Hey True Believers!
Bizarrobot here back with the WEEKLY WATCHER on all things MARVEL. There are some bigger releases out as of Today. The death of Spider-man story arch kicks off with ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #153. As more of an Amazing Spider-man reader I have to say I was rather indifferent to this. That was until I saw a preview of the art for ULTIMATE AVENGERS VS. NEW ULTIMATES #1 which hits stand NEXT week ( Feb 9th) which will be tying in to the Death of Spider-man arch. “The comic event that will rock the Ultimate Universe to its very core!” – is what the press release for this says. Being that phrase is grossly misused I’ll just lay back and let the art sell me. I’ll be looking to pick this story arch up and I suggest you do as well.

Marvel is also launching their “Point One” initiative with INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500. For those of you none the wiser Point One will be lower priced  self contained single issue story line and (like what the Ultimate’s did nearly ten years ago) help new readers figure out the Who’s Who and What’s What of that title. This may remind you of the “Rebooting” of both the X-men and Spider-man movie franchises. If like me you instantly and rather cynically think this is because there are 10 year olds who COULD be nagging their parents into buying them Marvel merchandise and comics, and Marvel has no intention of letting that profitable demographic slip from their grasp ( I think the Tobacco companies put it best when they said “Hook’em Young!”) I don’t think we are all that far off the mark. But why even I am excited for Point One is that this is geared at not JUST getting kids on the band wagon – BUT EVERY ONE. I don’t know about you – but I sure as hell can not afford to get every single title Marvel publishes every month (Over 100 in December ALONE!).  Also – some times story lines just are not that good, and even ardent readers fall off for a while. Point One will basically serve as a Cliff Notes for each story run. In the cases of large, cross title story’s this couldn’t have happened soon enough. I still am not sure I caught all of what happened in Civil War fer cry’n out loud! This will be a much welcome tool, but here hoping that the stories are something less mechanical and forced, but organic and enjoyable on their own.

Here is the list of all the other titles available I was able to scrape together ( cause Marvel didn’t send on out this week)!
All apologies as it is most likely sorely incomplete. I’m sure the universe will forgive me if I forgot an Anita Blake or some such in there.

Amazing Spider-Man #653
Avengers Academy #9
Captain America: Hail Hydra #2
Daken: Dark Wolverine #5
Deadpool & Cable #1
Generation Hope #3
Generation Hope #4
Hulk #29
Invincible Iron Man #1
Iron Man Legacy #11
Marvel Vault: Doctor Strange #1
Ozma of Oz #4
She-Hulks #4
Spider-Girl #3
The Stand: No Man’s Land #1
Thor: Worldengine
Ultimate Comics New Ultimates #5
Warriors Three #3
Wolverine: The Best There Is #3

Big Shiny Robot! has a weekly column in the Salt Lake City alt-weekly IN Magazine and every week we bring it to you on the site.

If you live in the greater Salt Lake area, you can pick up a copy of IN Magazine up from one of their ubiquitous newsstands, and we would highly suggest that you do.

You can read the online version of the story here.

This week is all about getting you pumped up for the Thor film with some classic books.

You can get them all on Amazon:


You can check out the article as it was in print by clicking the image below.

Well, in case you haven’t heard the news, one of the famous Fantastic Four has left this mortal coil… for now. I wanted to somehow make a Secret Origin tribute for the guy, but well. everyone pretty much knows the origin for the Fantastic Four. In fact I can tell it pretty quickly. The foursome went up into space to beat the Russians, they got hit with mysterious cosmic rays, and they all came back with strange and different abilities. Yes, that’s how the story played out in the “main” reality, but if you read comics for any length of time, you’ll find there are “alternate realities” much like our own, but sometimes vastly different. This is one of those tales. Strap yourself in to your poorly shielded spacecraft and enjoy… The Secret Origin of the Human Torches!

Like I mentioned above, the origin starts out exactly the same, but when the craft gets back to earth we start to see the differences, well maybe not at first:

"Sure, you can fly, but you seem to be burning off all your fuel!"

