Tag Archives: avengers: armageddon

Miracleman joins Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto’s Avengers #1

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Earlier this week, a legendary comic book super hero was reborn in the Marvel Universe: MIRACLEMAN! David Colton, the former Captain America introduced in Chip Zdarsky’s Captain America run, inherited Miracleman’s legacy and extraordinary power amidst the team’s epic showdown with Red Hulk in Avengers: Armageddon #4. When the dust settles from this cataclysmic battle, a new era for Marvel’s heroes begins and Miracleman will be at the center of it as the final member of a bold new Avengers lineup debuting in Avengers #1 by Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto, on sale November 4. Today, fans can check out the final main cover for Avengers #1, now featuring Miracleman alongside the team, plus a slew of previously classified variant covers spotlighting the iconic character.

The newly revealed covers include True Believers Blind Bag Exclusive Covers, including a brand-new piece by definitive Miracleman artist Alan Davis. Also unveiled are stunning covers by Artgerm, Skottie Young, Jim Cheung, and Julian Totino Tedesco, as well as the complete Kaare Andrews Wraparound Cover, now featuring Miracleman.

Also revealed is Mark Spears’ Display Box Exclusive Variant Cover, available only in Avengers #1 True Believers Display Boxes. Each True Believers Display Box contains 20 copies of the issue, including one copy of the Spears variant cover in a special polybag and 19 True Believers Blind Bags.

In the aftermath of Armageddon, the world has turned its back on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes—but it may need them now more than ever as the devil has come to collect his due! When a demonic invasion erupts on Earth, CAPTAIN MARVEL, SPIDER-MAN, DAREDEVIL, WOLVERINE, LUKE CAGE and MIRACLEMAN assemble to save a world that no longer trusts them. But the unpredictable David Colton may not be able to be trusted with his godlike new abilities. And when gods cry war…the world may pay the price.

Avengers #1 True Believers Blind Bags will only contain exclusive variant covers not available for regular ordering. The main cover and regular open-to-order variant covers cannot be found in True Believers Blind Bags. See below for a list of the exclusive blind bag variant covers. In addition to those listed, fans can once again look forward to super rare exclusive covers by surprise contributors, including hand-drawn, one-of-a-kind sketch covers.

EACH BLIND BAG CONTAINS ONE OF THESE AVENGERS #1 VARIANT COVERS:

  • COLOR BLOCK BLUE WRAPAROUND VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA
  • COLOR BLOCK WHITE WRAPAROUND VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA
  • FOIL VARIANT COVER BY CLAYTON CRAIN
  • VARIANT COVER BY ADI GRANOV
  • VARIANT COVER BY ALEX MALEEV
  • VARIANT COVER BY ALAN DAVIS
  • VARIANT COVER BY PEACH MOMOKO
  • VARIANT COVER BY SIMONE BIANCHI
  • VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY ARTGERM
  • MARVEL STUDIOS AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY VARIANT COVER
  • BLANK VARIANT COVER
  • OR ONE OF SEVERAL RARE, HAND-DRAWN SKETCH COVERS BY SURPRISE CONTRIBUTORS!

Preorder Avengers #1 at your local comic shop today and see the outcome of David Colton’s transformation in Avengers: Armageddon #5, on sale October 21!

  • Cover of 'The Avengers #1' comic book featuring several superheroes, including characters in dynamic poses against a rocky background with explosions and skulls.
  • Comic cover featuring the Avengers characters in dynamic poses, including a muscular figure in yellow, a blonde woman in a blue and red suit, and Spider-Man, surrounded by vibrant explosions and a menacing red figure in the background.
  • A heroic character from Marvel's Avengers, featuring a muscular figure in a blue and red superhero costume with golden accents, set against a cosmic background filled with stars and planet Earth.
  • A dynamic comic book cover featuring multiple superheroes, including Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Wolverine, in a dramatic action pose amidst flying debris, with the Avengers logo prominently displayed.
  • Cover art of Avengers #1 featuring a superhero with long hair and a cosmic-themed costume, showcasing stars and galaxies, looking down with a focused expression.
  • Comic cover of 'The Avengers: Assemble - Part One', featuring a stylized character with a beard and colorful costume, surrounded by explosions and debris.
  • A superhero in a blue costume with red and orange accents flexes his muscles amidst a colorful, cosmic background. The title 'The Avengers' is prominently displayed above.
  • Cover art for The Avengers #1 Variant Edition featuring a superhero in a colorful costume soaring through a cosmic background.

