Marvel has given us the first look at Thor: God of Thunder #1 and I’m in incredibly excited about this book.

Without further ado, their press release and then the preview:

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Thor: God of Thunder #1, kicking off the all-new ongoing series from the amazing creative team of writer Jason Aaron and artist Esad Ribic! Throughout the ages, the gods of the Marvel Universe have been vanishing, their mortal worshipers left in chaos. NOW! the Mighty Thor follows a trail of blood that threatens to consume his past, present and future selves. The only hope for these ravaged worlds lies with the God of Thunder unraveling the gruesome mystery of the God Butcher!

As part of Marvel NOW!, Thor: God of Thunder joins a number of titles that will take the Marvel Universe in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes to deliver all-new ongoing series, great for new and lapsed readers alike!

Each issue of Thor: God of Thunder includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices). Additionally, each issue of Thor: God of Thunder features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.

An all-new direction! All-new threats! This is Thor: God of Thunder NOW!

This November, Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic redefine what it means to be worthy in Thor: God of Thunder #1!

THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #1(SEP120562)
Written by JASON AARON
Art & Cover by ESAD RIBIC
FOC – 10/22/2012, On Sale – 11/14/2012

This was unveiled earlier today at NYCC. It looks like Marvel is trying again to catch up to DC with their animation department.

And maybe The Clone Wars has spoiled me from digital animation.

Here’s the official synopsis:

This is the ultimate Marvel Animation Studios Super Hero team-up starring iconic Marvel characters, Iron Man and Hulk. Audiences will enjoy an adrenaline rush as they see their favorite Super Heroes as never before in this all-new groundbreaking Marvel CG-animation movie experience available only on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital platforms. Marvel’s Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United is an incredible pairing of Hulk’s brute strength and Iron Man’s high-tech intellect. Presented in the mighty Marvel manner, their combined force is unstoppable in this feature-length original animated adventure.

We’re now four issues into one of Marvel’s more controversial titles, the newly costumed and gendered Captain Marvel. Some readers are up in arms over what they perceive as Marvel’s lack of respect for Mar-Vell’s legacy, some feel that Carol Danvers and her own legacy and title are receiving a disservice – but it seems most are upset over the mere concept of the book and not the content.

After Carol accepted her new mantle, she set out to beat an altitude record previously set by her hero, Helen Cobb. This did not go as planned, and Captain Marvel ended up on a mysterious island off the coast of Peru . . . circa 1943. She joined a group of female fighters called the Banshees, taught the enemies a lesson, and is about to discover clues as to her time traveling purpose.

The art in this book is gorgeous. Dexter Soy’s Marvel premiere is wide and brushy, the colors muted with pops of costume color. I don’t think Carol’s face has ever had this much character, and her new “do” is tough and classic. Most of the comic readers I know haven’t picked up the book because they found the art not to their liking after a cursory glance. The art is very stylized, but never crosses a line for me. The panel on page ten of a frightened Japanese soldier is one of my favorites in the series so far. The new costume’s palette is a little tired, but, you know, Kree colors. What are you going to do.

Kelly Sue DeConnick’s script is easy and uncontrived. Her dialogue never sounds like it’s trying to be feminine but comes across as distinctly female. I don’t think this story in any way entices women while excluding men. However, many readers do complain about the use of time travel as a plot device. “It’s a crutch,” they say. “When you can’t think of anything else, throw her back in time,” they say. I take no issue with time travel, as long as it legitimately furthers a plot or character arch (and is done in a way that my wildly unscientific mind considers “right”), and with only four issues in that certainly remains to be determined.

Historically I don’t buy books based on creator alone, but these two have made a mark and I will certainly be open to issues of just about anything they would produce – individually or as a team. Emma Rios will be taking on the art from here on out, and while I’m sad to see Soy off the project I remain quite excited to see the endgame.

This is a Blu-ray set that’s really review proof. We’ve all bought this film and there’s really not much I can say that will convince you to buy it or to not buy it.

On Blu-ray the film looks as good or better than it did on the big screen. Seriously, it was so sharp that the green screen shots were popping out at me much worse than on film or blown up digitally. I just bought a new TV, too, so maybe that had something to do with it.

As for bonus features on the version I got, we had deleted scenes and a gag reel, both excellent. I love watching deleted scenes. It makes me respect the filmmakers even more. The scenes would not have worked to make a better movie in any way, but they were good. Seeing them sacrifice good scenes and whole subplots for the good of the movie is the mark of a great film editor. The Agent Hill subplot might have been interesting, but starting the movie in a wraparound sequence of her interrogation by the shadow council would have been absolute clown shoes.