“Normal”, right? Well, as alluded to in the caption there, everyone else in the group starts to immolate. The four’s panicked ramblings as they transform are probably just what you’d exclaim if you spontaneously combusted, but no worries! It leads to a dynamic group shot!

Hey narrator guy, since when is 4 people with the same power unique?

After this twist of fate, the four act much like the Fantastic Four you’re familiar with. They decided to use their abilities for great justice. They have nearly identical adventures as “our” FF. They fight the Mole Man and his minions and even encounter the Skrulls and convince them to become cows (long story). When it come to their third documented adventure though, things change drastically! A powerful Hypnotist called the Miracle Man brings a monstrous statue to life to show the world his superiority! How a hypnotist can do this is never explained, even in our reality. Anyway, heroes in more than name only, the FFF (Flaming Fantastic Four) make the scene to stop the apparent rampage. Reed Richards (the white-hot one) spots the monster first and mentions since it is in an abandoned section of the city, they can really cut loose with their flame. This is, of course, wholly irresponsible. It turns out in one of the “abandoned” buildings at least one family lives within, and the young daughter is playing at home! Back to the battle, he four make pretty short work of the monster, seeing as he’s just wood and plaster. Because of the flame fueled fracas, the neighborhood has been set afire. What happens next is evidence that the Reed Richards of this reality may not quite have the ethics as ours does…

Always listen to the heart of the team, geniuses.

So the quartet leaves the scene, and what happens next is pretty apparent, so I’m not even going to tell it. Suffice it to say, I hate when children are harmed in any fantasy medium, and the fact that this is due to negligence makes it worse. The Torches end up subduing the Miracle Man by blinding him. I would make a point as this is also irresponsible, but that’s how they beat him in our reality as well. Ready to celebrate their victory over their toughest foe yet, the “heroes” are informed by the police on the scene that bad things are going down in the building they were just at. It seems their fray has caused the entire neighborhood to go up in flames. I wonder how the heck that happened. They get back to their folly and the guys start absorbing the excess flames into their bodies, while Sue Storm searches the buildings. Guess what she finds? Let her reaction speak for itself.

Yeah, that's about the reaction I'd expect.

This is obviously something that affects the group irrevocably. They managed to save the firemen, but the cost is too high. The child’s mother is on the scene and accuses the FF of murder. And while I could say it’s partly her fault for leaving a kid unattended, she is pretty justified. Sue agrees, and carries the burden forever. Even though the FF are cleared of any wrongdoing, the aftermath of this event changes the lives of the foursome pretty drastically. The Torches break up and go their separate ways. Sue becomes a nun, Johnny because a fearless racer driver, Reed devotes himself to science, and Ben comes out of the ordeal a member of the Avengers.

Somehow, I don't think being an Avenger is proper penance.

And so it ends… To be honest, this origin was picked just to show a contrast to “our” Human Torch. Sure, he can be a brash, pig-headed, sometimes even a bit of a douche, but he’s also the heart of the FF. He pulls them together through the rough times, and is truly a valued member of comics’ First Family. We don’t know how the Fantastic Four will fare without him, but until he inevitably returns (comics, guys), his absence will certainly be felt. Rest in peace, Johnny.

This story was originally published in What If… Volume 2 #11, March 1990.

Its been teased for months. The story has been building for a year and a half. Did Fantastic Four #587 deliver? Well I am of two minds about this. Lets start with the bad. Everything about this whole ordeal not having to deal with the actual issue itself has seemed pointless and over hyped. Originally announced that the issue itself will come in a polybag sporting the “3” logo so as to not spoil the “surprise” of who was going to die was sort of cool to me, even though it was a blatant rip off of another super-hero death from not too long ago. Then you make that whole idea moot by having the big press circus spoiling it before anyone has had a chance to read it. That actually annoyed me to no end. Marvel, you really need to stop with the hype machine.  However if all the bad I can get out of this is just an annoyance then thats ok.