Avengers: Armageddon #4 Delivers the Moment We All Knew Was Coming

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Avengers: Armageddon #4

A KEY MOMENT IN IIIIARVEL HISTORY AS A NEW CHARACTER TAKES THE STAGE… The Marvel Universe changes forever right here and right now! The Avengers are torn apart as a shocking character makes their debut, setting the stage for November’s Avengers #1! While the moments of Avengers: Armageddon #4 are expected, it’s still a big moment for the Marvel Universe and sure to be an issue snag by collectors.

WARNING, THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

Avengers: Armageddon as a whole has been an interesting event whose goal is to clearly shake up the status quo of the Avengers as well as the greater Marvel Universe. Like events before it, it swings big with underlying themes and grand concepts. Written by Chip Zdarsky the series began with Red Hulk wanting to bring democracy to nations through force, It was an interesting flipside to the recent “One World Under Doom,” which saw the world give up a lot to a “benevolent” dictator. But, where that series had one focus, Avengers: Armageddon pivoted quickly instead turning to David Colton, the Captain America who took on the role after 9/11.

Colton was introduced in Zdarsky’s run on Captain America and has become a rather intriguing character overall. At first, he had a jingoistic aspect to him, like many did, after the terrorist attack of 2001. But, as the series progressed and in the subsequent Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon, we saw the character evolve into a soldier questioning his service and government, seeing through the propaganda and patriotism. During Weapons of Armageddon, Colton came across a box from the Ultimate Universe that grants powers to individuals (long story to explain that one). Colton was transformed with powers and abilities similar to Superman and Hyperion. With the Red Hulk threatening numerous nations, the Avengers assembled, against the United Nation’s wishes and attempted to save the day with Colton joining the Avengers and delivering the upper hand.

Avengers: Armageddon has been focusing on what Colton has been doing after the battle with the Red Hulk. With so much power, he’s decided to take his actions further attempting to bring peace to the world by attacking nuclear sites and removing weapons of destruction from the hands of numerous nations. Basically, he’s gone Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.

Avengers: Armageddon #4 focuses on the next phase with just one more issue to go as the Red Hulk has his revenge and with the help of Russian forces, presses an attack on the Avengers and America as a whole.

But all of this is to set up what happens after Avengers: Armageddon in Avengers #1 and it promises to be a hell of a shift for the Marvel Universe.

WARNING BIG SPOILERS

Zdarsky has had Colton focused on atomic weapons, delivering a tease that has spanned a few issues and leading to Avengers: Armageddon #4‘s big moment, the reveal of Colton as Miracleman. Yes, the character in limbo is back and has joined the Marvel Universe proper. It’s something we all knew was coming, it was just a question of when and how.

This big moment is sure to bring with it either excitement or a lot of criticism as the character itself has had a weird, winding, rocky, history and it’s clear whatever comes next for the Avengers and Marvel Universe will be shaped by this debut.

It’s a moment though that delivers and Zdarky’s introduction is well done with a nice build through the issue that really feels special. There’s some excitement underneath with great pacing and a lot of climactic moments that really build until the final reveal.

The art by Delio Diaz and Frank Alpizar is fantastic. The issue is one that swings big for massive moments, multiple, and each actually delivers while not relying on packed chaotic spreads. Instead, the story has only a few heroes confronting Red Hulk and his Russian allies, keeping it focused and the art does a great job of doing that deliver a battle that feels like a real struggle and full of chaos. Diaz and Alpizar are joined by Jesus Aburtov on color and lettering by Cory Petit and it all pops, looking great. But, where the comic really stands out is the apex of the battle with Red Hulk as a massive explosion seemingly kills multiple characters in dramatic fashion. Stop and look at what happens to the Winter Soldier, it’s brutal in its depiction.

