The second episode of Harley Quinn Season 5 explores the origins of Poison Ivy (voiced by Lake Bell), explaining how the brilliant undergrad Pamela Isley became the green-skinned villain. Until now, the series had dropped hints about Pamela’s lab accident, overlapping her TV show transformation with her classic DC Comics persona. However, the latest episode draws inspiration from the post-Infinite Crisis continuity, revealing there was no accident. Ivy gained her powers due to a devious murder attempt at the hands of Jason Woodrue (voiced by John Slattery), Pamela’s former college teacher and lover. This deep and personal betrayal ultimately thrusts Pamela into a life of eco-crimes, shaping the woman she came to be.

Adding Jason Woodrue to Season 5 of Harley Quinn amps the series’ emotional stakes as it forces Pamela to confront her painful past. However, his presence is also meaningful because Woodrue is best known as the Floronic Man, a DC Comics villain with close ties to Swamp Thing.

Who Is DC’s Floronic Man?

Jason Woodrue’s path from mad scientist to plant-human hybrid spans over six decades of DC Comics history. First appearing in The Atom #1 (1962), Woodrue was introduced as the Plant Master, an exile from a dimension called Floria who used his botanical knowledge to control plant life. His most significant transformation came in 1976 when he used an experimental formula to become the Floronic Man, a being composed of vegetable matter with the ability to mentally control plants.

While Woodrue fought various heroes over the years, his most meaningful role came during Alan Moore’s legendary run on The Saga of the Swamp Thing. In this story, Woodrue made a groundbreaking discovery that changed DC Comics forever: Swamp Thing wasn’t actually Alec Holland transformed into a plant creature but rather an intelligent plant that had absorbed Holland’s memories and consciousness. This revelation redefined Swamp Thing’s character and established Woodrue’s deep connection to “the Green,” a mystical force connecting all plant life on Earth.

[RELATED: Every Classic Superman Suit in Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 1]

The relationship between Woodrue and Swamp Thing grew more complex when the Floronic Man attempted to use his connection to the Green to destroy all human life on Earth. After suffering a mental breakdown from his communion with the Green, Woodrue was captured by the Justice League and imprisoned in Arkham Asylum. Later, Neil Gaiman’s Black Orchid mini-series established that Woodrue had been a university professor who taught botany to Alec Holland and Pamela Isley, among others, connecting the three plant-based DC characters.

In the post-Infinite Crisis continuity, Woodrue took on the identity of the Seeder, gaining new powers from the Green but still falling short of Swamp Thing’s full capabilities as the Avatar of the Green. This storyline culminated in a battle between Woodrue and Swamp Thing for the title of Avatar, which Woodrue briefly held before being defeated. This new continuity also ties Poison Ivy’s villainous to Jason Woodrue.

Harley Quinn Season 5 Remixes Poison Ivy’s History with Jason Woodrue 

The post-Infinite Crisis continuity expanded on Pamela Isley’s and Jason Woodrue’s connection by revealing that Woodrue was directly responsible for her transformation into Poison Ivy. This backstory echoes elements from the 1997 film Batman & Robin, where John Glover’s Woodrue attempted to murder Isley, inadvertently creating Poison Ivy instead. The comics incorporated this dramatic betrayal by painting Pamela as a naive student who lets herself be seduced by Jason, her teacher, becoming his lab rat for several unethical experiments that shatter her mind.

Season 5 of Harley Quinn reuses the post-Infinite Crisis story, getting rid of its most problematic aspects. As in the comic books, Pamela and Jason are also romantically entangled in the TV show. However, the show underlines how Pamela is already a confident scientist, a far cry from her easy-to-manipulate comic book counterpart. In the show, Jason discovers Pamela has managed to split the DNA of a plant, Frank (voiced by JB Smoove). Jason wants to steal Pamela’s experiment, and when she refuses, he traps her in the lab after releasing poisonous gas. Pamela is forced to inject herself with plant DNA to survive, becoming Poison Ivy.

The Jason Woodrue version of Harley Quinn is among the evilest in the character’s history. He betrays Pamela, a woman he claimed to love, for nothing more than scientific fame. It’s a petty motive for an awful crime, which explains why Ivy was shocked to meet Jason again. Unfortunately for Ivy, her troubles have just begun, as she just turns Jason into the Floronic Man in the TV show, echoing what happened to her many years prior. She might need to weaponize that White Kryptonite, after all.

New episodes of Harley Quinn Season 5 premiere on Max every Thursday.

The post Harley Quinn Just Put a New Evil Twist in a Classic Swamp Thing Villain appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Happy new comic book day! It’s another big week in the world of comics, and the ComicBook staff have come together to break down and review as many of the new releases from this week as possible. Now obviously this isn’t every single comic on stands, but we’re breaking down new releases from Marvel, DC, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, Dynamite, Oni Press, IDW, Mad Cave Studios, DSTLRY, and more!

We’ve also carved out some additional space for two of this week’s biggest books in X-Men: Xavier’s Secret #1 and Detective Comics #1093 so if our smaller reviews here pique your interest, make sure to check out the full reviews for a much more comprehensive analysis of those issues. As for ratings, we keep things simple with a whole or half number out of five, and you can check out some of our previous reviews right here. With all that said, let’s get to this week’s new comics!

DC

Absolute Wonder Woman #4
Absolute Wonder Woman has brilliantly crafted a sense of awe, honor, and compassion around Diana, but to truly appreciate the picture that’s been painted, look no further than Etta and Gia Candy. In just one issue, Kelly Thompson has already established a meaningful role to play for Etta and her sister Gia, and not only do they get to shine of their own accord, but they also provide a welcome prism in which to better appreciate just how selfless and awe-inspiring Diana truly is. It doesn’t stop there though, as artist Hayden Sherman, colorist Jordie Bellaire, and letterer Becca Carey deliver unforgettable moments throughout the entire issue, delving into the steep price of magic and the power of loyalty in truly vivid ways. Also, when in doubt, giant swords absolutely rule, and there’s that too. Absolute Wonder Woman has been brilliant from the very start, and it’s already making a case to be one of the best books of 2025. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 5 out of 5

Black Canary: Best of the Best #3
The fight of the century has steadily become the ultimate underdog story in Black Canary: Best of the Best, but issue #3 sets the stage for an amazing comeback. Tom King brings that authentic big fight feel to the festivities, but it’s those small touches and moments between the punches that elevate it from a fight to a battle of titans. Ryan Sook, Dave Stewart, and Clayton Cowles, are true magicians at creating those visceral moments in the ring, creating the sense of tension and stakes that make these battles into such one of a kind spectacles. As the action plays out in the ring we also get more of a sense of the human stakes behind it all, and not going to lie, seeing Green Arrow get served is never going to hurt either. Black Canary: Best of the Best continues to live up to its name, and I can’t wait to see what happens when the comeback finally arrives. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 4 out of 5

Catwoman #72
While the narration structure that runs through the issue and frames the story overall is a little bit of a distraction from the more compelling action on the page, Catwoman #72 is a strong issue. Serving as both heist and subtle examination of Selina’s past, the issue gives readers what they want — Catwoman doing a little breaking and entering in order to attempt to retrieve her secrets form a safe — while also deepening the mystery of what exactly those secrets are and who she is up against. There’s a good bit of action in the issue, brought to life by some fantastic art but the use of color is the real star of the show.
– Nicole Drum
Rating: 4 out of 5

DC Horror Presents…#4
DC Horror Presents… #4 is an odd, but fun little book. There are two stories — one from Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum featuring Catwoman and one from Steve Kostanski featuring Matter-Eater Lad — and while neither of them really feel like “horror” tales, they contain just the right balance of spooky and humor. “The Diamond that Steals Back” sees Catwoman haunted by disturbing images of a life she never got to have thanks to a demon-possessed diamond. There isn’t a lot to it, substantively, but the idea of the thief being stolen from makes for an interesting premise, particularly in how it factors in what would cause Catwoman the most pain. The Matter-Eater Lad story leans a bit more into comedy and borders on the gross, but it explores the weirdness of the hero’s ability in a way that is pretty unique. Both stories are perhaps a bit weak in terms of art, but overall, the issue’s not a bad read and doesn’t scare too much. – Nicole Drum
Rating: 3 out of 5

Detective Comics #1093
Whether the subtext rings true, Taylor and Janin have crafted a compelling mystery in the Batman mold. The villains feel appropriately arch, aloof, and dangerous enough to be worthy of Batman’s attention, and their victims are both sympathetic and relatively on personal and symbolic levels. If nothing else, Janin appears born to bask Gotham’s dingy streets in a grimy, neon glow, illuminating every violent secret it hides. Detective Comics is a finely packaged dose of grounded Batman storytelling at its best.
– Jamie Lovett
Rating: 4 out of 5 (Read the full review here)

Green Arrow #20
While the idea of a superhero fighting against a corrupt corporation may not be wholly original, it is rarely executed with such skill as seen in the current Green Arrow run. The visuals, focused entirely on mood and character over bombast, set the perfect tone to tell the story of a justified killer, one who has suffered from the indifference of the wealthy and been sacrificed to the bottom line of a corporation. And yet again, the characters are the thing. It’d be easy to paint Ollie here as a paragon of virtue of virtue, a superhero you can feel uncritically good about rooting for because he has the “correct politics.” But the writing here is nuanced enough that even if Green Arrow is broadly correct in his furor over the injustices that have befallen this vengeful woman, he still comes off as smug and self-righteous, someone who takes advantage of privilege at the same time, he’s calling out another for awarding it to him. It’s a much richer text for this complication. And then after all of that, the issue still managed one last well-paced surprise before the end. Green Arrow remains a top-notch superhero story with a fine noirish touch. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 5 out of 5

Harley Quinn #47
There’s a delicious irony in how Harley Quinn oblivious takes advantage of the citizens of the neighborhood she’s sworn to protect from gentrification, a picture of an out-of-towner with online politics swooping in to save a community that never asked for their help. That illumination nicely primes readers for this issue’s story, which is all about Harley getting a bit overconfident about her abilities and getting duped as a result, her self-righteousness combined with her obliviousness forming a negligent callousness. But primarily, Harley Quinn is a cartoon character stuck in a cartoon rivalry with her cartoon nemesis, who happens to be on the other side of the gentrification struggle. There are delightful scenes of humor in this issue, including a wry, corporate-slogan-laden villain monologue from the object of Harley’s affections, undercut by Harley herself. The artwork in this book is entirely committed to that cartoonish flavor, with thick, bold linework and exaggerated features all around (and also a resemblance to Becky Cloonan’s work). It’s a tidy package of animated energy and satirical humor delivered with a lot of charm. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Justice League Unlimited #3
It’s an embarrassment of riches in the Justice League Unlimited corner of the universe, and few teams are as adept at delivering big action and layered storytelling on a grand scale as Mark Waid, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, and Ariana Maher. Justice League Unlimited #3 touches all aspects of the bigger story at play while also exploring the ramifications from Absolute Power, and some of those moments are as grisly as they are unforgettable. Inferno really gets a bump this time around, and feel like a genuine threat to the world’s way of life, let alone the League itself. This book also continues to be a stunner, delivering epic action in one panel and then pivoting to full-on gruesome horror in the next. Justice League Unlimited has captured what made the original cartoon so brilliant and is adding its own signature flair, and I really can’t think of a bigger compliment to pay it.
– Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Metamorpho: The Element Man #2
A hilarious indictment of generative AI and the goofballs that tout its “potential,” Al Ewing continues to write the comic that feels both modern and classic in nature, a rare feat. Steve Lieber’s art stylings are also the exact right look not only for this character but for the tone that this series is taking on. This is a must-read comic for fans of the medium as its timeless potential is already obvious two issues in. – Spencer Perry
Rating: 5 out of 5

Superman #22
If you were looking for an issue that crystalized the potential in Lois Lane’s Superwoman transformation, look no further than Superman #22. Clark is always a much better character when Lois is involved and in the mix, and that is equally true now that she finds herself superpowered and working alongside Superman in the field. Joshua Williamson never loses sight of their couple dynamic, but also adds layers to it as new scenarios present themselves, like say when an army of Doomsday haters come to collect him. The banter between Clark and Lois is simply delightful, as is Lois’ assessment of Radiant’s true motives, though equally worthy of celebration is the truly beautiful artwork from the dynamite team of Dan Mora, Alejandro Sanchez, and Ariana Maher. This book is simply stunning from beginning to end, with several pages knocking you for a loop both in terms of concept and brilliance of execution. Few books stun as much as Superman on a month to month basis, and it’s the latest chapter in one of the DC icon’s strongest eras to date.
– Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 5 out of 5

Wonder Woman #17
Wonder Woman #17 continues the needlessly long and drawn out story of the Sovereign explaining his history and story with Wonder Woman, this time narrating how the Wonder Girls decimated his stronghold by working together while in a parallel story Diana tells her infant daughter the story of her father, seemingly dazed by her own grief as she allows her allies to fight the Sovereign battle for her, at least for now. To be honest, there isn’t much new ground covered in this issue. We’re still very much in the same place we’ve been for a few issues, just with the Sovereign running to a new location that is being teased as being the ultimate one, but one that feels rather American-centric for a character that isn’t actually from our world. It’s an easy enough read, but it feels like we’re just reading water.
– Nicole Drum
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Marvel

Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon #1
Doctor Doom & Rocket Raccoon is an interesting book. There’s a good bit of humor — that’s to be expected considering that it’s Rocket Raccoon and the idea of teaming him up with Doctor Doom is itself a little wacky. But there are also some funny little fourth wall breaks through editor “notes” that offer some levity on what is otherwise a little weighty with Doom looking to go back to before time existed to find the “why” of everything. While the actual story falls a little short — we get bogged down in details and some big esoteric things — it’s an interesting window into Doom’s mind, and a pretty fun adventure, too.
– Nicole Drum
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Fantastic Four #28
Ryan North brings Reed and Sue into “One World Under Doom”, putting the crossover to good use in seeing Victor and Richards once again coming face-to-face. In trying to take down the new Sorcerer Supreme, the two “parents” of the Fantastic Four make a trip to Dane Whitman, aka the Black Knight, in an effort to fire magical fire with fire. While there are some clever twists and turns in here, the story progression is one that can be a tad confusing at times thanks to Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman jumping through a time portal. While this one-off feels a tad too much like a one-off for a crossover rather than looking at the overall story of the FF, it still brings the goods when all is said and done.
– Evan Valentine
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Hellverine #2
Benjamin Percy’s Hellverine is a testament to his writing ability, as he takes yet another concept that seems sophomoric and giving it gravitas and weight. The art by Raffaele Ienco (with colors by Bryan Valenza) captures not only the specific aura of the place Daken is investigating, but gets across a strong sense of character in all of the images. If there’s a fault to find, it’s minor, but Ienco’s work in many pages lacks a dynamic feel, with the posing of some characters feeling like still moments without energy, there’s no momentum between some of the panels. – Spencer Perry
Rating: 4 out of 5

Iron Man #4
Tony Stark is still licking his wounds following the Roxxon Stark War, and he’s getting a little help from a magical friend to dig into the Mysterium issue at hand. The best part of this issue, for me, was the Scarlet Witch’s journey into the magical plane, which might be free of speech but has some interesting and gorgeous art to see Wanda’s traversal to help out her fellow Avenger. This latest issue focuses far more on the “Iron” versus the “Man” but it still works well at pushing the story forward. Of course, the past once again comes back to bite Tony in the final pages and it will be interesting to see how this new wrinkle plays out.
– Evan Valentine
Rating 3.5 out of 5

Phoenix #7
Stephanie Phillips continues to do tremendous work with what is quietly one of the best comics Marvel is publishing. Not only do the characters themselves feel smart and grounded, but the plot is propelled by the actual personality and powers of the title hero. Phillips just GETS Jean, and this series shows. Marco Renna continues to turn in tremendous splash pages and action beats as well in this (his second issue), with color artist David Curiel elevating the already great work with depth and layers.
– Spencer Perry
Rating: 5 out of 5

Scarlet Witch #8
Wanda and Amaranth continue to work their magic in the pages of Scarlet Witch, and that magic absolutely pops thanks to the insanely talented team of artist Lorenzo Tammetta, colorist Ruth Redmond, and letterer Ariana Maher. While writer Steve Orlando keeps you guessing regarding the origin of these creatures, the moment to moment action screams with style, with some truly cinematic moments woven throughout. Orlando only ups the ante by continuing to find new ways for Wanda to be a complete badass, and while this doesn’t end on the highest of notes for Wanda and her new apprentice, it does leave the reader anxiously waiting to see what happens next, so mission accomplished.
– Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 4 out of 5