And I loved all the stuff of Steve Rogers adapting to his time, but it simply didn’t fit with the pacing. We should be getting plenty of that in The Winter Soldier.

The gag reel was a bit of nonsensical fun. The commentary was fantastic…

The biggest feature, perhaps, is the Marvel short film Item 47. It looks at a couple who finds some discarded Chitauri weaponry and start robbing banks with it. It’s fun, has high production value, and is a great side-story in the Marvel Universe. I hope they keep up making the shorts for the DVDs, it’s nice to get extra movie-like content in the universe that doesn’t have to get stuck inside the movie. My biggest complaint is that it didn’t involve any actual Marvel characters. I’d love to see these shorts as a way to showcase the heroes who don’t have movies yet.

But too bad if you have just a DVD player. Pretty much all of the special features are Blu-ray only, which sucks for those who haven’t made the leap. Maybe it’s smart on the part of the technology companies that want us all to have the latest and greatest technology, but it sucks when you buy a film that has a Blu-ray and DVD version and your DVD is next to worthless.

There is one thing to consider, however, if you haven’t already bought this version of the Avengers, it might be worth it to get the Avengers Phase One Ultimate Box Set. It’s pre-ordering for around $140 at the moment and contains all the Marvel films leading up to and including the Avengers and comes with bonus material for each film.

That set comes out in the spring of 2013.

It really doesn’t matter, though. My guess is you’ve all already watched your copy about a hundred times. I know I’ve watched the film at least three times since I’ve had it. It stands up. There’s nothing bad about this movie.

We all love seeing our favorite heroes on the big screen, but until the recent explosion of superhero movies, we had to be content with their exploits on the humble television screen, most often in the form of animation. While I would probably give the edge to DC in terms of overall quality, Marvel Comics has done really well to get their characters on screen to introduce them to the masses. I dunno about you, but when I saw these shows as a kid, and even now as an adult, a catchy theme or some sort of intro to the characters helped me to decide if I was going to watch said show, or go watch a rerun of Duck Tales instead. Of course, with so many shows over the years there are bound to be some amazing theme songs, and some well, not so great ones. On that note, here’s my entirely arbitrary and non-scientific list of the 10 best, 10 worst Marvel Animated theme songs of all time!

First, to get us started, I thought I’d just show the original intro the the Marvel Super-Heroes show from 1966. It’s very rarely been shown since then, and it’s a great opener, enjoy!

“>httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3g0tzgIezY

The Good:

10. Black Panther

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeGSNyYeQJs

Now to be honest, I’ve only seen one episode of this show, and really, it’s just a glorified motion comic. That being said, the theme is pretty catchy, and actually fits with Black Panther’s Wakandan heritage. It’s based on Reginald Hudlin’s famous run of the comic, even. It’s the sort of thing that does make me want to check out the show more than I have. Hey, what do you know, I can do that right now.

9. Captain America 1966

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpufNT8I-SU

This one always brings a smile to my face. The theme is upbeat and stays in your head, but is short enough that it does’t overstay its welcome. Not only that, in the 20-second runtime, The tune gives you a rough idea of what Cap is about. Although even a 6-year-old can make an educated guess as to what the deal is with a guy practically dressed in the American flag. The song is also pretty versatile. Comic artist Chris Giarusso did a nice remix of this song a while back featuring his favorite hero instead of Cap.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SA_PTP_Sgw

8. Incredible Hulk 1982

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VlyNUyApm8

Watching this intro now, I am pretty much thinking to myself “The Hulk sure fights a a lot of aliens.” That weirdness aside, I like this instrumental theme because of the power it conveys, and as we all know, the Hulk is all about power. Even so, we see that the Hulk is a hero as well, saving a civilian from certain death even after taking a building to the face. Couple that with a quick gamma-fueled origin shot, and the ending with a true display of ‘ol greenskin’s power? Yeah, this one works for me.

7. Iron Man: Armored Adventures

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxzDTt0RT7U

Say what you will about the folly of introducing the mass audience to the horrors of Teen Tony, I sure like his theme song. I wouldn’t be opposed to listening to a full-length version of it, actually. The lyrics though? Yeah, those are kind of silly, hence it’s place at #7.

