The comics summer event. An almost yearly occurrence from the big 2 publishers of comics, DC and Marvel. The subject of much bitching on the internet, yet increased sales prove. As an employee at a local comic shop I see many types of customers with many differing opinions on events. One type of customer, the “Event Completest”, is the person who gets every single issue and tie-in to an event. Even though most times you only need the core event book and occasionally a couple of other tie-ins to get the whole story, there are those that must know every little bit to the story… no matter what! After seeing a couple of these people, myself being one of those with Flashpoint, I wanted to see how much those of us that must have it all will be spending and I feel it is my civic duty to inform you as well.

First up is Flashpoint, the catalyst for the big DC relaunch starting this September. It had a 4 issue prelude in the ongoing Flash series. The event itself is made up of a five issue miniseries, four one-shots,  fifteen 3 issue mini-series, and it ties in with only one ongoing series for three issues. Here is the full checklist with prices:

Prelude/Main Series

Flash #9 – 2.99

Flash #10 – 2.99

Flash #11 – 2.99

Flash #12 – 2.99

Flashpoint #1 – 3.99

Flashpoint #2 – 3.99

Flashpoint #3 – 3.99

Flashpoint #4 – 3.99

Flashpoint #5 – 3.99

Tie-Ins

Abin Sur – The Green Lantern #1 – 2.99

Abin Sur – The Green Lantern #2 – 2.99

Abin Sur – The Green Lantern #3 – 2.99

Batman: Knight of Vengeance #1 – 2.99

Batman: Knight of Vengeance #2 – 2.99

Batman: Knight of Vengeance #3 – 2.99

Booster Gold #44 – 2.99

Booster Gold #45 – 2.99

Booster Gold #46 – 2.99

Citizen Cold #1 – 2.99

Citizen Cold #2 – 2.99

Citizen Cold #3 – 2.99

Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1 – 2.99

Deadman and the Flying Graysons #2 – 2.99

Deadman and the Flying Graysons #3 – 2.99

Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #1 – 2.99

Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #2 – 2.99

Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager #3 – 2.99

Emperor Aquaman #1 – 2.99

Emperor Aquaman #2 – 2.99

Emperor Aquaman #3 – 2.99

Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #1 – 2.99

Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #2 – 2.99

Frankenstein and the Creatures of the Unknown #3 – 2.99

Green Arrow Industries one shot – 2.99

Grodd of War one shot – 2.99

Hal Jordan #1 – 2.99

Hal Jordan #2 – 2.99

Hal Jordan #3 – 2.99

Kid Flash Lost starring Bart Allen #1 – 2.99

Kid Flash Lost starring Bart Allen #2 – 2.99

Kid Flash Lost starring Bart Allen #3 – 2.99

Legion of Doom #1 – 2.99

Legion of Doom #2 – 2.99

Legion of Doom #3 – 2.99

Lois Lane and the Resistance #1 2.99

Lois Lane and the Resistance #2 2.99

Lois Lane and the Resistance #3 2.99

Project Superman #1 – 2.99

Project Superman #2 – 2.99

Project Superman #3 – 2.99

Reverse Flash one shot – 2.99

Secret Seven #1 – 2.99

Secret Seven #2 – 2.99

Secret Seven #3 – 2.99

The Canterbury Cricket one shot – 2.99

The Outsider #1 – 2.99

The Outsider #2 – 2.99

The Outsider #3 – 2.99

Wonder Woman and the Furies #1 – 2.99

Wonder Woman and the Furies #2 – 2.99

Wonder Woman and the Furies #3 – 2.99

The World of Flashpoint #1 – 2.99

The World of Flashpoint #2 – 2.99

The World of Flashpoint #3 – 2.99

Now if you were to get every little bit Flashpoint your grand total would come to $196.36 . That is quite the investment!

Next up is Marvel’s big crossover, Fear Itself. At this time I can’t give an accurate dollar amount on what you’ll be spending because there is still one more month of Fear Itself that hasn’t been solicited. For now the list goes through issue 6 and its tie ins. So far Fear Itself is made up of one prelude, a seven issue main series, ten mini series, four one-shots, and ties into sixteen ongoings. Here is your checklist (JiM stands for Journey into Mystery) and prices for Fear Itself so far:

