Invincible #38
written by Robert Kirkman, art by Ryan Ottley

I’m hesitant to recommend this specific issue, as it seems to be running a couple of the longer-running subplots, specifically involving the Viltrumites, Allen the Alien (who is totally awesome), and that weird alien business from Mars. Kirkman clearly always tries to make the book accessible, but there’s just so much more to appreciate if you’ve been reading it for a while.

In fact, if you’re going to start reading this book, there’s really one best way to do it – From the very beginning. Buy the first two trades (or just the Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 – the stuff is collected in a couple different ways). I promise you, if you regret that purchase, then YOU ARE NOT HUMAN. Because once you’ve read the first 8 issues, you will hit the mindjob that is the overarcing story of the entire book – the deep issues between our developing superhero, Mark (Invincible), and his veteran superheroic father (Omni-Man). And the third trade only gets better from there (though again, that’s all part of that one Ultimate Collection – only $25 on Amazon or MileHighComics.com).

This book is a non-stop ride of excitement, classic superheroics, and heart-wrenching twists. Kirkman’s recent work at Marvel has failed to come anywhere near the heights of this joyride of a book, but that has more to do with just how incredible this book has consistently been.

It’s really difficult to talk to much without giving away the amazing plot points. Simply put, if you like superheroes, and you love a great story, just go buy those first two trades – or the Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1. If you’re feeling hesitant, maybe at least give tomorrow’s issue a try though – if you like that, THEN go buy the trades. And then you’ll understand that you must always trust my word on such matters. Because, like this book, my word is GREAT.

Updated – 1/22/2007, 8:20 PM

Recently, forum member Blanktoe brought some spoilerish information to our attention, thanks to Amazon’s early-solicitation schedule for trade paperbacks. Continue reading after the jump for a screencap of the listing, a copy of the image it revealed, and some discussion on how believable it may or may not be.

I repeat, last chance to abandon ship –

SPOILER WARNING – SPOILERS BE AHEAD…
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Green Arrow from Smallville has his own show! Sort of. But it’s very strangely animated. And episodes are only about 2 to 4 minutes long. AND they’re only available on “Sprint TV’s mobile video service.” But don’t worry! Once all of the 6 episodes have ‘aired,’ they’ll be available on the CW’s website, starting February 22nd. You can even watch the official trailer for the show HERE, and catch a glimpse of the painfully odd animation in action.

If the video’s not at that link anymore by the time you read this, go to the Smallville main site, and look under the main picture. Of the four smaller boxes lined up underneath, it should be the one on the right, titled “Smallville Legends.”

As for me, while I have no intention of paying anyone, ever, to see this; that trailer remains a sight to behold. As annoying as the kid sounds in it (Waaa! I don’t want a stupid bow and arrow! Waaaaa!), the visuals alone strike me as too strangely disjointed for anyone to punish their senses with for 2 to 4 minutes. So obviously, if I still remember this a month from now, like a good rubbernecker, I’ll totally be checking it out online when I get the chance.

Marvel Adventures: The Avengers #9
written by Jeff Parker, art by Juan Roman Cano Santacruz, cover by Cameron Stewart

Holy. Crap. Look at that cover, man.

Now, to be fair, the Avengers aren’t fighting your traditional M.O.D.O.K. They’re fighting M.O.D.O.C. This is because the K in M.O.D.O.K. stands for Killing – as in, Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing – and the Marvel Adventures line is supposed to be more kid-friendly, so the words “kill” aren’t allowed. So the C stands for Conquest. I guess it’s alright if the kids lead lives dedicated to conquest, then.

For those of you out of the loop, the ‘Adventures’ line is like the Ultimate line: It’s a separate continuity from the main Marvel U, allowing for more accessible, less continuity-intensive storytelling. The lineup for the team (in case the picture is a little unclear) includes: Captain America, Iron Man (on the same team? gasp!), Spider-Man, Wolverine, Storm, the Hulk, and Giant-Girl (as I understand it, it’s Janet Van Dyne, AKA the Wasp, but she uses her powers for BIGNESS).

The writer also happens to be Jeff Parker, the writer of the excellent Agents of Atlas, and the successful X-Men: First Class. I’m not as familiar with Santacruz, but I’ll say this about him: He draws a GREAT Avengers-as-M.O.D.O.C.s (see the preview pages).

For more M.O.D.O.K.-related reading and links, go here and enjoy – And definitely continue after the jump for that 6 page preview!

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Marvel just released covers for April issues today, and as you can see on the cover on the left, Black Panther #27 features Ben Grimm, Johnny Storm, Storm, and the Black Panther riding in a FantastiCar. The previously touted image (featuring Ben and Johnny with Stardust and the Silver Surfer) is going to be the cover to the same month’s FF issue #545. And, a little more research says that the original leaked cover was just the cover to issue #544, which conveniently remains unviewable on Marvel’s website. So, it seems the team WILL consist of Storm and T’Challa, for at least a month, though the Ben and Johnny rockin’ duo may start playing russian roulette with the two open spots left by Reed and Sue. And, if the original leaked cover really is just FF #544, and the new space one really is the cover to #545, then this also tells us that Marvel’s putting Turner on FF covers. Which I guess is newsworthy to some. All in all, Marvel’s clearly playing the hype game they play whenever they leak something on accident, but history tells us that initial reports do tend to have it right. So, hopefully, that’s the end of that.

Spider-Man 3 may be months away, but Sideshow Collectibles already has three 12-inch action figures from Medicon available on their site. You can find each of the toys here: Spider-Man, “Black Suited” Spider-Man, and the spooky villain of the show. (Hint: It’s not Old Man Withers in a mask.)

Or, just click through to see the images mirrored here.
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Thunderbolts #110
written by Warren Ellis, art by Mike Deodato

As Civil War trudges along, it’s finally time for the much-hyped new Thunderbolts lineup launch! While I’m a longtime fan of the group under Fabian Nicieza’s excellent pen (and I question the decision of taking the book out from under him – again), I won’t deny that the different approach Warren Ellis is bringing to the table has caught my interest.

In the new lineup we have cold-blooded killers mixed in with former, more heroic Thunderbolts. With the psychotics being controlled by nanites, and unwilling holdovers being forced on the team for yet unexplained reasons, things are no doubt going to be tense and violent, and with the ever-brilliant Mike Deodato (ever-famous for his work on the Hulk – where he even drew the Thunderbolts’ first appearance, in Incredible Hulk #449) on pencils, they should also look fantastic. Keep on reading after the jump for 5 preview pages – you really don’t want to miss it; Bullseye show off the different facets of his crazy while never lifting a finger – and also for our quick ‘n dirty rundown on the characters involved.

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In the ongoing saga of Marvel teasing the FF’s new lineup, there’s been a couple new hints this week. For starters, you might want to catch up on the previous teaser image we showed you, featuring Storm and Black Panther with the Human Torch and the Thing. Rich Johnston’s Lying In The Gutters reports that this pic originally slipped through the cracks as “a ‘Civil War’ variant cover”. Makes sense – That’s about all Michael Turner does for Marvel. So what about the new space-themed image that Marvel sent out today? Read on after the jump for answers.
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