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Sneak Peek: Captain Marvel #1
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 16:31 This July, take flight as Marvel is pleased to present your first look at CAPTAIN MARVEL #1! From the creative team of writer Kelly Sue DeConnick and artist Dexter Soy, Carol Danvers suits up to tackle a threat only she can handle. Earth’s Mightiest Hero has a new name, a new mission and all the power she needs to make her life a living hell. With Captain America guest starring and covers by Ed McGuinness and Adi Granov, no fan can afford to miss this explosive new ongoing that will send shockwaves throughout the Marvel Universe. So what are you waiting for? Go tell your local retailer to hold you a copy – that’s an order! CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 flies into comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Digital Comics Shop this July.CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 (MAY120693)
Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK
Art by DEXTER SOY
Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
Variant Cover by ADI GRANOV
FOC – 6/25/12, ON-SALE 7/18/12
Categories: News
First Look: Spider-Men Second Printing
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 16:14 SPIDER-MEN #1Writer: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Artist: SARA PICHELLI
Cover: JIM CHEUNG
Second Print Variant Cover: JIM CHEUNG
ON SALE JUNE 13
SECOND PRINT ON SALE JUNE 20
Categories: News
Fightin' Fanboys: Dolph Ziggler
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 15:09Photos courtesy of WWE
By Arune Singh
He’s cocky, he’s got an attitude, he’s at the top of his field and even those who think he’s obnoxious have to admit he’s damn good.
If this were the Marvel Universe we’d be referring to Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, but in the world of WWE, Dolph Ziggler fits this bill. Known as “The Show Off,” this former United States Champion has been stealing the spotlight from his peers and earning rave reviews for his stunning in-ring performances.
With WWE’s Over the Limit pay-per-view coming this Sunday at 8 PM, Marvel.com spoke with Ziggler about his love of Iron Man, the inspiration for his own character, and why Wolverine better watch his back!
Iron ManMarvel.com: What was your first experience with Marvel?
Dolph Ziggler: A few years ago a friend told me I had to take a chance and check out this movie about Iron Man. He says, “You’ll totally relate to this guy. He gets chicks, he’s hilarious and he does everything great, but you’ll get him.” I don’t mind that you guys kind of took the rights to my life but I do appreciate that it was a heck of a movie [Laughs]. I liked it.
Marvel.com: Did you go see “Marvel’s The Avengers” yet?
Dolph Ziggler: I haven’t seen it yet. This is literally my first day—well, half a day—home since the movie has been out. I’ve tweeted about it a few times just because it’s been killing at the box office and I haven’t heard one bad review from anyone on the streets to anyone that I know at work or anything so it sounds good.
Marvel.com: That’s a perfect transition to my question about social media. Marvel’s huge in that space and you’re quite popular on Twitter at @HEELZiggler. What made you take up tweeting?
Dolph Ziggler: Honestly, I’ve been a big fan of Joey Styles since the ECW days—I was a big ECW fan growing up—and he was our in-between guy as they were revolutionizing WWE.com and making their way into social media. Then there’s Zack Ryder, who’s a huge social media guy, and is usually giving seminars in the locker room to each of us showing us what to do and how to do it. Eventually I figured that I don’t really get to talk on TV too often so people need to see more of this character that I portray. This character is pretty entertaining and pretty funny; it’s one I’ve been doing it my whole life, so it’s time I get my character out there. Twitter has been a great way for me to do that. Every single day I challenge myself when I’m on the treadmill to see something on CNN and give myself a minute to make a joke about it. Then I send it out there.
Dolph Ziggler courtesy of WWEMarvel.com: Your hash tag #HEEL is pretty popular here at the Marvel offices—a lot of us like to use it in our e-mails. Not only do you use it online, but so do your fans and WWE has produced “Heel” t-shirts. Where did the idea for this come from?
Dolph Ziggler: Honestly before I was in the business, I was huge Chevy Chase fan because I am a comedy fan no matter what. One of my favorite movies of all time is “Fletch” and in the movie, during one of those times you can tell he was ad-libbing, he’s saying things under his breath like “I’m such a heel” to this lady. I always thought that was a great line and that I’m going to use that. It turns out in the lingo of professional wrestling and sports entertainment that “heel” also equates to being a bad guy, which I think do better than anyone else, so I thought it fit perfectly.
Marvel.com: Comic fans love a good villain and it seems the same way in the WWE Universe. Why do you think you connect so well?
Dolph Ziggler: I think in this day and age you’re not looking for beer-bellied guys with a black single strap that yell at a kid or something. Some people are cockier than others and a lot of people are just being themselves as their character. For the most part I get to be myself—day in and day out I try to show off in everything I do. I’ve loved being the bad guy since I was five years old, and in college I had calls changed and crowds rooting against me [as an amateur wrestler]. I love it and I live for it because I actually back it up, just like my t-shirt says. I love being the bad guy who actually backs it up in the ring. I love competition, I love outdoing everybody in the ring, but I love the fact that I can cheat when I want, do what I want and be cocky about it. The people give you respect for being great at your job and they also hate you for doing what you do.
Dolph Ziggler courtesy of WWEMarvel.com: Speaking of your job, the Over the Limit pay-per-view is this Sunday and you’re challenging Kofi Kingston & R-Truth for the WWE Tag Team titles. What should fans expect from you and tag team partner Jack Swagger?
Dolph Ziggler: The match is going to be great and the reason why, without even going into Over Limit or us being in their heads for being so great at what we do, is the fact that Kofi and I have been in that ring one-on-one several hundred times. Every single time, whether I win or lose, we’ve torn it down in there. Then the fact that Truth and Swagger have done the same thing [as] counterparts with each other, it’s going to be a hell of a match. We’ve had similar matches with different opponents before but in this case, we all know each other really well. When Swagger and I get going and we have time to show our abilities, we love talking about the old college wrestling times and getting in the ring to try and outdo each other just like we did in high school and in college. It’s going to be explosive; it’s going to be awesome. Kofi and Truth are high-flying guys and I love being out there in the ring with them. I love keeping them grounded and really ticking off the fans and not letting them see what they can do. That’s going to be the key for us to win that championship.
Marvel.com: You’ve become quite the show-stealer at WWE pay-per-views this year, whether it be one on one matches or tag team matches. How do you keep the matches fresh when you’re wrestling nearly every day of the year?
Dolph Ziggler courtesy of WWEDolph Ziggler: We are out there weekends, every day and a lot of people, even my relatives, used to be like “Yeah, you travel too much. Don’t you just work on Mondays?” I said, “No, actually, we do Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, other days of the week, sometimes we’re overseas a couple of weeks.” The thing is when I’m home, whether I’m watching a movie or reading a book, I’m constantly finding ways to adapt to the future. I’m finding ways to fix up my character and make it seem more relevant. To switch things in matches, to do things outside the box that we’ve seen day-to-day so many times on Monday Night RAW even. We’re approaching 1,000 episodes of Monday Night RAW, a week-to-week episodic television show, which blows my mind but with all those great superstars that have been in there and all the matches we’ve had in there, it still comes down to two or four guys in the ring and you have to be able to revolutionize the business whenever you can. I’m constantly thinking outside of the box trying to find a way to make someone come out of their seats no matter who they’re cheering for.