*JiM stands for Journey into Mystery

Prelude/Main Series

Book of the Skull – 3.99

Fear Itself #1 – 3.99

Fear Itself #2 – 3.99

Fear Itself #3 – 3.99

Fear Itself #4 – 3.99

Fear Itself #5 – 3.99

Fear Itself #6 – 3.99

Ongoing Tie-ins

Alpha Flight #1 – 3.99

Alpha Flight #2 – 2.99

Alpha Flight #3 – 2.99

Alpha Flight #4 – 2.99

Avengers #13 – 3.99

Avengers #14 – 3.99

Avengers #15 – 3.99

Avengers #16 – 3.99

Avengers #17 – 3.99

Av. Academy #15 – 2.99

Av. Academy #16 – 2.99

Av. Academy #17 – 2.99

Av. Academy #18 – 2.99

Av. Academy #19 – 2.99

Black Panther #521 – 2.99

Black Panther #522 – 2.99

Black Panther #523 – 2.99

Ghost Rider #1 – 3.99

Ghost Rider #2 – 2.99

Ghost Rider #3 – 2.99

Herc #3 – 2.99

Herc #4 – 2.99

Herc #5 – 2.99

Herc #6 – 2.99

Heroes for Hire #9 – 2.99

Heroes for Hire #10 – 2.99

Heroes for Hire #11 – 2.99

Hulk #37 – 2.99

Hulk #38 – 2.99

Inv. Iron Man #503 3.99

Inv. Iron Man #504 3.99

Inv. Iron Man #505 3.99

Inv. Iron Man #506 3.99

Inv. Iron Man #507 3.99

Inv. Iron Man #508 3.99

Iron Man 2.0 #5 – 2.99

Iron Man 2.0 #6 – 2.99

Iron Man 2.0 #7 – 2.99

JiM #622 – 3.99

JiM #623 – 2.99

JiM #624 – 2.99

JiM #625 – 2.99

JiM #626 – 2.99

JiM #627 – 2.99

JiM #628 – 2.99

New Avengers #14 – 3.99

New Avengers #15 – 3.99

New Avengers #16 – 3.99

New Mutants #29 – 2.99

New Mutants #30 – 2.99

New Mutants #31 – 2.99

Secret Avengers #13 – 3.99

Secret Avengers #14 – 3.99

Secret Avengers #15 – 3.99

Thunderbolts #158 – 2.99

Thunderbolts #159 – 2.99

Thunderbolts #160 – 2.99

Thunderbolts #161 – 2.99

Thunderbolts #162 – 2.99

Thunderbolts #163 – 2.99

Uncanny X-Men #540 – 3.99

Uncanny X-Men #541 – 3.99

Uncanny X-Men #542 – 3.99

Uncanny X-Men #543 – 3.99

Minis/One-Shots

Black Widow #1 – 3.99

Deadpool #1 – 2.99

Deadpool #2 – 2.99

Deadpool #3 – 2.99

Fearsome Four #1 – 2.99

Fearsome Four #2 – 2.99

Fearsome Four #3 – 2.99

Fearsome Four #4 – 2.99

Fellowship of Fear – 3.99

FF #1 – 2.99

Hulk vs. Dracula #1 – 2.99

Hulk vs. Dracula #2 – 2.99

Sin’s Past #1 – 4.99

Spider-Man #1 – 2.99

Spider-Man #2 – 2.99

Spider-Man #3 – 2.99

The Deep #1 – 2.99

The Deep #2 – 2.99

The Deep #3 – 2.99

The Deep #4 – 2.99

The Home Front  #1 – 3.99

The Home Front #2 – 3.99

The Home Front #3 – 3.99

The Home Front #4 – 3.99

The Home Front #5 – 3.99

The Home Front #6 – 3.99

The Monkey King – 2.99

The Worthy #1 – 3.99

Uncanny X-Force #1 – 2.99

Uncanny X-Force #2 – 2.99

Uncanny X-Force #3 – 2.99

Wolverine #1 – 2.99

Wolverine #2 – 2.99

Wolverine #3 – 2.99

Youth in Revolt #1 – 2.99

Youth in Revolt #2 – 2.99

Youth in Revolt #3 – 2.99

Youth in Revolt #4 – 2.99

Youth in Revolt #5 – 2.99

Like I said above this still isn’t a complete list of Fear Itself, but up to this point if you are getting everything the damage comes out to $350.96 .

It is kind of eye opening how much events like this cost overall when its actually put in front of you.

Today’s spotlighted origin just had his first big screen appearance, and while that was just a cameo, he’ll likely have a more prominent role in the upcoming Avengers movie. That’s very fitting, seeing as this guy is one of the most prolific members in Avengers history. It wasn’t always that way though. Much like Pinocchio, our would-be hero is led astray by misunderstandings and less than scrupulous companions, and he actually starts out as a villain! Yes, I of course speak of one of the only heroes able to pull off a predominantly purple union suit, the Avenging Archer, Hawkeye!