6. Iron Man Anime

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzOmdkqYO9w

Now this one I admittedly have not seen. I can tell you just from this, I’m not too keen on the armor design. His eyes are too far apart! I’m not even that fond of the music. Why is it on the “good” list then? Well, what it does right, it does very right. From the opening blueprint/schematic, the scene where Tony actually dons the armor, and especially the scene lifted from the first Iron Man movie, this is a show that says “Watch Me!” If I someone with no knowledge off Iron Man outside of the movies and saw this, it would get me interested for the desert scene alone, and that’s why it works.

5. Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spmlzifLrHY

Admittedly, this one is on here for purely nostalgic reasons. It’s pretty cheesy now, but back then, this was my gateway drug into comics in general. Barring that though, this theme does have some things going for it. First, the music is pretty catchy, second it introduces Iceman and Firestar in such a way, that you know what you need to know about them before the first line of dialog is even spoken. Of course the real kicker is the den/secret lab. I don’t think it actually ever gets used in the series, but to a young kid? It’s well, amazing.

4. X-Men 1991

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IzSGvXc_PM

Ah, X-Men. Also known as the first Marvel cartoon that catered to both newbies and longtime fans. This theme has it all. Great music, an introduction the the vast ensemble cast, complete with their names and power sets! Too bad the show itself didn’t always live up to the standards set by its theme song. I still cringe whenever I have to endure Storm’s melodramatic dialog.

3. Fantastic Four 1994

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P54eLSH-Wgc

This theme is also known as “The one where Shaz loses all credibility”. Yeah, the theme song is incredibly silly. Still, it works for me quite a bit. I mean, it totally recounts the origin in a very memorable way. Not only that, but the second verse explains their powers succinctly (well kinda, they describe the Torch’s powers as “Johnny is the Human Torch”). I think part of the reason this is one of my favorite is because of the cheesiness. It was fun, and that’s all I want from my entertainment, to be you know, entertained.

2. Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxaJpUnF6xA

This is, by default, the best Avengers cartoon ever (more on that later). It is also one the best Marvel cartoons ever. It made me think Ant-Man was cool. Ant-Man! The theme itself has a very contemporary vibe to it, and I’ve read that some people don’t like that. I you look under the surface and listen to the lyrics in tandem with what’s on screen though, there are somewhat subtle allusions to the characters on screen. For example:

Hulk: Torment and Upset — That’s the Hulk alright.

Captain America: Lost from when we wake — Definitely an allusion to thawing out the Capsicle.

Thor: With no way to go back — Thor is stranded on Midgard in this show

Iron Man: I’m standing on my own — Tony’s not a team player… at first.

Then of course the call goes out, and the Avengers are, as they say, assembled. It just works.

1. Spider-Man 1967

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUjmh3x3HmQ

No brainer. I mean come on, what other song on this list has been covered over 100 times by such musical talents as diverse as The Ramones and Michael Bublé? None, that’s what. It’s the strength of the theme song alone that drives the original Spidey cartoon to the top of the list. Though I will say, I don’t get why animators think it’s a good idea for Spider-Man to use two weblines in opposite directions. The guy’s gonna tear his arms off doing that!

The Bad:

10. Pryde of the X-Men

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko-J8iLMUjQ

While never picked up as a series, this pilot episode has been seen quite often over the years, Australian Wolverine and all. While the song is kind of informative, the sheer 80’s-ness of it (not the good parts of the 80’s mind you) really hurt its standing. Comin’ your way!

9. Hulk 1966

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UnFVqJmBXU

This theme had the potential to be as good as the 60’s Captain America theme, but it falls flat on its face thanks to the lyrics and dubious rhyming scheme. It’s a bit too ambitious to rhyme Gamma Rays with Unglama-rays, after all. What the heck is a monster clown, anyway? Next, please.

8. Hulk 1994

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyQpEoMFF3w

I can’t quite put my finger on why I hate this theme song. It has a lot of the same things going for it as the 1982 version, but this time, it just doesn’t work for me. It may be the incessant chanting of “Hulk… Incredible Hulk” It may also have to do with the fact that this Hulk’s facial expression is actually a bit more sinister looking than I’m used to seeing the Jade Giant. Take your pick, no sir, I don’t like it.

7. Iron Man Season 2

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJZ_g5xZtAA

A scene from the board meeting of Season two of this show:

“Hey I know! Let’s re-design Tony Stark for this season and give him a truly glorious mullet!”

“OK, done. What about the theme music? Black Sabbath won’t let us use their ‘Iron Man’ song.”

“Fine, use the ‘I am Iron Man’ phrase and get some poor schmo to do whatever guitar solo he wants on it!”