Marvel.com: You’re clearly a pro at this because you keep predicting everything I’m going to ask you about.
Dolph Ziggler: The crazy thing is I was just reading a book about paranormal things and being psychic. It’s freaking me out right now.
Marvel.com: So for the 1000th episode of WWE Monday Night RAW, do you have a game plan?
Dolph Ziggler: In WWE and on Monday Night RAW you never know what happens next. That’s what’s really cool and keeps people tuning in every Monday; it’s why I tuned in as a fan all the time not knowing what was going to happen. No matter what, and I’m not making this up, every single time I’ve had a five second window or a 20 minute window I find a way to steal the show and don’t think I’m not thinking about it right now. I will be thinking about it, I will find a way. I may have 30 seconds on RAW, I may have 30 minutes. I will find a way to do it because that’s what I do better than anyone else.
WolverineMarvel.com: Now you’ve got me excited! I know you know something about the Marvel characters from the movies, like Wolverine--
Dolph Ziggler: Wolverine punched me in the face. [EDITOR’S NOTE: When actor Hugh Jackman, who plays Wolverine in the X-Men films, appeared as a guest host on Monday Night RAW, he attacked Ziggler and cost him a match]
That’s true! [Laughs] If you could have any of their powers or any of their abilities, whose would you want?
Dolph Ziggler: I’ve always been pro-Iron Man. He has technology on his side which is not really my go-to unless you count Twitter. Captain America seems like a good guy but I don’t want to get cheered. I’m going to stay with Iron Man and emulate his best attributes. That means just being snarky to everyone at ringside, stealing the show, doing it better than everyone else and then going to have a drink afterwards.
Marvel.com: So we have a comic book event right now called Avengers Vs. X-Men—whose side are you on?
Dolph Ziggler: No doubt for me—even though as a kid I was more of an X-Men fan—I side with the Avengers. I side with Iron Man. Purely on the money they’re making [Laughs]. There’s the million dollar gates they’ve had for a couple of weeks and the fact that Wolverine comes from the X-Men side—that guy punched me as hard as he could in my jaw, when my hands were down, and it caused me to lose to Zack Ryder, who is a joke. I can’t believe that happened but the fact that he got to be on TV with me must be cool for him.
Iron ManMarvel.com: I smell a rematch. Any final shoutouts?
Dolph Ziggler: Kofi Kingston is a huge fan. Every time I see that guy somewhere he’s reading a comic book. His gear is kind of designed to be some kind of cool tie-in with you guys. That’s pretty neat. I’m looking forward to seeing “Marvel’s The Avengers” when I get a day off at home. Let’s see, you know what? No shout outs. No, I don’t want to shout out to anybody. I talked all about Iron Man enough and myself. Shout out to Hugh Jackman if he wants to step back into the ring with me. I’ll keep my hands up and we’ll see how long it goes this time.
You can catch Dolph Ziggler weekly on Raw SuperShow and his YouTube series WWE Download. Tune in this Sunday at 8 PM EST for Over the Limit and watch the pre-show beginning at 7:30 EST. For more information, visit WWE.com.
Categories: News
Avengers Classics: Avengers 1 1/2
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 13:45“And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, the Avengers were born—to fight the foes no single super hero could withstand!”
Each Friday Marvel.com will present a different column focusing on the one and only Avengers. From line-ups to costumes to villains to classic stories and beyond, we’ve got you covered on the history of Marvel’s most prolific team of heroes!
So let the call go out: Avengers Assemble!
By Jim Beard
As interest in Earth’s Mightiest Heroes runs at an all-time high thanks to “Marvel’s The Avengers,” the question of the Incredible Hulk’s membership rushes to the forefront. It’s all true! Ol’ Jade Jaws once stood alongside the rest of the team, but unfortunately for only two issues before he turned against his fellows and proved more villain than hero.
But wait! There exists one other classic Avengers adventure that includes The Hulk on the roster, none other than 1999’s AVENGERS #1 ½! With writer Roger Stern and artist Bruce Timm ably filling in for Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the wondrous one-shot tells of then-unknown mission that took place between the seminal AVENGERS #1 and AVENGERS #2.
It began with the world in a dither over news of Ant-Man, The Wasp, Iron Man, Hulk and Thor banding together to “protect and safeguard the planet Earth.” Everyone possessed an opinion on what the Avengers would do next, and most especially a certain Latverian monarch called Doctor Doom. In fact, the American government felt that the devilish doctor bore looking into and asked the team to make it their highest priority. With an assist from a “state-of-the-art jet-copter” loaned to them by the Feds, the Avengers flew off to track down Doom’s immense flying fortress.
Stern and Timm’s deep understanding of the magic that Stan and Jack poured into the early days of the Marvel Universe comes on in full force as the Avengers invaded Doom’s ship and encountered traps designed to impede and impound them and their special abilities. The Hulk, of course, smashed and crashed his own path onto the mysterious fortress, much to the chagrin of his teammates, but he too wound up on the wrong side of a patented Doctor Doom device.
One of the greatest bits of fun in the issues comes when Ant-Man realized a little size increase would serve to ease his burdens. Thus, Stern and Timm revealed the incredible transformation of Ant-Man into Giant-Man, explaining Hank Pym’s presence in his larger heroic persona in AVENGERS #2, which played off his first actual size adaptation in TALES TO ASTONISH #49.
Finally, the Avengers escape from Doom’s traps by helping each other and beard the armored lion in his den. The doctor tried to escape, but ran afoul of the Hulk’s prickly temper and then lost his head! Literally! Of course, the Hulk discovered he’d only decapitated a robot duplicate, but found no time to ponder it further as Doom’s flying fortress went Barooom!
The Avengers won the day, but many questions about Doctor Doom’s purposes remained—as well as growing feelings of resentment on the Hulk’s part. Stern set it all up beautifully at the end of AVENGERS #1 ½ to pave the way for the legendary AVENGERS #2 and the last all-for-one of Iron Man, Thor, The Wasp, Giant-Man and The Hulk as a team.
Categories: News
Marvel Remembers Tony DeZuniga
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 10:49 Tony DeZunigaBy Jim Beard
The late Tony DeZuniga will be fondly and warmly remembered not only as a trailblazing comic artist and illustrator, but also as a unique talent the likes of which will not be seen again. Marvel Comics pauses to look back on his contributions to the industry and the House of Ideas in particular.
A native of the Philippines, DeZuniga started out in the comics industry at the tender age of 16, and though he’s best known for his penciling and inking, the young artist actually began his career as a letterer. After achieving a degree in commercial art in his home country, he arrived in the United States to pursue further study in graphic design in the early 1960’s. By the end of that decade, DeZuniga returned to the States and landed regular work at DC Comics in New York City.