But, that moment quickly shifts as Colton fights for his life and his true identity is revealed. It’s that moment in the film where the boxer is knocked down and given that pep talk in their head to quickly pop up for one more round. The art team nails it without overdoing the moment.

END OF BIG SPOILERS

Avengers: Armageddon #4 is an issue that is likely to become a controversial one with folks either loving what it does or absolutely hating where it’s taking everything. Either way, it’s hard to argue the comic doesn’t deliver a cinematic and epic story and moments that are full of surprises. The event as a whole has been interesting and with this issue it has delivered on its promise to shake up the Avengers for what comes next.

Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar
Color: Jesus Aburtov Letters: Cory Petit
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Avengers: Armageddon #3 goes Superman IV Debating the Role of the Superhero

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Avengers: Armageddon #3

The initial battle against the Red Hulk and his forces has ended with the heroes standing victorious. Ross has been snatched by Russian forces while Colton holds the power of a god. What happens after the battle? When an unstable new power takes center stage…the Avengers – and the world – will need all the help they can get! Avengers: Armageddon #3 shifts to the next phase of this Avengers changing event.

Avengers: Armageddon #3 has been an interesting event so far. It began as almost a companion piece to the recent “One World Under Doom,” and now is focused on the bigger question which is “what’s the role of superheroes?” This isn’t a new debate, it’s one that has cropped up a few times in storylines and previous events, but it feels a little different than before.

Written by Chip Zdarsky, Avengers: Armageddon #3 has teases that it’s what has been building for some time. There’s discussions about Civil War and the registration act that launched that schism between heroes. Here, it’s more about how far superheroes should go to bring about peace.

Colton, with a power set that feels a bit familiar, has gone on the offensive and has decided to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Yes, it’s part of the plot of Superman IV, but unlike that film, the issue debates if this is the right action. Some feel it’s the role of heroes to step in only when things escalate. Let the people have their weapons but only act when they’re used. Others feel things should be much more proactive and the threat should be removed. It’s a surface level debate but an interesting one to see where individual characters come down in the debate.

Where things also get interesting is the shift in stance of the non-superheroes of the Marvel Universe. It’s clear that leaders around the world are getting tired of superheroes escalating things. There’s a major revelation about one organization and its focus going forward. One that’ll be intriguing to see how it shakes out in this series and beyond.

The art by Ario Anindito is solid. There’s a mix of action, destruction, and debate, and it all works together to really help tell the story as to where things are. Some of the more “calm” moments of Colton after his actions add a lot without words and gives the reader a better idea of the grand scope of things. Jesus Aburtov‘s colors pop and look great on the page and the lettering by Cory Petit nails down the emotions of the moments.

While Avengers: Armageddon #3 doesn’t go full in on the debate in the pro and con of superheroes, it does give a tease as to where things are going and where the characters will shake out when the dust settles. While it picks up concepts we’ve seen before, it feels like the natural progression of all of that as opposed to a retread. It’s an interesting event so far that will have major ramifications for not just the Avengers but the Marvel Universe as a whole.

Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Ario Anindito
Color: Jesus Aburtov Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Exclusive Preview: Avengers: Armageddon #3

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Avengers: Armageddon #3

(W) Chip Zdarsky (A) Ario Anindito
(C) Jesus Aburtov (L) Cory Petit
(CA) Dike Ruan and Moreno DiNisio (VCA) Ario Anindito, Phil Noto, Taurin Clarke, Stefano Caselli and Jesus Aburtov, Marvel Games

CIVILIANS RIOT, VILLAINS RISE AND HEROES FALL! The entire globe is thrown into chaos as the Armageddon rages on!!! With the rest of the world turning against the Avengers, what will they choose? Stand down or fight against Red Hulk, even as he seems more and more unbeatable? And when an unstable new power takes center stage… the Avengers — and the world — will need all the help they can get! Wolverine sends out the call: AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!