When it comes to this issue the good far outweighs the bad! This story which Hickman has been crafting since he started his run on this book has been pretty fantastic, pun intended. The concepts and ideas introduced in his run make me believe that not only does Hickman think outside the box, he cuts the tape, breaks it down, and constructs a whole new box. Not only has he mangaged to make me do a Keanu-like “Whoa” with all of his concepts in this book, but he has taken these characters which I’ve only mildly cared about in the past and made me absolutely love them. The story of “3” has focused on the team which has been taking care of separate crisis happening simultaneously.

Susan Richards has been acting as a sort of ambassador mediating between “Old Atlantis” and Prince Namor’s kingdom. Namor being his stubborn self wants to go to war with “Old Atlantis.” Susan becomes Queen of “Old Atlantis” and puts Namor in his place saying that they are under her protection.

Reed on the other hand is trying to resolve a situation on Nu-Earth. Introduced in Mark Millar’s run on FF, Nu-Earth is an artificial planet created for humanity to live on when Earth eventually dies. It is powered by the dead husk of Galactus from the future. Silver Surfer, who is once again herald to Galactus, discovers this and is not pleased. His master is even less pleased and moves to destroy Nu-Earth giving Reed little time to save anyone from its destruction.

The last bit of this story is the real meat and potatoes. It is an awesome buddy story of the Thing and the Human Torch. It starts with Ben Grimm taking a serum which allows him to return to human form for one week a year. Johnny decides to take Ben out for the time of his life. If you could describe their relationship in one word it would be “Bro-Mance.” Their good times are interrupted  when a new Annihilation Wave starts to invade from the negative zone through the portal located in the Baxter Building. To close the portal it needs to be closed from the terminal located on the other side of the portal in the Negative Zone. Johnny ends up being the one to make that sacrifice as he tosses Ben back through the portal and closes it behind him. Uttering, for presumably the last time, his catch phrase “Flame On” he takes on the the entire Annihilation Wave only to be massively overwhelmed.

Now when it comes to death in comics people, including myself, are always of the mindset “Oh its comics they’ll be back in no time.” Now that may be the case here as Johnny’s “Death” isn’t very clear, we just see him get caught up in the onslaught of Annihilus’s army. However I don’t care. I don’t care if there is a death, or a resurrection, or if he’s only presumed dead. I thought he had the heroes death he deserves, even if its not clear if he is really dead.  If the writing stays as good as this I will keep buying into this. The series will end with issue #588, but Hickman is helming a new series titled “FF” that is slated to start up in March. I highly recommend reading this story as my description is only a bare bones synopsis. Actually go pick up the trades collecting Hickman’s run, there are three of them out right now which leads up to this last story and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

The Fantastic Four, the first superhero team for Marvel Comics, first made its debut in November of 1961 created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Powered by cosmic radiation Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm joined together for a multitude of science fiction adventures. From outer space, to here on earth, and in alternate dimensions the FF have saved countless lives and entertained many readers. In issue #587, which is out today 1/25,  one of them will fall. For the last year and a half, starting with issue #570,  writer Jonathan Hickman has been crafting this fantastic story. He has brought Reed Richards back from the douche that he was during and after Civil War. He has putting the pieces into place introducing “The Four Cities” that are foretold will go to war with each other. He built the team back into the family that they should feel like. Now he is going to break them down and hit them where it hurts. A death in the family. Late last night the AP ran a story about who will be dying in todays issue. For their complete story look at the bottom of the article. I’m going to give you one chance to look away if you don’t want the death spoiled for you. Read at your own risk after the following picture, which is the cover to issue #587.

Late last night the AP ran a story about who will be dying in todays issue. For their complete story look below. The member of the Fantastic Four that will meet their demise today is Johnny Storm, The Human Torch.  In the past, in one way or another the other three members have been believed to be killed. But there was little to no effect on the team and they always came back. To have Johnny die to me is big because he’s always been a part of the team. While the other three members have left and taken time off from the team before, Johnny has always stayed. He is the heart and soul of the team, the glue that keeps them together and his death is going to hit the other three members of the team in a way that they’ve never been hit before.  The series is ending with issue #588 and Marvel is being very tight lipped about the future plans for the characters past this devastating event.