Together with writer John Albano, DeZuniga illustrated the first adventures of the infamous Western anti-hero Jonah Hex and helped to shine a spotlight on the unique stylings of Filipino artists. Because of his work and the acclaim that it brought, he helped usher in to the industry such artists as Alex Niño, Nestor Redondo and Alfredo Alcala.
Captain America #221 cover by Tony DeZunigaMarvel came calling and in the 1970’s DeZuniga began what can only be called a whirlwind art tour of the Marvel Universe. He illustrated for such varied series as CONAN THE BARBARIAN, DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU, MAN-THING, STRANGE TALES and X-MEN. For 1975’s MARVEL PREVIEW #2, DeZuniga helped deliver the never-before-told origin of The Punisher to eager fans, and then one year later returned to the crime-hating vigilante in the magazine-sized MARVEL SUPER ACTION #1. In fact, much of his work in the period could be seen in Marvel magazines like DRACULA LIVES, MONSTERS UNLEASHED, RAMPAGING HULK and SAVAGE TALES.
In the following decades, the artist would split his time between Marvel and DC gigs. In the 1980’s, he worked on CONAN THE KING, THOR and a SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL, and then into the 1990’s he drew for DOCTOR STRANGE and MARVEL FANFARE. DeZuniga’s art promised a fine line, fine detail and a fine eye for anatomy, all of which lent itself to characters that tended to lurk on the fringes and away from the light.
Rawhide Kid #146 cover by Tony DeZunigaLater years found him working as a video game designer, creating concepts and seeing his work translated into a different medium, albeit one just as exciting as comics. He retired eventually, but only really in name, not in deed. DeZuniga continued to draw, paint and teach; all of the things he made a name for himself doing throughout the years.
Earlier this year, the artist suffered a stroke and complications set in almost immediately. So loved by the American and international comic art community, he became the focal point of a groundswell of support and fundraising. Sadly, DeZuniga passed away from the after-effects of the stroke.
Tony DeZuniga stands as a historic figure in comics, a singular voice of his own making. His legacy will be seen and felt in the multitude of fans he leaves behind and the incredible body of work of which he remained justifiably proud to his final days.
Categories: News
Freshly Digitized 5/18/12
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 10:03 Already plowed through the thousands of comics available in Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited? Fret not, True Believer! We add new books into the collection every week to keep you up to your neck in digitized comics! Check the new issues that hit Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited this week, broken down by day and theme. And below that, you can peep at what new comics to expect next week. Stay abreast of all MDCU releases by checking out the Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited Calendar!*SPIDER-MAN MONDAY MAY 14
15 LOVE (2011) #1
15 LOVE (2011) #2
15 LOVE (2011) #3
ALPHA FLIGHT (2011) #1
KA-ZAR (2011) #1
IRON MAN TUESDAY MAY 15
ALPHA FLIGHT (2011) #3
ALPHA FLIGHT (2011) #4
ALPHA FLIGHT (2011) #5
ALPHA FLIGHT (2011) #6
RED SKULL (2011) #1
X-MEN WEDNESDAY MAY 16
ASTONISHING X-MEN (2004) #39
ASTONISHING X-MEN (2004) #40
ASTONISHING X-MEN (2004) #41
ASTONISHING X-MEN (2004) #42
ASTONISHING X-MEN (2004) #43
THOR THURSDAY MAY 17
ASTONISHING X-MEN (2004) #44
AVENGERS (2010) #18
AVENGERS (2010) #19
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #14.1
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #15
FANTASTIC FOUR FRIDAY MAY 18
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #16
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #17
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #18
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #19
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #20
Now that you're up to date on what came out this week, stay ahead of the schedule! Stay abreast of all Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited releases by checking out the Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited Calendar!*
SPIDER-MAN MONDAY MAY 21
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #21
CAPTAIN AMERICA (2011) #2
CAPTAIN AMERICA (2011) #3
CAPTAIN AMERICA (2011) #4
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE (2010) #10
IRON MAN TUESDAY MAY 22
KA-ZAR (2011) #2
KA-ZAR (2011) #3
KA-ZAR (2011) #4
KA-ZAR (2011) #5
HUMAN TORCH (1940) #12
X-MEN WEDNESDAY MAY 23
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE (2010) #11
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE (2010) #12
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE (2010) #13
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE (2010) #14
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE (2010) #15
THOR THURSDAY MAY 24
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE (2010) #16
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE (2010) #17
DEADPOOL (2008) #38
DEADPOOL (2008) #39
DEADPOOL (2008) #40
HULK SMASH FRIDAY MAY 25
DEADPOOL (2008) #41
MYSTERY MEN (2011) #1
MYSTERY MEN (2011) #2
MYSTERY MEN (2011) #3
MYSTERY MEN (2011) #4
*Schedule subject to change
Categories: News
Fan Appreciation Twitter Sweepstakes Rules
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 09:02Marvel Social Media Fan Appreciation Sweepstakes Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM A PRIZE.
A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE AN ENTRANT’S CHANCES OF WINNING.
OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT THE TIME OF ENTRY.
VOID IN PUERTO RICO AND WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.
ODDS OF WINNING WILL DEPEND ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED.
Entrants must have access to the Internet and a Twitter® account as of the commencement of the Sweepstakes Period to enter this Sweepstakes.
The Marvel Social Media Fan Appreciation Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) are sponsored by Marvel Worldwide Inc., 135 W. 50th Street, New York, NY 10020 (“Sponsor”).
1. SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD: The Sweepstakes shall take place during the Sweepstakes Period. The Sweepstakes Period starts on May 18, 2012 at 09:30 A.M. Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on May 18, 2012 at 06:30 P.M. ET. Sponsor’s clock is the official clock for this Sweepstakes.
2. ELIGIBILITY: The Sweepstakes is offered only to legal United States residents in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees of Marvel Worldwide Inc., The Walt Disney Company, and any of their respective owners, parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees, franchisees, representatives, advertising, promotion and production agencies, agents (collectively, the “Released Parties”) and their immediate family members (i.e., spouse, parent, child, sibling, and the “steps” of each) and persons living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate in the Sweepstakes. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited or restricted by law.
3. HOW TO ENTER THE SWEEPSTAKES: Each Entrant who retweets the Tweet® specified by Sponsor during the Sweepstakes Period and is otherwise qualified under these Official Rules will receive one (1) automatic entry into the Sweepstakes. Limited to one (1) entry per Twitter® account. Multiple retweets during the Sweepstakes Period will not be accepted. Anyone found using multiple Twitter accounts to enter the Sweepstakes will be disqualified.
4. RANDOM SWEEPSTAKES DRAWINGS: On or about May 18, 2012, following expiration of the Sweepstakes Period, Sponsor will randomly select ten (10) Grand Prize Winners from among the eligible Entrants. The Entrants selected are deemed the Grand Prize Winners pending confirmation and/or verification of each Entrant’s eligibility and compliance with the Official Rules as determined by Sponsor.
