Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Comics

  • RUMOR: Jonathan Hickman and Chris Bachalo May Be Marvel Comics’ New Spider-Team

    RUMOR: Jonathan Hickman and Chris Bachalo May Be Marvel Comics’ New Spider-Team

    Back in August when Jonathan Hickman announced he would be leaving the X-line of Marvel Comics following the completion of Inferno, he mentioned he’d be doing so to go work on his “Next Big Marvel Thing.” When Hickman signed on with Marvel Comics, it was to, in his own words “try things.” According to some speculation by Rich Johnston at Bleeding Cool, the next thing he chooses to try might just be taking the reigns on writing duties for Marvel Comics most popular character: Spider-Man.

    Following the end of Nick Spencer’s long run as the writer of Spider-Man, the publisher went to a weekly arc, Spider-Man Beyond, that will end in March. The announcement for this year’s Free Comic Book Day, which will be May 7th, includes a description of Spider-Man/Venom #1, which promised “the first glimpse at Spider-Man’s new era.” Finally, this week artist Chris Bachalo, who worked with Hickman the 2019 Spidey anthology, The Amazing Spider-Man: Full Circle, retweeted one of his 2008 covers from The Amazing Spider-Man. As it turns out, Bachalo’s most recent book, Non-Stop Spider-Man, was cancelled and Hickman is a big fan. As Johnston pointed out, the new Spider-book is expected to have a high profile creative team and, given the convergence of events, it is reasonable to speculate that Hickman and Bachalo could be that team.

    Hickman, of course, has spent some time with the Wall-Crawler before. Following the death of Johnny Storm in Hickman’s Fantastic Four #587, he replaced him on the newly renamed team, the Future Foundation, with Spider-Man, in FF #1. When Storm returned from “the dead”, Spidey left the team but showed up on and off throughout the remainder of the series.

    Hickman’s well-known for his high-concept sci-fi and while Spider-Man is, like many of Marvel’s heroes and villains, the result of a scientific accident, he’d be the most “street-level” hero Hickman has tackled to date at Marvel. If Hickman is indeed the brain behind the main Spider-book, it’ll be incredibly interesting to see what direction he takes the Web-Slinger in next. Of course, Hickman also did quite a bit of work with Miles Morales in Secret Wars, including bringing him into the 616 continuity…

    Source: Bleeding Cool

  • Dark Horse Comics Finds New Home in Swedish Gaming Company Embracer Group

    Dark Horse Comics Finds New Home in Swedish Gaming Company Embracer Group

    Here’s a rather curious surprise. Dark Horse, the famous indie comic publisher, has hinted at its interest in selling to find a new home for some time. They’ve been setting up a lot of future projects together with Netflix, especially after their success with The Umbrella Academy yet they were still seeking a new home even as they continue their first-look deal with the streaming service. After a long wait, it looks like they found it in a Swedish gaming conglomerate, the Embracer Group. Dark Horse CEO Mike Richardson offered the following statement on the purchase:

    The synergies that exist with the Embracer network of companies promise exciting new opportunities not only for Dark Horse, but also for the creators and companies we work with. I’ve had a number of compelling conversations with Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors and I’m very impressed with him and what he and his team have built. I have to say, the future for our company has never looked brighter

    Mike Richardson

    The financial dealings have not been shared by both companies involved with the project. It does seem like the Swedish company is interested in keeping the comics ongoing dealings alive, as they bolster around 300 untapped intellectual properties, which includes Timecop, Hellboy, The Mask, and many more. It’ll be interesting to see what the future has in store for everyone involved.

    Source: Hollywood Reporter

  • Marvel Unveils Their New Sorcerer Supreme in New ‘Strange’ Comic Series

    Marvel Unveils Their New Sorcerer Supreme in New ‘Strange’ Comic Series

    It looks like Marvel Comics has found its new Sorcerer Supreme. Doctor Strange has recently passed away and someone new has taken on the mantle. It turns out that person will be the Mistress of the Dark Dimension, Clea, who will lead her own comic titled Strange. Jed MacKay is set to write the new series right after his work on Death of Doctor Strange with Marcelo Ferreira bringing his Amazing Spider-Man artistic talents to the project. Marvel has shared the following synopsis:

    Haunted by her recently returned memories, Clea longs to bring Stephen Strange back from the dead! But when a mysterious group attacks the magical realm, Clea, now the sole protector of Earth against magical threats must rise to the duties of Sorcerer Supreme. Don’t miss the shocking twists, new villains, and unbelievable magical feats as Clea takes Marvel magic to places it’s never gone before!

