In the last week the comic book community has been rocked by news of big changes to some of Marvel’s biggest characters. We first received news of a big change to the “Thor” mythos. The god of thunder is setting down his hammer allowing for a new worthy wielder to step forward. Who is the mystery woman? Nobody yet knows, not even Odin.
The change train kept rolling down the track with news that Steve Rogers will lose what makes him super, becoming a mundane human being like the rest of us. His advanced age and lack of enhanced ability make him more suited for defending America from behind a desk and a predecessor must be named. Sam Wilson, The Falcon, will take up the mantle becoming the new Captain America.
In the aftershock of these two big announcements there were rumblings of a change to come for Iron Man as well, rounding out Marvel’s big three. Today those rumblings were confirmed with news of a new series titled “Superior Iron Man.” A common theme in comics is the justifiable concerns that come along with so much power being held by so few individuals. We’ll see the reality of those concerns come to fruition in this series when Tony Stark unleashes the extremis virus on the citizens of San Francisco. Starks intentions are noble, he unleashes the virus in an attempt to realize the cities full potential, but does his reach exceed his grasp? Will we see Stark’s ambitions turn him from hero to villain?
These changes, a part of Marvel’s “Avengers NOW!” initiative, will begin in October in each of the respective series and it seems only likely that they will reverberate through the entire Marvel universe. Exciting things are coming.
One can’t help but wonder if these changes will echo into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s no secret that the actors currently portraying Marvel’s most popular characters won’t be doing so forever. Eventually RDJ, Evans, and Hemsworth will move on to other projects, this would provide a workable exit strategy for Marvel to be able to maintain a continuous story without having to re-cast or reboot.
You can see Marvel’s official press release below and remember to add these series to your hold. I suspect you’ll want these pieces of comic book history on your shelves or in your long boxes for years to come.
AVENGERS NOW! Brings Epic Stories & Seismic Changes to the Marvel Universe!
New York. NY—July 18th, 2014 — The most popular characters. The most acclaimed creators. The most ambitious stories. This is the recharged Avengers NOW!.
This Fall, the Marvel Universe heads in an exciting and ambitious new direction as the industry’s top creators and brightest rising stars join the top Super Heroes – Captain America, Thor, Iron Man and more – to deliver the most exciting and energetic comics on the market with can’t miss all-new ongoing series!
“Avengers NOW! is the start of a Marvel Universe like you’ve never seen before,” says Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso. “With massive changes coming to some of our biggest characters, Avengers NOW! is ready to kick off a bold new era of the Marvel Universe and will certainly close out 2014 with a bang.”
It all starts this October when Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman bring the thunder in Thor #1. Bereft of his mighty magic hammer Mjolnir, Thor must contend with a new God of Thunder in the Marvel Universe – and she’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before! Who is this new mysterious leading lady? Not even Odin knows! Prepare for a senses-shattering new beginning as the all-new Thor thunders her way through the Marvel Universe!
Then, Avengers NOW! soars to new heights in All-New Captain America #1! From superstar creators Rick Remender and Stuart Immonen comes the next evolution of the Captain America mythos. Drained of the Super-Soldier Serum, the frail Steve Rogers has handpicked his shield-wielding successor – Sam Wilson, the Falcon! But as the winged warrior assumes his new heroic mantle, he’ll have to contend with a gauntlet of Captain America’s most terrifying foes! Can the new, untested Captain America stand up to his predecessor’s most vile villains? Find out this November in All-New Captain America #1!
It only gets bolder from there as the billionaire playboy unleashes his dark side in Superior Iron Man #1! Rising comic stars Tom Taylor and Yildray Cinar craft an all-new tale of a Tony Stark you’ve never seen before! Releasing the dangerous Extremis technology to the citizens of San Francisco, he’ll transform the City by the Bay into the City of Tomorrow! But at what price? And what does a world look like when it’s consumed by technology? Find out this November in Superior Iron Man #1!
Once again, the biggest creators bring you the biggest characters in the biggest stories…and it’s happening NOW!
For more on Avengers NOW!, please visit www.marvel.com and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #AvengersNOW.
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