Hawkeye’s story actually begins with one Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Iron Man is spending his day as usual, pretending to be his own bodyguard and saving his employees from the dangers of working in his own factory, as well as insinuating company time is better spent not lollygagging about. After that Stark-approved PSA, Tony’s chauffeur, Happy Hogan asks for a minute of Shellhead’s time. It seems Happy (who, incidentally, always has a frown on his face) wants Iron Man to get their boss, Tony Stark to help out the ol’ love life by asking Pepper Potts to go out with him. This is a problem, because Stark likes Pepper as well, but refuses to go out with her because the shrapnel in his heart could be an embarrassing ice breaker over dinner at Chez Affluent.

Later, Tony asks Pepper about a date, which she infers means that Tony wants to ask her out. Tony, being of two minds of the subject, just kind of stammers his way into a date, when he obviously could have just said it was a misunderstanding. Instead, in classic Marvel fashion, Tony decides to take Pepper on the most pedestrian, unromantic date he can, so they go to the carnival! Finally, the real story can start. At the carnival, Tony and Pepper happen upon a tent, featuring “Hawkeye, the World’s Greatest Marksman!” This is great for two reasons, the first is that Hawkeye already has a built-in codename, and second, well, let’s have Tony tell you.

"That is, unless Pepper really wanted to see the dancing girls, as well."

Before you can say “plot complication”, one of the carnival’s rides goes all screwy, and Tony makes a lame excuse so he can get knocked around in a portable garbage can. Fortunately for him, this is attaché case-era Iron Man, so he can put the armor on in seconds. He somehow stops the flying pinwheel by giving it a big bear hug. Before you can start to apply logic or physics to the situation, the danger has passed and Iron Man flies off, pre-occupied with explaining to everyone how Iron Man was on the scene so quickly. He settles on “Iron Man is my bodyguard, and he was following us, yeah… That’s the ticket!” As you might expect, everyone is thrilled that Iron man saved the day. Well, almost everyone.

"Even when I do that cool 'Spock eyebrow' thing!"

Well, it seems there is no greater motivator than jealousy, because that night, Hawkeye sets off to make himself a hero. He comes up with a gaudy costume, and whips up some trick arrows. I don’t exactly know how he does this with the obviously limited resources of a carny worker, especially since his DC counterpart Green Arrow uses his vast wealth to do the same thing. Maybe things are just really cheap to manufacture in the Marvel Universe. All the while, he complains about his hurt pride, and how he’s going to make everyone else look like a piker. There’s no way he’s doing this to compensate for anything…

You guys don't really need a caption for this one, do you?

Eventually, he’s all set and bounds off for the rooftops, because that’s what costumed characters do, dammit! He runs across the city a bit, truly exhilarated at his own prowess. Modest this guy is not.

I hate to break it to you, but you're not wearing gloves.

Anyway, Hawkeye shows that he does indeed have the chops to be a hero. he spots a jewel thief, and stops him in jig time. Unfortunately for our bountiful bowslinger, he stops to check out the swag the jewel thief leaves behind. The police arrive on the scene quickly, because this is comics and not real life, and assume Hawkeye is an accomplice. While you can’t fault the officers, given that there is a be-masked vigilante with a bunch of jewels in his hands, you’d think they’d know a hero when they see one. Hawkeye doesn’t even try to explain himself, and he runs off. He probably would have gotten away with it to, if not for those meddling kids a mysterious stranger picking him up.

"Nothing, it's just that your hands aren't at 10 and 2!"

The mysterious lady turns out to be the Black Widow, who is still a communist spy at this point of her career. All you need to know about her at this point is that Hawkeye is a lovesick puppy for her, and that she and Iron Man have clashed in the past. BW proposes a partnership with Hawkeye that’ll be mutually beneficial. She shares her resources with him, and in return she only asks for one small thing, a pittance, really.

"I swear on my quiver, If anyone's gonna date Tony Stark, it'll be me!"

Hawkeye wastes no time breaking into Stark’s munitions factory. He uses a new explosive arrow to get inside, which brings him to the attention of Iron Man, just like he planned it. Hawkeye is a pretty awesome strategist though, even at this early point in his career. He sticks to the shadows firing off trick shot after trick shot. He finally pelts Shellhead with a trio of errors that cause Iron Man’s suit to rapidly rust. Since Iron Man doesn’t have any WD-40 on him, he only has one course of action…

"This time, I'll surprise him! Let's see how he fights a man in his underwear!"

Because he was a Boy Scout, Tony is prepared and just happens to have spare armor pieces lying around his factory. While he scrambles to get some fresh armor on, Hawkeye takes the opportunity to steal the discarded pieces of armor, but also has ample time to get away. You may wonder why this is. It turns out that Tony doesn’t want to go into battle with only one boot. No, seriously. Tony Stark, freaking Iron Man lets the criminal get away because he’s missing a bootie.  He does finally find it, but by that point Hawkeye has a pretty good head start…

Similarly, he let the Mandarin get away last time because he broke a nail.