    It’s a great direction for the character, and MacKay highlights that “there’s a new Sorcerer Supreme in residence at 177A Bleecker Street, and a new Doctor Strange—Clea Strange. And she’s got her work cut out for her—when she’s not fighting off the magical gangsters of the Blasphemy Syndicate, or battling undead super-monsters, she’s going after what’s hers: the late Stephen Strange.” So, her fight with the need to revive the one she lost will put her into a very different situation from the previous holder of the mantle and we’ll see what her struggle might mean for the future of the Marvel universe. The comic is going to release on March 2nd.

    Source: Marvel

  • REVIEW: ‘One Piece’ Chapter 1033 Finally Gave Zoro That Moment

    REVIEW: ‘One Piece’ Chapter 1033 Finally Gave Zoro That Moment

    The latest chapters of One Piece were a well-balanced mesh of action, drama, and character development. Sanji was the main act for quite a few chapters due to his conflict of embracing the alterations inflicted upon him by wearing the Germa 66 raid suit. Yet, the latest chapter has fully moved over to Zoro, who’s still in his ongoing conflict with King. Ever since the post-time skip, it seemed he never had a true challenge. So, Eiichiro Oda gave him exactly that in the mysterious Lunarian who seemingly takes each strike without a scratch. Will Zoro finally meet his match?

    Let’s not waste any time and just focus on the biggest aspect of this chapter. Yes, there has been quite a bit of foreshadowing by Kaido and even the anime release, but Zoro finally has unleashed his Conquerors Haki. He has definitely been pushed to his limit and we once again are reminded by Raleigh’s lesson that it is formed through combat. Seeing the underlings of the Beast Pirates foaming at the mouth and seeing the lightning around all three swords is a great visual flair to confirm it. His ambitions have finally broken to the point that he can not only wield Enma – likely turning it into a black blade by the end of this fight – but also solves the question of what a sword curse is all about.

    I love the flashback to Zoro’s time as a kid. Didn’t expect we get an explanation where he got the two swords for his fight against Kuina from, but it’s a nice detail. The introduction of Shimotsuki Kozaburo and confirmation of his connection add a nice layer. Though the hints that Zoro is also a member of the Shimotsuki family due to his father potentially being Ushimaru does raise a few questions. We’ll likely find out more once Onimaru makes their return to the story. For now, we got a confirmation about his backstory set-up a few episodes ago and the mangaka manages to make a joke drawing for one of the swords as a person into an actual character design.

    His opponent, King, is given a lot more weight this time around. A short discussion between Queen and Sanji hints at some kind of underlying weak spot that’ll probably get exploited by Zoro. It makes me wonder if the Lunarian’s “defeat” might be connected to Mihawk that builds up a parallel with his pupil. While great foreshadowing, it does take away from the momentum that we had with Sanji when he kicked Queen full force a few chapters ago. Still, the built-up is strong and Oda will very likely take a detour before getting back to Zoro’s big payoff.

  • Valkyrie, Namor Joining Jason Aaron’s Avengers Ahead of 2022 MCU Appearances

    Valkyrie, Namor Joining Jason Aaron’s Avengers Ahead of 2022 MCU Appearances

    The current Avengers comic run written by Jason Aaron has been pretty blatant in terms of focusing on characters that are either gaining new relevance in the movie side of things or that are straight-up joining the MCU in the coming months. After devoting arcs to the Celestials (and introducing a new Avengers HQ similar to the one the MCU might get to in a few movies’ time), Ghost Rider, Moon Knight, Echo, Blade, and She-Hulk (all of which are soon to be the focus of their own TV series or movie) we are now getting word that the series is focusing on both Namor and Valkyrie as the duo are joining Marvel’s core Avengers team in 2022.