I highly recommend reading Jonathan Hickman’s entire run of Fantastic Four. He has taken a book that I’ve liked, but never really loved and turned it into my most anticipated book month after month. There are three trade paperbacks collecting his run so far, and they take you right up to this current storyline. I do not know how they are killing the Human Torch, but I will be picking this book up as soon as I can so you can expect a review up later this afternoon. In the meantime here is the original article the AP ran about the death of Johnny Storm.

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s a Fantastic Four farewell with the revelation Tuesday of who among them has been selected to be written out of the super hero team.

While Marvel Entertainment has made no secret that a member of the quartet, which was introduced in August 1961, would die, exactly who among the group would fall has been a closely held secret, until the release of issue No. 587.

It’s the Human Torch, leaving teammates Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman and the Thing to pick up the pieces and move forward.

Fifty years after cosmic rays transformed him into a man ablaze, the Human Torch will burn no more as the pop culture purveyor of super heroes and villains embarks on an ambitious story line that ends the Fantastic Four.

In the newest issue of one of the company’s longest-running comic books, Johnny Storm’s life is taken amid a massive battle that writer Jonathan Hickman has been scripting for a year-and-half. Illustrator Steve Epting did the art.

Hickman, along with his editor, Tom Brevoort, have been unsurprisingly mum on what the future may hold for the characters, but one thing is certain, the end is nigh for the Fantastic Four next month.

Brevoort, senior vice president for publishing at Marvel told The Associated Press that “588 is the final issue of the Fantastic Four. Beyond that, we’re not ready to say exactly what we’re doing. There won’t be an issue 589.”

All he would say about the future was that the various subplots and threads that Hickman has written “will converge in a new thing that will be exciting and different and yet, very familiar and very much the same.”

Hickman told the AP that the death is part of the natural evolution of his ongoing story line.

“In doing this, we’re going to elevate the other three and the family in general and going forward with the story that we want to tell,” he said. “I think it makes complete sense. It’s kind of a logical move.”

Readers have weighed in online, on Twitter and in comic shops about the buildup to the new issue, debating about who should die and who should live.

“Our readers get heavily involved in the lives of these characters. They fight alongside them, they share their triumphs and pitfalls,” he said. “They live with them and they grasp them very tightly to their breast. They take them on in a very one to one, very personal sort of way.”

But is death really the end and, more so, will it be permanent? After all, death has previously visited the Fantastic Four, which was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, supposedly died, but that was just a ruse. Similarly, her husband, Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, was thought dead after being caught in a blast with his archenemy, Dr. Doom. Instead of death, however, Richards and his nemesis were snatched away to another dimension.

Indeed, death is not uncommon in comic books. DC killed Superman in the 1990s, only to bring him back. At Marvel, Captain America was assassinated on the steps of a court house and returned, while Marvel’s mutant band of X-Men know death so well that the Grim Reaper is on speed dial – Thunderbird, Phoenix, Nightcrawler and others have been felled.

Roy Thomas, who was a writer and assistant editor at Marvel in the 1960s and, later, its editor-in-chief from 1972-1974, said that since comics try to mirror real life, death is always a specter.

“The thing that is the most unrealistic is that so few people (have) died, good, bad or otherwise,” he said. “If they did, they always managed to come back.”

Thomas said he hated to see a member of the Fantastic Four die, but the Human Torch may not be gone forever.

“Whether it’s Superman, the Thing or Bucky, if someone wants to bring them back to life later, you can’t bury them deep enough or tear them into enough pieces” to keep that from happening. “Death is not a permanent condition in the comic book universe.”

Joe Quesada, Marvel’s chief creative officer, recognized that death, while potent, is not necessarily lasting and that the death of a character in comics has turned out “to be very cliche” in plot developments.

“Whether the human torch comes back or not is really a question that will be answered in time,” he said.

“While I will never discount that a character can come back from the dead because it is one of the staples of comic book story telling . I’m not going to tell you if he will, or when he will and if he does, how he will, but I can assure you that it’s going to be very, very interesting and not what anyone expects.”

The LA Times’ Hero Complex is reporting as breaking exclusive news that they are surprised to confirm that Captain American: The First Avenger will be released as just “The First Avenger” when it comes out in a few foreign territories this summer. Namely Russia, South Korea, and the Ukraine.

