—Preview: Hulk #25

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Hulk #25, from fan-favorite writer Jeff Parker and rising star artist Gabriel Hardman! This all-new, red hot creative team is poised to take the Red Hulk to awesome new levels this September. Steve Rogers, America’s top cop, has brought Red Hulk into the Avengers with the goal of using his unique talents to face the world’s greatest threats. But Iron Man still thinks Red Hulk is a villain and heads out to intercept him. Prepare for a gamma-infused showdown of epic proportions in Hulk #25!

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—Preview: Shadowland: Powerman #2

Marvel is pleased to announce your first look at Shadowland: Power Man #2, from red hot writer Fred Van Lente and up-and-coming artist Mahmud Asrar! Who is this new Power Man and how can he defeat both Luke Cage and Iron Fist? This newfound vigilante problem on the streets of Shadowland is worsened when the villains from Luke Cage and Iron Fist’s past show up to take the heroes down! The battle for the soul of New York continues in Shadowland: Power Man #2!

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—IDW Announces Doorways by George R.R. Martin

Acclaimed novelist and Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of The Song of Ice and Fire series, George R.R. Martin, has teamed up with IDW Publishing, to release an all-new miniseries, entitled DOORWAYS. Based on his pilot script for a television series that never was,DOORWAYS offers Martin’s science-fiction genius in an initial four-issue series. Martin and artist Stefano Martino bring this reality-bending tale to life starting in November.

“DOORWAYS was the great ‘what if’ of my career, the television pilot that was right on the edge of being greenlit to series… but in the end was not.  I spent a year and a half of my life with Tom and Cat, writing about them, thinking about them, making plans for their adventures.  It broke my heart when it all came to naught,” said Martin.  “But now, at last, thanks to IDW and the talent of Stefano Martino, the world will get to share some of those adventures.  And even better, the comics format will allow us to do things with the story and the visuals that we would never have been able to do on television!  I couldn’t be more excited.”

Every issue of DOORWAYS treats Dr. Tom Mason, and fans, to the very definition of terrifyingly incredible, as doors open to worlds that are twisted mirror of ours. Said DOORWAYS editor Mariah Huehner, “One of the most interesting is a world with no oil. Which is pretty timely.”

DOORWAYS follows Dr. Tom Mason on a multi-dimensional journey as he tries to solve the mystery of Cat, a strange, feral young woman who pops up in his E.R. one night, injured and barely able to communicate, except by ripping off limbs.

Wearing rags that nearly disintegrate, Dr. Tom is drawn in the girl’s strange fears, until he discovers that “Cat” is a person of interest to the government, and a very odd group of  “people” that don’t seem to be from around here… “here” being our dimension…

“Working with George on this project is a lot of fun,” continued Huehner. “It’s a dark sci-fi/fantasy, that’s not unlike the Twilight Zone in terms of taking an ordinary person and suddenly confronting them with very bizarre events and people. Tom is a total “good” guy, loves his girlfriend, likes his job, and just wants to help people. But when Cat shows up she turns his comfortable world upside down.”

Artist Rebecca Wrigley will provide incentive covers for each issue of the initial DOORWAYS series.

—Preview: Brightest Day #9

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—Preview: Freedom Fighters #1

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—Preview: Fantastic Four In… Ataque Del M.O.D.O.K.

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Fantastic Four In…Ataque Del M.O.D.O.K., from writer Tom Beland and artist Juan Doe, the team behind the acclaimedFantastic Four: Isla De La Muerte and Spider-Man/Human Torch: !Bahia De Los Muertos! Marvel’s Finest Family heads to Puerto Rico to get away from it all, but there’s no such thing as a vacation for the Fantastic Four! The monstrous evil genius M.O.D.O.K. hatches a plan involving genetically enhanced monkeys and the only ally the Fantastic Four can turn to is…El Vejigante? Can they make it back to the States in one piece? Find out in Fantastic Four In…Ataque Del M.O.D.O.K., also available in Spanish!

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—Preview: Captain America: Patriot #2

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Captain America: Patriot #2, from Karl Kesel and Mitch Breitweiser! Jeff Mace was the Patriot, now he is Captain America, the Sentinel of Liberty! Now fighting alongside Cap’s old sidekick Bucky and ally Sub-Mariner, Mace finds it difficult to fill Captain America’s boots. When a face from the past comes to enact revenge on Jeff Mace, someone dear to him will pay the price! Don’t miss out on the exciting tale of a patriot who became a hero and a hero who became Captain America in Captain America: Patriot #2!