Hawkeye, now reunited with the Widow, are speed towards LaGuardia airport. Iron Man has had enough though, and just hits their car with a power ray. Well, he says it’s a power ray, but it certainly looks like a death ray to me, especially considering it totals the vehicle.  Hawkeye and Iron Man continue their battle, neither having a clear headway. Hawkeye fires a shot, Iron Man repulses it away. You’d think Iron Man would have the advantage in speed and maneuverability, what with the ability to be airborne and all, but Hawkeye is Just. That. Good.

The unstoppable cocky force meets the immovable brash object.

Iron Man has about had it and gains the upper hand when Hawkeye tries to ensnare him with a nylon rope arrow. Calling this a misstep is a bigger understatement than saying “clowns are damned creepy”. Iron Man lands himself on the pier where Hawkeye is standing with so much force that the wood splinters and Hawkeye is cling on to a remaining post for dear life. Iron Man then proceeds to knock Hawkeye out cold, or so it would seem. Anyone familiar with Hawkeye will tell you that his skull is thicker than the mantle of the Earth, so when it’s revealed that this was a feint, it’s no surprise. As Iron Man turns his back, Hawkeye prepares his most potent arrow, the Demolition Blast! Sadly, all it does is ricochet off of Iron Man’s metal hide and ends up seriously harming the Black Widow.

Scroll up a few lines, Hawk. I just explained it.

Apparently the blast was enough to stun Iron Man, so Hawkeye beats feet to help his lady friend. It’s obvious she needs a hospital. Hawkeye shows genuine concern and frantically decides what to do. Conveniently, the Widow had a boat already ready in the harbor, and the twosome flee the scene post-haste. Iron Man flies off to pursue, but gives up when he realizes that he’s in LaGuardia’s airspace. So our story ends with no clear victor, but an obvious loser.

After this tale, Hawkeye and the Widow continued their team, and their love also grew. Eventually, Hawkeye saw the error of his ways and applied for member ship in the Avengers. His audition kind of leaves me scratching my head, however.

Kidnapping and bondage: The perfect way to show you're a good guy!

Astoundingly the Avengers accept him (it’s later revealed that Jarvis was saved by Hawkeye earlier and they set up this display to impress the others), and Hawkeye has been one of the most stalwart members of the Avengers ever (except for the time when he was Goliath, but man, that’s another story entirely)!

This story originally appeared in Tales of Suspense #57 September 1964, It was reprinted in Marvel Masterworks: Iron Man Volume 3 among others. The final image is from Avengers #16 May, 1965.

Digital Spy is reporting that shooting on The Avengers has been delayed.

The cause of the delay? Apparently, Samuel L. Jackson’s script had been leaked and they want to rewrite compromised scenes.

There is no word about how long this delay will last, but the film has been shooting for less than a week. It’s bad news for all parties involved, anything to make the film behind schedule risks the integrity of the film Joss Whedon has been wanting to make.

How drastic will the rewrites be that would require a complete production halt?

This is not heartening news. Will we get a substandard script because of these leaks? On the other hand, could this mean a better script? Could the leak be a ploy to give Whedon more time to turn in a better script?

Anything is possible. We’ll keep you updated.

Oh man. It’s actually becoming a reality! After years of anticipation The Avengers movie is going into production today! Nearly one year prior to its current planned release date!

Marvel has released an official press release on the matter, along with a little teaser photo (above) from the set that you can see below, but first, a blog post from the director himself, Joss Whedon!

Hi Pumpkins, joss here.

Tomorrow we start shooting (I THINK I’m legally permitted to say that). Day one. That’s right. We’ll be shooting the pivotal death/betrayal/product placement/setting up the sequel/coming out scene, at the following address:

[Marvel Lawyers rush in, take Joss’s keyboard, blowtorch a picture of his family like in “Stormy Monday”, drink his milkshake, leave the seat up, fluff his pillows, violently unfluff his pillows, leave]

Went too far. My bad. Anyhoo, it should be a fun day, followed by the eighty thousand other fun days it will take to finish this. I’ll be checking in from time to time, if there’s news or I crave attention (i.e. am awake) . None of it will be Avengers news — I have some very denty pillows to remind of that — but I may have tidbits. (They’re not about Firefly. I should say that up front, if only to protect Sis Mo from the HATORZ.)

Some of you may be saying, Joss! Why this link, here, now, why, huh, howcum? My friend Allyx turned me on to these guys, and I’ll tell you, they’ve gotten me through this intensely pressurized, preply time. I strongly recommend checking out their other vids — I’ve watched them many many times, and I have a very special place for “Teamwork” in my heart. These guys are the guys. And IS there a better movie title than “Eagles Are Turning People Into Horses”? I thought not.

