Tag Archives: alberto foche

Agatha Harkness’ Contest of Chaos corrupts Marvel’s Heroes!

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Mystical manipulator Agatha Harkness is conjuring up a Contest of Chaos and some of Marvel’s biggest heroes, including A-Listers, fan favorites, and rising new stars, will be forced to compete!

Crafted by writer Stephanie Phillips, Contest of Chaos will be an interconnected saga told across eight thrilling Annuals starting in August. Featuring the writing and art of various all-star industry talent, each Contest of Chaos Annual will spotlight an intense showdown between two characters as the forces of chaos compel them to go head-to-head! Throughout the eight over-sized issues, Phillips and artist Alberto Foche will reveal more and more of Agatha’s twisted scheme in bonus backup stories.

Recently rejuvenated and more powerful than ever, Agatha has more stake in the future of the Marvel Universe than ever before, and readers and characters alike are about to see just how committed she is to reshaping Marvel magic! The drama kicks off in next month’s Scarlet Witch Annual #1, a Contest of Chaos prelude issue, by Scarlet Witch writer Steve Orlando and artist Carlos Nieto. After stealing something dark and dangerous from her former pupil, Agatha unleashes her corruption on various unsuspecting heroes!

Here are the matchups fans can look forward to in the coming months:

SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1 – SPIDER-MAN VS. WOLVERINE!

Writer Stephanie Phillips kicks off the Contest of Chaos alongside artist Alberto Foche! First on Agatha’s list is Spider-Man, whose regular day is turned upside down when he involuntarily walks through a portal to a remote, magical city…and is attacked by Wolverine!

IRON MAN ANNUAL #1 – IRON MAN VS. STORM!

Writer Jason Loo and artist David Cutler bring you a clash of titans you won’t want to miss! When the forces of chaos move upon our heroes, the past, present and future come crashing in on them – and only one can emerge victorious! The might of human ingenuity versus the power of the natural universe.

FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #1 – GHOST RIDER VS. THE HUMAN TORCH!

Writer Zac Gorman and artist Alan Robinson bring the Fantastic Four into the mayhem when the Human Torch is pitted against Johnny Blaze! It’s flame versus hellfire when the two heroes face off – but who will emerge victorious?!

MOON KNIGHT ANNUAL #1 – MOON KNIGHT VS. TAEGUKGI!

Current Moon Knight scribe and Taegukgi co-creator Jed MacKay teams up with acclaimed artist Creees Lee for a power-packed showdown! When the champion of a god battles a godlike champion, who will win? The Fist of Khonshu faces off against Tiger Division’s fearless leader!

SPIDER-GWEN ANNUAL #1 – GHOST-SPIDER VS. WHITE FOX!

Ghost-Spider and White Fox get caught in Agatha Harkness’ tangled web in this roller coaster of a rumble by writer Karla Pacheco and artist Rosi Kämpe! Gwen Stacy technically isn’t even supposed to be in this universe, and now she’s cutting chem lab to go to…a theme park?! Wait, something doesn’t feel right here – and why is this masked fox attacking her?

VENOM ANNUAL #1 – VENOM VS. DEADPOOL!

When the forces of chaos call upon Venom and Deadpool, it becomes an issue of family – and whose deserves to win the ultimate prize. It’s symbiote might vs. frankly awesome assassin skills in an epic showdown you won’t want to miss by current Deadpool scribe Alyssa Wong and artist Sergio Dávila!

X-MEN ANNUAL #1 – CAPTAIN MARVEL VS. CYCLOPS!

The leader of the X-Men and the leader of the Avengers size each other up in this epic brawl from writer Paul Allor and Alessandro Miracolo! Drawn to the Alaskan wilderness by magic neither of them understand, Captain Marvel and Cyclops duke it out! Agatha Harkness’ plan for the Darkhold is slowly taking shape…but will it come at the expense of two of the world’s greatest heroes?! And what can an energy-blasting mutant do against a woman who can absorb the energy of the sun?!

AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 – CONTEST OF CHAOS FINALE!