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FOX is gearing up to start making some moves towards getting a Fantastic 4 reboot rolling (mostly, because if they don’t the license will revert back to Marvel, and GOD FORBID that happens). There have been no announcements regarding a director or any actors, but in true form, the rumors are a-buzz with who may be directing and playing some of the characters. I’ve broken down the rumors I could find below – who knows if they actually hold any weight!

Directors

It looks like the three names topping the list of rumored potential directors are Joe Carnahan (The A-Team), James McTeigue (Ninja Assassin), and David Yates (Harry Potter). I haven’t seen The A-Team, but I have seen Smokin’ Aces, and while that film is one of my guilty pleasures Carnahan seems to have a style that would be an odd fit for a F4 film, same goes for McTeigue. As far as Yates goes, I could see aspects of his style transferring okay to a F4 film.

Cast

Stephen Moyer (HBO’s True Blood) is supposedly a name being thrown around for Dr. Doom. . . meh? Much to no one’s surprise, FOX is most likely going with a CG version of the Thing – which, in my opinion,  studios are notorious for using CG when they shouldn’t have, but using it to create a big lumbering Thing would have been much better than that foam suit they used instead. Anyways, two names being thrown around to voice this rocky superhero are Kiefer Sutherland and Bruce Willis. Did you laugh at the latter? Yeah, me too, I kind of doubt FOX could get him for a reboot of a film franchise that was pretty bad the first time around – but hey, I’ve been surprised before.

FOX is also supposedly eyeing Adrian Brody (Splice) and Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) to fill the shoes of Reed Richards and Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League) and Amber Heard (Zombieland, she was “406”) to take on the role of Sue Storm. No rumors yet on who may fill the shoes of Chris Evans as The Human Torch (and in my opinion, the only well-cast character from the previous films). I don’t really have strong feelings one way or the other for these particular casting rumors – probably because these are just rumors right now.

Of course, this Fantastic 4 reboot is going to be shot in (sigh) 3D and FOX is aiming for a Summer 2012 release, so I’d imagine we will continue to hear casting rumors for the next few months followed by some relatively solid news early next year.

Come share your thoughts on this Fantastic 4 reboot over in the BSR Forum! Do any of these actors “tickle your fancy”? Have a dream cast you’d like to see fill the shoes of the first family of superherodom?

—A Rockstar Tries to Survive His Talent in 27, a New Miniseries from Image Comics

Hendrix, Cobain, Joplin, Morrison. All died at age 27. In 27, and all-new miniseries from Image Comics and Shadowline, a gifted rock musician fights to make it to his 28th birthday.

Image Comics enters the digital market today with the launch of the Image Comics app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The app, developed on the leading digital comic book platform by comiXology, allows fans unprecedented digital access to the creator-owned comics that Image proudly publishes.

Hey all sorry about the lack of news yesterday. You’ll just get double the goodies today!

—No Way Out for The Walking Dead

Image has released this image for issue #80 of The Walking Dead, which is set to come out in December. What does this mean for the book and its characters? We’ll find out in December.

—Preview: Thor #615

Marvel is pleased to present your new look at Thor #615 as superstar creators Matt Fraction, Pasqual Ferry and Matt Hollingsworth take Thor to new heights! A menacing threat looms over the newly restored Asgard and no one is safe. With the Marvel Universe at stake, it will be up to the mighty Thor and his godly brethren to push back the dark, destructive force, but can they do it alone? The perfect jumping on point for new readers begins as Fraction, Ferry and Hollingsworth usher in a bold new era for Asgard’s greatest son in Thor #615!

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—Preview: X-Force: Sex and Violence #3

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at X-Force: Sex And Violence #3, from acclaimed X-Force scribes Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost along with acclaimed artist Gabriele Dell’Otto. The conclusion to the sexiest, bloodiest X-Force adventure is here! Wolverine and Domino make their last stand against the Assassin’s Guild. Can the mutant heroes survive long enough to find some alone time? Find out in X-Force: Sex And Violence #3!

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—Preview: Black Widow #6

—Bomb Queen Makes Her Return In November

Berkeley, CA – 25 August 2010 – Just when you thought the streets were safe, Bomb Queen is back to make them dark and dangerous! Bomb Queen takes on the forces of good, confronting the president of the United States himself in BOMB QUEEN VI #2, in stores on November 24, 2010.

“Who better to take on the leader of the free world than Bomb Queen?” asks creator Jimmie Robinson. “She’s the antithesis of Barack Obama. Bomb Queen will be the worst adversary the Obama administration ever faces!”