“Yes! Now we watch the money roll in!”

6. Fantastic Four 1978

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7jG5CeMuvQ

The animation for this one kills me, from the weird zombie walk Reed makes out of the wreckage, to Ben Grimm’s drunken wobbling as he transforms into The Thing, just ugh. Couple that with the narration, come on “The now you see her, now you don’t Invisible Girl”? Is that really necessary? Adding to the mix the truly nonsensical introduction of H.E.R.B.I.E. The “New” Fantastic Four is thankfully just a memory.

5. Spider-Man 1994

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QfFFVAfOlg

This show is not nearly as good as I remember it being. Even so, the song has something going for it, right? “SPIDER BLOOD, SPIDER BLOOD, RADIOACTIVE SPIDER BLOOD” OK, guess not. Moving on…

4. Avengers: United They Stand

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDI0tBqGen0

Not only do we get a montage of characters that doesn’t really even show what they can do, they show Hawkeye putting a belt on over a belt! Then, to add insult to injury, at the very end, Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America show up pretty much to say. “Hey guys, we can’t really be associated with this turd of a show, but we’ll show up in the opening credits to dupe the youngsters”.

3. Ultraforce

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9M2VpgVxLQ

While technically a Malibu comic, Marvel purchased Malibu around the time this show aired, so I’m counting it. It is truly terrible. Not only does the music make my ears want to retreat into my skull, but it’s trying so hard to be the X-Men’s opening crawl it’s not even funny.

2. Solarman

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdP6aA6Ug3M

Solarman? Who the heck is Solarman? He is in fact, and incredibly obscure Marvel character that somehow got a but of a media push in the 80’s. I’d be willing to guess the reason it failed is because it is trying to be all of the 80’s shows at once. A space show, a superhero show, a potential toy tie-in. Heck, even his character design evoke Lion-O from the Thundercats. Is it any wonder that this didn’t get any farther than a pilot and a 2 issues comic series?

1. Fred & Barney Meet the Thing

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIbM-sftdWA

I like the Thing, really I do. He’s one of my top 3 favorite Marvel characters, but this Does. Not. Work. Aunt Petunia’s favorite nephew reduced to a straight man for the antics of the Flintstones? No, just no. The theme song only touches on this incarnation’s most egregious bit of crazy. The Thing is actually summoned by teen-aged Benjy Grimm who smacks a ring together and shouts “Thing Ring, do your thing!” It’s so bad, that the only copy in circulation is this terrible quality version.

Both:

Spider-Man Unlimited

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHtAHqwD7C0

This theme has the dubious honor of being both good and bad. The first 10 seconds are blissful. Great looking, and an incredibly succinct re-telling of Spider-Man origin. It all goes downhill with the nanite infused suit and refugees from The Island of Doctor Moreau. It could have been a contender though.

That’s the end! Don’t forget, we’re all a part of the Merry marvel Marching Society!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO8ndkutOIU

We finally have a deleted scene that will presumably be included on the DVD and blu-ray next month.  In it, we see a post transformed Bruce Banner having a brief philosophical  conversation with the security guard who discovered him in the building the Hulk cratered into after plummeting from the hellicarrier moments before.

The good folks over at EW.com have the exclusive rights, so follow the link below to their page and scroll to the bottom to see the video!

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/08/20/avengers-deleted-scene/

Disney/Marvel recently sent out this statement regarding our favorite fabulous super team:

The Walt Disney Studios has announced a release date for Marvel Studios’ sequel to the biggest Super Hero blockbuster and third highest grossing film of all time, Marvel’s The Avengers. Joss Whedon returns to write and direct the UNTITLED MARVEL’S AVENGERS SEQUEL set for release May 1, 2015.

I’m sure after Marvel sealed the deal with Whedon to direct the second Avengers film, they wanted to get this date out to pump up the fans. Which Marvel movie sequel are you most excited to see?

Holy Hell. He is finally here.

Hot Toys is proud to present the highly expected 1/6th scale Hulk Limited Edition Collectible Figurine from the smash hit The Avengers. The movie-accurate collectible is specially crafted based on the image of the giant green-skinned angered monster Hulk in the movie, highlighting the newly developed head sculpt with rolling eyeballs and specially sculpted muscular body.

I am pretty excited for this massive Hot Toy. I hope the limited accessories help to bring the price point down. I will update this post with price and where to buy him as soon as it is announced.