So wish me luck. DO IT! LUCK! NOW! I’m off to finish some Buffy pages, and then figure out what the movie is about already. I’m pretty sure it’s about the Justice League [Marvel Lawyers re-enter, unspeakability occurs] or possibly something else. I’ll get it. I’ve been looking forward to this. For about 46 years.

Catchphrase!

-j.

I love the man’s sense of humor! If that’s not enough to get your geek bones tingling, here’s the official press release from Marvel as well:

Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) as Thor, Chris Evans (“Captain America: The First Avenger”) as Captain America, Jeremy Renner (“Thor,” “The Hurt Locker”) as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo (“The Kids Are Alright”) as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson (“Iron Man 2”) as Black Widow, Clark Gregg (“Iron Man,” “Thor”) as Agent Phil Coulson, and Samuel L. Jackson (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) as Nick Fury. Set for release in the US on May 4, 2012, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the first feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel in 2009.

Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” and “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the super hero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1963, “Marvel’s The Avengers” brings together the mightiest super hero characters as they all assemble together on screen for the first time. The star studded cast of super heroes will be joined by Cobie Smulders (“How I Met Your Mother) as Agent Maria Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as Tom Hiddleston (“Wallander”) and Stellan Skarsgård (“Angels & Demons,” “Mamma Mia!”) who will both reprise their respective roles as Loki and Professor Erik Selvig from the upcoming Marvel Studios’ feature “Thor.”

“Marvel’s The Avengers” is being produced by Marvel Studios’ President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Louis D’Esposito, Patty Whitcher, and Jon Favreau. Marvel Studios’ Jeremy Latcham and Victoria Alonso will co-produce.

The creative production team also includes Oscar nominated director of photography Seamus McGarvey (“Atonement”), production designer James Chinlund (“25th Hour”), Oscar winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne (“Elizabeth: The Golden Age”), Oscar winning visual effects supervisor Janek Sirrs (“Iron Man 2,” “The Matrix”), visual effects producer Susan Pickett (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”), stunt coordinator R.A. Rondell (“Superman Returns”), and four-time Oscar nominated special effects supervisor Dan Sudick (“Iron Man,” “War of the Worlds”). The editors include Oscar nominated Paul Rubell (“Collateral”) and Jeffrey Ford (“Crazy Heart”).

Marvel Studios most recently produced “Iron Man 2” which was released in theatres on May 7, 2010. The sequel to “Iron Man,” starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow as well as Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson and Mickey Rourke, took the number one spot its first weekend with a domestic box office gross of $128.1 million. To date the film has earned over $620 million in worldwide box office receipts.

In the summer of 2008, Marvel produced the summer blockbuster movies, “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk.” “Iron Man,” in which Robert Downey, Jr. originally dons the super hero’s powerful armor alongside co-stars Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow, was released May 2, 2008 and was an immediate box office success. Garnering the number one position for two weeks in a row, the film brought in over $100 million its opening weekend and grossed over $571 million worldwide. On June 13, 2008, Marvel released “The Incredible Hulk” marking its second number one opener of that summer. The spectacular revival of the iconic green goliath grossed over $250 million in worldwide box office receipts.

Having just watched The Incredible Hulk this last Sunday, I’m as giddy as a geek could possible be about this. Marvel has done a great job thus far tying the two Iron Man films and the Hulk film together and I’m sure we will see that same level of execution with the upcoming Thor and Captain America movies due out in May and July respectively. Like many of you, I have complete faith in Whedon helming the Avengers film and can’t wait to see it all come together! May 2012 may seem like a ways off, but at least we have the God of Thunder and The First Avenger to hold us over in the mean time! Huzzah!

Marvel has given us a very, very purdy first look at Avengers #13, some panels from Chris Bachalo.   Bachalo has previously worked with writer Brian Michael Bendis on some of my very favorite comics of the past few years, specifically Dark Avengers and Siege.  So, yeah, this is gonna be great.

AVENGERS 13 Cover

I love the Spiderman drinking chocolate milk, don’t you?And Tony Stark is partying, Cap is brooding, Thor looks smarmy, Wolvie looks peeved.  All good things.

Ain’t no party like a Tony Stark party, cuz an Iron Man party don’t stop!

Holy splash-page Batman!

Someone big and red this way comes.