Avengers: Armageddon #3

Marvel reveals new Alex Ross Timeless Covers featuring Hercules, Hellcat, Crystal, Moondragon, and more!

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Behold the legendary artistry of Alex Ross in an all-new collection of Timeless Variant Covers! Returning this September, the popular series of variant covers spotlights more of Marvel’s most iconic heroes in Ross’ signature and unforgettable style.

The latest lineup features stunning depictions of fan-favorite heroes like Hercules, Hellcat, Crystal, Moondragon and many more. Capturing the timeless appeal of Marvel storytelling with beautiful, painted portraits of its beloved characters, Ross’ masterful illustrations continue to be must-haves for fans and collectors alike!

Like previous Timeless collections, Alex Ross’s new pieces will also be available as Sketch Variant Covers. Check out all 12 covers and preorder them at your local comic shop today.

  • CAPTAIN AMERICA #15 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621146301516
  • CAPTAIN AMERICA #15 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621146301521
  • FANTASTIC FOUR #16 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621122701616
  • FANTASTIC FOUR #16 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621122701621
  • IRON MAN #9 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621491400916
  • IRON MAN #9 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621491400921
  • X-MEN #37 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960620920003716 
  • X-MEN #37 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960620920003721
  • AVENGERS: ARMAGEDDON #4 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621563800416
  • AVENGERS: ARMAGEDDON #4 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621563800421
  • JEFF THE LAND SHARK: SUPERSTAR #3 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621629100316
  • JEFF THE LAND SHARK: SUPERSTAR #3 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621629100321
  • MARC SPECTOR: MOON KNIGHT #8 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621496900816
  • MARC SPECTOR: MOON KNIGHT #8 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621496900821
  • UNCANNY X-MEN #35 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960620917003516
  • UNCANNY X-MEN #35 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960620917003521
  • SPIDER-MAN/HULK: FIRE AND BRIMSTONE #2 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621436500216
  • SPIDER-MAN/HULK: FIRE AND BRIMSTONE #2 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621436500221
  • THOR #801 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621705280116
  • THOR #801 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621705280121
  • FANTASTIC FOUR #17 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621122701716
  • FANTASTIC FOUR #17 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621122701721
  • X-MEN UNITED #7 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN SKETCH VARIANT COVER – 75960621443300716
  • X-MEN UNITED #7 ALEX ROSS TIMELESS VIRGIN VARIANT COVER – 75960621443300721

Preview: Avengers: Armageddon #2

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Avengers: Armageddon #2

(W) Chip Zdarsky (A) Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar

THE FINAL RECKONING THAT LEADS TO A MAJOR SHAKEUP FOR THE AVENGERS!

YOU’RE GOING DOWN, THUNDERBOLT ROSS!

Red Hulk’s tirade across the globe must be stopped! Until a mysterious new hero as powerful as the Sentry appears to level Red Hulk and the Avengers…

Avengers: Armageddon #2

Avengers: Armageddon #1 feels like a bit of a repeat of One World Under Doom

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ARMAGEDDON HAS ARRIVED! Red Hulk’s devastating tear across the globe must be stopped… but it will take a colossal gathering of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to do it! Calling in the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Wolverine and more…but who will survive this super-powered cataclysm?! There will be a pre-Armageddon Marvel Universe and a post-Armageddon Marvel Universe. Be here to bear witness to the transformation.

Story: Chip Zdarsky
Art: Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar
Color: Jesus Aburtov
Letterer: Cory Petit

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

Zeus Comics
Kindle

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Avengers: Armageddon #1 delivers the flip to “One World Under Doom” and the Recent Political Swings around the World

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Avengers: Armageddon #1

ARMAGEDDON HAS ARRIVED! Red Hulk’s devastating tear across the globe must be stopped… but it will take a colossal gathering of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to do it! Calling in the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Wolverine and more…but who will survive this super-powered cataclysm?! There will be a pre-Armageddon Marvel Universe and a post-Armageddon Marvel Universe. Be here to bear witness to the transformation. Avengers: Armageddon #1 kicks off the latest Marvel event that promises to be as big as Avengers: Disassembled.