5. GRAND PRIZE, ARV AND ODDS OF WINNING:
a. Grand Prize (10): Ten (10) Grand Prize Winners will win one (1) code (“Grand Prize Code”) redeemable for one (1) free annual subscription (“Subscription”) to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited (“MDCU”) that expires one year from receipt. MDCU service provides streaming access. System Requirements: Flash & Internet-connected (broadband recommended) PC or Mac, and a Marvel.com account. A Marvel.com account can be set up free of charge during the redemption process. For full MDCU terms and conditions, click here.
b. Odds of Winning: The odds of winning the Grand Prize depends on the total number of eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Period.
c. ARV: The total ARV of the Grand Prizes is $598.80 ($59.88/MDCU annual subscription). Any difference between the stated ARV and actual value will not be awarded.
6. HOW TO CLAIM A GRAND PRIZE: The ten (10) Grand Prize Winners will receive the Grand Prize Code via direct message on Twitter within three (3) business days of the Sweepstakes Period end date. If a Grand Prize Winner is found to be ineligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules, declines to accept the Grand Prize, or Sponsor is unable to contact a Grand Winner, the Grand Prize will be forfeited, and in the Sponsor’s sole discretion, the forfeited Grand Prize may be awarded to an alternate Grand Prize Winner. If the Sponsor wishes to select an alternative Grand Prize Winner, Sponsor will select this alternative Grand Prize Winner at random from the eligible Entrants. The Grand Prize Winners may be required to furnish proof of eligibility under these Official Rules.
The right to receive a Grand Prize is non-assignable, non-transferable and no prize substitution, exchange or cash equivalent will be allowed, except by Sponsor who reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in case of unavailability of prize or force majeure. Federal, state and local taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of each winner. All other costs and expenses not expressly set forth herein shall be solely the Grand Prize Winner’s responsibility, including, any and all applicable federal, state and local taxes.
7. HOW TO REDEEM A GRAND PRIZE: To redeem the Grand Prize, please follow these steps: (i) visit http://marvel.com/digital_comics/unlimited; (ii) select the 1 Year subscription option from the drop down list and click “Subscribe Now!”; (iii) enter the Grand Prize Code into the “Promo Code” box under Step 1 and click “Apply Promo”; and (iv) complete Step 4 and click “Start Your Subscription”. Grand Prize Winners who redeem their Grand Prize Codes will not be automatically enrolled in the Marvel Digital Comics Automatic Renewal Program (“Renewal Program”). However, while Grand Prize Winners will have the option to enter payment information and enroll in the Renewal Program, enrollment in the Renewal Program and any payment are not conditions of acceptance of the Grand Prize.
8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Twitter, Inc. (“Twitter”) and Released Parties are not responsible for illegible, lost, late, incomplete, stolen, misdirected, postage due, or undeliverable e-mail or direct message; or for any computer, telephone, satellite, cable, network, electronic or Internet hardware or software malfunctions, failures, connections, or availability, or garbled, corrupt or jumbled transmissions, service provider/Internet/web site/use net accessibility, availability, or traffic congestion, or any technical, mechanical, or typographical or other error, or unauthorized human intervention, or the incorrect or inaccurate capture of registration information, or the failure to capture, or loss of, any such information. Twitter and Released Parties are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by any web site users, tampering, hacking, or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes and assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, technical error, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to any web site(s). Twitter and the Released Parties are not responsible for any injury or damage, whether personal or property, to participants or to any person's computer related to or resulting from participating in the Sweepstakes and/or accepting a Grand Prize. If, for any reason, an entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost or otherwise destroyed, corrupted or for any other reason not accepted as an entry into the Sweepstakes, the Entrant’s sole remedy is to submit another entry into the Sweepstakes. If, for any reason, the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes and/or proceed with the Sweepstakes, including the selection of the Grand Prize Winners, in a manner it deems fair and reasonable including the selection of winners from among eligible entries received prior to such cancellation, termination, modification or suspension.
In no event will more Grand Prizes be awarded than are stated in these Official Rules. In the event that, due to technical, typographical, mechanical or other errors, there are more Grand Prize Winners than are stated in these Official Rules, a random drawing among the claimants will be held to determine the Grand Prize Winners. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
Twitter and Released Parties shall not be responsible or liable for entries that are entered by other than human means (such as by an automated computer program or any non-human mechanism, entity, or device), in excess of the stated limit, or for entries that are late, forged, destroyed, lost, misplaced, stolen, misdirected, tampered with, incomplete, deleted, damaged, garbled, or otherwise not in compliance with the Official Rules, and all such entries will be disqualified. By entering the Sweepstakes, each Entrant agrees: (i) to be bound by these Official Rules and by all applicable laws and decisions of Sponsor which shall be binding and final; (ii) to waive any rights to claim ambiguity with respect to these Official Rules; (iii) to waive all of his/her rights to bring any claim, action, or proceeding against any of Twitter, or Released Parties in connection with the Sweepstakes; and (iv) to forever and irrevocably agree to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless each of Twitter and Released Parties from any and all claims, lawsuits, judgments, causes of action, proceedings, demands, fines, penalties, liability costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) that may arise in connection with: (a) the Sweepstakes, (b) the violation of any third party privacy, personal, publicity or proprietary rights, (c) typographical errors in these Official Rules or any Sweepstakes materials, (d) acceptance, receipt, delivery of, possession, defects in, use, non-use, misuse, inability to use, loss, damage, destruction, negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the use of a Grand Prize (or any component thereof), (e) any change in the prizing (or any components thereof) due to unavailability, or due to reasons beyond Sponsor’s control, including but not limited to by reason of any acts of God, any action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not such action(s), regulation(s), order(s) or request(s) prove(s) to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened or actual terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal), labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any other cause beyond any of the Released Parties’ control, or as otherwise permitted in these Official Rules, (f) any interruptions in or postponement, cancellation, or modification of the Sweepstakes, (g) human error, (h) incorrect or inaccurate transcription, receipt or transmission of any part of the entry (including, without limitation, the information or any parts thereof), (i) any technical malfunctions or unavailability of the websites or any telephone network, computer system, computer online system, computer timing and/or dating mechanism, computer equipment, software, or Internet service provider, or mail service utilized by any of the Released Parties or by an Entrant, (j) interruption or inability to access any Sweepstakes-related web pages, or any online service via the Internet due to hardware or software compatibility problems, (k) any damage to Entrant’s (or any third person’s) computer and/or its contents related to or resulting from any part of the Sweepstakes, (l) any lost/delayed data transmissions, omissions, interruptions, defects, and/or any other errors or malfunctions, (m) any late, lost, stolen, mutilated, misdirected, illegible, delayed, garbled, corrupted, destroyed, incomplete, undeliverable or damaged entries, (n) any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any of the Released Parties, (q) lost, late, stolen, misdirected, damaged or destroyed prizing (or any element thereof),(r) the collection, use and/or sharing of Entrant’s personally identifiable information by Sponsor or its designees or (s) any negligence or willful misconduct by Entrant.