So what else is Marvel teasing us with? From their release:

With the entire Marvel Universe gripped in fear and on the brink of outrage, Captain America, Thor and Iron Man struggle to keep the peace. In an effort by Tony Stark, the rebuilding of Asgard begins, but will they be stopped  even before they begin?  It’s the calm before the storm as the threat of the Red Skull and the other hammer wielding Worthy looms over the Marvel Universe. When the time comes, which of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes will rally their teammates to battle – and which will succumb to the Serpent’s influence? Find out this May, only in Avengers #13!

This goes on sale 5/18 and you’ll be picking it up. Right? Right.

Oh, and there’s a really hot looking X-men variant. What can I say? I have a thing for mutant girls. Especially ones with red hair and telekinetic powers.

So, until Wolverine’s adamantium claws lose a chopping contest to one of those Ginsu knives they sell on infomercials- MAKE MINE MARVEL!

Right now the entire Marvel film universe (well, the parts of it that are being run by Marvel Studios) is aiming straight at The Avengers film that’s coming out next year. Everything since the first Iron Man picture has been building to that boiling point. But what comes next?

Marvel’s not going to just walk away from all of these successful film franchises. They’re going to keep going on with the universe.

We already know that Iron Man III is in the works with the cast returning and Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Lethal Weapon, and The Long Kiss Goodnight) is directing. It’s set for a 2013 release.

Keven Feige told the Disney Fan Club Magazine, D23 (which IGN got an advanced look at) that we have a lot to look forward to:

Feige said that following Avengers, “Thor will go off into a new adventure, and Captain America will continue to explore the modern world in another film of his own. We hope that holds true for the characters appearing in that film — Black Widow, Hawkeye, and the spy organization, S.H.I.E.L.D. —all of whom are more than worthy and capable of carrying their own films. And, we’ve got a lot of other characters we’re prepping and getting ready for film debuts: the world of martial arts, these great cosmic space fantasies, Dr. Strange, and the magic side of the Marvel Universe. There are many, many stories to be mined.”

But I think the question everyone is asking themselves is this: Are these films going to boil up to another Avengers picture? A Marvel Universe wide event like your Civil War or your Secret Invasion?

Wouldn’t The Siege be a helluva story to tell?

I’m very happy that he name dropped Dr. Strange, though. He’s always been one of my favorites in the Marvel Universe. And I hear Patrick Dempsey is yearning to play him, though I think Clive Owen would be much better.

What do you guys want to see in a post-Avengers Marvel movie world?

We are giving away two DVD sets of The Avengers: The Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Vol. 1 & 2.

For those of you getting more and more excited about the upcoming Marvel films, this series is a must see. Together, these volumes contain the first 13 episodes from the popular TV show. The DVD’s come out on April 26th, 2011.

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! Volume 1 includes episodes 1-7 plus an exclusive look at the evolving characters and storyline of Season 2, and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! Volume 2 includes episodes 8-13 plus another exclusive sneak peek at Season 2 that reveals what makes the Marvel Super Heroes and Villains so unique.

Featuring your favorite animated Super Heroes – Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and The Hulk – The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! sees planet Earth threatened by Super Villains, time traveling conquerors, alien invaders, mythical beasts and rampaging robots — all bent on the total destruction of humanity. Unfortunately against these impossible odds, no individual hero has the power to save the world and just when all appears to be hopeless, the most skilled champions in the Marvel universe join forces to form the mightiest Super Hero team in history. The Avengers come to the rescue when the fate of the world rests on their shoulder

These sets will be released Tuesday, April 26. For those who don’t want to wait for the contest results, you can preorder them on Amazon here.

The contest will be open until Friday, April 29th. Winners will be announced on Monday, May 2nd.

To enter, all you need to do is shoot us an email at editor (at) bigshinyrobot.com. Make the subject “AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!” For an extra chance to win, you can go to our facebook page and invite all of your friends to like us. Or you can ask your followers on twitter to follow us @BigShinyRobot. Just be sure to mention in your email that you’ve done it.

Well it has finally come around for my turn on the “Whats in my Bag” game. I have to say I was really nervous about this, as I have read all the other posts for this little project, and I thought “I don’t have anything cool in my bag at all”. Everyone has computers, smart phones, nice head phones, and big fat hard drives. I have some of those things – they just don’t live in my bag. In comparison to my comrades here at Big Shiny Robot! my bag is pretty boring!

I am a girl – so I own many bags, and I change them out according to situation and what I can expect to need to carry. But this article features my current every day bag. While it looks more messenger style – it is basically a purse. A common off brand fake leather fashion purse I picked up on sale at a local shop (you are bored to tears already I can tell). I was really surprised though when I emptied out its many zippered pockets and primary pouch how much stuff I have been hauling around with me of late.