The Amazing Spider-Man #66
“The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man” may go down as the least consistent major superhero storyline ever produced. Once again, the story is handed over to writer Justina Ireland, who, along with artist Andrea Broccardo, presents a look at Peter Parker at his most destitute. Having sworn off Spider-Man yet again after undergoing existential trauma during his latest challenge against one of Cyttorak’s scions, Peter has gone full nihilist, seeing no point in anything, least of all trying to do good in a world gone bad. The message here is a bit muddied. As presented previously, Peter’s cynical streak is born out of a feeling of smallness, that on a longer enough timeline, nothing we do matters because, on a long enough timeline, we and everyone we know or help will die. But throughout the issue, Peter is more interested in bemoaning the evils of capitalism, a sense that good can’t ultimately defeat evil, rather than simply that neither side of the conflict matters in the long run. Even if you gloss over that, while it’s nice to have a quiet issue between the more bombastic ones, The Amazing Spider-Man #66 doesn’t offer any insights into Peter’s state of mind that wasn’t already clear by the end of the last scion’s challenge, doubly so for readers who read the Coulson-focused (and cumbersomely numbered) The Amazing Spider-Man #65.DEATHS, which already offered readers a glimpse into the life of The Fatalistic Spider-Man. Add to that the distracting artwork, with characters’ features shifting noticeably from panel to panel, and it’s hard to escape the sense that the issue is spinning its wheels and not in a particularly entertaining way. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 2 out of 5

TVA #2
Marvel’s TVA #1 felt like an extension of Loki through and through, with a few comic elements thrown in for good measure, but issue #2 rather successfully turns that on its head. In what is a polar opposite approach, issue #2 feels far more firmly entrenched in the comics, with writer Katharyn Blair mixing in the Loki cast at key moments. Ghost-Spider and Gambit play off each other incredibly well, and are the two shining stars in the series so far, though the addition of a Loki series favorite should make the team that much more compelling, especially if we continue to get this much from Hellstrom. Speaking of Hellstrom, Pere Perez and Guru-eFX give the character a substantial aura that’s been missing in some of his other appearances, though the duo’s work on Gambit and Ghost-Spider is also praise-worthy, allowing the banter between the two to pop off the page. The ending few pages only raised the stakes that much higher, so if we can hit this type of balance moving forward, the series could really be onto something special.
– Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Uncanny X-Men #9
The Raid on Graymalkin was a storyline that failed to hit the same landing as the earlier issues of Gail Simone’s take on Marvel’s merry mutants, but luckily, issue nine is a return to form. While there are some issues with fill-in artist Andrei Bressan’s work here, especially when looking at some facial features of beloved characters, it’s a minor bump in the road. Introducing new young mutants in an X-Men story is a trope that has been examined many times before but the “outliers” feel like the freshest new recruits in recent memory. Seeing the likes of Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Jubilee placed into a true role as teachers and mentors really works in pushing the new class of mutants here. Uncanny remains the best of the best when it comes to the X-Men line post-Krakoa and this issue once again shows why.
– Evan Valentine
Rating: 4 out of 5

Wolverine: Revenge #4
This alternate universe is one that is certainly seeing shades of “Old Man Logan” in its recent issue, deciding to take us twenty years into the future from Wolverine’s battle against Colossus, Sabretooth, Deadpool, and the others that became the target of Logan’s ire. In Revenge, however, there’s a sense of optimism and overall hope for a world that has been placed back at square one and how revenge can still factor into such an environment. Wolverine: Revenge feels like the X-Man’s best take on Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, and it truly shines in focusing on Logan’s character and his inability to truly let his revenge go. It’ll be interesting to see if the fifth and final issue is able to stick the landing but this outing from Jonathan Hickman and Greg Capullo but all signs are looking good based on this penultimate outing. – Evan Valentine
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

X-Men: Xavier’s Secret #1
With the X-Men about to clash with the upcoming “Raid on Graymalkin” crossover and Jean’s adventures in the Phoenix series ongoing, putting the X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic together is good timing. Not only does it remind regular readers of the events that brought them here, but for those who have been following the team less closely since the start of the Krakoa era, it serves as a quick primer for what might be an explosive next chapter. But while it’s timely and helpful, X-Men: Xavier’s Secret #1 feels mostly like a bridge to these larger stories. With some slight missteps in the stories being told, it feels like this is one series that didn’t necessarily need revisiting. – Nicole Drum
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (Read the full review here)

IMAGE COMICS

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #313
Most of the action in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #313 is simply Destro making a straightforward descent toward the bunker where Cobra Commander hides. Leave it to Chris Mooneyham to make such an indoor stroll into a dramatic event. The subtle recurring gag of the G.I. Joe ninjas and the Drednok’s simply waiting outside for it all to happen is a nice, lightening touch, and Cobra Commander ultimately orchestrating his demise via his arrogance is character-perfect, but then one expects no less from Larry Hama when it comes to G.I. Joe. Having Cobra Commander narrate Destro’s approach somewhat undercut its power — one imagines the quieter version of this issue, where Destro stalks the halls silently, a force of nature that cannot be stopped. Regardless, what we do have more than lives up to the high standards that Hama and his collaborators have set during his decades writing the Joes’ adventures.
– Jamie Lovett
Rating: 4 out of 5

Hyde Street #3
While Hyde Street #3 would have hit a little differently during Christmas time, the issue does insert some new elements into the horror story. Pranky is more of a threat than ever, but we also see the introduction of a new character, Oscar, aka Matinee Monster who curiously intervenes in the taking of a soul. It throws a new threat into things, denying Pranky another soul but giving Mr. X-Ray something else to worry about. It also overall makes for an interesting twist on a heartwarming Christmas story of redemption of sorts.
– Nicole Drum
Rating: 3 out of 5

W0rldtr33 #12
W0rldtr33 returns with an issue revealing the origin of Ph34r, previously revealed to be Gabriel Winter’s younger sister, Sammi. The issue tells a familiar story of a closeted queer youth struggling to find her place. It being the late 1990s, it’s unsurprising that she would go looking for community online, only to find it lacking. But the Undernet serves as a symbol of the dark side of the internet, what one might stumble upon a young person, unprepared, and how it might alter their perception of reality. Tynion, Blanco, and Bellaire tell the story subtly, using an irregular grid with missing panels to represent young  Sammi’s distance from her peers, her isolation, the sensation of trying to fit into boxes that do not fit them, the juxtaposition of who she is against who the world expects her to be, fixation, the crossing of a threshold, and ultimately, that imprisonment. It’s a gauntlet of meaning pulled off admirably with a singular visual device, creating a strong throughline in this otherwise understated yet tragic tale. W0rldtr33 is back, and it is not taking prisoners, no matter how sympathetic they may be. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

BOOM! STUDIOS

House of Slaughter #29
There’s so much to love about the central premise of James Tynion IV and Sam Johns’ Azure, which delivers its fourth chapter in House of Slaughter #29. That’s partly why it’s so frustrating that it’s just not clicking in the way I want it to. This is truly a dream scenario in a lot of ways, as you have three different masks coming together to face what is one of the most intriguing enemies in the series thus far (which I won’t spoil here). Unfortunately moving between what’s going in on their minds and what’s actually happening in the present disrupts the flow of the story and the battle that’s playing out, and when you multiply that by three characters, it just becomes messy. There are some moments of gold here, especially in regards to Edwin, and some of the character spotlights by Letizia Cadonici, Francesco Segala, and Justin Birch are gorgeous, but the cluttered nature of how the story is playing out at the moment obscures those more positive aspects more often than not. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Power Rangers Prime #3
Power Rangers Prime got off to a stellar start, but issue #3 might even be better than its soaring debut. In just three issues writer Melissa Flores has brought together all five key players, each already equipped with their own individual motives and personalities, rough edges and all. It’s already created a solid foundation for evolving dynamics and relationships within the group, but adding in by far my favorite version of Rita Repulsa yet just makes this a can’t miss affair. That’s all wrapped in the showstopping artwork of Michael YG, Fabi Marques, and Ed Dukeshire, who bring a fresh edge and style to every page but in a way that feels unmistakably Power Rangers. Prime can’t miss, but issue #3 just set a new bar for the series and paints a bright picture of what’s to come.
– Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 5 out of 5

The post Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 1/22/2025 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Justice League Unlimited has truly captured the brilliance of the best Justice League adventures, and issue three is yet another stellar issue. Creators Mark Waid and Dan Mora have proven on Batman/Superman: World’s Finest that letting them play with DC’s biggest toys leads to fantastic stories, and this newest one us building into something special. From the mystery of new Justice League baddies Inferno to the reveal of the traitor to the team, Justice League Unlimited has kept throwing curve balls at readers, and the latest installment is no different.

Inferno’s attacks on Earth have so far targeted areas with lots of natural resources, and the third issue sees them hitting the Amazon rain forest. This leads the League to call for help from a familiar ally, one uniquely suited to helping them. However, bringing him into the mix may have been the biggest mistake the Justice League could have made.

Inferno’s Newest Attack Reveals Some Startling Secrets

Inferno newest attack involves dropping fire-producing pillars all over the length and breadth of the Amazon rain forest. The Justice League sends in Superman, the Captain, the Flash, Wonder Woman, Stargirl, Star Sapphire, and S.T.R.I.P.E. to try to stop the blaze and figure out how to contain the damage. Superman quickly finds the source of the fire, but when he goes to remove the nearest pillar, he’s burnt by the flames. This shows that the flames are magical in nature, and the League calls in three other members to help them deal with the fire – Zatanna, Doctor Occult, and Xanthe Zhou.

Superman and Flash begin to evacuate the areas surrounding the pillars, while the three magic users begin to use their mystic abilities to try to figure out how to stop the pillars. As the League gets to business, Mister Terrific speculates that the flames of Inferno may be somehow related to the same fires that destroyed Mars centuries ago, but since Martian Manhunter is MIA, there’s no way to be sure. Flash and Terrific try to figure out just what Inferno wants this time – their first attack saw them try to take control of resources while this one is simply an attack designed for collateral damage. This gives Zatanna an idea.

Related: Justice League Unlimited: 7 Dream Team-Ups We Need to See

Since Inferno is using magic to summon the flames, they’re connected to them. That means that Justice League mages can in turn summon them to ask them about their motives. This leads to a dark robed figure appearing, similar to what readers saw in the first issue. They don’t really reveal much more than they did when Superman found their communication device, but add one interesting new caveat – that they want the heroes to live to see them conquer the Earth and that they are agents of vengeance. The robed figure is able to break the summoning, but Doctor Occult jumps through the portal after them.

Mister Terrific realizes that Inferno’s goal with this attack is to take control of the Green, the elemental energy that is present in all plant life. This leads him to dispatch Air-Wave and Aquaman to Lousiana to get the avatar of the Green, Swamp Thing, to help. However, that proves to be a terrible mistake, as Swamp Thing bursts into flames!

Targeting Swamp Thing Shows How Powerful Inferno Is

Inferno’s first attack involved using powerful technology to try and take control of an iridium supply. Their next attack involved using powerful magical items to try to take control of a magical force – the Green. These two attacks are both quite different and show just how much of a threat that Inferno is. Most of the time, the worlds of magic and technology don’t interact, so Inferno using both is quite rare.

Their latest attack also proves just how powerful they are. Swamp Thing is something of a niche character, but one thing that can’t be denied is how powerful he is. While the current Swamp Thing isn’t the classic Alec Holland but new guy Levi Kamei, he’s still completely in control of the Green. Inferno targeting him makes a lot of sense, and the fact that they can they’re able to attack him without even being near him shows just what kind of powerful magic they’re working with. Justice League Unlimited is developing Inferno into the scariest force in the DC Multiverse; if they’re able to destroy Swamp Thing, they are a threat that even the Justice League might not be able to stop.

Justice League Unlimited #3 is available wherever comic books are sold.

The post One of DC’s Most Powerful Heroes Just Met a Fiery Fate appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Superman, by Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora, has been one of the most intriguing books in DC’s All-In publishing initiative. Lois Lane becoming Superwoman has only been the beginning, with the Time Trapper’s return revealing him to be Superman’s most feared foe: Doomsday. This new Time Trapper has a simple request – for Superman to kill him so he can become god. Williamson somehow came up with the perfect way to up the stakes of the current story – by bringing in the present day version of Doomsday, giving the Man of Steel and his now superpowered wife more than they bargained for.

All of this leads to Superman #22, where a familiar face returns to Metropolis to take possession of Doomsday. Of course, they don’t ask in the nicest way and their arrogance leads to battle, one that sees them try to take Doomsday from SuperCorp. This leads to something that fans never thought they’d see – a team-up of epic proportions.

The Return of Radiant Leads To Some Strange Bedfellows

Superman’s neverending war against Doomsday has taken him many places, and Superman #22 references one of those worlds – Calaton. Calaton was the target of the monster in The Death of Superman sequel Superman/Doomsday: Hunter/Prey. Superman was unable to stop Doomsday’s rampage on that world, and the people of Calaton suffered greatly. While there, Superman met the hero of Calaton – Radiant.

Radiant’s failure to stop Doomsday’s rampage in the past plays into his return in the present. Radiant has a simple ultimatum for Superman – to give up Doomsday and let his army deal with the beast. Superman warns him that nothing they can do will hurt Doomsday, while demanding answers about what they were going to do with Doomsday. Radiant avoids revealing exactly why he wants Doomsday while threatening the people of Metropolis, telling Superman that the city will never survive a battle between his forces and the Couple of Steel. This is too much for Superman, who is dealing with his anger problems in recent issues, and begins the battle.

Related: The Best Modern Superman Comics, Ranked

Radiant’s forces make a beeline for SuperCorp, where the amnesiac Lex Luthor, his genius daughter Lena, CEO of SuperCorp Mercy, and Supergirl are trying to figure out how to deal with Doomsday before Radiant can abscond with the monster. When Lena says that her father would have some way of dealing with Doomsday, it sparks something in his memory and he asks for them to move Doomsday’s containment unit. Unfortunately, Radiant gets there at that moment.

Supergirl is unable to stop the alien warrior, but Superman swoops in to save the day. However, Radiant plays his most desperate card, freeing Doomsday. This causes Superman’s Red levels – the way SuperCorp measures the energy his anger produces – to skyrocket and leads to a sight no Superman fan ever thought they’d see: Superman and Doomsday fighting side-by-side against Radiant’s forces. It’s an epic moment in DC history, perfectly captured in an amazing double page spread from Mora and colorist Alejandro Sanchez.

Superman & Doomsday Teaming Up Seems To Be Just the Beginning for This Titanic New Story

Williamson has been firing on all cylinders since launching Superman in 2023 and this newest story is yet another example of why he’s an amazing Superman writer. Bringing back the Time Trapper and making him the Doomsday of the future is a perfect twist, and Superman #22 builds on that. The return of the monstrous present day Doomsday was always going to have major repercussions and bringing back characters like Radiant is the perfect way to remind readers that Doomsday is more than just a Superman enemy, but one who has caused chaos throughout the universe.

Superman and Doomsday teaming up is one of the biggest moments in the history of the two characters. However, judging from the direction this issue takes the story, it’s only the beginning. As the two former enemies fight side by side, Radiant attacks Jimmy Olsen and Superwoman is given a terrible choice by the Time Trapper – save Jimmy by killing Doomsday and make the Time Trapper into a god or allow the fight to go on without the Time Trapper’s help, leading to the probable death of Jimmy. Williamson keeps finding ways to make this tale fresh, and playing on the often pragmatic Lois’s morals is brilliant. Superhero comics are built on nostalgia, but Superman is showing that it’s possible to give fans something new.

Superman #22 is on sale anywhere comics are sold.

The post DC Just Delivered a Superman Team-Up Fans Never Thought Would Happen appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Marvel is weaving the next multiversal crossover event. After 2022’s End of the Spider-Verse and 2024’s Venomverse Reborn, it’s Spiders versus Symbiotes in Spider-Verse vs. Venomverse. The multiverse-spanning series — from writers Mat Groom (Ultraman X The Avengers) and Kyle Higgins (Winter Soldier) with art by Luciano Vecchio (Venom War: Venomous) — adds to the ever-expanding Spider-Verse and the Venomverse as the Spider-Characters tasked with protecting the Web of Life and Destiny and the Lethal Protectors of the Symbiote Hive-Mind collide to decide the fates of both ‘verses.

The arachnid war will begin with two one-shots. First, in March, Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood #1 will introduce Spider-Prowler, a new Spider-Hulk, and the vampiric Count Parker in stories from writers Groom, Greg Pak (Sam Wilson: Captain America), Chris Eliopoulos (Power Pack), Jordan Morris (Youth Group), and artists Sumit Kumar (Spider-Man: Black Suit & Blood), Alan Robinson (Spider-Man Unlimited Infinity Comic), and Eliopoulos and Vecchio.