In BOMB QUEEN VI, Bomb Queen returns with new twists and mayhem when President Obama attempts to shut down her city of crime. Can Washington D.C. put the evil Queen back in the bottle, or will this be Obama’s first comic book defeat? Don’t miss the shocking reveal at the end of this issue!

Ain’t It Cool posted this earlier today describing what could be the first Marvel movie made by Disney. This has me really excited as Iron Fist is one of my favorite Marvel characters!

Hey folks, Mike Fleming over at DEADLINE – has a story on how XXX writer Rich Wilkes has been tapped to adapt Marvel’s glowy pink fisted IRON FIST to the feature screen. Now back in the day, when Avi Arad was running things, they were attempting to get IRON FIST off the ground with Ray Parks “Darth Maul” being Danny Rand – whose best adventures (in my opinion) were the Claremont/Byrne stand-alone issues… And it makes me wonder if MARVEL will do what they’re doing with THE AVENGERS with IRON FIST… meaning, will we get a MASTER OF THE MARTIAL ARTS – Shang-Chi film developed shortly… not to mention the LUKE CAGE film – so that we can eventually work towards a HEROES FOR HIRE film? I like to think that the Marvel folks have big “Step 1, Step 2, BIG STEP 3” style plans on the drawing board – simply because… well that’s how to adapt the Marvel Universe.

No matter though, the key importance is to nail IRON FIST. And this isn’t an easy thing. Glowy Fist Kung Fu films tend to be scoffable. Like THE LAST DRAGON, which admittedly has some “awesome” mixed with the “ohmygod cheesy” – but when Danny’s fist starts glowing, visually and audibly – it’s got to make our arm hairs stand up and cheer. It has to be so cool, that it feels like nothing we’ve ever see in Martial Arts cinema, because this is MARVEL MARTIAL ARTS CINEMA. I would highly recommend bringing in an all-star team led my Yuen Woo Ping – that the martial arts be LONG TAKE Martial Arts and not chop-phooey the editing to such a point that visually none of it makes sense.

I loved the Bronze Age exploits of Danny Rand – they should begin the process of finding their Danny Rand immediately and get him training for 6 months to a year for this role. Forge the right actor. And please make it awesome. And please keep the costume and make the visual world make sense with that costume. Fingers Crossed.

—A sneak peak at Wolverine: The Best There Is #1

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at the most violent Wolverine ongoing series you’ll ever lay eyes upon, Wolverine: The Best There Is #1! The creative team of award-winning writer Charlie Huston and rising star artist Juan Jose Ryp introduce a bold new addition to Wolverine’s rogues gallery in the form of Contagion – a villain who gets more dangerous if he’s killed by Logan.  But before Wolverine can find a permanent solution for his brand new foe, he must combat Contagion’s league of guards aptly named, the Unkillables. Featuring covers from a cavalcade of superstar artists like Bryan Hitch, Phil Jimenez, Gabriele Dell’Otto and Marko Djurdjevic, no Wolverine fan can miss this epic debut!

Can Wolverine be the best there is, if he won’t be able to kill? Find out this December in Wolverine: The Best There Is #1!

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—Superman/Batman hits #75!

These images were posted on The Source earlier today.

Consider this an engraved invitation to a spectacular anniversary celebration, as writer Paul Levitz brings the World’s Finest face-to-face with the Legion of Super-Heroes. Lex Luthor has unleashed a threat so powerful it’s garnered the Legion’s attention in the distant future. But they can’t take him down without a trip to the past to recruit Batman and Superboy.

And there’s more – Joe Kelly and an A-list roster of writers and artists chronicle the history of the Man of Steel and Dark Knight in stories that jump from yesterday to the distant future. Adam Hughes writes and draws a tale starring Supergirl and Batgirl, J.T. Krul and Francis Manipul deliver a tale of Superboy and Red Robin seeking advice from their mentors, Ace and Krypto get leashed by Duncan Rouleau, David Finch writes and illustrates a story for the first time, and Joe Kelly, Steven T. Seagle, Billy Tucci and many more surprises help commemorate this anniversary extravaganza.

Here’s a look at the first story. SUPERMAN/BATMAN #75 hits 8/25.

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—A first look at Scott Kolin’s pages from JSA

The Source also gave us a peek at some of Scott Kolin’s pages from JSA coming up in October.

Marc Guggenheim isn’t the only big name signing up for the Justice Society. Come October, artist Scott Kolins will be stepping aboard the series for a spell, and, well, that begs for a peek at some art, no?