9. DISPUTES: THE SWEEPSTAKES ARE GOVERNED BY, AND WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND THE FORUM AND VENUE FOR ANY DISPUTE SHALL BE IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. ENTRANT AND SPONSOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION ARISING FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES AND THESE OFFICIAL RULES.
10. PRIVACY POLICY: Any personally identifiable information collected during an Entrant's participation in the Promotion will be collected by Sponsor or its agent and used by Sponsor, its affiliates, agents and marketers for purposes of the proper administration and fulfillment of the Sweepstakes as described in these Official Rules and in accordance with Sponsor's Privacy Policy as stated at http://marvel.com/corporate/privacy.
11. PUBLICITY RIGHTS: By participating in the Sweepstakes and/or accepting a Grand Prize, each Grand Prize Winner agrees to allow Sponsor and/or Sponsor's designee the perpetual right to use his/her name, biographical information, photos and/or likeness, and statements for promotion, trade, commercial, advertising and publicity purposes, at any time or times, in all media now known or hereafter discovered including live television, world wide, including but not limited to on the World Wide Web and Internet, without notice, review or approval and without additional compensation except where prohibited by law.
12. GENERAL: Sponsor reserves the right, to disqualify any individual found, in its sole opinion, to be tampering with the operation of the Sweepstakes; to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike manner or with the intent to disrupt the normal operation of the Sweepstakes. Any use of robotic, automatic, macro, programmed, third party or like methods to participate in the Sweepstakes will void any attempted participation affected by such methods and the disqualification of the individual utilizing the same. CAUTION AND WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS PROMOTION IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Federal, state and local taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of winner. In the event of any conflict with any Sweepstakes details contained in these Official Rules and Sweepstakes details contained in other Sweepstakes-related materials, the details of the Sweepstakes as set forth in these Official Rules shall prevail.
13. WINNERS’ LIST. For a list of Grand Prize Winners, interested individuals should place their name and address on a 3"x 5" card and mail it in an envelope to: 135 W. 50th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10020; Attn: Janna O’Shea. Winner List requests must be received no later than ninety (90) days after the Sweepstakes Period end date.
a. Sponsored by Marvel Worldwide Inc., 135 W. 50th Street, New York, NY 10020.
b. These Official Rules may not be reprinted or republished in whole or in part without the prior written consent of Sponsor. This Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administrated by, or associated with, Twitter. Each Entrant understands that he/she is providing his/her information to the Sponsor and not to Twitter.
c. TM & © Marvel & Subs. Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter Inc.
Marvel Social Media Fan Appreciation Sweepstakes Abbreviated Rules
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF MONEY NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Sweepstakes Period starts on 5/18/12 at 09:30 AM ET and ends on 5/18/12 at 6:30 pm ET. Click on Official Rules for details on entry instructions, odds of winning, prize details, restrictions, etc. Open to eligible legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years or older and Twitter account holder at time of entry. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited or restricted by law. Sponsor: Marvel Worldwide Inc., 135 W. 50th Street, New York, NY 10020. Subject to Official Rules.
Categories: News
Social Media Fan Appreciation Day
Fri, 05/18/2012 - 08:51Today Marvel wants to take the time to thank all of the fans who have liked and followed us on our social media adventures! To show our appreciation we'll be setting up exclusive sales, cool surprises and much more!
We'll be starting the festivities off with a 99 cents Digital Comics sale of INCREDIBLE HULK (1999) #77-112. If you loved the Green Goliath in "Marvel's The Avengers," follow his ongoing adventures during this sale! For fans who love to shop at the Marvel Store, shipping will be free to show our appreciation for your support!
There will be also be publishing exclusives appearing throughout the day on our Twitter and Facebook feeds, so be sure to be on the lookout! Finally, we'll be releasing an exclusive special animation clip just for you!
Don't forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, GetGlue, and Google+ to further enhance your Marvel experience because this is Your Universe! Make like The Watcher, make sure to keep an eye on the Marvel's Official Twitter and Facebook feeds for more information regarding the celebration!
Categories: News
Get Interactive with Avengers Vs. X-Men
Thu, 05/17/2012 - 14:49Marvel and leading social media platform Offerpop have teamed up to bring a new dimension to Avengers Vs. X-Men through the Marvel Facebook page!
In Avengers Vs. X-Men: Face Off, you can use Offerpop's Tug of War app to pick the winner in AvX's most crucial confrontations! You can vote for your chosen X-Man or Avenger to claim victory as well as root them on as they face the competition. Every vote and comment helps spread the word for your hero. A new Face Off takes place every two weeks!
The current Face Off pits RED HULK against ICEMAN. Vote now! And check out past results...
Battle #1: CAPTAIN AMERICA vs. CYCLOPS
Winner: CAPTAIN AMERICA
Battle #2: CAPTAIN AMERICA vs. WOLVERIME
Winner: CAPTAIN AMERICA
Also check out Marvel Cosplay Heroes, where you can get a look at the most enthusiastic fans around in-costume as the X-Men and Avengers, then vote for your favorites with Offerpop's Fan Faves app. New Cosplay Heroes debut every two weeks! The current Cosplay Heroes pits PIXIE (Saraqael) against VALKYRIE (Ms_MonyPeny). Vote now! And check out past results...
Battle #1: X-23 (Chiara Scuro) vs. BLACK WIDOW (Neoangelwink) Photos by Judy Stephens
Winner: X-23 (Chiara Scuro)
Head over to the Marvel Facebook page now to become part of Avengers Vs. X-Men!
Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX!
For more on Avengers Vs. X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.comCategories: News
Download Episode 29 of This Week in Marvel
Thu, 05/17/2012 - 14:25 It's episode #29 of This Week in Marvel! Join Ryan and Ben along with Marc and Blake as they look at the latest print and digital releases including AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #4, DAREDEVIL #13, FANTASTIC FOUR #605.1, INCREDIBLE HULK #7.1, THUNDERBOLTS #174, and more, plus new additions to the Marvel Comics app and Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited! Plus get updates on Marvel TV, toys and gaming news as well as answers to dozens of your questions! Who from the Marvel U would the gang want to take a roadtrip with? Does Marvel AR have hidden extras? Also: Obscure Spider-Man villain showdown featuring Fusion, Stegron and more! And did we mention Senior Editor Steve Wacker drops by for a surprise guest spot?!Download episode #29 of This Week in Marvel from Marvel.com Download episode #29 of This Week in Marvel from Marvel.com, check out Marvel Podcast Central, grab the TWiM RSS feed and subscribe to This Week in Marvel on iTunes or Zune, so you never miss an episode!