RELATED: Who Is the All-New Venom Host? Marvel Teases the Four Suspects

April’s Web of Venomverse: Fresh Brains #1 features a new Eddie Brock Venom (whose 616 counterpart will debut as Carnage in Eddie Brock: Carnage in February), Venomouse, and a venomized Katie Power of Power Pack. That one-shot is from Groom, Eliopoulos, Erica Schultz (Daredevil: Woman Without Fear), and Marvel’s Ant-Man actor and Count Crowley writer David Dastmalchian, with art by Vecchio, Eliopoulos, Chris Allen (Black Panther), Dylan Burnett (X-Force), and Juan José Ryp (Venom War: Zombiotes).

In May, Spider-Verse vs. Venomverse #1 will kick off the five-issue limited series spinning out of Web of Spider-Verse and Web of Venomverse. Readers can expect to see Spider-Man (Peter Parker) and Spider-Ham (Peter Porker) alongside Weapon VIII (introduced in 2024’s Edge of Spider-Verse #1), Agent Venom, and many more.

“When Dan Slott and Olivier Copiel launched the Spider-Verse in 2014, it transformed the Spider-Man mythos and completely took over the world,” Groom said of the event that inspired everything from 2017’s Venomverse and 2018’s Spider-Geddon to the animated Spider-Verse movies. “Since then, creators like Donny Cates, Al Ewing, and Ram V have transformed the Venom mythos in a way that is arguably just as vital and transformative.”

Groom continued, “Crashing these worlds together is a genuine honor and a privilege— and it gives us an opportunity to push both sides to the breaking point, so we can all discover whether the Spider and Symbiote communities hold strong against the oncoming storm… or if they crack under the pressure!”

Vecchio, who has penciled issues of Edge of Spider-Verse, Black Widow: Venomous, and the Slott-penned Spider-Man, also serves as the character designer on the two lead-in titles. “Luciano’s superpower is building complex tapestries of intertwined characters and worlds… And I love that readers will get an early taste of that in New Blood and Fresh Brains,” Groom said.

Web of Spider-Verse: New Blood #1

The war of the Multiverse begins in WEB OF SPIDER-VERSE: NEW BLOOD #1. Spider-Man and his spider-compatriots across the Spider-Verse are the guardians of the Web of Life and Destiny… but they are heading for a confrontation with the OTHER Arachnid-Multiverse of the symbiote variety when they come into conflict with the VENOMVERSE!

In the buildup to that 8-fisted confrontation, meet three new Spider-Versers to see who has what it takes to fight in the web wars! Could it be Count Parker? Spider-Prowler? Or maybe Spider-Hulk? 

On sale: March 5

Web of Venomverse: Fresh Brains #1

In WEB OF VENOMVERSE: FRESH BRAINS #1, the Venomverse is upon us! The existence of Venom and symbiotes across the entire Venomverse will be at stake as they go head-to-head with their Spidery counterparts to defend the Symbiote Hive-Mind from the SPIDER-VERSE! As an eight-legged fight creeps to the surface, meet the three new symbiotes who could put the Spiders at the edge of their webs!

Which of them has what it takes? Could it be the devious Venomouse? The disorderly Katie Power? Or a whole new Eddie Brock?

On sale: April 2

Spider-Verse vs. Venomverse #1 (of 5)

The arachnid war is here! With the fates of the SPIDER-VERSE and VENOMVERSE hanging in the balance, these eight-legged warriors will stop at nothing from protecting their people – or die trying! Will Spider-Man and friends succeed in protecting the Web-Heart? Or will Venom and his symbiotic comrades prove that the Hive-Mind fights for its survival? Meet the newest Web-Head Spider-Prowler as well as the mysterious symbiote Yaleo as this savage battle risks their extinction!

On sale: May 14

The post Marvel’s Spider-Verse vs. Venomverse Event Reveals New Spider-Man and Venom Variants appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Casagrandes have been a delightful fixture on Television and in comics, and now they are set to make their Spanish language debut courtesy of Mad Cave Studios and Papercutz. Today we’ve got your exclusive first look at the first-ever Casagrandes volume of stories published in Spanish, and Los Casagrande 3-in-1: Vol. 1 will release this February, but you can check out the cover right now in the image below.

Los Casagrande 3-in-1: Vol. 1 will feature stories from the same creative team behid the hit Nickelodeon one two punch of The Loud House and The Casagrandes, and as the name suggests, the volume collects stories from the first three Casagrandes graphic novels. Those include We’re All Familia, Everything for Family, and Brand Stinkin New.

Papercutz editor Stephanie Brooks said, “THE CASAGRANDES is a fantastic IP featuring a multilingual multigenerational family. The original cartoon and books were fantastic for representing Latine culture and for representing to viewers/readers basic Spanish vocab and culture. The Spanish Edition of LOS CASAGRANDES continues to cater to Spanish readers of all varieties but with greater vocabulary and the translation further emphasizes the importance of Mad Cave Studios’ origins and educational aspirations. The Spanish Edition will be great for anyone, and readers will adore Ronnie Anne and her grande familia. Mercedes Guhl, our translator, did an incredible job keeping the series’ tone, and Miguel A. Zapata lettered the comics beautifully. We are so proud of this first volume.”

“We’re incredibly excited to bring Casagrandes to Spanish-speaking readers for the first time in this unique collection filled with heart, humor, and multigenerational family dynamics,” said Mad Cave Marketing Director Allison Pond. “This collection not only resonates across cultures, but also serves as a valuable tool for bilingual and multicultural education, helping students connect with relatable characters while enhancing language and cultural understanding.”

You can check out the cover for the new collection above, and you can find the official desctipion in both Spanish and English below.

“Cuando la amiga de Lincoln Loud, Ronnie Anne, y su hermano, Bobby Santiago, se mudaron de Royal Woods a la gran ciudad, no tenían ni idea de que estaban a punto de comenzar un nuevo y emocionante capítulo en sus vidas. Ahora viven en un apartamento arriba del mercado de su abuelo, y junto a su madre María se están adaptando a dejar de ser una familia de tres en Royal Woods, para ser una familia numerosa liderada por los abuelos Héctor y Rosa en Great Lakes City.

Presentando las mejores historias de las tres primeras novelas gráficas: Todos somos Familia, Todo por la Familia y Apestosamente Nuevo, ésta gran colección en español es imperdible para los fans de The Loud House y Los Casagrande.”

“When Lincoln Loud’s close friend Ronnie Anne and her brother Bobby Santiago moved away from Royal Oaks to the Big City, they had no idea that they were about to start an exciting new chapter in their lives, while living in an apartment above their abuelo’s Mercado. Together with their mom, Maria, they are adapting from going to a family of three in Royal Oaks to living with their whole extended family, headed by the kids’ abuelos, Hector and Rosa, in the big city. Now, The Casagrandes are starring in their own popular animated series on Nickelodeon! Collecting The Casagrandes’s greatest comic stories from the hit The Loud House graphic novel series.”

Los Casagrande 3-in-1 Vol. 1 will release on February 18th. Los Casagrande 3 en 1: Vol 1 saldrá el 18 de febrero de 2025.

Are you excited for the The Casagrandes next adventures? You can talk all things comics and graphic novels with me on Bluesky @knightofoa!

The post Mad Cave Reveals First Look at The Casagrandes’ Spanish Language Debut (Exclusive) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Ultimate Spider-Man has provided fans with several twists and turns from your typical Spider-Man story, and the recent developments with the symbiote suit are just the tip of the iceberg. The majority of stories featuring the symbiote have it coming from outer space, but Ultimate Spider-Man goes a different route by having the symbiote be an artificial intelligence picotech costume. It originates with Tony Stark but also has upgrades from Otto Octavius as well, making it truly unique. But the latest issue of Ultimate Spider-Man goes a step further by redefining the symbiote mythos like never before. WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Ultimate Spider-Man #13. Continue reading at your own risk!

Ultimate Spider-Man #13 comes from the creative team of Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checchetto, Matthew Wilson, and VC’s Cory Petit. The bulk of the issue deals with Spider-Man (Peter Parker) and Green Goblin (Harry Osborn) being prisoners of Kraven the Hunter, who is a member of Kingpin’s Sinister Six. But back in New York City, a black-clad Spider-Man is still patrolling the streets. But if Peter is missing in action, who is dressing up as Spider-Man?

[RELATED: Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man Is the Best Ongoing Comic Series (Golden Issue Awards 2024)]

In a surprising move, it’s Peter Parker and Mary Jane-Watson’s son, Richard Parker, who is working together with the symbiote/picotech suit. And to make things even better, they seem to have a wonderful working relationship going that can lead to some interesting developments in future issues.

Ultimate Spider-Man’s symbiote finds a new host

The previous issue of Ultimate Spider-Man revealed that the symbiote had taken Peter Parker’s place inside his family while Peter is missing. We also learn Peter and Harry Osborn haven’t been seen in two months. During Peter’s absence, Richard has secretly worn the symbiote and swung through the city stopping petty crimes. It freaks Richard out that the symbiote can make itself look like his Dad, but it does help that the symbiote is encoded with Peter’s brainwaves. So it has Peter’s speech pattern down to near perfection.

A good example of this is when Richard asks if his Mom and the suit have had any intimate moments while Mary Jane was unaware it wasn’t her husband. The symbiote reacts with wide eyes and outstretched arms, similar to how one would expect Spider-Man to respond if in the same position. The symbiote reveals Peter gave it three rules if something were to ever happen to him. One: No touching Mary Jane. Two: Protect the family. No matter what. And Three: No touching Mary Jane.

The symbiote also tells Richard that his father is alive, even though he’s been missing for two months. If Peter was dead, the suit would be able to sense it, alluding to the bond that a symbiote has with its host. Naturally, Richard asks if the symbiote can use that sense to find Peter, but it explains it doesn’t work that way. Plus, Peter balked at having the symbiote leave a trace of itself in his bloodstream so it could find him if anything were to happen. That’s a decision Spider-Man is probably rethinking considering the predicament he finds himself in.

Spider-Man’s son and the symbiote meet their first supervillain

After stopping a petty criminal late at night, Richard Parker and the symbiote are swinging back home when their tendril web is sliced from out of nowhere. The duo crash lands on a rooftop where they’re confronted by Felicia Hardy, the new Black Cat. Felicia replaces her father, the original Black Cat, who was left paralyzed after fighting Spider-Man and Green Goblin a few issues earlier. It would appear Felicia Hardy is looking for some payback, and is starting with Spider-Man. Unfortunately, the Spider-Man she finds isn’t the one that injured her father, but his teenaged son.

One can assume next issue will feature a fight between Black Cat and the Symbiote Spider-Man. But if their relationship in the Ultimate Universe mirrors that of Spider-Man and Black Cat on Earth-616, we could see some sparks start to fly. They both appear to be around the same age, so a romantic relationship between Richard and Black Cat isn’t out of the question. And that can happen with or without Black Cat discovering Richard’s secret identity.

The post Marvel Reinvents Spider-Man’s Symbiote Story With Wild New Twist appeared first on ComicBook.com.

If you thought 2024 as the year of Superman, then you won’t believe what’s happening in 2025. DC is looking to make this year even bigger for the Man of Steel, and they are kicking things off with a massive lineup for the Summer of Superman. It all begins with a wedding in the Summer of Superman Special #1 and then hits another gear from there, with the return of Le Luthor, a new early readers graphic novel, a deep dive on Metropolis, and big new arcs for the Superman books, including the debut of a brand new series Superman Unlimited. Let’s get into everything that’s happening with the DC icon, starting with the Summer of Superman Special.

Summer of Superman Special #1 – April 16
Dan Slott will be debuting a new ongoing with Superman Unlimited, but he will first jump in with Mark Waid (Justice League Unlimited, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest), Joshua Williamson (Superman, DC All In Special) and Jorge Jiménez (Batman, Super Sons) for the Summer of Superman Special, which hits comic stores and digital retailers on Wednesday, April 16th.

In this oversize issue, Slott, Waid and Williamson deliver a single story in three acts, highlighted by Jiménez’s dynamic art style that has made him a favorite of comic book fans worldwide. The wedding of Lana Lang and John Henry Irons (a.k.a. Steel) serves as the backdrop for an outpouring of love and support from family and friends. However, their big day will also be big trouble, as threats from the past, present and future will spawn major new conflicts for the Superman family.

Featuring a main and variant cover by Jiménez, this 48-page one-shot features additional variant covers by Alexander Lozano, John Giang, Mahmud Asrar, and Dan Jurgens, plus an adorable variant cover featuring Krypto, (Super)man’s best friend, by Chrissie Zullo-Uminga.

Superman #25 – April 23
Just as Superman and Superwoman are recovering from their battles with Time Trapper and Doomsday, the biggest problem of all returns when Superman #25 hits comic book shops on April 23rd. Lex Luthor makes his DC All In return and is ready to fight for control of Supercorp and Metropolis. Written by Joshua Williamson, this oversize (48-page) issue
features art by series artist Dan Mora (Justice League Unlimited, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest), Eddy Barrows (Action Comics) and Eber Ferreira (Action Comics, Action Comics Presents: Doomsday Special) and celebrates the last two years of Superman, connects to Summer of Superman Special #1, and sets up a brand-new storyline featuring Superman’s greatest enemy.

Mora provides the wraparound main cover for Superman #25, with variant covers from a who’s-who of comic book art giants, including Guillem March, Jeff Dekal, Rafael Grassetti, Dave Johnson, Laura Braga, and Fico Ossio, plus an April Fools’ Day variant cover by Dan Hipp.

Superman: The World – June 24
The Man of Tomorrow usually soars through the skies in Metropolis, but no matter where a cry for help comes from, Superman will always be there to save the day. In the tradition of critically acclaimed anthologies Batman: The World and Joker: The World, witness what makes Superman an international symbol of truth, justice, and hope with the global release of Superman: The World on June 24th. Renowned Superman storytellers Dan Jurgens and Lee Weeks join a team of fifteen international creators to tell tales that highlight what makes Superman the greatest superhero of all. Superman: The World is scheduled to launch day and date in the following territories: Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Turkey, India, Cameroon, Poland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, and Argentina.

Superman’s Good Guy Gang – July 1
The Summer of Superman also features the debut of Superman’s Good Guy Gang on July 1st. The first in a multivolume series, this graphic novel is the perfect entry point for early readers ages 5–7 to discover the incredible world of DC’s Super Heroes. Superman’s Good Guy Gang is written and drawn by Death and Sparkles creator Rob Justus and introduces readers to an eight-year-old Clark Kent, and his super-powered friends Hawkgirl and Green Lantern Guy Gardner, as they test their abilities, grow together and maybe even earn some good guy points along the way. Future books in the series will include popular DC Super Heroes Batman, Wonder Woman, Mr. Terrific and more.

Action Comics #1085 – April 9
“Superman Superstars” concludes on April 9 with the release of Action Comics #1085. Written by G. Willow Wilson and featuring art by Gavin Guidry, part one of this two-part story is a real job for Superman. Lois Lane sends the Man of Steel to a scientific outpost in the Arctic to investigate a new technology that promises to halt global warming. But when Superman arrives, he quickly finds out that the outpost has been plagued by a villain who plans to melt humanity’s hopes for survival. Featuring a main cover by Brad Walker, with variant covers by Davide Paratore, Cully Hamner and Danny Earls.

Fans can also celebrate the DC icon on Superman Day, which will happen on April 18th, and DC will have a number of new editions of Superman classics in store for collectors. Those include:

• All-Star Superman Deluxe Superman Day Edition hardcover (new dust jacket featuring art by Frank Quitely)
• Superman Unchained Deluxe Superman Day Edition hardcover (new dust jacket featuring art by Jim Lee)
• All Star Superman #1 Special Edition by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
• Superman For All Seasons Book One Special Edition by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
• An excerpt of the upcoming young adult graphic novel Jimmy Olsen’s Supercyclopedia by Gabe Soria and Sandy Jarrell
• Action Comics #1 Golden Age–Size Facsimile Edition featuring an homage cover by superstar artist Dan Mora

Are you excited for the Summer of Superman? You can talk all things comics with me on Bluesky @knightofoa!

The post DC Kicks Off Summer of Superman Lineup with Surprise Wedding appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Hot on the heels of the announcement that the King of the Monsters would be taking on Marvel’s jolly green giant, the Incredible Hulk, it seems that New York City’s favorite wall crawler is getting in on the action. Marvel has recently announced that Godzilla Vs. Spider-Man is the next comic on the drawing board for the kaiju-filled crossover, but this one’s going to be a little different. While the lizard king will be fighting against Peter Parker, this will be a different iteration of the beloved Marvel hero during a specific time in his life. Luckily, said time gives Spidey one of his most powerful iterations in his superhero career.