UPDATE: This bad boy is for sale over at the Big Bad Toy Store. And he’s even retailing for $274.99. That’s twenty five bucks cheaper than anywhere else.

Joining the ranks of other Marvel anime series is Blade, bringing us the story of half-vampire Eric Brooks, otherwise known as—you guessed it—Blade.

The Blade Anime unsurprisingly brought to mind the first Blade movie starring Wesley Snipes, since that is my only connection to the character prior to watching this series.  So with nothing other than that to compare it to, I have to say this was entertaining, though I did not enjoy it quite as much as I liked the Wolverine series.  I thought it moved a bit more slowly, and I’ve just always liked Wolverine more than most Marvel characters.

A brief synopsis is that Blade seeks revenge on Deacon Frost, the murderer of his mother while she was still pregnant with him.  Much of Blade’s history is told through flashbacks, and we see his mother’s brutal death, his subsequent birth, and the loving relationship between him and his aunt.  But tragedy follows wherever he turns, and his only solace is to hunt the creatures of the night.

His battles against the vampires are dazzling to watch.  He uses special sword techniques that throw them off balance long enough for him to strike, and his speed and agility are remarkable.  The vampire blood that flows through his veins provides him with preternatural skills, but he is immune to the devastating effects of sunlight, unlike his fanged brethren.

As with the Wolverine Anime DVD, this series also has three featurettes included in the two-disc  set:

The Marvel Anime Universe: Blade Re-Awakened, which explores the process that went into developing this new take on the vampire-hunter.

Blade: The Vampire-Slayer, comparing Marvel’s Blade with traditional vampire stories

Special Talk Session: Marvel Anime’s Blade and Wolverine, an interview with series creators.

If you’re a fan of Blade, then you just may love this series.  I can only go so far to say I liked it, but it was worth watching once, at least.

Remember how I said I wanted to add the last Fantastic Four book to my hold?

If I had to choose between this one and that one, I’d pick this one. But I think I’ll be getting both. Mike Allred’s art is always worth getting no matter what and with Matt Fraction writing, this is certain to be gold.

I wonder if it will be tonally anything like Allred’s run on X-Force/X-Statix…

If it is, it might be my new favorite book.

New York. NY—August 9, 2012— This November, the fight for the future takes shape in FF #1, kicking off the all-new ongoing series from the blockbuster creative team of Eisner Award winning creators Matt Fraction and Michael Allred! As part of Marvel NOW!, FF joins a number of titles that will take the Marvel Universe in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes to deliver all-new ongoing series, great for new and lapsed readers alike!

With the Fantastic Four embarking on an epic journey, an all-new substitute Four, handpicked by original members – Ant-Man, She-Hulk, Medusa, and Miss Thing – stand ready to guard and protect Earth and the Future Foundation for four minutes! What could possibly go wrong?

“The FF is a chance to radically remix and reinvent the familiar aspects of the Fantastic Four and the Future Foundation into something all new and wild,” explains Fraction. “Standing on its own but interlinked with Fantastic Four, the all-new FF will be doing things the Fantastic Four could only dream of before.”

Marvel NOW! is the culmination of Marvel ReEvolution, the groundbreaking new initiative to evolve the comic book experience through innovation. With FF, Marvel NOW! ensures fans will discover all-new perspectives .

“What — you didn’t actually think Reed would leave the Baxter Building unprotected during the Richards’ family’s epic road trip, did you?” said Axel Alonso, Editor In Chief, Marvel Entertainment. “Someone’s got to guard the fort, and Reed’s handpicked replacement team — courtesy of Matt and Mike’s unique creative synergy – is truly fantastic in its own right. Facing a relentless siege of villains with bones to pick, this team quickly realizes that the best defense against certain, uhm, Doom, is a good offense.”

Each issue of FF features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.

“Not only does every book with the Marvel NOW! logo feature a new superstar creative team and blockbuster story, but they also come with all-new incentives for our retailer partners,” explained David Gabriel, Senior Vice-President of Sales, Marvel Entertainment.. “We want to make sure every comic shop nationwide is fully stocked to meet the high demand we’re already seeing for Marvel NOW! And want to make sure their voices are heard throughout this exciting time. Stay tuned for more news on how Marvel will be working directly with retailers to make sure our programs address their needs.”

An all-new direction! All-new threats! An all-new team! This is FF NOW!

This November, Matt Fraction and Michael Allred redefine the future in FF #1!

For more on Marvel NOW!, please visit now.marvel.com and join the conversation on Twitter using #MarvelNOW