This Week in Marvel will focus on delivering all the Marvel info on news and new releases--from comics to video games to toys to TV to film and beyond! New episodes will be released every Thursday (or so) and TWiM is co-hosted by Marvel Digital Media Group Executive Editorial Director Ryan "Agent M" Penagos and Marvel.com Associate Editor Ben Morse, along with Marvel.com Assistant Editor Marc Strom and Associate Producer Blake Garris.
We also want your feedback, as well as questions for us to answer on future episodes! Tweet your questions, comments and thoughts about TWiM to @Agent_M, @BenJMorse or @Marvel with the hashtag #ThisWeekinMarvel! And if your message is longer than 140 characters, send it through fans.marvel.com!
Want more info on what's in this episode? Here you go:New additions to the Marvel Comics app
Digital comics added to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited during this week
Print comic books and collections on sale this week
Buy tickets for "Marvel's The Avengers"
"Marvel's The Avengers" shatters box office records
New "Amazing Spider-Man" trailer
New AvX Infinite Comics coming in June
A first look at AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #9
FIRST X-MEN liveblog with Neal Adams and Christos Gage
New Hawkeye statue from Kotobukiya
VENOM liveblog with Rick Remender and Cullen Bunn
Gentle Giant releases Moon Knight and Deadpool Corps busts
NEW MUTANTS covers for August
Psych Ward: Morbius
Marvel Comics news
Marvel Movie & TV news
Marvel Games news
Marvel Toys news
Categories: News
Avengers Vs. X-Men #4 On Sale Now
Wed, 05/16/2012 - 15:22The war is here! Today in AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #4 by the creative team of Jonathan Hickman and John Romita Jr., both the Avengers and the X-Men have lost Hope! With Wolverine out of commission and fights breaking out all across the Marvel Universe, do the X-Men have the upper hand to find the Mutant Messiah? And can Thor’s team in space stop the Phoenix Force?
Plus! Join the Marvel ReEvolution as Marvel brings fans a new comic reading experience! Every issue of Avengers VS X-Men comes packaged with a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app and Marvel Digital Comics Shop.
And that’s not all! Take Avengers Vs. X-Men enjoyment even further by unlocking access to exclusive behind the scenes extras utilizing special augmented reality technology with the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma. This is exciting bonus content that you cannot access anywhere else!
Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX!
Here comes the pain as all your favorite super heroes enter the fight—and only one team will emerge victorious! Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime comic event in, AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #4, on sale now in comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app and Marvel Digital Comics Shop!
For more on Avengers Vs. X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.com
AVENGERS VS X-MEN #4 (MAR120534)Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Pencils by JOHN ROMITA JR.
Cover by JIM CHEUNG Rated T+…$3.99
ON SALE NOW!
Categories: News
Marvel Comics App: Latest Titles 5/16/12
Wed, 05/16/2012 - 09:01 Want more comics in the Marvel Comics App for iOS and Android? Your search is over! Check out these comics that just hit the Marvel Comics App and keep coming back every week for new additions to the growing library! That's right, we add new books every week to feed your need for super-heroic entertainment!
Don't have the Marvel Comics App? What are you waiting for?! Download it for iOS and Android!
Digital Comics On-Sale This Week:
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: ENDS OF THE EARTH (2012) #1
ANNIHILATORS (2011) #1
ANNIHILATORS (2011) #2
ANNIHILATORS (2011) #3
ANNIHILATORS (2011) #4
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #30
AVENGERS VS. X-MEN (2012) #4
AVENGERS (2010) #26
AVX: VS. (2012) #2
BLACK WIDOW (1999) #1
BLACK WIDOW (1999) #2
BLACK WIDOW (1999) #3
BLACK WIDOW (2001) #1
BLACK WIDOW (2001) #2
BLACK WIDOW (2001) #3
DAREDEVIL (2011) #13
DEADPOOL (2008) #36
DEADPOOL (2008) #37
DEADPOOL (2008) #38
DEADPOOL (2008) #39
FANTASTIC FOUR (1997) #605.1
HULK SMASH AVENGERS (2012) #3
INCREDIBLE HULK (2011) #7.1
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2008) #517
JOHN CARTER: GODS OF MARS (2012) #3
MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS: BLACK WIDOW STRIKES (2012) #2
NAMOR: FIRST MUTANT (2010) #1
NAMOR: FIRST MUTANT (2010) #2
NAMOR: FIRST MUTANT (2010) #3
NAMOR: FIRST MUTANT (2010) #4
NEW MUTANTS (2011) #42
S.H.I.E.L.D. (2011) #1
S.H.I.E.L.D. (2011) #2
S.H.I.E.L.D. (2011) #3
S.H.I.E.L.D. (2011) #4
THOR (1998) #59
THUNDERBOLTS (2006) #174
ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY (2010) #1
ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY (2010) #2
ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY (2010) #3
ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY (2010) #4
UNCANNY X-MEN (2011) #12
VENOM (2011) #18
WINTER SOLDIER (2012) #5
X-FACTOR (2012) #236
Digital Collections On-Sale This Week:
DEADPOOL: DEAD HEAD REDEMPTION
FANTASTIC FOUR: 1234
MARVEL UNIVERSE VS. THE PUNISHER
THOR VISIONARIES: WALTER SIMONSON VOL. 2
THOR: SPIRAL
ULTIMATE GALACTUS VOL. 3: EXTINCTION
X-MEN: AGE OF X
The Marvel Comics App for iPad and Android (as well as the iPhone, iPod Touch and all Android devices) is available for free from the iTunes or Android App Store. Individual comics are priced at just $1.99 each with new content arriving every week.
Categories: News
Tuesday Q&A: Steve Wacker
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 16:22By Jim Beard
Behind a humongous Spider-Man epic like “Ends of the Earth” stands not only writer Dan Slott and a bevy of amazing artists, but also the wondrous Steve Wacker, the Senior Editor charged with overseeing the exploits of the webslinger.
The next chapter of this massive Spidey tale hits shops on May 23 with AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #686, but we jumped to get a word with Steve about Doc Ock’s master plan as well as what’s swinging our way as spring turns to the Summer of Spider-Man.
Amazing Spider-Man #686 cover by Stefano CaselliMarvel.com: Steve, thinking back over the construction of “Ends of the Earth,” what was your ultimate goal, your intentions for the character of Doctor Octopus?
Steve Wacker: Dan’s been building Doc’s story since AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #600. Dan’s a writer who thinks big and executes even bigger. What we get out of it in the end is a reminder that Doc Ock and Peter are two very similar people and the conflict between them is personal. In each of these men are the seeds of the other. They used their gifts for very different purposes and for Pete, when their paths cross, it’s like watching a darker shade of yourself.
“Ends of the Earth” should be a violent reminder that there is no bigger bad in Spidey’s life than Otto Octavius.
Marvel.com: The story has a pretty big global range and feel; do you think Spidey works best in his own backyard of New York City or in a bigger playground?
Steve Wacker: I always like Spidey best in NYC, but he’s an Avenger now and his scope changes. Regardless, Pete’s not too worried about boundaries when it comes to saving innocents.