Godzilla Vs. Spider-Man #1 will arrive on April 30th this spring, bringing together some big creators for this giant crossover. Legendary comic writer Joe Kelly, who might be best known for his past work on Deadpool, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Uncanny X-Men, is leading the charge. Kelly will be joined by artist Nick Bradshaw, who has experience with titles like Wolverine And The X-Men, Strange Academy, and Fantastic Four. As mentioned previously, this crossover will take place shortly after the events of Marvel’s original Secret Wars storyline, meaning that Peter will be inside his classic symbiote costume. Of course, this now leaves open the possibility that a Venom-version of Godzilla might make an appearance, potentially creating the most powerful Venom we’ve seen to date.

[RELATED: Marvel Announces Godzilla Vs. Hulk]

The Itsy Bitsy Kaiju

Writer Joe Kelly detailed his excitement for diving into this new project, explaining how this crossover is his chance to ‘go nuts’ as a writer, “The second I heard that there was going to be a Godzilla x Spidey crossover set in the ‘80s, I almost leapt across the table to claim it. This book is a chance to go nuts and have a blast with two iconic characters and channel the chaos of the time period that I was actively collecting Spider-Man. Nick Bradshaw really captures the absurdity of the concept and the vibe I was going for, while at the same time giving Godzilla and Spidey (in his perfectly-normal-nothing-weird-here-black suit!) the prestige and gravity they deserve. It’s a love letter served with an earth-shattering roar!”

Of course, this isn’t the only major crossover that Peter Parker will participate in this year as another monster is stalking New York City’s streets. Announced last year, Predator Versus Spider-Man will see the legendary alien hunter attempting to add Spider-Man to his list of prey. Ironically enough, this crossover will also arrive this April, meaning that wall crawler fans will have a lot to look forward to in the crossover department.

Godzilla Vs. Marvel

Alongside Spidey, Godzilla is planning to fight both the Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four in respective outings beginning this March. The six issue mini-series has yet to reveal what the latter three issues will see the king of the monsters tackle, though we could certainly guess that the Avengers and the X-Men might take their crack at the kaiju.

Ironically enough, Marvel was beaten to the punch in fighting Godzilla in the current era as DC Comics recently ended Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong. Not only did this series do some wild things like make King Kong a Green Lantern but it was successful enough to warrant a sequel that is currently in the works.

Want to see what other Marvel characters that Godzilla will tackle in 2025? Follow along with Team Anime on ComicBook.com for the latest updates on the king of the monsters and hit me up directly @EVComedy to talk all things comics and anime.

Via IGN

The post Marvel Unveils Godzilla Vs. Spider-Man (With A Venomous Twist) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

For fans of the current era of Marvel’s X-Men, X-Men: Xavier’s Secret #1 won’t be exactly new. The one-shot collects the first six issues of X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic which were released last year. But the repackaging aside, the series (or rather, this issue) offers two stories that are worth revisiting: Jean Grey and Scott Summers dealing with surprisingly relatable relationship issues before Jean’s departure from Earth and a revelation of Charles Xavier’s crimes during the Fall of the House of X.

Written by Alex Paknadel, X-Men: Xavier’s Secret offers two complete stories with two very different tones. In the first, “Eversong”, Paknadel explores what’s next for Jean and Scott now that she’s taken on the Phoenix — less in terms of what that means for the world and mutantkind, but what it means for them as a couple. It’s an interesting take on the situation, one that shines an important and needed light on the interpersonal relationship between these two characters. Framed as a horror story that happens to be set during a getaway for Jean and Scott, readers follow as something is luring people into the frigid Norwegian landscape searching for something. After a bit of conflict over Scott not being exactly forthright with Jean, Scott ends up among those being lured on the mysterious search. What works here is that we get to see Scott’s vulnerability and his genuine fears as well as how Jean doesn’t quite seem to hold them with the same weight he does. It’s an interesting look at the dynamic of their relationship and while the story ends in a seemingly solid place, readers might find themselves asking just how secure they really are.

Where the story falters, however, is that it tries to make a parallel between what is going on between Scott and Jean with the mysterious force controlling the minds of those being lured into the cold. It’s a bit heavy-handed and doesn’t really land. Whether or not it’s intentional, Jean comes across as misguided as the force she’s up against when it comes to Scott. The story’s horror framing also falls a little short with a too-tidy reveal of what is actually going on.

As for the second story, we delve into Sally Floyd’s investigation of Charles Xavier’s acts during the war, watching as the journalist spirals from simply doing a news story into a full-on conspiracy theory investigation, all while burdened by her own demons. In terms of the two stories, this one is a bit more successful. We follow along as Sally grows more and more obsessed with finding answers, digging deeper into Charles’ motivations and trying to sort out what would make him do the awful things he was accused of. However, the story doesn’t exactly exonerate Charlies. Sally does indeed get the full story, but we find that she’s gotten the full story a few times before — and every time Charlies meddles with it. There’s no real resolution, just what is presented as a seemingly temporary act of mercy that is likely to have consequences down the road.

In terms of art — both stories feature Diogenes Neves with colors by Arthur Hesli — both stories are visually pleasing. Particularly, “What Charlie Did…” is very nuanced, with Sally’s grief and self-sabotage through drinking presented in a way that feels like it goes deeper than the words on the page. This is especially noticeable when we get to the end and we see Sally transformed and what starting over looks like for her. The art is similarly nice in “Eversong”, though all of the characters have sort of a skeletal appearance that is, at points, a little distracting.

With the X-Men about to clash with the upcoming “Raid on Graymalkin” crossover and Jean’s adventures in the Phoenix series ongoing, putting the X-Men: From the Ashes Infinity Comic together is good timing. Not only does it remind regular readers of the events that brought them here, but for those who have been following the team less closely since the start of the Krakoa era, it serves as a quick primer for what might be an explosive next chapter. But while it’s timely and helpful, X-Men: Xavier’s Secret #1 feels mostly like a bridge to these larger stories. With some slight missteps in the stories being told, it feels like this is one series that didn’t necessarily need revisiting.

Published by: Marvel Comics

On: January 22, 2025

Written by: Alex Paknadel

Art by: Diogenes Neves

Colors by: Arthur Hesli

Letters by: Clayton Cowles

The post X-Men: Xavier’s Secret #1 Review: A Shady Past, An Uncertain Future appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Readers are now roughly halfway through the first arc of writer Tom Taylor and artist Mikel Janin’s run on Detective Comics, which began as part of the DC All In initiative. It was an ostentatious debut, adding a significant new wrinkle to Batman’s origin story in its first issue and a guest appearance by Superman in the second. With those attention-grabbing scenes out of the way, Taylor and Janin have settled into a moodier mystery narrative befitting a comic book with “detective” in its title. While it relies on some familiar tropes, its presentation and philosophical core give it memorable substance and style.

“Mercy of the Father,” as the arc is called, traces the ramifications of Dr. Thomas Wayne having saved the life of one Joe Chill. Those familiar with the details of Batman’s origin story recognize the dramatic irony in the revelation that Dr. Wayne saved the life of the man who would years later kill both him and his wife in front of his young son Bruce, leading to the invention of Batman. But the dominos don’t stop falling there. At the time of Dr. Wayne’s intervention, Chill also had a pregnant teenage “girlfriend” whom Martha Wayne helped escape Chill’s orbit before she and her husband’s deaths. Now Chill’s daughter, Scarlett Martha Scott, has reentered Bruce Wayne’s life and become a person of interest in Batman’s latest case. 

In its opening flashback, Detective Comics #1093 reveals Bruce’s first meeting with Scarlett in the immediate aftermath of Thomas and Martha’s death. Unaware of their relation to his parents’ killer, they appear as one of the last in a line of pilgrims paying their respects to the deceased at the front gates of Wayne Manor, though Scarlett’s mother, Evelyn, soon becomes nearly manic, frantically grabbing at Bruce and apologizing before Alfred chases her away. It’s the moment the guilt, the regret, and the questions around the decision to save Joe Chill’s life begin to warp the lives of those he left behind.

Bruce and Scarlett get to know each other as Scarlett continues to benefit from the Waynes’ altruistic legacy via some of their charitable institutions. When Scarlett, who has become a brilliant scientist herself, develops a serum capable of reversing the effects of aging, she seeks out her old friend Bruce to become one of the early adopters. It’s a timely offer as Bruce has finally begun to lose a step as Batman as the wear and tear on his body begins to take its toll. He and Scarlett even enter a romantic relationship.

At the same time, a new villain also emerges on the scene, killing children recently released from juvenile detention. Longtime Batman readers know that whenever one of Bruce Wayne’s old friends suddenly reappears ready to catch up on old times at the same time the two are almost always related, if not the same person, doubly so if Bruce and the “old friend” in question spend a night together. This new villain happens to go by the moniker “Asema,” borrowing the name from a shapeshifting vampire in Caribbean folklore who appears elderly during the daytime. The name alone almost guarantees the villain is involved with the sinister organization backing Scarlett’s rejuvenation research, known as “Sangraal,” another name for the Holy Grail.

But while the big swings may be somewhat telegraphed  (Or not? We do not know the fate of Scarlett’s mother, nor whether Scarlett is herself Asema or if it is another of her cohort) the thematic strands tie together nicely. While not plainly stated, this issue implies that Sangraal preys on the young, especially those most vulnerable, to enliven the old, a clear metaphor for generational imbalance in power and wealth. But within that, there’s also the question of second chances, who deserves them, and who gets them. Would Bruce Wayne discourage his father from saving Joe Chill’s life with the knowledge of what would follow? How has that same cruel twist affected Scarlett? Is Bruce Wayne willing to continue his crusade against crime on a near-immortal basis if it costs the lives of several less fortunate children? These ideas swirl around and within each other, creating a tension that spills over into Batman’s aggression toward a deadbeat dad, stemming from his shame at previous failures to protect these children, perhaps brought on by the same aging he now seeks to abate.

This tension is similarly apparent in Janin’s visuals. While the flashback scenes are straightforward and muted, the night scenes in Gotham’s present are searing contrasts of harsh light against deep shadow. Many moments are framed with dramatic top-down angles, one page effectively taking on the classic noir long shot of an alley with two small figures casting long shadows. Panels are increasingly thrown off balance as the action intensifies. It’s an arresting style that makes it difficult for the reader to tear their eyes away from the page.

Whether the subtext rings true, Taylor and Janin have crafted a compelling mystery in the Batman mold. The villains feel appropriately arch, aloof, and dangerous enough to be worthy of Batman’s attention, and their victims are both sympathetic and relatively on personal and symbolic levels. If nothing else, Janin appears born to bask Gotham’s dingy streets in a grimy, neon glow, illuminating every violent secret it hides. Detective Comics is a finely packaged dose of grounded Batman storytelling at its best.

Published by: DC

On: January 22, 2025

Written by: Tom Taylor

Art by: Mikel Janin

Colors by: Mikel Janin

Letters by: Wes Abbott

The post Detective Comics #1093 Review: Batman’s World Is a Vampire appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The good news for Marvel Rivals players is that the Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic series will continue after the conclusion of its first arc last January 20. The bad news is that fans will have to wait until Spring 2025 to read issue #7 of the series, which promises to keep exploring the lore of Marvel’s successful team-shooter game. While the waiting can be bothersome, the fact the series will move beyond its first planned arc underlines the game’s success. Furthermore, the announcement indicates Marvel is willing to use the Marvel Rivals as a narrative experience spread across different media platforms instead of just releasing the comic books as a one-off tie-in to celebrate the game’s release.

Writer Paul Allor expressed enthusiasm about continuing the series, highlighting the creative possibilities within the Marvel Rivals universe. “Working on the Marvel Rivals comic has been such a thrill, and seeing gamers latch on to our story has been truly heartwarming,” Allor shared. “Marvel and NetEase created a wonderful new world, filled with so much potential for fun, funny and action-packed storytelling.”

[RELATED: Marvel Rivals Hero Luna Snow Joins Doctor Doom’s Team in New Series]

The first story arc of Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic concluded by bringing stability back to Tokyo 2099’s timeline while protecting the Web of Life and Destiny. While specific details about the upcoming story arc remain under wraps, Allor teased that the new setting would be familiar to Marvel Comics fans. “I can’t tell you much about what happens next, but I can tell you that the setting will be very familiar to Marvel Comics fans, and will feature a mix of new characters, alongside a few returning favorites from our initial run,” the writer revealed.

Marvel Rivals Mixes Comic Books and Gaming Into an Absolute Success

The comic series expands upon the rich narrative foundation established by the Marvel Rivals video game, which launched on December 6, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The game’s story centers on a “timestream entanglement” triggered by a confrontation between present-day Doctor Doom and his 2099 counterpart. This collision of realities creates four distinct Chronoverses: the Techno-Dystopia of 2099, the Present timeline, the unstable Mosaic Timeline, and the Collapsing Timeline, where even Gods can perish.

The game distinguishes itself with its roster of over 30 playable characters, divided into three specialized roles: Vanguards (tanky characters like Hulk and Thor), Duelists (damage dealers such as Spider-Man and Iron Man), and Strategists (support characters including Invisible Woman and Loki). A unique “Dynamic Hero Synergy” system allows players to execute special moves when using specific character combinations, such as the classic “Fastball Special” between Wolverine and Hulk.

Marvel Rivals has maintained player engagement through regular content updates and seasonal events since its December launch. The game kicked off with a shortened “Chronovium” event, followed by the current “Eternal Night Falls” season that introduced the Fantastic Four as playable heroes and added new maps including the Sanctum Sanctorum, Midtown, and Central Park. Players can unlock various cosmetic items through battle passes, including alternative costumes based on both comic book storylines and MCU appearances, giving fans multiple ways to personalize their favorite Marvel heroes.

The continuation of the Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic suggests a long-term commitment to expanding the game’s universe through various media. With both the comic series and the game sharing the same complex multiverse setting, fans can look forward to new stories that further explore the consequences of the timestream entanglement when the series returns in Spring 2025.

New Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic issues will be available exclusively through Marvel Unlimited, where readers can currently access all six issues of the first arc.

The post Marvel Rivals Comic Series Gets an Update (But Fans Will Have to Wait) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

As Moon Knight falls, a new Black Panther rises. The first year of Marvel’s Ultimate Black Panther, from writer Bryan Hill and artist Stefano Caselli, introduced the isolated kingdom of Wakanda and King T’Challa, the Black Panther. The vibranium-rich Wakanda has been at war with Ra and Khonshu — collectively known as Moon Knight — who have laid claim to the Upper and Lower Kingdoms spanning the continent of Africa. As Ra and Khonshu vowed to destroy Wakanda by the light of the moon, T’Challa formed a trusted inner circle of force: his wife, Queen Okoye, sister Shuri, and the guerilla fighters Erik Killmonger and Storm.

T’Challa’s counsel Matron Imala, Sacred Mother of the Vodu-Khan, told of an alchemical element that landed in Africa at the same time as indestructible vibranium. The unknown element acts counter to vibranium and has the ability to accelerate the growth of life — a power that Ra and Khonshu stole to terraform Africa, build the Kingdom of Khonshu-Ra, and empower their army that worships Moon Knight as a god.

RELATED: The Ultimates: Namor Surfaces, And a Captain America Villain Is The Punisher

As T’Challa sought to understand the anti-vibranium, he tasked Killmonger and Storm with finding a sorcerer supreme. Meanwhile, Imala questioned whether vibranium is more than just a metal — but a living substance with a consciousness and will of its own that formed a symbiotic relationship with Wakanda. “Are you certain that Wakanda controls vibranium, or does Wakanda serve it?” she asked the king.

When T’Challa was wounded with a dagger infused with the anti-vibranium, he began to experience dark dreams in which he kills Moon Knight. A cosmic spirit representing the vibranium appeared to T’Challa and told him: “You are vibranium.” Meanwhile, Killmonger and Storm found their mystic Godkiller: Inan, the Sorceress Supreme.

Shuri described T’Challa’s draw to the vibranium as an “infection of the spirit” caused by the anti-vibranium in his blood. He then accepted Khonshu-Ra’s challenge of a fight to the death, Black Panther versus Moon Knight, to decide the fate of Africa and the vibranium.

In Black Panther #12, T’Challa had a vision of brutally defeating Moon Knight and making his followers kneel to the Black Panther beneath the full moon. He recognized this gleeful bloodlust as something inside of him and turned to Imala, who explained he is becoming the great vessel for the God-substance speaking to him. “The moon will rise, and you will face Khonshu and Ra,” Imala said. Before Black Panther and Moon Knight’s moonlit duel to the death could end with T’Challa giving in to the vibranium’s urges to kill his opponent, he was stopped by Inan.