    The current head Valkyrie in the comics is no other than Jane Foster, a former Thor (an arc also written by Aaron and that is a major inspiration for the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder) that has had a new part to play in the comics for some time now. As for Namor, he’s known for showing up now and then in the series but is now becoming a full-fledged member as he reunites with his long-time nemesis, Black Panther, in what is another interesting comic-to-movie connection.

    These are interesting news in what the comics are concerned, but they can also mean something towards the future of the MCU. Ever since Kevin Feige was named Chief Creative Officer for Marvel Comics, Marvel Television, and Marvel Animation in October 2019, in addition to being President of Marvel Studios, you now can sometimes catch glimpses of what some MCU projects might be focusing on down the line by reading up on the latest issues. This was something that had already been going on for a while, but it was with Feige’s formal appointment that it likely became a more reliable reality.

    Avengers #53 will be available on February 9, 2022

  • Chip Zdarsky and Jacob Phillip’s ‘Newburn’ Already Optioned for TV

    Chip Zdarsky and Jacob Phillip’s ‘Newburn’ Already Optioned for TV

    Today saw the release of the first issue of Newburn, a crime comic published by Image that follows a private detective, Ed Newburn, as he navigates the NYC underworld. Chip Zdarsky (Stillwater, Daredevil) and Jacob Phillips (That Texas Blood) worked together on the project which has debuted to very positive reviews so far.

    Apparently someone believed in the book early on as the duo revealed that Newburn has already been optioned for a TV series, which the duo revealed last night during a live stream with the guys at Comic Book Club. The talk about Newburn comes up around the 18 minute mark.

    While they didn’t reveal which service has optioned the book, Zdarsky does mention that whichever studio it was needed nothing more than the first 3 issues to make the call. You can probably pick up a few copies of Newburn at your LCS today and flip them for a profit in the near future!

    Source: Comic Book Club

  • Marvel Comics New Iron Fist Revealed

    Marvel Comics New Iron Fist Revealed

    Over the past week, Marvel Comics teased the coming of a new Iron Fist. First, a drawing, reminiscent of John Romita’s famous Spider-Man No More panel teased Danny Rand abandoning the identity; that was quickly followed up the next day by another sketch of a mysterious character sporting the classic colors of the Immortal Weapon of K’un-Lun. Now, after a closer look at the details of the two drawings, it seems the identity of the new Iron Fist can be deduced.

    A closer look at the “Iron Fist No More” teaser shows turquoise shards scattered around the dumpster in which Danny Rand has deposited his Iron Fist costume. Those shards share an uncanny resemblance to the Sword of Fu Xi, the millennia-old sword wielded by Lin Lie, aka Sword Master. It’s probably then no coincidence that the character on display in the follow-up image is sporting the very same belt worn by Lie since he first appeared in Marvel Comics.

    The Sword of Fu Xi, much like the Ebony Blade wielded by the Black Knight, gives its owner incredible power while also leading them down a dark road. Both blades were recently used to help dispatch of Knull in the King in Black event. The sword’s destruction and the appearance of the demons in the “Iron Fist No More” sketch (take a close look) could explain both how Lie gains his new powers and the threat he will face in the new 5-issue limited series.

    Marvel Comics Iron Fist will be on shelves in your LCS in February and available for pre-order soon!

  • Marvel Comics to Launch New Ghost Rider Ongoing in 2022 with Wolverine Writer Benjamin Percy

    Marvel Comics to Launch New Ghost Rider Ongoing in 2022 with Wolverine Writer Benjamin Percy

    Marvel Comics will celebrate Johnny Blaze’s 50th anniversary next year and will do so, in part, by giving the OG Ghost Rider a new, ongoing solo series. Writer Benjamin Percy (Wolverine, X-Force) and artist Cory Smith (Conan the Barbarian, Phoenix Song: Echo) will work together on the book and talked to Marvel.com about their plans for the Spirit of Vengeance.

    Percy, whose character work on Wolverine is right up there with the legendary Chris Claremont, has always been attracted to the horror aspects of the character:

    I’m a horror head. I grew up reading Stephen King, watching John Carpenter, and listening to Black Sabbath, and when it came to comics, I always reached first for the dark and weird which means I read a hell of a lot of Ghost Rider. That flaming skull. That spiked leather jacket. That monstrous bike coughing out clouds of sulfurous exhaust. To this day, the sight of the character blazing along a midnight highway makes my heart rev like a four-stroke engine.

