comics

From Marvel to DC, Geeks explores the popular and independant comic titles in the geek universe.

If You're Nostalgic For The X-Men's '90s Heyday, You'll Love 'Generation X'
Marvel Comic's X-Men "ResurrXion" is a breath of fresh air for fans, stepping away from the downbeat arcs that have characterized the franchise for the last decade or so. This week saw this new era in X-Men history continue with the launch of Christina Strain's Generation X. The title and concept are beautiful homages to a dearly-loved comic book from the 1990s, and a major character from the era (Jubilee) takes center-stage. But how does the book balance nostalgia and the need for a new direction?
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
Battle Of the Comic Book Sales: Who Won In The Match-Up Of Marvel's Secret Empire Vs DC Comics's The Button?
Who's the top dog in the comic book world? Marvel has the edge in terms of comic book sales for a while, but for the past couple of months, DC Comics has reigned supreme. April 2017 was always going to be a tough one to call; DC's "Rebirth" was taking shape in a key crossover known as "The Button," while Marvel was relaunching their entire X-Men range while kicking off this year's controversial Summer Event, "Secret Empire." Now the sales figure are out, though, and here's the strange thing — even those have become the subject of controversy.
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
Exclusive Interview: How Writer Christina Strain Came To Helm 'Generation X', Marvel's New Lovable Losers
The X-Men have been in a very dark place since the early 2000s, battling against the constant threat of extinction. All that's set to change later this year in the new "ResurrXion" era, with a brighter, more hopeful hue. Popular titles have been announced that hark back to classic and much-loved X-Men series — and top of that list is Christina Strain's Generation X!
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
Marvel Comic Book Artist Ardian Syaf Goes Rogue In 'X-Men Gold' Scandal
Marvel Comics has had a difficult weekend. Last week saw the release of X-Men Gold #1, a blockbuster issue that's rich in character work and launches the franchise in a whole new direction. Unfortunately, fans quickly began to pick up on some troubling details that artist Ardian Syaf had slipped into the book — artistic touches that promoted his own religious and political beliefs. Was Syaf trying to sabotage the very comic that he worked on?
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
The Legion of Super Heroes Are About to Return in DC Comics's "Rebirth"!
Launched last May, DC's "Rebirth" event has proven to be a hit! As the "Rebirth" era nears its one-year anniversary, Geoff Johns is teasing his return, and a Batman / The Flash crossover event looks set to lift the lid on some of DC's greatest mysteries. Meanwhile, a year after the first hint, it looks as though the Legion of Super-Heroes is about to return!
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
In The Run Up To Marvel's 'Secret Empire', Hydra Captain America Just Murdered Red Skull In Cold Blood
We're on the road to 'Secret Empire', this year's Marvel Comics Summer Event — and it promises to be a controversial one! If you've been paying attention to #Marvel Comics for the past year, you're probably aware that writer Nick Spencer has taken the controversial step of transforming Captain America into an agent of #Hydra. The last few months have seen the dangerously compromised Steve Rogers step up to a position of power we've never seen before, even as he secretly works to undermine the Red Skull and become Hydra's greatest leader. Now, in a shocking twist, that arc has come to a head in this week's Captain America: Steve Rogers #15!
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
Diversity In Comics: It's Time To Change The Conversation
Marvel's been in the headlines a lot over the last week, and it's not exactly been the kind of attention the comic book publisher will have enjoyed. In the wake of disturbingly poor sales, Marvel held their first Retailer Summit of the millennium, and some of their key figures made unguarded remarks that, well, to say they've gone viral would be something of an understatement. The most controversial statement was by David Gabriel (Senior Vice President — Sales and Marketing):
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
Ms. Marvel / Kamala Khan Creator G. Willow Wilson Adds Some Perspective To The Marvel Comics Diversity Debacle
No follower of comic book websites can have failed to notice the controversy that broke over the weekend. In the wake of the first Marvel Retailer Summit of the millennium, a lot of websites have been reporting that Marvel's so-called "diversity initiative" has stalled, and that fans have had enough of Marvel's campaign to represent a more diverse range of genders and races in its lead characters. As I discussed in an earlier post, the comments which set the internet on fire were largely taken out of context, but their impact in undeniable. Now, G. Willow Wilson, the creator of Kamala Khan (a.k.a. Ms Marvel) has spoken out about the whole controversy. She's an important figure in this whole debate, as Kamala Khan is easily the most successful Legacy Hero, who were the main target of the supposed ire.
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
Did Marvel Comics Just Reveal The Return Of Iron Man?
Death has always been something of a revolving door in superhero comics. Whether the superhero in question is an A-lister or a Z-lister, whether they're Superman or Stature, most heroes have had a brush or two with death. Frankly, I suspect that lawyers in the Marvel Universe insist on adding resurrection clauses to the wills of active superheroes. Now, less than a year after Marvel took the step of (almost) killing off Tony Stark, it looks as though everyone's favorite Avenger is already set to return — in a big way!
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
Marvel Comic Sales In Freefall In February 2017 — What's Going On?
Every month, Diamond Comic Distributors releases a report on the last month's sales figures. These should be taken with a serious pinch of salt — they only reflect orders from the US direct retail market, so they don't include international sales, and there are no figures available for the growing digital market. With all those provisos, though, the sales figures for February 2017 contain some pretty horrific shocks - and they fit into a disturbing pattern...
By Timothy Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
We Finally Know What Nick Fury Whispered To Thor To Make Him Unworthy Of Wielding Mjolnir
Way back in 2014, Jason Aaron set about dramatically changing Thor's status quo. The comic book event "Original Sin" featured a shadowy adversary learning the secrets of the universe when he plucked out the Watcher's eyes. Able to see all time a space, this foe — ultimately revealed to be Nick Fury — launched a thousand plots, as he revealed the mysteries of the Marvel Universe. Incredibly, as part of the final battle, Nick Fury whispered just a few words to Thor, which instantly rendered the Thunder God unworthy, and no longer able to wield Mjolnir.
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks
Marvel Is Heavily Promoting Mary-Jane Comic Book Variants — Does This Mean She Will Appear In 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'?
2017 is the Year of the Spider. In July, Tom Holland's Peter Parker will swing his way into his first solo Marvel movie, and Spider-Man: Homecoming is sure to be one of the year's biggest blockbusters. Just a month before, Marvel Comics will begin their Spider-Man push by launching a second ongoing series — Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man! Helmed by writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Adam Kubert, this new series will be set in the mainstream continuity, but will step back from Dan Slott's ongoing globe-trotting arcs and instead set Peter against the familiar New York backdrop.
By Tom Bacon8 years ago in Geeks