Before we show off the goods, we checked in with JSA editor Mike Carlin for a little background on what makes Kolins such a great fit for the Justice Society:

“Scott Kolins is a classic artist— not just a comics artist, but an artist who is always striving to create something new… Something vital that hasn’t existed before. Scott first did this on his acclaimed run of FLASH with Geoff Johns… And he’s doing it again with his current work on JSA! This is a Scott Kolins for the future— for the Justice Society of the future! Remarkable and new.”

And here’s that art we promised…

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—Brightest Day Variants Form Giant Picture

Over the last few weeks there have been “White Lantern” variants to some of the Brightest Day tie-ins. They all connect to make one big mural drawn by Ryan Sook, Fernando Pasarin and Joel Gomez. Are there Brightest Day clues in this picture? Is this a look at things to come?

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Today’s Comic News Round-Up brings us lLots of sneak peeks and one major bit of news from the Whedonverse! Read on to find out more!

—Joss Whedon Brings Angel Back to Dark Horse

Dark Horse Comics is thrilled to announce that Joss Whedon’s Angel will return to the Dark Horse stable in 2011. Dark Horse’s Angel will bring the beloved characters from Whedon’s longest-running shows under one roof, allowing for new and exciting explorations of the Buffyverse featuring favorites from the casts of both series.

“I’ve always regretted letting Angel go in the first place,” Dark Horse senior managing editor Scott Allie said. “So we’re really excited about getting him back, as well as all his supporting cast. It’s necessary for how Joss wants to handle season nine, details of which will start spilling out in the months to come. Right now, we’ve got to wrap up season eight, and IDW still has a good long run of books before season nine starts.”

IDW Publishing confirmed today that it will launch the company’s final Angel story arc in November. This closing six-issue arc will serve as a bridge to Dark Horse Comics, which will pick up the series in late 2011. Under the direction of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel creator Joss Whedon, all parties are working together for as seamless a transition as possible. The companies have been coordinating story lines in both Dark Horse’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight and IDW’s Angel, creating a greater sense of cohesion and cooperation to ensure that this transition is true to both ongoing story lines and to the faithful fans of both series.

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—A Sneak Peek of Captain America: Patriot #1

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Captain America: Patriot #1 (of 4) from the acclaimed creative team of Karl Kesel and Mitch Breitweiser. When Captain America puts on his mask and shield for the first time he instantly inspires an entire nation, including Jeff Mace – a rough-and-tumble reporter— who quickly dons his own star-spangled suit and calls himself the PATRIOT! During the Great War, the loss of the Sentinel of Liberty is felt throughout the nation until Jeff Mace is asked the greatest honor of them all…to be the NEXT CAPTAIN AMERICA! This September, follow the Patriot and his attempts to be not just a hero, but a symbol for the nation he loves.

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—An Early Look at Batman and Robin #14

Over on DC’s blog, The Source, we were given a look at some pages from Batman and Robin #14 which comes out next week.

Grant Morrison and artist Frazer Irving continue their epic BATMAN AND ROBIN tale, as one of our heroes lies near death. Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne enter the ultimate, blood-soaked battle against two foes who almost destroyed the original Batman. But are they up for the challenge? And if they can’t make it as a team, have they sealed their fates?

BATMAN AND ROBIN #14 hits 8/25.

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—Preview of X-Men #3

We got these preview pages of X-Men #3 by Victor Gischler and Paco Medina with the following teaser attached to it. “Jubilee defeats the X-Men.”

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—Preview of Casanova #3

It’s the sold-out book everyone’s talking about, the series every critic is lauding, and the most mind-bending comic of the century—it’s Casanova! Eisner Award-winners Matt Fraction, Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon are the masterminds behind Casanova and if you’ve missed out on a single issue of the series, now’s your chance to get caught up as Casanova #3 hits stores alongside new printings of Casanova #1 and Casanova #2.

Chronicling the mad adventures of everyone’s favorite terminally directionless, morally-unhinged secret operative, Casanova #3 finds the world bracing itself for a real-life miracle man in the form of a Buddha-imitating street magician…and Casanova Quinn swoops in and snatches the would be savior!

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—A First Look at Shadowland: Blood on the Streets #2

Marvel is proud to present your first look at Shadowland: Blood On The Streets #2 (of 4) from the red-hot creative team of writer Antony Johnston and artist Wellinton Alves! Continuing the run-away smash hit of the summer, Shadowland, a rogue faction of The Hand is mysteriously killing off mobsters untouchable by the law and it’s up to the unlikely team of Silver Sable, Paladin, Misty Knight and The Shroud to find out if they’re working for Daredevil! Will this twisted murder mystery unite the quartet, or place them in each other’s crosshairs? Can this controversial crew put aside their differences before a war between The Hand and the mob sets New York ablaze? Find out in Shadowland: Blood On The Streets #2 (of 4)!

