it for several years now and I have a big pile of Thor stories I’ve wanted to get to. It felt great to have the chance to write two Thor books at once. And to get to work with artists Russell Dauterman and Olivier Coipel at the same time felt like an extravagance of riches. Olivier is already established as one of the best Thor artists ever, and I see Russell rising up the ranks, as well. His art just gets better and better with every arc. And I’ve enjoyed doing these two very different Thor stories at the same time; now we’ll see the two characters collide, and the Odinson’s story will get wrapped up again with Jane Foster’s.
Marvel.com: This is the last issue of the UNWORTHY THOR series; could you tell us a little about what’s next for the Odinson?
Jason Aaron: You can expect to see him pop up in the pages of MIGHTY THOR very soon. He has missed a lot in the time he has been away, so he’ll have a lot to catch up on. And as you can see from the tease at the end of the UNWORTHY THOR #5, we still have more story to tell with the hammer of the Ultimate Thor. After the current MIGHTY THOR arc wraps up, we’ll dive into the story of a brand new Ultimate Thor—yet another very different sort of Thor added to the mix.
Marvel.com: You mentioned the hammer of the Ultimate Thor, which the Odinson encounters in UNWORTHY THOR. What role will it play in his story moving forward?
Jason Aaron: It will have its own big arc, when someone else comes along and picks up the hammer, and gets transformed by it in a different way. This hammer is a little different in that it’s a relic from a dead universe, a holdover from the Ultimate Universe that somehow survived through the events of Secret Wars. The exact nature of that hammer, how it differs from the hammer of Thor in the mainstream Marvel Universe, how it affects someone who wields it, we’ll answer those questions in the pages of MIGHTY THOR.
Marvel.com: In this issue, we finally learn what Nick Fury whispered to the Odinson in Original Sin that made him unworthy. He said, “Gorr was right.” What kind of impact did you hope this reveal would have on the Odinson’s story?
Jason Aaron: The idea with this mystery stretches back to the beginning of my run on Thor. We still see the effects that Thor’s battle with Gorr the God Butcher had on him, and the overall meaning of what Gorr did and why. I think as long as I’m guiding Thor’s ship, that idea of worthiness and what it means to be a god in the Marvel Universe will remain prominent themes. And I think this reveal shows that these questions still plague Thor Odinson, and I don’t expect that to go away anytime soon.
Follow the fate of the Odinson yourself in UNWORTHY THOR #5, on sale now, and in future issues of MIGHTY THOR!
Women’s History Month: Writers Roundtable
Kate Leth, Amy Reeder, and Kelly Thompson speak out on several subjects!
Marvel Comics celebrates Women’s History with a roundtable discussion consisting of some of their most talented creators: Kate Leth (PATSY WALKER, A.K.A. HELLCAT!), Amy Reeder (MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR), and Kelly Thompson (HAWKEYE). We wanted speak with these creators not only to know who influenced their work but also to get an idea as to how and where they see women affecting the industry as a whole.