“You have a vibranium problem,” the Sorceress Supreme told T’Challa. “And it might not be too late to save everything you believe in.”

“Even though this is the Ultimate Universe, as it were, I still think there are some essential qualities of Black Panther and Wakanda that need to be carried through,” Hill previously told ComicBook about the ongoing title launched between Ultimate Spider-Man and The Ultimates. “So for me, it’s interesting because there’s always that balance of, ‘What would you do if this was simply your sand in the sandbox’? And then what would you do when you’re sort of honoring the spirit of the thing, but you also want to take some of the rules away.”

Hill continued, “I think it’s a combination of the minor rules and the major rules and the major rules I tend to leave alone, but the minor rules I tend to play with a little bit.”

Year two of Ultimate Black Panther begins in February with issue #13. T’Challa will then face a new enemy, the Progenitor, in March’s issue #14, before debuting an all-new suit in April’s Ultimate Black Panther #15 — possibly without vibranium. See what’s ahead in the second year of Ultimate Black Panther below.

Ultimate Black Panther #13

ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER: YEAR TWO STARTS HERE! With MOON KNIGHT defeated and the Maker’s Council forced to regroup, T’Challa must learn the secrets of vibranium – because his very life and soul are at risk! The SORCERER SUPREME can help understand the truth of the terrifying element that built Wakanda, but her aid comes with a price…

On sale: Feb. 19

Ultimate Black Panther #14

WHO IS THE PROGENITOR? Black Panther’s dangerous reliance on vibranium becomes even more volatile when an ancient spirit attacks Wakanda! Only the Sorcerer Supreme can help T’Challa save Wakanda – and possibly his soul – from this fiend!

On sale: March 19

Ultimate Black Panther #15

THE NEW BLACK PANTHER! Battle-worn and beleaguered, a stripped-down T’Challa must go back to basics to prepare for battle against the new foes who have turned vibranium and its dark counterpart against him…

On sale: April 23

The post Marvel’s Ultimate Black Panther: Year Two Makes a Major Change to T’Challa (And Wakanda’s Vibranium) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Marvel is relaunching its Star Wars ongoing series by pivoting it to the time period during the New Republic, right after the events of Return of the Jedi. Recognizable characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo will continue to star in the title written by Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner and bestselling author Alex Segura with art by Phil Noto. Segura and Noto are no strangers to the world of Star Wars, with Segura having written a novel focusing on Poe Dameron and the Battle of Jakku limited series of comics, and Noto providing covers for various Star Wars projects.

“It’s a huge honor — and massive responsibility — to steer the Star Wars flagship, and I couldn’t ask for a better collaborator than Phil Noto, who is just a masterful artist, and a Star Wars visionary,” Segura told StarWars.com.

[RELATED: Star Wars: Cavan Scott Reveals What Scares the Jedi in The High Republic Phase III Finale]

“I’ve been a giant Star Wars fan since A New Hope and have been lucky enough in the past decade to realize my childhood dream of drawing Star Wars as a job,” Noto added.

“Alex is an amazing writer and has come up with some great storylines and new characters for this series and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to bring them to life on the page! It’s also been exciting to draw the classic characters in the post-Return of the Jedi era because there’s no existing film or TV versions of them,” Noto said. “I get to create new looks for them while also having reference of the actors from the 80s to help sell the look of this timeline.”

The next iteration of Star Wars publishing fills the gaps between Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, told across three intertwined limited series all tied to the Battle of Jakku:  Insurgency Rising, Republic Under Siege, and Last Stand. 

“Now that we’ve put the period at the end of the Galactic Civil War with the Battle of Jakku, we can speed ahead into a new, uncharted era, with some new galactic threats, foes, and mysteries for our beloved heroes to grapple with, blending the familiar with the new and shocking,” added Segura. “These stories will be packed with action and the character moments Star Wars fans have come to expect, featuring twists on the galaxy and landscape we know, with an eye toward making sure people can jump in easily and with any issue. We can’t wait.”

Star Wars #1

• Written by Alex Segura
• Art by Phil Noto
• Cover by Phil Noto
• Variant Cover by Leinil Francis Yu
• AN EPIC NEW ADVENTURE BEGINS FOR LUKE, LEIA AND HAN IN THE WAKE OF RETURN OF THE JEDI!
• New York Times best-selling author ALEX SEGURA launches the bold next era of STAR WARS.
• LUKE SKYWALKER must defend the NEW REPUBLIC from a bloodthirsty gang of mercenaries!
• HAN SOLO investigates a deadly underworld mystery — and saves a surprising ally!
• LEIA ORGANA must grapple with a new alliance opposed to the goals of the New Republic!

Star Wars #1 goes on sale May 7, just in time for Star Wars Day.

The post Star Wars Announces New Republic Era Series Starring Luke, Leia, and Han appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Before DC’s All-In initiative saw the shake-up of several creative teams on its books, writer Tini Howard tackled her final arc with Catwoman. From Catwoman #39 (2022) to Catwoman #68 (2024), Howard wrote for Catwoman, seeing Selena Kyle blackmail crime bosses, reunite with old flames, survive prison, and finally pull off her most deadly heists to date.

Catwoman is no stranger to adrenaline rushes or dangerous heists; however, the scores she takes on in Catwoman #59 through #68 are almost all death sentences. Thankfully, Catwoman has been given the gift of nine lives after the events of Gotham War. While Catwoman does not often have superpowers in the comics, her film counterparts have had some special abilities similar to this.

In Batman Returns, Catwoman Has Nine Lives

Specifically in Batman Returns, Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman dies and comes back to life after a supernatural encounter with some alley cats. As the film progresses, Catwoman survives several more deadly experiences and realizes she has nine lives to use up. At the climax of Batman Returns, she even uses a few of them to take down the man who killed her, evil industrialist, Max Shreck (Christopher Walken). However, she still has one life left after seemingly dying, and the film ends by confirming she is still around.

Even outside of Batman Returns, Catwoman has been depicted onscreen as someone who can defy death thanks to supernatural powers. Just like in Batman Returns, Halle Berry’s Patience Phillips is brought back to life thanks to a supernatural encounter with cats after her death in Catwoman (2004). While the comics often depict Catwoman as a world-class thief without the aid of powers, there has been a precedent from other media to give her abilities like the nine lives.

Tini Howard’s Catwoman Has Nine Lives For Nine Deadly Heists

While much of Tini Howard’s run on Catwoman is grounded in reality, the final arc leans into the mythical. Like in Catwoman (2004), Howard’s Catwoman is gifted supernatural abilities thanks to a feline goddess. In the case of Howard’s Catwoman, though, the execution of these powers falls more in line with Batman Returns’ iteration of Catwoman, as she is not just brought back to life. She is also gifted nine extra lives.

However, where Pfeiffer’s Catwoman uses these nine lives to exact revenge on the men who wronged her, Howard’s Catwoman uses her nine lives to pull off her deadliest heists. This includes stealing corium from a highly radioactive nuclear reactor, working with the Suicide Squad, going to the deepest parts of the sea, facing off against a cannibal, exploring the far reaches of space, and much more.

The stakes are high for Catwoman, and while she is using her nine lives to pull off her deadliest heists, those lives are running out as she powers through each death-defying mission. It’s a powerful send-off for Howard, one that allows her to put Catwoman in some of her most dangerous situations to date.

You can read Catwoman over at DC.

The post Tini Howard’s Final Catwoman Run Plays With Batman Return’s Unique Take on Selena Kyle appeared first on ComicBook.com.

They’re the forgotten marvels: Super soldier Steven Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America. The android avenger Jim Hammond, a.k.a. the Human Torch. And the avenging son Namor McKenzie, a.k.a. the Sub-Mariner. On Earth-616, they fought alongside James “Bucky” Barnes and Toro as the Invaders: the greatest superheroes of World War II. But on the alternate Earth-6160, a multiversal Reed Richards known as The Maker traveled through time to create his ideal world by systematically preventing anyone from ever becoming a superhero.

But this world’s Reed Richards, a.k.a. Doom, and Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Lad, have been on a mission to fix the world before The Maker is freed from his prison in The City in two years’ time. First, they fished a frozen Captain America out of the icy depths, reclaimed the Human Torch’s body from a superhero mass grave in a secret Damage Control facility, and then recruited more heroes to the Ultimates Network: Asgardians Thor and Sif, Giant-Man (Hank Pym) and the Wasp (Janet van Dyne), Hawkeye (Charli Ramsey), the She-Hulk (Lejori Joena Zakaria), and America Chavez.

RELATED: Marvel’s Ultimate Universe Phase Two: Ultimate Wolverine, Luke Cage, and the Guardians of the Galaxy

After a battle with the Hulk and his Immortal Weapons left Stark comatose in an iron lung, and with ten months until the Maker’s return, the Doom-led Ultimates are expanding their ranks. The Guardians of the Galaxy of the 61st century — Star-Lord, Cosmo Starstalker, the Ultimate Nullifier, and Captain Marvel — traveled through time to warn the Ultimates of a catastrophic future in which the “Unmaker” wins in the 21st century, and then departed to track down the other time-displaced Guardians.

The Ultimates resume their recruitment drive with the introduction of Ultimate Luke Cage in February’s Ultimates #9, followed by the debut of Ultimate Namor in Ultimates #10 in March. According to a solicit, Steve Rogers and Jim Hammond will attempt to recruit an old ally as they face the Red Skull and the Red Skull gang (shown wearing the blood-red insignia of The Punisher).

Ultimates writer Deniz Camp previously told ComicBook that “almost every issue” of the book “is going to introduce a new version of a classic Marvel character.”

“The entire purpose of the book is to change the status quo, to change the world,” Camp said. “In 616 that would be kind of an empty threat; in the Ultimate universe it’s not only possible, it’s probable — whether they change it for the better or worse is a different story.”

Camp continued, “What I like most about this project is that it’s an opportunity to build something pretty much from the ground up. I’m kind of touched, and a little frightened, by the confidence Marvel has put in us. I love continuity, but this feels a lot more like writing a creator owned book, albeit one that is directly working with classic Marvel iconography and archetypes. I consider it a real responsibility, and I’m doing my best to live up to it.”

Ultimates #9

LUKE CAGE AND THE ULTIMATE PRISON BREAK! Juan Frigeri joins Deniz Camp to bring us the history and the future of Luke Cage! Spider-Man isn’t the only success story of Ultimates 1.0…meet the man who has been quietly sabotaging the Maker’s Council from behind bars!

On sale: Feb. 5

Ultimates #10

NAMOR AND THE RED SKULL! Captain America and the Human Torch lead a team to recruit their old comrade – Namor! But they’ll have to get through the Red Skull Gang first!

On sale: March 5

The post Marvel’s Ultimate Namor Surfaces With a Captain America Villain as The Punisher appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Captain Planet, one of the biggest cartoon franchises from the 1990s, is making an unexpected comeback. Earth’s ultimate protector blazed a trail of environmentalism on television sets, helping to shape young minds and show them the merits of preserving the Earth. While there have been several talks of reviving Captain Planet over the years, none have successfully taken off… until now. Dynamite Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products announced a new Captain Planet comic book series by writer David Pepose (Space Ghost, Cable) and artist Eman Casallos (Vampirella, Pathfinder). It’ll be the first comic starring Captain Planet to be published in over three decades.

“Every comic creator has their own personal white whale — that singular property they’ve been itching to make their mark on — and for more than a decade Captain Planet has been mine,” said writer David Pepose. Captain Planet will co-star the Planeteers, five ordinary kids who come from different parts of the world and are chosen as bearers of elemental rings by Gaia. Each of the rings wields one of Earth’s elemental forces, and together the Planeteers can use the rings to summon Captain Planet.

[RELATED: Don Cheadle Reveals Why He Almost Walked Out of Filming Funny or Die’s Captain Planet Parody]

Fans can expect Pepose to bring his love of the original Captain Planet and the Planeteers cartoon to the Captain Planet comic. The goal is to appeal to those who grew up with Captain Planet and are now adults, as well as children and younger readers. Each character will get their moment in the spotlight, and fans can look forward to the show’s iconic villains to appear as well, starting with Lucian Plunder.

Who are Captain Planet’s Planeteers?

“Five ordinary young people from around the world must become humanity’s last hope after being chosen to wield elemental rings of Gaia, the High Priestess of Earth,” a description of Captain Planet #1 reads. “Each Planeteer suddenly finds themselves equipped with abilities aligned with one of the world’s elemental forces: Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Heart. And in the most dire circumstances, the five can combine these powers together to summon the globe’s greatest champion — Captain Planet!”

Kwame from Ghana wields the power of Earth. Wheeler hails from the United States and channels Fire. Linka’s origins are in Russia and she can manipulate Wind. Gi traces back to South Korea and can control Water. Ma-Ti is from Brazil and uses Heart.

Before these would-be eco-warriors can grasp their own newfound powers in pursuit of environmental justice, they’re first going to have to learn to trust each other. It will be even more of a trial-by-fire experience when Gaia is kidnapped, forcing the inexperienced Planeteers to learn in action against the well-financed might of Lucian Plunder. Their first test against the ruthless exploiters of Earth won’t be the hardest, but it all starts here!

Captain Planet #1 goes on sale April 23rd, timed to the same week as Earth Day. Dynamite is also printing every issue of Captain Planet on 70% recycled paper, as with all of the publisher’s periodicals. Along with an unlettered preview of Captain Planet #1 below, we also have variant covers by Mark Spears, Christian Ward, and Ben Oliver, Jae Lee and June Chung.

The post Captain Planet Announcement Is the Update Fans Have Been Waiting On appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Move over Batman and Robin – Marvel’s dynamic X-Men duo is making a comeback! Wolverine and Kitty Pryde is the new X-Men team-up series coming our way, written by legendary X-Men comics writer Chris Claremont! Marvel made the official announcement about the project today, along with the details that X-Men Unlimited artist Damian Couceiro will be drawing the book, while another X-Men icon, artist Alan Davis, will be doing select covers for the books, with Rickie Yagawa, Marcus To, and Adi Granov named in the list of variant cover artists. Wolverine and Kitty Pryde will be a five-issue limited series, that debuts on April 30th.

The setting and story of the book will be another Marvel throwback adventure, with Claremont delving into some unexplored history from Logan and Kitty’s time in Japan together, as chronicled in the classic Kitty Pryde and Wolverine limited series by Claremont and Al Milgrom (1984-1985). As the synopsis teases:

“When Kitty Pryde nearly lost her soul to Ogun during her journey to Japan, Logan was there to keep the youngest X-Man on the path to good. But as a mysterious force threatens their lives while staying with Mariko Yashida, it’s going to take all of their combined mutant, ninja, and fighting skills to protect those they love!”

[RELATED: The MCU Needs to Leave THIS Famous Wolverine Story Alone]

If you are not an X-Men historian (and you need to be, at this point): A major turn in Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat’s character development came in that original Kitty Pryde and Wolverine limited series; Kitty was possessed by the mutant ninja (and psychic) Ogun, who trained her to be a ninja assassin doing his bidding. Wolverine had to rescue Kitty and then free her mind from Ogun’s hold, via a rigorous sensei/student bonding process. That period forever bonded the two characters and added a darker persona to Kitty’s character – one that has recently resurfaced in the finale to X-Men’s Krakoa Era, where Kitty returned to her ninja ways to mercilessly kill off leaders of anti-mutant organizations.

Kitty and Wolverine eventually left Japan together and linked back up with the X-Men team. Now, Claremont will reveal the “untold” part of the story that occurred between the end of what we saw in the final panels of Kitty Pryde and Wolverine, and when the characters showed back up in the pages of Uncanny X-Men (#192).

“It’s really great returning to this arc, especially since it’s being presented by a wonderful artist, Damian Couceiro,” Chris Claremont said in a statement. “It’s the story of what happens between the end of the original Kitty Pryde and Wolverine mini-series and Logan and Pryde’s return home to rejoin the X-Men. Five issues, more than a single story, complete with surprises galore!”

Marvel Comics Editor Mark Basso also issued a statement, saying, “Obviously, that Kitty Pryde and Wolverine miniseries is so iconic, taking Kitty from the ‘junior’ X-Man to the fully fledged hero we see when she returns to New York,” Basso said. “But there was a clear gap between the end of this Ogun situation and when Wolverine and Kitty arrive in New York in Uncanny X-Men #192, and we were thrilled Chris was ready to show what happened in that intervening window. Why was Kitty in such a different headspace when they got back? And hey, where’d Kitty’s father get to? Now you’ll get to see.”

Wolverine and Kitty Pryde #1 will hit shelves on April 30th.