We’ve been speculating about this for months, as has Jeff Vice from The Big Movie Mouth-Off, and it’s nice to get a confirmation finally.

Really, it seems to be common sense. The last decade has been rough for America in the eyes of the rest of the world and we’re not exactly the good guys we used to be. It makes good business sense to not rub it in the noses of foreign audiences.

From the LA TImes piece:

In private, Marvel insiders said that early on in the project’s planning there was talk that the title might need to be changed in numerous international markets but that there was a ”pleasant surprise” — the brand recognition of the comic-book superhero was so strong that it overrode those considerations in many places. That was not the case in Russia, South Korea and the Ukraine.

This is really not surprising at all. Marvel is very savvy about their brands. If nothing else, it’s proof positive we know what we’re talking about.

Not every character can be a household name. Even so, some of these characters still have a small but loyal fan base. Sometimes people are drawn to the concept behind the character, and sometimes they just like how they look. This week’s Secret Origin is a character that encompasses all of this. He has a great visual, he has an incredibly outlandish concept, and there are people who just love the guy. So turn down the lights, put on your two-toned glasses and enjoy… The Secret Origin of the 3-D Man!

This looks even cooler if you wear the glasses (Note: Not really)

Oh yeah, this is one of those origins where we are introduced to the character first and the origin comes later. I’d like to call 3-D Man a product of his time, but considering he’s based in the 50’s, yet created in the 70’s it’s more like a rose-colored view of the time. Of course this means the Red Scare. It’s a little known fact that all Marvel characters active in the 50’s had to fight Russians at least 2 a month or they’d have their hero license revoked. Anyway, 3-D man is mopping up some commie scum, fighting like a man possessed. They are backed by an old white-haired guy named Diabolik. The Giussani Sisters apparently licensed the name. The fight goes on, with various references thrown in to assure you that the story is indeed set in the 50’s. Eventually one of the communist gents exclaims the dual colored crusader is so hard to get because he fights like three men. 3-D Man assure him that’s because he is three men rolled into one. He doesn’t get to elaborate because he’s busy kicking pinko behind. Eventually the fight comes to an abrupt end. All the thugs are taken care of, and Diabolik remains. He has an ace up his sleeve, though. He knows the 3-D Man’s secret identity! That isn’t the only surprise he has, though.

"I am really... Bea Arthur!"

This turn of events triggers 3-D Man’s flashback sense and finally we get down to the nitty-gritty of the origin proper. We see our Mr. Chandler as the college football star, and we’re also introduced to his younger brother Hal. Hal is crippled due to being born before the Polio vaccine was released. And since this is comics so crippling injury + the name Hal = superhero. Trust me on this. Chuck Chandler goes on to be a top pilot in the Air Force and is set to test the top-secret plane, the XF-13. The night before the launch of this new Cold War marvel, Hal, Chuck and Chuck’s girlfriend are having a night on the town. Things are going well until Hal and Peggy leave Chuck on his own for a bit. Of course this is when those dirty commies try to kidnap Chuck, knowing he knows the XF-13’s secrets. They may have gotten away with it to, if not for the timely intervention of Hal, returning from his walk…

Crutches, as a walking aid or an impromptu weapon, is always a faithful (inanimate) companion

Hal’s timely help turns the tide of the battle. After Chuck beats up the commies, the duo meet up with Peggy, and they all decide to go to the airbase to inform Chuck’s superiors. It’s decided that they’ll all stay at the base until Chuck tests the plane in the morning. Peggy agrees to take Hal to a spot in the desert so he can see his bro do his thing. Just then, Chuck arrives in his fancy zoot suit.

Pose courtesy of Jack Kirby.