It’s been months leading up to this event. Writer Chip Zdarsky has laid the groundwork in his run of Captain America as well as Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon. Each has had a different role, with Captain America introducing us to a “new” Captain America who took on the mantle in the early 2000s and Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon followed up with a “where is he now” for that “new” Captain America story. Captain America also showed us the turmoil in Latveria post “One World Under Doom” where a vacuum of leadership now exists. In has stepped Thunderbolt Ross, the Red Hulk, who has decided to bring democracy to Latveria… and elsewhere. And with that, Avengers: Armageddon #1 feels like the flipside to the recent “One World Under Doom.”

In “One World Under Doom,” Doctor Doom took over the world bringing it both good and bad. Though the environment, education, freedom of movement, quality of life all improved, it was under the authoritarian rule of Doom. Dissidence was stamped out. It was an exploration of the promises of authoritarianism and what we the people are willing to give up to get the peace and prosperity we supposedly crave. Avengers: Armageddon is the swing of that. Instead of global authoritarianism, Ross and his team of Hulks want to bring democracy to all corners of the world. That includes the “faux” democracies that exist and who knows where he’ll stop. But, his democracy is also under the rule of an individual, with the threat of his wrath to ensure whatever his vision is.

Ross’ “peace through strength” mentality is a worldview we see today. Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, and more have all waged war in recent years to create “peace” and whatever vision they have for those nations after, likely a broken form of democracy. And it all extends beyond those trio of individuals, we’ve seen a massive swing in nations and people as they reject the current system for something else as it hasn’t delivered what has been promised, at times through violent means. Much like the Marvel Universe events are swinging from authoritarian vision of Doom to whatever idea of democracy Ross wants to implement. It’s similar to the whiplash of ideology we’ve seen this past decade and more.

Zdarsky goes beyond all that with a United Nation and its members exacerbated by recent actions of heroes and demanding they stand down against Ross. A group of nations have decided to stand up to take on this threat, an echo of both nationalist movements and rejection of the extended world cooperation. In other words, Zdarsky is setting up what will be a stark different Marvel Universe at the end of this than what exists going in. Heroes may not have the leeway and acceptance they once did and they may be forced to think how they approach threats going forward.

The art by Delio Diaz and Frank Aplizar is good. With color by Jesus Aburtov and lettering by Cory Petit, the comic has a tense feel about it as the heroes attempt to figure out how to approach the sitation. You get their feeling of frustration but also their sense of duty. Small interactions really make clear the mindset of many going into this. At the same time, we visually get to see the destructive power of Ross and his team and that these aren’t individuals liberating nations and rising up against dictators, but conquerors. They come off as threatening, creating the ominous warning we all know and expect.

Avengers: Armageddon #1 is a good start. It is a lot of set up and by the end, readers should have a good understanding of the situation and what the Avengers are up against. But, it so far feels like a rehash of “One World Under Doom.” It doesn’t feel original enough and almost a “Part 2” of that recent event. Still, Marvel has made it clear this is an event which will have reverberations long after it’s over, so for those who care about the status quo of the Marvel Universe, this is one to pay attention to.

Story: Chip Zdarsky Art: Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar
Color: Jesus Aburtov Letterer: Cory Petit
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation Read

Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

Preview: Avengers: Armageddon #1

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Avengers: Armageddon #1

(W) Chip Zdarsky (A) Delio Diaz, Frank Alpizar

ARMAGEDDON HAS ARRIVED!

Red Hulk’s devastating tear across the globe must be stopped… but it will take a colossal gathering of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to do it! Calling in the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, Wolverine and more… but who will survive this super-powered cataclysm?!

There will be a pre-Armageddon Marvel Universe and a post-Armageddon Marvel Universe. Be here to bear witness to the transformation.

Avengers; Armageddon #1
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