The post Marvel Announces Wolverine and Kitty Pryde Series From Legendary X-Men Writer appeared first on ComicBook.com.

One of the more comedic and heartwarming pairings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was between Spider-Man and Iron Man. The heroes shared a mentee-mentor relationship that abruptly ended after Iron Man sacrificed himself to stop Thanos in Avengers: Endgame. With Iron Man gone, Spider-Man found someone else to look up to in the form of Doctor Strange. The web-slinger and the Sorcerer Supreme teamed up in Spider-Man: No Way Home and while they butted heads at times, they worked well together. The friction fans witnessed in Spider-Man: No Way Home pales in comparison to what’s happening with them in the comics. *WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #65.DEATHS. Continue reading at your own risk!

Amazing Spider-Man #65.DEATHS comes from the creative team of Derek Landy, Kev Walker, Wade Von Grawbadger, Mattia Iacono, and VC’s Joe Caramagna. It’s a special one-shot tie-in to “The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man” storyline where Doctor Doom has gifted Spider-Man with magical armor and eight lives to take down the Eight Scions of Cyttorak. This is typically a job for the Sorcerer Supreme, but after Doctor Doom stole the mantle from Doctor Strange, Doom lobbied for Spider-Man to do his dirty work for him. But that doesn’t mean Doctor Strange has been absent from the event.

[RELATED: 8 Deaths of Spider-Man: Where to Start Reading the New Era of The Amazing Spider-Man]

Doctor Strange pays a visit to Peter Parker after his most recent challenge, where he had to bear witness to and feel the deaths of countless people — including Aunt May and Mary Jane. This amount of trauma was enough for Spider-Man to give up as Earth’s champion in the fight against the Eight Scions of Cyttorak. The meeting between Spider-Man and Doctor Strange illustrates just how complicated their relationship has become, and how it’s nowhere near as bad as what audiences witnessed in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Doctor Strange tries to talk Spider-Man out of quitting the superhero game

Spider-Man is one of the most strong-willed heroes in the Marvel Universe, and the last thing anyone would suspect him of being is a quitter. However, Spider-Man has lost his fair share of loved ones in the line of duty, from Gwen Stacy to Uncle Ben. Compound that with having to feel hundreds and hundreds of deaths over and over again, it can leave a lasting toll on a person. Spider-Man has decided enough is enough and heads back home to hang up his tights for good.

Doctor Strange has other ideas. Stephen Strange shows up at Peter Parker’s apartment to tell him that the covenant must be upheld, meaning the battle between Earth’s protector and the Eight Scions of Cyttorak has to continue to its completion. Spider-Man has spent four of his lives over five of the challenges so far, so he’s already halfway done with the Scions. However, Spidey is sticking to his guns and not budging.

What makes things even more complicated is the presence of Phil Coulson, who fans will remember from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Coulson was killed years ago in the comics during the Secret Empire event, but was recently brought back to life as the embodiment of Death via a new Infinity Stone, coincidentally called the Death Stone. Phil Coulson also shows up at Peter’s apartment, and he may be the only person who understands what Spider-Man is going through. Doctor Strange urges Coulson not to act like the Watcher and actually interfere to talk some sense into Spider-Man. If anyone can understand what it’s like to experience thousands of deaths, it’s Phil Coulson, the new Death Stone bearer.

Spider-Man: No Way Home changed Peter Parker’s relationship with Doctor Strange

The big fallout from Spider-Man: No Way Home was how Doctor Strange cast a spell that made the entire world forget that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. That also includes Doctor Strange, who fought alongside Spider-Man in the Battle of Earth in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. After Spider-Man’s secret identity became public knowledge, Spidey turned to the Sorcerer Supreme for help to undo it. This resulted in the opening of the multiverse, causing villains from Sony’s Spider-Man movies like Doctor Octopus, Electro, Green Goblin, and Sandman to travel to the MCU.

Doctor Strange wanted to send the villains back to their proper universes, where they all met untimely deaths while fighting Spider-Man. Peter couldn’t live with sending them to their deaths, which is where the conflict between Spider-Man and Doctor Strange came in. Though they had differing philosophies, the heroes ultimately worked together alongside Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men.

Spider-Man and Doctor Strange worked well together, but it remains to be seen if the two will ever fight side-by-side again. Spider-Man 4 is currently in development, and Doctor Strange will inevitably return for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. We’ll have to see if a new set of Spider-Man movies will keep him out of the MCU multiverse drama for more personal stories, or if he’ll be back with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes once again.

The post Spider-Man and Doctor Strange’s Relationship Is Even More Complicated Than in No Way Home appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Dark Horse Comics is delivering a big action comedy adventure with a wonderfully ’90s retro vibe with its latest series, and we’ve got your exclusive first look! The series is title RoboWolf and is the brainchild of Jake Smith (Blood Force Trauma, Godzilla: War for Humanity), who will be handling writer, artist, colorist, and letterer duties on the new series. RoboWolf is described as an ode t the retro games and media of the ’80s and ’90s, so if you crossed over Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with RoboCop and threw a little Final Fight in, you’ve got the right idea.

You can get this feeling in spades from the first issue’s cover, which you can check out below. RoboWolf follows the self-titled character and his crew of bank robbers as they attempt to save RoboWolf’s daughter, who has been kidnapped by the devious Colonel Massacre. The problem is that they have a bunch of other mercenaries and ninjas looking to take that money for themselves, and it is going to take everything they have to make sure the money gets to its destination

“Dark Horse publishing a book like RoboWolf is such a testament to how much they value pure, comic book fun. When I told them, ‘Hey, it’s a bank robbing cyborg wolf man with machine guns,’ they were like, ‘Cool. We’re all in.’ They are the publisher that comic creators lie awake dreaming about working with.

The level of pure joy I’m feeling in anticipation for comic readers to get their hands on RoboWolf is something I’ve never felt before! The book encapsulates everything that comics represent to me: panel popping action, characters that we can fall in love with, and a celebration of the medium oozing from every page! I hope fans feel the same when the book is finally released!” You can find the official description below.

[RELATED: Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 1/15/2025]

“RoboWolf and his crew of bank-robbing criminals are in a race against time to get a fat stack of stolen money to the villainous Colonel Massacre, who has kidnapped RoboWolf’s daughter for ransom! The Colonel’s not the only one with an eye on the money, however, as our heroes will have to use their combined skills to tear through an onslaught of bloodthirsty cannibals, ninjas, robots, and more.”

RoboWolf #1 (of 4) will hit comic stores on May 21st and is available for pre-order now for $4.99.

Are you excited for RoboWolf? You can talk all things comics with me on Bluesky @knightofoa!

The post Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and RoboCop Collide in Dark Horse’s Action Comedy RoboWolf (Exclusive) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Last year, Marvel Comics announced that it was planning to unleash a titanic crossover that would feature the world’s most popular kaiju. While the first battle on Godzilla’s entrance into the 616 would see the legendary behemoth taking on Marvel’s First Family, the Fantastic Four, the next opponent for the lizard king has been determined. Godzilla will take on Bruce Banner in a brand new battle that will pit the strongest green representatives of both fictional universes. Not only has the release date and creative team been confirmed for the Emerald Giants confrontation but Godzilla’s official social media account has given fans a first look.

When it comes to the Hulk fighting giant kaiju, Marvel Comics has given Bruce Banner more than his fair share of monsters to fight in the past. Perhaps the most comparable creature in Marvel’s roster to Godzilla is Fing Fang Foom, a beast that Banner has fought more times than we can count. While Foom might be seen as the superior creature to Godzilla thanks to both its intelligence level and ability to fly, the Hulk has been able to beat it back regularly. We’ll need to see how Bruce Banner stands up to Godzilla when the two begin their battle on April 16th.

[RELATED: Godzilla Rampages Across the Marvel Universe (With One Major Catch)]

Green Goliaths Collide

Godzilla Vs. Hulk will arrive on the stands on April 16th, with writer Gerry Dugan and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli creating this wild new crossover. While story details are few and far between when it comes to the larger-than-life fight, this will continue to be one of several different fights that will pit the King of the Monsters against Marvel’s finest. You can check out the full first cover and more details below.

Godzilla Vs Hulk Creators Talk Titanic Tussle

Writer Gerry Duggan has long been a fan of the king of the monsters, hyping up the upcoming crossover, “I grew up loving Godzilla movies and Marvel Comics, and it’s a thrill to be able to collaborate with Giuseppe Camuncoli on the absolute craziest comic I think I’ve ever been a part of, and I worked on over a hundred issues of Deadpool and once wrote a comic about Conan killing a zombie with a call girl’s leg. I won’t tell you who wins – the Hulk or Godzilla – but either way, the fans are going to be thrilled.”

The other side of the equation, artist Giuseppe Camuncoli, shared his excitement in bringing this crossover to life, “When Marvel called with this offer, I was quite thrilled. It felt very cool to draw this titan, although the real challenge was to make the iconic ‘70s version look extra scary and dangerous. Thanks to Gerry Duggan’s blazing script, it was quite easy – lots and lots of super crazy scenes to illustrate, I knew this was going to be so much fun. Two of the most powerful and relentless characters and forces in the pop culture world face to face for the first time… I couldn’t resist to be the one to draw that!”

The official description for the upcoming battle reads, “GENERAL ROSS has no tolerance for monsters in any form. With his anti-kaiju taskforce THE THUNDERBOLTS he’s taken down or imprisoned the biggest and baddest monsters on the planet: Fin Fang Foom, Mothra, Kumonga, even the Hulk. Now all that’s left is his biggest hunt of all…GODZILLA. But the Thunderbolts’ efforts to bring their last monster to heel may just result in the most destructive battle royale to ever rock the earth. It’s time to figure out who’s really the strongest there is!”

The Kaiju Crossover To End Them All

If you want more back story on how this meeting of the green giants came about, Marvel Editor-In-Chief C.B. Cebulski discussed the Godzilla crossover in detail in December of last year. Here’s what the EIC had to say, “We approached them initially for our reprints, but a while after those conversations, it was clear that both of our teams were excited to do more together. These crossovers started coming together over that time, in direct collaboration with Toho, and we felt the perfect time for them was for Godzilla’s 70th anniversary next year. We’ve been thrilled to work with them on these, and we hope this will be a sign for more exciting projects to come.”

Marvel’s President of Comics & Franchises, Dan Buckley, was more than happy to share the company’s history with the lizard king and the creative teams’ method in creating the crossover, “For us, kaiju—and specifically Godzilla—are important parts of Marvel’s comic history, so we knew we wanted to explore something with their teams. We’ve always been fans of Godzilla, but with the steady rise in Godzilla’s popularity over the years, it’s part of our current cultural zeitgeist and a perfect example of the fun that the comics industry can bring. We’re focused on the storytelling first and foremost, but fun opportunities for crossovers like this give both of our fans an entertaining escape that they won’t want to miss.”

Want to see what other Marvel figures the King of the Monsters will fight in the future? Follow along with Team Anime on ComicBook.com for the latest updates on Godzilla and hit me up directly @EVComedy to talk all things comics and anime.

The post Marvel Announces Godzilla Vs. Hulk appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Walking Dead #105 is a real eye-opener. Originally printed in 2012, it’s the first issue to go inside the Sanctuary, a former steel mill converted into a base for Negan’s Saviors. Just issues after bashing in Glenn’s brains with his barbed wire-wrapped baseball bat, a cordial Negan takes Carl Grimes on a tour of the Sanctuary and introduces the boy to his harem of lingerie-clad wives. Negan then forces Carl to remove the bandage covering his missing eye, makes him sing a song while menacing him with his bat Lucille, and has Carl watch as he maims an insubordinate Savior with a scalding hot iron.

It’s shown that Negan coerces women into being his “wives” rather than have them work for points to survive like the rest of the Saviors. “When I choose a new wife, the process is completely voluntary,” Negan explains. “It’s an honor to be with me, to no longer have to trade points to trade for goods and services. But it comes with a price: total devotion. And that can sometimes be a hard pill for others to swallow. But swallow it they must… or it’s the iron for you.”

RELATED: The Walking Dead Reveals New Villain Cut From the Series

When Negan’s “wife” Amber is caught with her former boyfriend Mark, he provokes Negan’s ire — and his iron.

Negan reminds Amber that her position is “completely voluntary,” telling the crying girl, “I don’t want anyone here if they don’t want to be.” But if Amber leaves him for Mark, Negan warns, “You’ll forfeit your privileges and go back to whatever job you had before Sherry brought you to us, but you can.”

What she can’t do, he screams, is cheat on him. “So what’s it going to be? You going back to Mark? Back to earning points? Working for your supper? Or are you staying?” A sobbing Amber is bullied into staying and Mark is scarred publicly to “forever bear the shame of his actions on his face.”

“I’d say more than anything else, at least on social media, the harem became one of the most controversial aspects of this comic,” Kirkman writes in the colorized reprint version of The Walking Dead Deluxe #105. “Even more than some of the upcoming bits with The Whisperers, which always surprised me. I certainly have a line I won’t cross. No pun intended.”

“You can look to Garth Ennis’ Crossed series to see a far more brutal and unforgiving exploration of the apocalypse,” Kirkman continued, referring to the comic that depicts graphic acts of stomach-turning depravity. “The Walking Dead is EXTREMELY tame by comparison, but that was by design. The harsh elements that did make it in, I always tried to make sure they were a reflection of life. I’d always argue no matter how dark things got in this series, you could always pick up a newspaper and read far more gruesome things happening for real.”

“The world is a dark place, and I didn’t want to shy away from portraying that for fear of offending anyone,” Kirkman concluded.

The Walking Dead Deluxe #105 is on sale now from Image Comics.

The post The Walking Dead Creator Robert Kirkman Addresses Controversial Negan Issue appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Ultimate Wolverine is the latest smash hit in Marvel’s revival of its Ultimate Universe, and there’s a new look at the title’s second issue. Wolverine is arguably the most popular member of the X-Men, but as of now you won’t find him in Marvel’s Ultimate X-Men comic. Instead, Ultimate Wolverine drastically alters Logan while also keeping him somewhat close to his roots. He’s still being used as a weapon, but his former teammates on the X-Men have turned Wolverine into the Winter Soldier. It’s one of those former X-Men teammates that clashes with Logan in the Ultimate Wolverine first look.

Marvel released a first look at Ultimate Wolverine #2 by Chris Condon, Alessandro Cappuccio, and Bryan Valenza. The four pages pick up after the events of the debut issue, where Ultimate Wolverine killed Nightcrawler and Mystique after being unleashed on a covert mission. Nightcrawler and Mystique were a part of the Opposition who opposed Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red’s Eurasian Republic. In the Ultimate Universe, Piotr and Illyana Rasputin are villains who work for The Maker, the evil Reed Richards who changed the past to prevent any heroes from reaching their true destinies.

[RELATED: Marvel Reveals Wolverine’s Ultimate Form (and It’s Terrifying)]

The Maker split up the Ultimate Universe into different regions which are ruled over by members of his evil council. The triad of Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red started a secret government division called Directorate X to exploit mutants, with Wolverine being one of their successful test subjects. Wolverine was the only survivor of an attack on an Opposition stronghold, and once Directorate X’s Dr. Prostovich saw his potential, she recommended him for skeletal enhancement, aka the Adamantium bonding process. The rest, as you can say, is history.

The preview pages feature Maker setting a building on fire (possibly the Charles Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters), soldiers being attacked in the snow, a meeting of Directorate X, and Colossus choking Ultimate Wolverine and violently tossing him towards the reader. Ultimate Colossus is much different from his heroic counterpart on Earth-616. Sure, Colossus has danced between good and evil at different times, most notably when he joined with Magneto and his Acolytes after the Master of Magnetism ripped the Adamantium from Wolverine’s skeleton. But Ultimate Colossus appears to be one of the ringleaders of the Eurasian Republic, and has no problem killing to achieve his goals.

“THE MAKER’S COUNCIL AND THEIR ULTIMATE WEAPON!” a description of Ultimate Wolverine #2 reads. “Colossus, Omega Red and Magik put the Ultimate Wolverine to the test by seeing how well he handles the OPPOSITION, a group fighting for mutant liberation!”

The first look at Ultimate Wolverine #2 is below. The issue goes on sale Wednesday, February 19th.

The post Ultimate Wolverine First Look Features a Showdown Against an X-Men Teammate Gone Bad appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Ice up! Superhero, K-pop superstar, and Marvel Rivals strategist Luna Snow is one of the dozens of heroes fighting to save the world from the despot Doctor Doom in the hit video game, but Seol Hee is joining Team Doom in Doom’s Division. From writer Yoon Ha Lee (Machineries of Empire, Marvel’s X-Men: The Wedding Special) and artist Minkyu Jung (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Magnificent Ms. Marvel), the new five-issue comic book series finds South Korea’s Tiger Division in the service of Sorcerer Supreme Victor von Doom — Emperor of the World and the ruler of a new United Latveria.