Stephanie Phillips and Alberto Foche bring the Contest of Chaos to a fantastical finish as the fate of Marvel magic is decided! When Agatha pits the Avengers against the winners of the previous chaos battles, they realize they must choose between saving their friends and stopping the creation of the new Darkhold. But their choice may have consequences that no one – not even Agatha – could have imagined.

Preview: Black Panther Unconquered #1

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Black Panther Unconquered #1

(W) Bryan Edward Hill (A) Duarte, Alberto Foche (CA) Ken Lashley
RATED T+
In Shops: Nov 09, 2022
SRP: $3.99

NEW-READER FRIENDLY ONE-SHOT!
T’Challa faces a challenge unlike anything Wakanda has ever seen before in this all-new epic one-shot by Bryan Edward Hill (KILLMONGER) & Alberto Foche (MILES MORALES)!

Black Panther Unconquered #1

Preview: Black Panther Unconquered #1

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Black Panther Unconquered #1

(W) Bryan Edward Hill (A) Duarte, Alberto Foche (CA) Ken Lashley
RATED T+
In Shops: Nov 09, 2022
SRP: $3.99

NEW-READER FRIENDLY ONE-SHOT!
T’Challa faces a challenge unlike anything Wakanda has ever seen before in this all-new epic one-shot by Bryan Edward Hill (KILLMONGER) & Alberto Foche (MILES MORALES)!

Black Panther Unconquered #1

An Ancient Wakandan Threat is Unleashed in Black Panther: Unconquered!

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This fall, all eyes will be on Wakanda! In addition to John Ridley and Germán Peralta’s current run on Black Panther and the upcoming Wakanda limited series, Marvel will also publish a special one-shot in November, Black Panther: Unconquered #1! Written by Bryan Edward Hill and drawn by Alberto Foche, Black Panther: Unconquered will be an ideal entry point into the world of Black Panther, perfect for longtime fans and newcomers to the Black Panther mythology.

The scribe behind 2019’s acclaimed Killmonger limited series, Hill returns to Wakanda to explore the land’s rich mythology once again with a thought-provoking story that will see the emergence of a threat deeply rooted in Wakandan history. In order to combat it, Black Panther will have to learn new secrets about Wakanda’s ancient past and unlock a new connection to the Panther god, Bast.

Witness T’Challa face a challenge unlike anything Wakanda has seen before when Black Panther: Unconquered arrives on November 9!

Black Panther: Unconquered #1

Preview: X-Corp #5

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X-Corp #5

(W) Tini Howard (A) Alberto Foche (CA) David Aja
Rated T+
In Shops: Sep 22, 2021
SRP: $3.99

HOSTILE TAKEOVER!
It’s impossible to succeed in business without making a few enemies. Noblesse Pharmaceuticals sends their most cutthroat team against X-CORP once and for all, and they’ve come to collect.

X-Corp #5

Preview: X-Corp #4

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X-Corp #4

(W) Tini Howard (A) Alberto Foche (CA) David Aja
Rated T+
In Shops: Aug 18, 2021
SRP: $3.99

SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE!
When a deal doesn’t go as expected, it’s important to be open to new investors. Enter Selene and Mastermind: two potential stakeholders who stand willing to prove their worth. Everyone loves you when you’re on top, but who comes through in the clutch?

X-Corp #4

Preview: X-Corp #2

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X-Corp #2

(W) Tini Howard (A) Alberto Foche (CA) David Aja
32 PGS./Rated T+
In Shops: Jun 16, 2021
SRP: $3.99

A SHARK IN THE WATER!
After X-CORP’s shocking debut, they’ve got fences to mend, hands to shake and most importantly – a board to staff. With Dr. Jamie Madrox’s top-class dupes staffing the HELLFIRE GALA, CXOs Monet and Angel must stalk the dance floor and hope they don’t get preyed on themselves.