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—DC Reveals Upcoming Variant Covers

DC revealed the following variant covers on their blog, The Source, earlier today. They are for Batman #703, Doc Savage #6, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #5, and Justice League: Generation Lost #9.

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Hey there robots! This new feature is going to collect all the latest comic news, sneak peeks, and announcements into one handy column. Alrighty lets get started with today’s news and previews!

—Preview Pages of Action Comics 892

Over at the Source blog on DC they put up some preview pages of Action Comics #892, which is out next week (8/25), along with this blurb:

The fireworks continue as writer Paul Cornell and artist Pete Woods continue to chronicle the mad adventures of super-villain Lex Luthor, as his all-consuming quest for power leads him straight into conflict with Deathstroke, the Terminator. What happens when the DCU’s most ingenious mastermind meets its most lethal killer? Well, we’re not going to spoil all the fun. But click below for a sneak peek at the issue.

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—Marvel Announces Uncanny X-Force Day

Marvel is proud to announce Uncanny X-Force Day and wants to celebrate with YOU, the fans, on Wednesday, October 6^th! After Cyclops disbands Wolverine’s black-ops group, Logan assembles a brand new team to face a deadly new threat, courtesy of fan favorite creators Rick Remender and Jerome Opena! Mark your calendars and be the first person on your block to score great Uncanny X-Force Day commemorative items like an exclusive Uncanny X-Force print featuring the team’s first appearance in the hit series Second Coming, exclusive variants, mini-posters and more! Plus, fans can’t miss the chance to add their own heroes to the Uncanny X-Force lineup by sketching on the Uncanny X-Force #1 Blank Variant!

Plus, Marvel would like to thank participating retailers with a special advance screening edition of Uncanny X-Force #1 Premiere Variant! This limited-edition comic, won’t be made available to the general public or retailers not participating in this exciting event!

Retailers, check the Marvel Mailer for information about how to acquire festive party invitations, and all the other special edition party favors and be sure to sign up by 9/9. Additionally, the Marvel Retailer Resource Center and Diamond Retailer Site will feature special marketing items—such as customizable press releases, shelf talkers, cake toppers and flyers—exclusive to Uncanny X-Force Day.

On October 6th, the get ready for an all-new, all-deadly Uncanny X-Force!

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—First Look at Steve Rogers: Super Soldier from Marvel

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #3 (of 4) from Eisner Award-winning writer Ed Brubaker and superstar artist Dale Eaglesham! The sequel to the chart-topping Captain America: Reborn continues as a depowered Steve Rogers finds himself face to face with his newly revealed enemy. Stuck deep in the heart of his opponent’s lair, Steve has fought long and hard to unveil a global conspiracy, but can the 98-pound former Sentinel of Liberty make it out alive?

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—Sneak Peek at Valkyrie #1 from Marvel

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at Valkyrie #1, spotlighting one of the most powerful Secret Avengers and her mysterious rebirth. After Ragnarok claimed her life, the world never expected to see Valkyrie again, but Harvey Award-winning writer Bryan J.L. Glass and rising-star artist Phil Winslade brings readers a new inside look at the life and trials of the misunderstood heroine.  This September, witness the heroic transformation of one of Marvel’s greatest champions as she goes from a myth, to a Defender and finally an Avenger in Valkyrie #1!

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I apologize for the tardiness of last week’s This Week IN Comics column, but I was a little busy at Star Wars Celebration.

This week, the issue of IN was devoted to “Back to School”, so what better subject to tackle than Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters?

If you’re in the greater Salt Lake area, you can pick this up on News stands for another couple of days, or read the online version here. Or you can read the online print version below.

Comingsoon.net got a hold of a very good looking copy of the video they played at Comic-Con just before the real life Avengers took the stage.

It’s a very, very brief clip, it’s narrated by Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury and shows… well… you’ll just have to see.

Pretty soon, you won’t have to leave your house to go to Comic-Con. They’ll just have a television station dedicated to Comic-Con content… (I wonder if they record the panels for posterity… Hell, I’d love to watch old Comic-Con panels on TV)…

But I bet you want the teaser:

The Avengers is going to be directed by Joss Whedon, comes out May 4th, 2012, and stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, and Samuel L. Jackson.