In the One World Under Doom tie-in series, Tiger Division’s original members assembled by the National Intelligence Service — powerhouse Tae-Won/Taegukgi, the Kumiho Ami Han/White Fox, card-wielding sorcerer Lady Bright, street-brawling demigod Mr. Enigma, the fast-talking robot Gun-R II, the living Totem known as the General, and the cryokinetic popstar Seol Hee/Luna Snow — will be joined by three new members from across Asia as they become Doom’s Division.

The telepathic mutant Xuân Cao Mạnh/Karma, along with the wind-wielding Lei Ling/Aero and the water-manipulating Pearl Pangan/Wave of the Agents of Atlas, are recruited to the new Doom’s Division on a mission to face Japanese mutant Shiro Yoshida and the raging fury of Sunfire.

RELATED: Marvel Rivals Season 1: Eternal Night Falls and Marvel’s Dracula in the Comics, Explained

“When I was in high school in Seoul, a friend hooked me on Marvel comics,” Ha Lee said in a statement announcing Doom’s Division. “Decades later, I’m honored by the privilege of writing for Taegukgi and friends in One World Under Doom—힘내!”

Added Jung, “South Korea has a painful history, but we always overcome them, and this time, Marvel’s South Korean super hero team is facing tough times. I can’t wait to see how they are going to show that spirit during One World Under Doom and I’m grateful to be a part of this event.”

After Tiger Division thwarted Doom during a plot by Tae-Won’s old friend Min-Jae to steal his powers (in 2023’s Tiger Division #5), Doom told the heroes, “I never forget those who have crossed me. This isn’t over.” That story will continue when Doom takes over the world and assumes control of Tiger Division in One World Under Doom #1 on Feb. 12.

In addition to her appearance in Doom’s Division, Marvel Rivals fans can get more Luna Snow in the Marvel Rivals #1 one-shot collecting all six issues of Marvel Unlimited’s digital Marvel Rivals Infinity Comic in print for the first time.

Written by Paul Allor (Avengers United Infinity Comic) with art by Luca Claretti, the comic features Marvel Rivals fan-favorites Luna, Peni Parker, and Jeff the Land Shark alongside Spider-Man, Venom, Captain America, Wolverine, and more. (Marvel Rivals #1 goes on sale April 2.)

“It all started with Netmarble’s specific request for an ‘ice magician who could both heal and deal damage,'” Marvel Future Fight director Bill Rosemann previously told ComicBook about introducing the breakout video game character who went on to join the New Agents of Atlas and Tiger’s Division in the Marvel comic books. “Whenever we receive a request for an exact gameplay, we first look to see if we have any existing characters that match the power set. In this case, we jumped on the opportunity to create an all-new character that would have a great impact in the game and resonate with both the Netmarble team and our amazing fans in Korea.”

Doom’s Division #1 (of 5)

Doctor Doom rules the planet! But instead of chaos, he’s created world peace. Where does that leave Tiger Division, South Korea’s foremost defenders? As agents of the National Intelligence Service under White Fox, they’re ordered to uphold the new world order – with the help of some new team members! But not everyone is content in Doom’s utopia. Tensions are high, and the stakes are higher as Tiger Division imposes Doom’s will throughout the Marvel Universe!

On sale: March 26

Doom’s Division #2

AN ALL-NEW SUPER-TEAM UNITES! Under Doom, Tiger Division has three new members from across Asia: Wave, Karma and Aero! Their first mission brings them to Japan to stop a resistance being led by the molten mutant, SUNFIRE! But Sunfire isn’t the only danger that awaits them in the perilous waters off Japan’s coast…

On sale: April 30

Marvel Rivals #1

Set in Tokyo 2099, the time rift has disrupted the Web of Life and Destiny, leaving the world’s heroes to battle it out over the best way to fix it. One group, led by Peni Parker, wants to plug the Web into Cyberspace to repair it. The other group, led by Spider-Man, favors a more conservative approach of using Chronovium to strengthen the web and allow it to repair itself. The time rift makes rivals out of us all, but which team will overtake the other?

On sale: April 2

The post Marvel Rivals Hero Luna Snow Joins Doctor Doom’s Team in New Series appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Fantastic Four are doomed. When Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm were exposed to cosmic rays during an experimental space flight in 1961’s Fantastic Four #1, Marvel’s First Family of superheroes was born: Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing. But now the core four will be down to two as the ongoing Fantastic Four comic run by writer Ryan North and artist Cory Smith is impacted by One World Under Doom.

Marvel has been teasing that the Fantastic Four will suffer a brutal defeat at the hands of their archnemesis Doctor Doom in One World Under Doom #2. Now that he’s taken on the mantle of Earth’s new superior Sorcerer Supreme, Doom will use his newfound powers to depower the Fantastic Four — one member at a time.

Fantastic Four #30 reveals the aftermath of One World Under Doom #2, in which Emperor Doom mystically strips the Thing of his powers. Renamed the Fantastic Three, the former foursome will then be rechristened the Fantastic Two in April’s Fantastic Four #31 as Reed and Sue attempt to recreate the cosmic storm that granted the four their powers. See the solicitations below.

RELATED: One World Under Doom, Explained: How Doctor Doom Became Marvel’s New Superior Sorcerer Supreme

“I wrote Issue #7 of Fantastic Four as a Doctor Doom story and I think we started talking about it after that. It’s something that’s been in my head for years and years,” North told ComicBook ahead of the nine-issue event series (on sale Feb. 12). “Part of me almost thinks you need a big event like this whenever you have Reed and Doctor Doom in the same room because they are such opposites, but also so much like each other. And neither of them will ever admit it. It’s such a fun dynamic.”

“What happens in this One World Under Doom event affects the Marvel Universe for the next 10 months, the rest of the year,” North teased. “That obviously touches what goes on in Fantastic Four. There are a lot of one-shot stories and one-and-dones under this status quo of, ‘Doom is in charge. What are we going to do about it?'”

Four No More? A History of the Fantastic Four Three

The core four have all left the team at one point, and even Doom has joined their ranks when the Fantastic Four expanded with the Future Foundation. Crystal of the Inhumans temporarily joined the team while Sue was on maternity leave (in Fantastic Four #81), and another of the Inhumans, Medusa, replaced Sue when she took a leave of absence (in FF #130-159). Luke Cage, a.k.a. Power Man, briefly replaced the Thing when Ben temporarily lost his powers (in FF #168), and the Four disbanded for a time as they went their separate ways (FF #191-196).

The Four were Three when Reed disappeared (FF #257-261), and She-Hulk replaced the Thing when he chose to stay on the Beyonder’s Battleworld as “Rocky Grimm” after the events of 1984’s Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars. When Reed and Sue took a leave from the Fantastic Four, they named Crystal and Ms. Marvel (Sharon Ventura) as their replacements (FF #305-326). Following Reed’s apparent death battling Doctor Doom in 1993’s FF #381, Sue, Johnny, and Ben operated as a trio (with the book “retitled” as The Fantastic Three) until Ant-Man (Scott Lang) joined the team in 1993’s FF #384.

More recently, the team’s roster has included the then-married Black Panther and Storm (in 2007’s FF #544), Spider-Man (2011’s FF #1), and Lang formed a new Fantastic Four with She-Hulk, Medusa, and Miss Thing (Darla Deering) in 2012’s FF #1. In 2017’s Marvel 2-In-One #1, the Fantastic Four were reduced to a duo of the Human Torch and the Thing when Reed and Sue were missing and presumed dead. The Four were eventually reunited — just in time for an appropriately-titled “Family Reunion” (2018’s Fantastic Four #3).

Fantastic Four: One World Under Doom

One World Under Doom #1

ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM! Six months ago, Doctor Victor Von Doom became Sorcerer Supreme – then disappeared behind Latveria’s closed borders. For most, there’s enough going on in the world that Doom’s absence is not a priority, and some time without him feels like a blessing. Only a few recognize it for what it truly was…the calm before the storm. It is a storm that has now arrived. The world has woken up to a new reality: Doctor Doom, Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme, has magically taken over every broadcast medium on the planet and declared himself Emperor of the World – the ruler of a new United Latveria! And shockingly, impossibly, all of Earth’s leaders seem to be going along with this. Luckily, whether it’s mind control or Doombots, whatever’s affecting them hasn’t affected Earth’s heroes – and so they quickly form a strike team to stop Doom’s machinations. But will they succeed? And what happens when some begin to welcome their new Emperor with open arms, clamoring for One World Under Doom? Marvel’s biggest and most shocking event ever begins right here with ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM #1.

On sale: Feb. 12

Fantastic Four #29

The impossible has happened! DOCTOR DOOM has taken over the world! And the Fantastic Four are NOT going to let that stand. As Reed locks himself in his lab, trying to solve the Problem of Doom, Ben treats Sue to a trip to NYC with their mutual friend, JEN “SHE-HULK” WALTERS, to help get her mind off of things. But tensions after vampires overran the world in their Blood Hunt remain, and when Ben, Sue and Jen find themselves on the wrong side of mob justice, they face a choice…and it’s one they will not be able to take back!

On sale: Feb. 26

One World Under Doom #2

Doctor Doom has taken over the world, and Earth’s mightiest heroes have failed twice: first to stop him, and now to overthrow him. But the Fantastic Four know Doom better than anyone, which makes them ideally suited to take on Earth’s new Emperor…except for the fact that he knows THEM just as well. As Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, and Sue and Johnny Storm prepare to face down Doom at the United Nations, Doom pays a secret visit to speak to the only person on Earth who holds both his favor, his respect…and his love. But can Valeria Richards change her uncle’s mind? And if she fails, what will stop Doom from visiting a shocking fate on the Fantastic Four that not even he can undo? And, as the Avengers reel from their losses, the course of the Marvel Universe will change – and Marvel’s First Family won’t be the same!

On sale: March 19

Fantastic Four #30

FANTASTIC THREE! After Ben Grimm has suffered a terrible (and very public) defeat at the hands of Doom, he’s left lost, adrift – and more vulnerable than he has been in years. And when a trip to New York goes wrong and his fate suddenly turns from bad to worse, Ben has never been more vulnerable – and soon takes a shocking shortcut he won’t be able to undo! This is one Thing and Alicia story you won’t soon forget!

On sale: March 26

Fantastic Four #31

On sale: April 30

The post Four No More: Marvel Renames the Fantastic Four appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Deadpool & Wolverine‘s massive success has meant that it’s only a matter of time before Wolverine shows up again in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There have been rumors that Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is going to show up elsewhere in the MCU, with many assuming that he’ll make appearances in the upcoming Avengers films. Wolverine is one of Marvel’s most popular characters, right up there with Spider-Man, so it’s only a matter of time before Wolverine returns for his own story in the MCU and not just hangingout with Deadpool.

As Marvel Studios uses comic stories as starting points for their adaptations and Wolverine has a lot of amazing stories to choose from, there is a wealth of comic content we could see brought to life. However, there’s one Wolverine story that Marvel Studios should never touch – Old Man Logan. This classic story is a fan favorite – and was teased in Deadpool & Wolverine – but it needs to stay in the comics.

Old Man Logan Isn’t the Type of Story Marvel Studios Does Well

Marvel Studios has gone all in with its multiversal storytelling – it’s the entire reason Deadpool & Wolverine worked in the first place. However, looking at their track record with multiverse projects, things aren’t exactly rosy. Loki and the aforementioned Deadpool & Wolverine are beloved and critically acclaimed, but other multiverse-centric Marvel projects – Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and What If…? aren’t. Quantumania‘s failure played a big role in the end of what was once called the Multiverse Saga. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness gets points for director Sam Raimi’s stylish direction, but for basically nothing else. Marvel Studios entirely missed the point of What If…? as a concept with interconnected arcs and repeated characters.

Two out of five isn’t exactly good, and that’s reason enough to not want Marvel Studios to touch Old Man Logan. Old Man Logan is a simple story – it’s basically the movie Unforgiven with superheroes – but what makes it special is the worldbuilding. Mark Millar and Steve McNiven do a brilliant job of using their tale to tell the story of this villain conquered world. Some of the storytelling comes from the dialogue and captions, but some of it is done with the visuals. It’s a visceral story, not as needlessly edgy of many of Millar’s other Marvel work, and has a depth to it that has eluded most of Marvel Studios’ multiverse content – in fact, a depth that’s eluded much of Marvel Studios’ content period.

[Related: Why Marvel Is About to Have a Big Year in 2025]

Old Man Logan is exactly the kind of story that Marvel Studios would want to adapt, but they aren’t going to do a very good job. Old Man Logan is a dark and complex story, its violence an integral part of its narrative. Injecting it with MCU style storytelling isn’t going to help it, it’s going to weaken it. Marvel has never meant a tense scene it couldn’t ruin with a joke, and Old Man Logan doesn’t need that sort of thing. Seeing the Venom possessed tyrannosaurus or the corpse of a giant Ant-Man on the big screen would be great, but we don’t need to see Captain Carter show up. We don’t need Old Man Logan cracking jokes while cutting up the Hulk Gang.

Old Man Logan is an extremely popular story, but it would be better for Marvel Studios to start with something like Weapon X – the origin of his adamantium skeleton glimpsed in X-Men: Apocalypse – or one of the many great Wolverine/Sabretooth stories instead of a multiverse Wolverine story. Old Man Logan‘s popularity has meant that Logan has returned many times since the story’s end in 2009, but it doesn’t need an adaptation. Not now, and maybe not ever.

Old Man Logan Should Stay Where It Belongs – the Comics

Old Man Logan is a sensational comic. It’s probably Mark Millar’s – the man who wrote Civil War, the inspiration for Captain America: Civil War – best Marvel work. Steve McNiven’s art is breathtaking and is perfect for the story. It’s not the most original story in the history of the comic industry – dystopian futures controlled by villains where beaten down old heroes try to survive are very common – but its so well-crafted. Part of that is the fact that it is a comic. Some comic stories work so well because of the medium of sequential storytelling, the way that words and pictures combine to tell the tale. Old Man Logan is one of those stories.

There’s a reason that Logan didn’t actually adapt Old Man Logan. The story just doesn’t work as well outside of the comic medium. There’s too much of it that depends on being a comic. Marvel Studios does great work at times, but their multiversal stories, more often than not, aren’t their best work. If Marvel Studios needs to do a multiversal Wolverine story, they should look to The Age of Apocalypse Wolverine miniseries (which is also called Weapon X, by the by) or maybe the What If… where Wolverine becomes a vampire lord. Leave Old Man Logan in the comics, where it belongs.

The post The MCU Needs To Stay Away From This Wolverine Story appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Marvel has announced they are bringing Spider-Man into a whole new kind of manga world with the original new series, Spider-Man Manga: Shadow Warrior now in the works for a launch later this Fall. Spider-Man is no stranger to manga as Marvel has launched the hero into all kinds of manga worlds. This has even been increasing in the past couple of years as Marvel has kickstarted new partnerships to increase their footing in the manga world with unexpected team ups and new releases expanding the Spider-Verse. But this next new manga is going to be a bit different from the others.

Spider-Man Manga: Shadow Warrior is a brand new original manga story that sees Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and Spider-Gwen travel back to feudal Japan in order to stop Kingpin, who has mysteriously taken control. But upon getting there, a new surprising host bonds with the Venom symbiote to become a whole new kind of Venom. You can check out the first look at Spider-Man Manga: Shadow Warrior (as shared by ScreenRant) below to get the feel for what this is going to look like when it hits this September.

What Is Spider-Man Manga: Shadow Warrior?

Written and illustrated by Shogo Aoki, Spider-Man Manga: Shadow Warrior will be making its debut on shelves beginning on September 16th later this year. As for what to expect from this new manga story, it begins to tease itself as such, “Travel to 19th century Japan, where the Kingpin Wilson Fisk has fled America and established himself as Governor of Edo. Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Ghost-Spider are hot on his trail.” So it seems like it’s going to be a bit of a time travel and Isekai story putting these heroes into a new kind of world.

The synopsis for Spider-Man Manga: Shadow Warrior continues to tease its Venom spin on the story as such, “But the Kingpin has a trick up his sleeve: He’s brought an alien parasite capable of granting extraordinary powers. When a young man named Hyo accidentally bonds with the symbiote and seemingly transforms into the infamous Venom, things go from bad to worse! This new book is perfect for manga and super-hero fans alike!” And if the new series is anything like we have seen in the rest of Spider-Man’s manga releases thus far, it’s going to offer something unique for fans too.