X-Corp #2

Early Preview: X-Corp #2

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X-Corp #2

(W) Tini Howard (A) Alberto Foche (CA) David Aja (VCA) Russell Dauterman, Alberto Foche
32 PGS./Rated T+
In Shops: Jun 16, 2021
SRP: $3.99

A SHARK IN THE WATER!
After X-CORP’s shocking debut, they’ve got fences to mend, hands to shake and most importantly – a board to staff. With Dr. Jamie Madrox’s top-class dupes staffing the HELLFIRE GALA, CXOs Monet and Angel must stalk the dance floor and hope they don’t get preyed on themselves.

X-Corp #2

Review: X-Corp #1

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X-Corp #1

One of my favorite comic runs is Wildcats 3.0. The series took the familiar characters and put them at the head of a corporation. Their goal is to expand technology that will benefit society and puts them in conflict with the rich and powerful, most notably Big Oil. The current direction of the X-Men feels like it takes a lot from that with X-Corp #1 bringing it all to the forefront. While it’s an interesting addition to the X-line of comics, the debut also falls a bit short due to that previous series.

Lead by Monet St. Croix and Warren Worthington III, X-Corp is the corporate arm of Krakoa. While some might battle it out physically, X-Corp seems to be more about battling it out in the boardroom and stock market. But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t some razzle-dazzle. X-Corp #1 keeps a focus on the team being built up while dealing with threats from those who feel like they’ve been burned by Xavier and Krakoa. The debut hints at the conflict to come.

But there’s some silliness too. The issue focuses on the debut of this new “team” but also X-Corp’s headquarters. It’s a sequence that feels a little over the top, even for comics. For a new nation so focused on diplomacy and standing in the world, the actions of St. Croix and Worthington feel like they’d really result in sanctions and distrust more than anything else. There’s an arrogance about it all that is hopefully explored and not pushed to the side.

Where the issue really shines is in its leads of Monet St. Croix and Warren Worthington III. The two have some aspects in common with Monet struggling with her Penance persona and Worthington still haunted by Archangel. The issue sees both having to deal with that in their own ways, though one more so than the other. This is where the series could really get interesting as their approach feels completely different to a similar situation.

The art by Alberto Foche is good. With color by Sunny Gho, lettering by Clayton Cowles, and design by Tom Muller everything looks good. There’s not a lot of flash until late in the comic. Where it could easily give some very interesting visuals and page layouts, the comic is muted in a way. It fits a stuffy corporate structure in that way. Where the issue gets bumpy is one those massive visuals that should pop just don’t. There’s moments that should hit you like the alien ship coming out of the cloud in Independence Day. The response on the ground should feel like terror. The art doesn’t deliver that punch and generally doesn’t convey that panic on the ground. It, like the story itself, doesn’t quite click with its potential.

X-Corp #1 is an interesting start showing off the potential of the concept. It doesn’t quite click though. There are moments that should be memorable and punch the reader in awe. But, those moments never deliver. They show off what’s going on but miss that special something where you really take notice. Hopefully, this issue is just laying the groundwork and once that’s accomplished we can move on to more excitement but right now, I’m longing to go back and re-read Wildcats 3.0.

Story: Tini Howard Art: Alberto Foche
Color: Sunny Gho Letterer: Clayton Cowles Design: Tom Muller
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW

Preview: X-Corp #1

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X-Corp #1

(W) Tini Howard (A) Alberto Foche (CA) David Aja
Rated T+
In Shops: May 12, 2021
SRP: $4.99

KRAKOA IS FOR CLOSERS!
The deals have been made. Mutantkind is safe on Krakoa. As the Reign of X continues, what are the wants of the mutants who have everything? Leading the charge is X-CORPORATION, headed by CXOs Monet St. Croix and Warren Worthington, a duo as cutthroat and ruthless in the boardroom as they are on a battlefield. But X-Corp needs more than just its figureheads. As Monet sets out to staff their team with some of the brightest and most deviant minds in mutantkind, Warren finds himself in a tense meeting with one of Krakoa’s first allies who wants to know the truth: on Angel’s wings, will X-Corp crash or soar?

X-Corp #1
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