Starting Top Left and moving clockwise is firstly my sticker covered sketchbook. I have been drawing since I was 5 and carrying a sketchbook on me regularly since high school. I have not drawn as much of late as I would like to (the internet being the main villain in that plot) but I still carry it with me most of the time. The “Save the Trolls!” stickers are from the “Secret Device” ARG from Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. There is also a sticker with the logo for deltorofilms.com, a coffee company, a Radiohead “in Rainbows” sticker, a bunch of Threadless.com stickers (which they send you when you order stuff), and on the back which is not shown are a bunch of mimobot stickers. All of which I am enamoured of.

Top and Center is the book I am currently reading You Are Not a Gadget By Jaron Lanier. I bought this a while ago and am just getting to reading it. So far it is proving to be good brain food. Just below the book on the right are my collection of lip products which I will just skip talking about because it would bore you to death…. Then center it is a “safety matches” tin that I use to hold my gum eraser and extra automatic pencil refills. Left is my handy dandy on-the-go collection of Pilot V5 extra fine pens, a regular Sharpie, Sakura brush pens, a Copic two sided marker, and an automatic pencil. It wouldn’t make much sense to have the sketch book and nothing to sketch with.

Top Right is a stack of comics I have picked up of late and have been reading and rereading. I am really loving the most recent Chris Bachalo illustrated X-Men run with Spider-man. Other titles in the stack are the recent Mark Millar run of Avenger’s, Age of X story arch titles, and Amazing Spider-man. Then Top Right and Lower you have a note book also bedecked in stickers. I always like to have a note book because I always have the delusion that inspiration will strike and I will want to write something worth while on my lunch break. This never happens. Right now this notebook is full of odd notes such as the various prices of lumber , renovation,and landscaping materials (summer is almost here), phone numbers of new friends and contacts, the occasional URL, and lots of random crap.

Lower Right is my Tracfone. Yes that is right – I don’t even have a proper grown up cell phone or smart phone, I have a tracfone. I agree if you think that I take a penalty to my nerdiness for this. No, I am not a drug dealer, or other nefarious type. I live in a rural area – and we still don’t have a very good cell phone network up here. So while I like to have a cell phone for when I am traveling – lets say to a city, it makes no logical sense to pay for a monthly proper phone plan as I can’t even get a cell signal at my house. Next to the phone to it’s left is ANOTHER notebook. This lil thing is called a Wellspring Flip Note

Lower Center is a pile of loose change. ::shrugs:: The article is called “What’s in my bag” not “Only the cool/ worth talking about stuff in my bag”. Lower Left there is my wallet, which is old and near the time of replacing. I got it because it had a nifty pocket for my then brand new first generation ipod mini. Yeah – how long ago was that? Then there is the car charger for my phone. Middle Left are all of my keys with my UglyDoll Ice-Bat Keychain (small plush doll for key chain = easier to find an cavernous purse), a cough drop, a colgate wisp (which I highly endorse if like me you are the kind of person who will inevitably always have food in her teeth after a meal), and lastly – a wee little LED flash light. A BIG thank you to the small child that had a Halo Master Chief Halloween costume that was made of cardboard last fall; Who’s helmet that little flash light fell off of. It has proven hugely indispensable. And YES I know it makes me a bad person for keeping it.

NOT shown; After I took the photo’s for this I realized I forgot to check a pocket – so what you are not seeing is my prescription sun glasses. But really – that is no great loss. Nothing too geeky about them. They let me see the road well even when it is sunny. I know – REAL intriguing stuff no? And THAT is all that is in this nerd’s Bag. NEXT WEEK: Citizen-Bot!!!

FEAR ITSELF (seven-issue miniseries, published monthly, $3.99)

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? Matt Fraction (writer); Stuart Immomen and Wade von Grawbadger (artists).

Guilty admission time: I came prepared to fully hate “Fear Itself,” Marvel’s latest crossover comics “event.”

Why, you may ask, would such a faithful Marvel Zombie feel that way? Two words: “crossover fatigue.” After being let down by the company’s less-than-impressive crossovers “House of M,” “Secret Invasion” and, yes, “Civil War,” I’m more than a little skeptical about another one. Especially since we were sort of promised that the more-fun “Siege” would end this nonsense for a while.

And frankly, I’ve been less than impressed with Matt Fraction’s recent output for Marvel. His “Immortal Iron Man” series has stagnated, and his run to date on “Thor” has been a real dud.

Here he’s tackling even bigger themes, using Norse mythology that hasn’t even been referenced in nearly 50 years of continuity. Essentially, the idea is there’s a more powerful god than Odin in the Asgardian pantheon, and he’s just been released by Sin, the daughter of the Red Skull. Together, they’re planning to unleash real fear across the world.