Marvel.com: The villains who've made up the various Sinister Sixes, etc., over the years—why do you think they continue to band together, often under a leader like Ock, when they don't seem to make much headway in a group?
Steve Wacker: I guess I’d disagree slightly that they “don’t seem to make much headway.” They have many times comes very close to defeating Spider-Man.
Amazing Spider-Man #687 cover by Stefano CaselliFor the most parts these are all men who have been trying to kill the same person since he was 15-years-old. Spidey gets under their skin like a splinter and each of them are driven to remove him. That said, every good villain should be the hero in his own eyes. So if they believe they are doing the right thing, there’s no reason they should ever stop trying to defeat Spider-Man and become the most successful bad guys they can be.
Marvel.com: Obviously you can't tell us how “Ends of the Earth” wraps up in June, but in general, what's exciting you most about the conclusion? What kinds of things can the readers look forward to?
Steve Wacker: Dan’s got a big ending in mind which affects each member of the Sinister Six as well as Spidey. Plus, because it’s a Dan Slott comic, there’s plenty of threads that he’ll follow up on in these months leading up to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #700. It’s a pretty big ending.
Marvel.com: How will we transition into “No Turning Back,” a major Lizard story that begins in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #688? Does Spidey even have time to breathe?
Steve Wacker: Nope. Giving a reader a chance to catch their breath means there’s a chance they’ll look away for a second. We roll right into our big Lizard story by Dan, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Klaus Janson and [Frank D’Armata]. Scheduling luck got this story out right in time for the [“Amazing Spider-Man”] movie, but that’s pretty much where the luck ends for Spidey.
Marvel.com: How would you characterize the Lizard story against the Doc Ock story, in terms of mood or tone?
Amazing Spider-Man #689 cover by Giuseppe CamuncoliSteve Wacker: “No Turning Back” has a pretty dark mood as much of the beginning takes place in the sewers we last saw the Lizard in during the story “Shed” a couple years back. Again we have an extremely personal conflict with Spidey and Curt Connors so this one is bound to hurt.
And with Morbius the Living Vampire involved, I can pretty much guarantee that things aren’t going to be sweetness and light for Spidey.
Marvel.com: What other Spidey villain, maybe one who's off the radar, would you love to build a new storyline around going forward?
Steve Wacker: I keep hoping Dan does something with Hobie Brown, The Prowler, but he doesn’t seem interested. Hopefully the fans out there will prove to him there’s an interest.
Categories: News
First Look: Avengers Assemble #4
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 15:00 Thanos has returned, and on June 13, he faces Earth's Mightiest Heroes in AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #4 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. Check out the exclusive Bagley pages below for the initial assault by the Mad Titan!AVENGERS ASSEMBLE #4
Writer: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Artist: MARK BAGLEY
Cover: MARK BAGLEY
ASM IN MOTION VARIANT ALSO AVAILABLE
• The secret of the Zodiac is revealed!
• What impact will this revelation have on the Avengers…and the world as they know it?!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Categories: News
Download 'This Week in Marvel' Episode #28.5 with Tom Brevoort & Nick Lowe
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 10:44 With AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #3 on sale now, Marvel.com Associate Editor Ben Morse sat down with Marvel SVP/Executive Editor Tom Brevoort and Senior Editor Nick Lowe to recap the first issue as well as answer your questions. If Avengers chairman Tom and X-Men leader Nick can stop bickering long enough, get set to hear the latest on Wolverine, Thor, Gambit, Captain America and more!Download episode #28.5 of This Week in Marvel from Marvel.com Download episode #28.5 of This Week in Marvel from Marvel.com, check out Marvel Podcast Central, grab the TWiM RSS feed and subscribe to This Week in Marvel on iTunes or Zune, so you never miss an episode!
This Week in Marvel will focus on delivering all the Marvel info on news and new releases--from comics to video games to toys to TV to film and beyond! New episodes will be released every Tuesday and Thursday (or so) and TWiM is co-hosted by Marvel Digital Media Group Executive Editorial Director Ryan "Agent M" Penagos and Marvel.com Associate Editor Ben Morse with Marvel.com Assistant Editor Marc Strom and Associate Producer Blake Garris.
We also want your feedback, as well as questions for us to answer on future episodes! Tweet your questions, comments and thoughts about TWiM to @Agent_M, @BenJMorse or @Marvel with the hashtag #ThisWeekinMarvel! And if your message is longer than 140 characters, send it through fans.marvel.com!
Want more info on what's in this episode? Here you go:The official AvX site
Marvel Super Heroes: What The--?! AvX Special
Follow @TomBrevoort on Twitter
Follow @nick_lowe_ on Twitter
Categories: News
First Look: Avengers Vs. X-Men #9
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 09:38 As Avengers Vs. X-Men rounds its final corner beginning this August, the fate of all reality falls to an unlikely champion: Spider-Man! Can Peter Parker rise up where even gods have fallen? Get an exclusive peek in this cover to AVENGERS VS. X-MEN #9 by Jim Cheung!Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX!
For more on Avengers Vs. X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.comAvengers Vs. X-Men #9 cover by Jim Cheung AVENGERS VS X-MEN #9 (of 12)
Writer: JASON AARON
Artist: ADAM KUBERT
Cover: JIM CHEUNG
Variant Cover: RYAN STEGMAN
Avengers Team & X-Men Team Variants also available
KUBERT VARIANT also available
PROMO VARIANT also available
STEGMAN SKETCH VARIANT also available
• Their numbers dwindling, the Avengers stage a daring raid on the X-Men’s prison to rescue their captive members—and you won’t believe where it is!
• Alliances begin to change as the nature of the Phoenix becomes apparent!
• And in the end, it all comes down to Spider-Man!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Categories: News
Psych Ward: Morbius
Mon, 05/14/2012 - 15:16By Tim Stevens
Doctor Michael Morbius is an adult male. He presents with a chalk white hue to his skin and bat-like features, including pointed ears, a small, flattened nose, and prominent canine teeth. The pallor and unusual facial structure is accounted for by his “condition,” an adverse reaction to an experimental cure he created to treat his own rare blood disorder. Now he lives up to his urban legend moniker, “The Living Vampire,” claiming that he needs to ingest blood to survive and possessing the ability to “turn” others through his bite. The apparent scientific nomenclature for the client’s disorder is “pseudo vampirism.”
Due to this disease, the client will only participate in therapy via Internet video chat. While this writer would prefer to see the client in person and still hopes to someday convince Morbius of the advisability of this choice, for now this is a perfectly acceptable adaptation of the therapeutic session.
Morbius has long been troubled by his condition and it has cost him much, not the least of which was the life of his wife Martine Bancroft. When he was first afflicted, he chose to act the part, lashing out at the world, attacking others, and feeding without discrimination. As time has passed, he has dedicated himself to being as “human” as possible, working for a cure for himself and, often, others suffering from similar disorders. Additionally, he has pledged and largely held himself to the ideal of only feeding off the “guilty” amongst us. The client admits, however, that even this compromise leaves him with significant guilt.