    The new series will see Blaze holding down a steady job and living the dream with his wife and two kids in a small town…but life isn’t all white picket fences when you’re hosting a vengeful spirit. Percy seems uniquely positioned to move the character into a new era while still paying homage to his wild, metal roots.

    Ghost Rider is arguably the best designed, but inarguably, the most heavy metal character in all of comics. It would be badass to write this series at any point in my life, but launching on the 50th anniversary feels especially (un)holy. Cory Smith is killing it on art, and we’re going to honor the past while burning rubber into a terrifying future packed with mystery, action, and shadow-soaked emotion. Prepare yourself for the ultimate in road horror.

    Johnny was recently seen going toe-to-toe with his brother, Danny Ketch (who is also a Rider) and taking over the throne of Hell. It is interesting to see Marvel launch a new solo series next year given the rumors that continue to swirl about the character joining the MCU. Pre-orders for Ghost Rider #1 will open up this week and the book will hit your LCS in February.

  • New She-Hulk Comic Launching in January Ahead of Disney Plus Series

    New She-Hulk Comic Launching in January Ahead of Disney Plus Series

    Marvel Entertainment loves synergy. With Kevin Feige now the CCO of Marvel Entertainment, that means The-One-Above-All not only oversees Marvel Studios, but also Marvel Comics and can make sure the two departments are coordinating with peak synergy. In this case, that means that Marvel Comics will be launching a new She-Hulk series early next year to get the character back in the limelight ahead of the Disney Plus streaming series also slated for 2022.

    Jennifer Walters has served as an Avenger in Jason Aaron’s 49-issue run on the team book and her adventures with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have continued what has been a challenging period for the characters since she was killed by Thanos in 2016’s Civil War II. Now writer Rainbow Rowell and artist Roge Antonio will put Jennifer at the center of her own title for the first time since Mariko Tamaki’s 2016 Hulk series when She-Hulk #1 hits your LCS January 12th. The new series will see Jen “embark on a journey that heralds back to her fan-favorite solo adventures of the past while embracing a fresh new future for the character.”

    Rowell, who has been writing Runaways for Marvel since 2017, is excited to put her spin on the longtime fan favorite:

    She-Hulk is the best of the best. She’s smart, she’s funny—and she’s really and truly heroic (all that and she has the best hair in comics). Jen has always been at the top of my Marvel wishlist, and I’m thrilled to be writing her next chapter.

    The series will take Walters back to the courtroom and into the lives of some prior acquaintances, both friend and foe with last page of the first issue taking Jen “down a road she’s never traveled that will shake up her life and possibly the whole Marvel universe.“

    Source: Marvel.com

  • ‘Daredevil’s Steven DeKnight Refuses to Write for Marvel Until C.B. Cebulski Controversy is Resolved

    ‘Daredevil’s Steven DeKnight Refuses to Write for Marvel Until C.B. Cebulski Controversy is Resolved

    There have been quite a few controversies surrounding Marvel. Its CEO Isaac Perlmutter has been the focus of many discussions surrounding his secrecy, frugality, and almost pushing Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige to leave due to creative differences. Yet, there’s one more story that has regained some momentum as of late. Marvel Comic’s Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski is another figure that is surrounded by quite the controversy. The writer has been with Marvel for quite some time, but most notoriously worked under the Japanese pseudonym of Akira Yoshida, where he tackle projects like X-Men, Thor, and many more.

    The thing is, he didn’t just use the name as a pen name but also gave interviews acting as if he was Japanese. This news has now drawn the attention of Daredevil showrunner and comic writer Steven DeKnight. In a statement on Twitter, he has now announced that after his upcoming issues release in December, he refuses to write for the comic powerhouse until the topic surrounding this controversy is “resolved.” He also calls out for others in the field to do the same.

    The whole story surrounding Cebulski’s pen name is quite a bizarre story. He wouldn’t take on the role of EiC until 2017, where this controversy was making the rounds. It’s a big and important stand to take by Steven DeKnight. We’ll likely see others join the cause and the comic industry might face a major shift in the near future to continue fighting for equality within the industry.

    Source: Business Standard, The Atlantic, Twitter