At first the flight goes on without a hitch, breaking speed records (it goes over, get this, 400 MPH!), doing loop-de-loops and all of that fun stuff. Everyone’s ready to call it a day, but all of a sudden, Chuck flies past an honest to goodness flying saucer! He is quickly abducted, and he finds out his captives aren’t just any aliens, he’s become the “guest” of the Skrulls! Chuck seems at their mercy, what with their superior tech and all, but they turn their backs for a second and Chuck makes short work of them. Not only does he gives a bunch of Skrull skulls a few more wrinkles, but he manages to blow the saucer up entirely. Luckily, he’s able to escape on the XF-13. It looks likes he’s getting away unscathed, but alas, that isn’t the case. The experimental plane is engulfed with a weird alien energy. The craft crashes coincidentally where Hal has been watching the fracas.  Chuck is able to escape the burning wreckage, but something strange is going on.

If I lived in the Marvel Universe, I'd deliberately try to get in situations like this.

With that, Chuck disappears, or does he? The feedback from Chuck’s glowing knocks Hal’s glasses off. After he recovers them, he makes a startling discovery… in each lens of his classes is a different colored impression of Chuck! Noting the facts that this is extremely reminiscent of 3-D glasses and that no one would believe him, Hal heads home, avoiding the subject of (believed dead) Chuck. It isn’t until he is alone that a startling discovery is well, discovered!

If you can't get behind how awesomely absurd this is, comics may not be for you.

The newly formed 3-D Man quickly discovers his tri-fold strength, speed and garishness, bringing about the beginning of a storied superhero career, but the end of the flashback. Back in the commie lair, Diabolik has revealed his true form! His grisly visage revealed, it’s only apt that Diabolik the Skrull also reveals his plan, and boy is it a doozy:

With an outfit like that, I don't think anyone's going to accuse you of that, my friend.

Chuck is not having any of that noise, so he attempts to kick some more alien butt, but once he throws Diabolik out of a window, the Skrull changes shape and loses himself in a crowd. nevertheless, 3-D Man now has a purpose, to fight the forces of conformity and alien ugliness! But until then, he splits back into 2 static images in Hal’s glasses, causing Hal to awaken and ponder…

I'd still say you got the short end of the stick on that deal, Hal.

And there you have it. While the concept is pretty out there, there is still fun to be had with it. I’ll be honest and say I haven’t read too many stories with 3-D Man, but his legacy lives on in the form of new heroes like Triathlon and in the pages of books like Atlas. Excelsior!

This story originally appeared in Marvel Premiere #35 April, 1977.

Heads up True Believers!

Here is this weeks Marvel release list of comics, trade paper backs, and posters that hit the shelves tomorrow (1 – 19 – 11)!!!

& ATTN: X-MEN Fans!!!

Please note that X-men Legacy isssue #244 is out as of the 19th ! NEXT month with issue #245 starts the much awaited “Age of X” story arch, so do your self a favor and make sure you are caught up by checking this issue out! I know I’m looking forward to figuring out what the heck is up with that story! Actually, that is basically the only thing on this weeks list I am excited for other than Amazing Spiderman….

(What. The. Eff???)

Comics On-Sale:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #652

AVENGERS ACADEMY #8

AVENGERS VS. PET AVENGERS #4

DEADPOOL MAX #4

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500 DJURDJEVIC VARIANT

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500 JRJR VARIANT

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500 LARROCA WRAPAROUND (50/50 COVER)

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500 QUESADA WRAPAROUND SKETCH VARIANT

SCARLET #4

SCARLET #4 MALEEV VARIANT

SCARLET #4 OEMING VARIANT

SUPERIOR #4

SUPERIOR #4 YU TRIPLE VARIANT

THOR #619

THOR: FIRST THUNDER #5

WOLVERINE #5

WOLVERINE AND JUBILEE #1

WOLVERINE AND JUBILEE #1 MALAVIA VARIANT

X-FACTOR #214

X-MEN LEGACY #244

Collections On-Sale:

CAPTAIN AMERICA: MAN & WOLF TPB

DEADPOOL CLASSIC VOL. 4 TPB

MIGHTY MARVEL: WOMEN OF MARVEL TPB

SECRET AVENGERS VOL. 1: MISSION TO MARS PREMIERE HC

SIEGE: MIGHTY AVENGERS TPB

SIEGE: NEW AVENGERS TPB

SPIDER-MAN: THE COMPLETE CLONE SAGA EPIC BOOK 5 TPB

STEVE ROGERS: SUPER-SOLDIER PREMIERE HC

THOR: RAGNAROK TPB

Posters On-Sale:

ULTIMATE CAPTAIN AMERICA BY RON GARNEY POSTER

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit www.comicshoplocator.com

Hey there True Believers!