It is this same guilt that seems to have driven him from his “sanctuary” in Horizon Labs. Exposed to an errant drop of blood, Morbius experienced a hunger blackout and nearly harmed others and perhaps would have had the vigilante Spider-Man not interceded. Although Horizon made it clear the client was still welcome to stay, he found himself unable to accept the invitation, regardless of how honest or thought out the offer was. He writes off such extensions of helpfulness as naïve and dangerous and claims he cannot allow himself to agree to them because of the danger he represents.
Because of Morbius’s ongoing reticence to accept the help of the others, even while attempting to find cures for the likes of The Lizard, Curt Connors, and the so-called “Werewolf by Night,” Jack Russell, rumors have abounded. Most popular amongst them is his “need” for blood is actually more of an addiction, akin to heroin or alcohol dependence. The client, so goes this train of thinking, will not allow others to examine him or share his notes because of his shame regarding this compulsion. It is a rumor Morbius vehemently denies and seems authentic in doing so. Regardless, it does this writer no good to consider that reality. If the client does not consider it to be true, then no good work can be done with it. This writer must treat the client where his state of mind is and addiction work is not why Morbius is here.
That said some of the so-called “skills” involved in addiction counseling and relapse prevention have proven useful for the client in helping him overcome instances of bloodlust, like the one at Horizon, and distress tolerance to ride out his hunger wave until he can find a “suitable” target for it. It should be noted here that confidentiality protects this writer from reporting Morbius for any “feeding” he may do, provided he does not submit in session in advance a clear plan and victim. If that should ever occur, this therapist would be required, by the Tarasoff decision, to alert both the intended victim and police.
Beyond skills training, the bulk of the therapeutic relationship is being directed towards helping the client to process his guilt into healthier emotions. While it is understandable his condition causes him distress and anxiety, guilt serves him ill, often driving him away from opportunities for help. To help Morbius overcome his guilt is to bring him closer to finding a way to manage his condition, at the least, and to, perhaps, reaching out to others to find a cure at the most.
Dr. Michael Morbius will see Doctors Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli on June 28. Please review file AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #688 on that day for a full report.
Psy D. Candidate Tim Stevens, MA is a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Consultant and Practicum Trainee at a community mental health center and has worked with wrestling with significant guilt for their actions.
Categories: News
Marvel App Sale: Ultimate Comics for 99 cents
Mon, 05/14/2012 - 12:30Today on the Marvel Comics App and Digital Comics Shop, we're offering a plethora of Marvel's most marvelous titles to chase away those mournful Monday blues. For only 99 cents per issue, you can snag not one, not two, but nine different titles form our Ultimate Comics line:
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS #1-6
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS 2 #1-6
ULTIMATE SECRET #1-4
ULTIMATE EXTINCTION #1-5
ULTIMATE NIGHTMARE #1-5
ULTIMATUM #1-5
ULTIMATUM: FANTASTIC FOUR REQUIEM #1
ULTIMATUM: X-MEN REQUIEM #1
ULTIMATUM: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN REQUIEM #1-2
Across these nine titles, you have your choice between melodramatic space operas (ULTIMATE SECRET and ULTIMATE EXTINCTION), epic apocalypses (ULTIMATUM) and glorious rebirths (ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS). Or you can indulge and purchase them all!
If you think you know your favorite Marvel characters like Cap, Thor, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more, think again. Discover, or re-read, how the Ultimate versions of your favorite Marvel super heroes differ from their "regular" counterparts by purchasing a single digital issue of the aforementioned titles for only 99 cents each on the Marvel Comics App or the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. Do so quickly because this deal lasts only until 11PM EST today.
Categories: News
Free Focus (5/14/12)
Mon, 05/14/2012 - 09:31 Welcome to Free Focus! Each week we focus on all of the newly digitized books you can read for free inside the greatest collection of Marvel comics available online: Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited! Not only are you getting a free peek inside Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, but each free Digital Comic either gives you a look at a book featured in a recent collection or a comic that's in stores now.Available now
ALPHA FLIGHT (2011) #6
ASTONISHING X-MEN (2004) #43
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #15
AVENGERS ACADEMY (2010) #20
Categories: News
Earth's Mightiest Costumes: Loki
Fri, 05/11/2012 - 16:37“And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth's mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, the Avengers were born—to fight the foes no single super hero could withstand!”
Each Friday Marvel.com will present a different column focusing on the one and only Avengers. From line-ups to costumes to villains to classic stories and beyond, we’ve got you covered on the history of Marvel’s most prolific team of heroes!
So let the call go out: Avengers Assemble!
By TJ Dietsch
One of the most important people in Avengers history can also be labeled among their greatest enemies.
If not for Loki's machinations in 1963's AVENGERS #1, Thor, Iron Man, The Hulk, Ant-Man and The Wasp would not have come together. Since then Thor's evil brother has spent most of his time trying to destroy the Thunder God and his team one way or the other. Most recently he’s taken his campaign to the big screen in “Marvel’s The Avengers.”
Before inadvertently bringing about one of the most powerful fighting forces the Marvel Universe would ever see, though, Loki made his first appearance in 1962's JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #85. For most of villain's six decades in existence, he's sported the classic look originally developed by Jack Kirby. But, like just about every other character in the Marvel pantheon, Loki mixes his outfits up when the occasion calls for it.
Classic
When you think of Loki, you probably think of the iconic green body suit with yellow horned helmet, boots and scales protecting his chest. Sure he's altered his appearance to fool people—he’s a trickster god after all—and even changed his look, sex and age, a few times, but for the most part, Loki likes his classic duds.
Battle Armor
Loki really mixed things up in 1975's THOR #234 when he met his brother on the battlefield. He kept the green and yellow color scheme, but traded the emerald body suit for chainmail and the curvy horns for a more Thor-like helmet; you don't want to get maced in the face because your horns get caught on a fellow warrior's cape.
Lady Loki
The lord of mischief sported his classic appearance when the Norse gods met their temporary end in Ragnarok, but came back looking very different. In fact, Loki's spirit infected the body of Sif, Thor’s lover, making thing very awkward for the siblings. As a member of the fairer sex, Loki pulled off a slightly different look, keeping the colors, but showing more skin. Lady Loki also wore a fur and more dramatic horns, but none of that could hide her true nature.
Kid Loki
During Dark Reign, Loki took control of his original body once again and continued to pull strings as a member of the evil Cabal. His schemes lead to the battle between Avengers and Asgardians in Siege. However, after The Void began tearing apart the Avengers, Loki realized he had gone too far and wound up sacrificing himself in an attempt to make amends. Thor helped resurrect his brother, who now inhabits the form of a young boy as a way to learn more about humanity. This new version continues to use green as the base for his costume, but downplays both the horns and the yellow elements. His new outfit includes a more tailored jacket that looks like something you'd wear for Norse prom.
Categories: News