In the meantime, the Marvel heroes … including Thor, Steve Rogers, Iron Man and their fellow Avengers … have joined forces for a rebuilding project in Broxton, Okla., which has been sharing space with Thor and his fellow Asgardians. That is, until Odin arrives and calls the Asgardians home, apparently never to return to Earth. If he’s scared of what’s coming, what should our heroes be feeling?

THE GOOD.

The ending of the first issue. Without spoiling anything, this is one of those real “uh-oh” moments. Fraction promises further bombshells in the months to come, including a supposed “major” character death in issue #3.

And you have to like the way Fraction uses the current political and economic climate to reinforce major the story’s themes. There’s a real grounded quality to the story. Especially when rioting gets so far out of hand that even Steve Rogers … a revered figure … isn’t safe from harm.

Also, do I need to say anything about the art of Stuart Immomen? As he’s proven with books like “New Avengers,” “NextWave: Agents of H.A.T.E.” and “Ultimate Spider-Man,” he’s got a lively style that’s well-suited to not only big-screen action but smaller character moments. He’s joined by longtime inker Wade von Grawbadger and colorist Laura Martin, who doesn’t overdo the hues. Her work is subtle and nuanced. It’s a great-looking artistic package.

THE BAD.

The pacing is a little rushed, and there could be a “rest moment” or two. But you can understand why Fraction and co. wanted to get off to a fast start.

I’m still not sure Fraction has the right “voice” for the Asgardian gods either. While I’m glad he … and every writer who has touched the characters since J. Michael Straczynski … did away with the faux-Shakespeare talk, these Gods Among Men still sound a tad colloquial for my tastes. Still, that’s a minor quibble at best.

THE UGLY.

A tie-in miniseries, “Fear Itself: Home Front,” is supposed to augment the story and fill in some blanks. However, its first issue already makes it looks like one of those dreaded “jam books.” It features four related stories … including a bash-your-over-the-head Speedball story by “Avengers Academy” scribe Christos Gage. You can skip this one, unless you want to see writer Peter Milligan put a new spin on Jeff Parker’s Agent of Atlas characters.

IN CONCLUSION: If the first issue is any of how this whole miniseries is going to go, we’re in for something really good, really special. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect. “Fear Itself” is likely going to feature Thor and Captain America as its main characters. Just in time for their movies to hit theaters. Hmmm …

Jerk-Bot is the robotic nom de plume or Utah-based writer/reviewer Jeff Michael Vice. He would like you to listen to him rant about movies and other geeky stuff on both the Geek Show Podcast and the Mediocre Show, as well as watch him review movies on the Big Movie Mouth-Off .

So, late last night we ran a story about possible cast appearances during principle photography of The Avengers in New York City. (You can read the original report here.)

The press release excerpt we were sent is as follows:

S.H.I.E.L.D. invites you to join the AVENGERS initiative

Meet the cast of S.H.I.E.L.D. and join the Avengers initiative! Marvel Studios to announce an S.H.I.E.L.D. Assembly in New York City for spring 2011. During principal filming, S.H.I.E.L.D. will be out in full force in NYC to recruit and find new members. Cast members on hand include Samuel L. Jackson (Director Nick Fury), Clark Gregg (Agent Phil Coulson), Cobie Smulders (Agent Maria Hill) and Kevin Pennington (Agent Wendell Vaughn). Fans will get the chance to meet the stars and get their photograph taken with them at the event.

The source is untested and we haven’t heard anything first hand about the report since we printed it.

But we’ve received an alarming amount of mail about it. We’ve received a few independent confirmations that this press release did come out, though we still haven’t seen anything first hand. According to these additional sources, the press release was sent with confidentiality agreements and there were intimated threats that if the news leaked the events would be cancelled since it was difficult enough to get Samuel L. Jackson to agree to these public appearances.

It was also speculated (and it makes sense) that the excerpt of the press release that we were given was not verbatim from the actual release. The source put the details of the event in his own words in order to further separate the original from him so that he might not be identified. Those that called out the release because of its wording had cause to.

Another bit of information left out of the version we received is that another event like this was planned with the cast for Comic-Con.

There has been no word from Marvel about the truth of any of this, and we’ve not been contacted by them in any way. We’d love to hear from them directly about the validity of the story, one way or the other. Had they included us in their press blast in the first place, we would have been bound by any embargo they set for the information and you wouldn’t be reading this from us. If it’s actually true. But we haven’t heard from them one way or the other, before or after the fact.

So, who knows? But we have been contacted by a number of other people reporting that they got the same initial press release email.

I’d like to hear from you guys your take on all of this. And do you think it would be smart of Marvel to cancel the event if this information was accurate but was leaked prematurely?

UPDATE: We’ve reached out to Marvel for comment. When we get one, we’ll let you know.