I have been pretty curious about the upcoming “Age of X” story arch that Marvel is moving out in the end of February. They have been running some pretty gorgeous splash page advertisements that certainly draw the eye. Familiar faces, some new costumes, and interest peeking slogans galore. But like (I imagine) many other seasoned X-men fans, I have been very weary. Marvel (and in all honesty comics in general) have a wonderfully BAD habit of pulling bait and switches on we the nerdy public. How many times have you found yourself in a “No reading!” policy comic shop buying the newest issue of a title you love, excited by the amazing cover art – only to feel betrayed by the second rate crap the publisher used in the interior panels? So I don’t think it is unreasonable  that maybe I have not been the only one who has been hopeful (But NOT very optimistic) that this would not be the case with this  run of our beloved X-titles.

So imagine my shock yesterday when Marvel sent out a press release with a sneak peak of some of the panel art, and it was just as beautiful as those adverts!?! I don’t know about the entirety of the story arch – but rest assured for the launch of Age of X we have the talented Mr. Clay Mann to kick it off. Here is a sneak peak of X-men: Legacy #245 which hits the shelves Feb, 23 2011.

“Mutantkind has been purged from the very face of the earth and its eradication wasn’t an accident…it was government policy. But just who are the unlikely survivors of this grim future…and do they dare announce their existence to a world that fears and hates them?”

Marvel is now offering a free comic online via their Digital Comic platform called Captain America: A Little Help, which was also available in print in the most recent I Am An Avenger #5.

Marvel gives away several free digital books every week, so this is not itself newsworthy.  What is remarkable here is the comic itself, which consists of only a single line of dialogue and highlights the plight of those dealing with the very real issues of depression and thoughts of suicide.  Written by Dr. Tim Ursiny, the story details the struggle of a young man with many of the problems we face today: bills piling up, loss of a loved one, problems in school.  But on the verge of throwing it all away, a young man encounters Captain America and (spoiler alert) they both end up saving one another.  The young man ends up calling the national suicide prevention hotline, 1-800-273-TALK.   You can also visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

“Superheroes fight a lot of battles, but there are few more important than combating suicide,” said Tom Brevoort, Senior Vice-President of Publishing (or T-voort, as we like to call him). “That’s why we’re making Captain America: A Little Help available for free via our digital comics outlets. If even one person calls this number instead of doing something very tragic, we know that means we succeeded.”

This follows just last month when Marvel was giving away free subscriptions to their digital comics services for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.  Chrissy Stevens, Communcations Director for IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) had this to say in an exclusive to BigShinyRobot: “Marvel has a long history of supporting America’s men and women in uniform. Back in World War II, Marvel made sure its iconic heroes, including Captain America, got into the hands of troops deployed overseas. Partnering with Marvel’s Digital Comics really brings that tradition up to date in the 21st century by connecting America’s newest generation of heroes to Marvel’s superheroes through the most up-to-date technology.”

Marvel has really stepped up their efforts in social responsibility of late.  I’m certainly biased, as I’m more of a Marvel than a DC guy, but their storylines seem more relatable and relevant to what a lot of us are dealing with in life today.  Don’t get me wrong, “In Blackest Night” was an interesting storyline, and I’m interested in where “Grounded” and “Batman Inc” are going, but “Civil War”, “Dark Reign”, “Seige”, (including the brilliant Glenn Beck parody in the character of Todd Keller) and the upcoming “Fear Itself” include relevant (and sometimes prophetic) social commentary without pushing an agenda.  Taking care of vets and looking out for readers who may be dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide just adds to this: Marvel gets it.  Your move, DC.

So until Reed Richard and Tony Stark decide to retire from superhero-ing and put all their money into hedge funds…. MAKE MINE Social Responsibility!