RELATED: Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Yearbook: Every Marvel Character Confirmed to Appear

Spider-Man Has a Long History With Manga

Spider-Man has had a very long history with the world of manga as Marvel has experimented with all sorts of team ups and collaborations over the years. Not only did Spider-Man star in his own manga release with Spider-Man: The Manga years ago, but Marvel has also seen the character in all sorts of different collaborations over the years. These included crossovers with Attack on Titan, a special one-off with Iron Man written and illustrated by the late Yu-Gi-Oh creator Kazuki Takahashi, and even a series from My Hero Academia: Vigilantes creators Hideyuki Furuhashi and Betten Court on a Spider-Verse spin-off that ended recently.

So this newest manga is going to hit right in that sweet spot as Marvel has been really amping up their reach in this medium. Spider-Man Manga: Shadow Warrior is a great step forward in bridging that gap as Spider-Man just works in a manga context. It’s a character design that perfectly works in any kind of style, and Spider-Man has such a fun power set, allies, and a rogues gallery that manga is just the right way to help explore it all.

The post Spider-Man Announces Brand New Marvel Manga With First Look appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Absolute Batman has steadily pulled back the curtain on what led to this world’s Bruce Wayne to suit up and become Batman, but Absolute Batman #4 truly blows the door wide open on the Absolute Dark Knight’s origins. In the process, fans get to see Bruce’s original vision for his war on crime and turns out that Absolute Batman 1.0 had some vampire in its DNA. It’s fascinating to see the original Absolute Batman and how the first mission out affected Bruce’s next iteration, which has taken the world by storm, so let’s get into what went down during his initial test run.

During a flashback we see a gang threatening some citizens who refuse to pay them for protection. The Ten Thieves decide to make an example and throw one of the hostages off the roof, but Batman then makes his grand entrance and saves her before going after the thugs. That’s when we get our first look at Batman version 1.0, and he’s sprawling a mostly black suit with red contacts and claws on both of his gloves, capping off the entrance with a bat-styled “screeee!”

The shriek definitely scares some members of the crew, as does Batman sinking his teeth into one of them, sporting vampire-like fangs and biting down on the thug’s neck to really sell the vampire and bat theme. We then see the thug foaming at the mouth after the bite, so Batman had also laced the fangs with some sort of venom to maximize its effect.

Batman then utilizes his claws to slash another thug’s chest, all while hissing. After deflecting some bullets with his cape, Batman disarms a thug with a gun but then turns the gun around on him and points it his way, ending this sequence with one very surprising visual.

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After this mission, Bruce is frustrated with how things went, pointing the theatrics of it all. He ditches the voice distorter, the face paint, the fangs that were loaded with paralytic, and the gun, and then decides he needs to go bigger and build the Batman he wants to be. He also bulks up even more as he creates the armor we now see him wear, and the rest is pretty much history.

While theatrics is a part of the new version of Batman as well, it’s Batman’s sheer presence and lethality that strikes the fear into villains’ hearts, as opposed to simply being all smoke and mirrors. Bruce still found ways to implement aspects of a Bat into his new version, but there’s a practicality to those implementations, and they all serve a tangible purpose as opposed to just being there to scare people. We’ll have to wait and see what future evolutions Batman takes, but it’s great to have some context on how he got to where he is now.

What did you think of Absolute Batman 1.0? You can talk all things comics with me on Bluesky @knightofoa!

The post Absolute Batman Reveals Vampire-Inspired Original Costume appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Storm is in the middle of a resurgence in popularity, thanks to a starring role in X-Men ’97 and as the newest member of the Avengers. For the first time, the X-Man headlines a self-titled Storm ongoing series that follows her solo adventures after the Fall of Krakoa as she transitions to be the Protector of Planet Earth. Storm’s solo career almost came to an abrupt halt when she got radiation poisoning after rescuing civilians at a power plant. Doctor Voodoo was able to cure her, but anytime magic is involved, it comes with a cost. The bill has come due for Ororo Munroe, but her death marks the beginning of a new era for Earth’s Mightiest Mutant. WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Storm #4. Continue reading at your own risk!

Storm #4 comes fromthe creative team of Murewa Ayodele, Lucas Werneck, Alex Guimaraes, Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, and VC’s Travis Lanham. Storm journeys to Latveria after being summoned by Doctor Doom, the new Sorcerer Supreme of the Marvel Universe. The two have a long history of battling wits, and Storm is one of the few figures with which Doom shows the proper respect… most of the time.

[RELATED: Murewa Ayodele Casts Storm Into the X-Men: From the Ashes Era (Interview)]

Doctor Doom has done his research on Storm, having his chefs prepare a gumbo her father made when she was a little kid. She loves it, though the same can’t be said for the dessert. After Storm has a visceral reaction to the dessert, Doctor Doom has the pastry chef brought to the refectory table to be drawn and quartered in front of Storm for his incompetence. Storm reacts by hurling knives at the guards, revealing she is still in the timeframe where she can’t use her mutant abilities after having been saved from her radiation poisoning.

Doctor Doom wants to turn Storm into his mutant ambassador

The civilities are at an end, and now Storm and Doctor Doom get down to the good and evil of their meeting. The reason Doctor Doom requested a dinner with Storm was so he could convince her to be his mutant ambassador. Storm sees through this deception, however, and calls Doom out for wanting to brings mutants to his side at a time when governments have started stockpiling omega-level mutants like nuclear warheads.

Even though Storm is furious at Doom, he still uses his Sorcerer Supreme powers to give Storm her mutant powers back. This brings out the ancient spirit Eegun, who has come to claim Storm’s life for breaking their pact and using her powers before her seven days were up. But not only does Eegun kill Storm, but he threatens to take the planet next. Luckily, a cosmic entity takes offense to this and steps in to revive Storm, while also giving her a new title and powers.

Meet Storm, Herald of Eternity

As Storm lays dead on the floor and Eegun and Doctor Doom trade attacks, Storm reunites with her deceased father in the afterlife. After their emotional reunion, Storm’s father tells her that she can’t meet her mother just yet. She has a greater purpose. We then see the powerful cosmic entity Eternity, who transforms Storm into his herald. Since Storm previously declared herself Earth’s protector, it’s only right that she be the herald for Eternity, who watches over the Earth-616 universe.

Eternity borrows the popular X-Men catchphrase, “To me, my X-Men,” except Eternity says, “To me… my Eternal Storm.” Storm of Earth is no more, as we witness her undergo a metamorphosis that changes her out of her dinner attire into a sleek white costume. Storm hovers over the dining room as lightning crackles all around her, sending several harpooned lightning strikes through Eegun as the issue concludes.

This is something that’s been teased since the first issue of Storm. Eternity has been in the background watching events develop, waiting to intervene only when the time called for it. Being a herald of Eternity is a major status quo shakeup, and cements Storm as a major figure in the larger Marvel mythos. And all of this comes in the lead up to Storm’s 50th anniverary later this year in Storm #7.

The post Marvel Kills Storm of the X-Men (and Resurrects Her as Something Even More Powerful) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Atha Prime, a Star Wars villain who was supposed to be a key part of a cancelled action figure line, is set to officially become part of the franchise canon. In a press release, Disney and Lucasfilm announced the character will appear in the comic book series Star Wars: Jedi Knights from Marc Guggenheim and Madibek Musabekov. Releasing on March 5th, the series is set prior to The Phantom Menace, with each issue depicting various Jedi embarking on missions across the galaxy. Atha Prime is described as “a mysterious plant’s tyrannical ruler who boldly opposes the Republic and the Jedi Order.”

Mark Paniccia, a senior editor at Marvel Comics, discussed how Atha Prime became part of the project. “While developing the series, Marc discovered this deep cut—the antagonist from Kenner’s unrealized The Epic Continues toy line,” he said. “We saw the original design and were immediately sold. What a cool character to bring into canon and what a perfect book to do it in!” Alongside the press release, the character’s design sheet and two variant covers were shared. One of the covers is modeled after Kenner’s classic Star Wars action figure packaging. Check out images in the space below:

In the 1980s, Kenner’s The Epic Continues initiative was conceived to give the Star Wars franchise a narrative structure following the conclusion of the original trilogy. Atha Prime was positioned to be the next main villain, filling the void left by the fallen Emperor Palpatine. A key part of Atha Prime’s backstory was that he was the mastermind behind the Clone Wars, using his knowledge of genetics to engineer an army of clone warriors. Ultimately, none of the action figures planned for the line were made, as Lucasfilm turned down Kenner’s proposal. Following this, there were attempts to introduce Atha Prime in the Expanded Universe, but nothing came to fruition.

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Star Wars: Jedi Knights was announced back in October 2024. In addition to introducing new characters, the series will feature familiar faces including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Yoda, and Mace Windu. The idea is to explore how the Jedi Order operated in the years prior to the Clone Wars. While each issue spotlights a different pair of Jedi, everything ties together via an “overarching threat.”

It will be interesting to see how Atha Prime is portrayed in canon. There will most likely be some significant changes when compared to Kenner’s original idea. In all likelihood, this version of Atha Prime won’t have anything to do with the Clone War, which was orchestrated by Palpatine as part of his plan to take over the galaxy. Still, the initial Atha Prime concept could provide a solid foundation to build upon. Billing the villain as a “tyrannical ruler” vehemently against the Jedi suggests Atha Prime will be on a mission to eliminate the Order in pursuit of galactic conquest, similar to how his Kenner counterpart waged war against the Rebel Alliance heroes.

Seeing that Atha Prime hasn’t been mentioned in canon before this comic, it’s plausible that he will be defeated by the time the series reaches his end. It would be jarring if it was established that Atha Prime was still around as Palpatine rose to power. However, that doesn’t mean that the character couldn’t have a future outside of Star Wars: Jedi Knights. In Kenner’s outline, Atha Prime was exiled prior to the events of the original trilogy and only re-emerged after Palpatine’s death. Perhaps Atha Prime’s canon version will follow a similar arc, leaving the door open for a possible return. If the character resonates with readers, Lucasfilm would probably be interested in bringing him back for another comic or even an on-screen project.

The post A Scrapped Star Wars Villain Is About To Become Canon in a Surprising Way appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back, though they never really left. In 2024, after publishing the longest-running Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book in the franchise’s 40-year history, IDW Publishing relaunched its ongoing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series with a new first issue, and Jason Aaron, who has built up a strong fanbase with his work at Marvel on such titles as Star Wars and Avengers, taking over as writer. The first four issues of the new series saw Aaron teaming with high-profile artists for stories focused on each of the Turtles individually, the once close brothers having all gone their separate ways after some as-of-yet unexplained falling out.

As of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6, which will be released later this month, the gang is all back together. The unexpected reemergence of the Foot Clan forces the brothers to seek each other out and return to New York City, which has fallen under the Foot’s control. Aaron says this turn of events, with the Turtles’ longtime home turning against them, is part of a maturing of Turtles.

“I’ve looked at a lot of this story as a dad who’s the father of a son who’s 19, so looking at what he’s facing as he’s out of high school and starting to try to make his way in the world, and what I went through at his age,” Aaron tells ComicBook. “That’s how I’m looking at these guys, the Turtles. They’re still the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but they’re not 13. They’ve been through a lot over the course of their teens. They’ve grown in huge ways, but most people at that age, you still don’t know entirely who you are, and you have a lot of growing to do, and some of that is as you go out into the world, you suddenly find it a little less simple and idyllic as it was when you were growing up.”

Aaron relating the Turtles to his family touches on the core of the TMNT and what sets them apart from an increasingly competitive comics market where modernized takes on nostalgic characters are becoming more common. There’s a distinct family dynamic between the four brothers — Leonarardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael — that’s different even from the atomic family structure of a team like the Fantastic Four or the found family theme present in comics involving the X-Men and others.

“It’s a book about brothers, about siblings,” Aaron stresses. He relates his own life growing up with siblings, albeit ones that were older than him to the point that he almost grew up like an “only child.” And yet, “I was old enough to be aware enough and realize how often they fought with each other,” he says. “I think that love-hate relationship between siblings… we’re stretching that to its limits.”

“These are four brothers, they’re orphans, they are teenagers, they are going through it as teenagers do,” adds Andy Khouri, the recently hired new Senior Editor of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line. “I think that’s distinct from the loner characters of [DC’s] Absolute line or even the nuclear family dynamic you see in Ultimate Spider-Man or something like that. This is a very fraught sibling relationship that I think a lot of us can relate to, but there’s still a lot of love there. The story’s full of action, and adventure, and mystery, but there’s a core story that Jason is telling about a family trying to heal itself.”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 is also the debut issue for the series’ new regular artist, Juan Ferreyra. Ferreyra’s style feels of the same lineage as the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Aaron has long said those gritty original comics are the touchstone for his run on the series.

“Juan has blown me away every step of the way,” Aaron says. “I think he’s the perfect guy to do this kind of story.”

Though Khouri didn’t get involved with the series until after Ferrerya was chosen, he’s worked with the artist previously. “I can honestly say that if it had been my job to pick the ongoing artist, he would have been the one I wanted,” he says. “That’s the truth.”

Khouri previously worked at DC Comics, where he edited a wide range of comics for the publisher’s core line (Suicide Squad) and its mature readers imprint, DC Black Label (Wonder Woman: Death Earth), as well as other special projects (Batman ’89) and anthologies (Batman: Black and White). He’s taking a similar approach to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as he took to DC’s stable of superhero characters.

“When you work with these sorts of really big legacy characters that have decades of stories behind them, the real trick is how do you surface the things about those characters that feel the most relevant right now and present it in a thoroughly modern way, almost as if they were created now, while still honoring and acknowledging and building on what came before,” Khouri explains. “In the case of the Turtles, our book is not a reboot, it’s a relaunch of a series that continues a canon that has been running for about 13 years.”

He continues, “Everything that’s happened before still counts, and still matters, and this is a natural evolution of that. That’s the kind of thing I did all the time at DC when you work with older characters that you’re trying to refresh and make hospitable for new readers while still giving the longtime readers things that are surprising and entertaining. It’s really the same job.”

Having worked on Star Wars and many Marvel Comics characters, Aaron is bringing a similar experience to TMNT, describing his job as, “Take these characters who have been around for so long and figure out, what do they mean to me, what do they mean in the present day, and try to encapsulate everything that’s come before but in a way that feels fresh.”

Having worked on characters older than he is at Marvel, Aaron notes that there’s something special about his work on Teenage MUtant NInja Turtles. “With Turtles, I’m looking back to when I was a kid. I was there. I wasn’t around for the Golden Age or the Silver Age, but… with Turtles, I read those books as they were coming out in the 1980s. It is different when you’re looking back to your own personal experience in a bigger way, which makes it, in some sense, more fun that I’m able to reconnect with that kid and what appealed to me about these characters when I was that age, and they were brand-new and I first discovered them.”

But for Aaron, it all ultimately boils down to, “What do I want to read? What speaks to me? I don’t know how to control anything else. I’ve spent 20 years building a career writing comic books for myself, basically. I think that’s the only way to do it well. This has to speak to me, this has to resonate with me. This is the stuff I enjoy about these characters.”

IDW’s decision to relaunch the TMNT line while keeping its long-running continuity bucks a recent trend in comics. Image, Marvel, and DC each recently launched fresh continuities featuring entirely new versions of iconic characters. While IDW’s decision pre-dates his time with the company, Khouri praises the “uncommonly good” run of titles that preceded this new era and feels “There’s more to gain by maintaining the canon than by discarding it” since it gives Aaron a rich history to draw from.

“Jason’s book will be the north star for everything else that we are going to be putting out this year,” Khouri says. “There will be a back-to-basics approach with just about everything you see coming soon, and the attempt will be to do what we described — surface the elements of some of these iconic characters that feel the most compelling right now and make them feel fresh as if they were created today — while not undoing or contradicting or jettisoning anything from their canon at all. Part of the strategy is we’re going to give people a real gripping jumping on point, a real hospitable place, but we also hope to drive them to the backlist as well because It’s an incredible backlist.”

Khouri promises, “There’s going to be something for everybody. We’re going to be doing some stuff that focuses on some of the more fan-favorite IDW characters. We’re going to be doing some stuff that’s not necessarily as grounded as Jason’s stuff. We hope that people will feel that there’s something for every kind of Turtles fan in 2025… Back to basics can mean a lot of different things when you’re talking about the Ninja Turtles.”

While the more than a decade of continuity that preceded this new run remains in place, Aaron is still writing the new series with an eye toward possible newcomers not just to IDW’s comics, but the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles entirely. “I don’t think you can go into any job like this assuming that everybody already knows and loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Aaron says. “Of course, most of your readers do. They’ve experienced these characters in one form or another, whether it’s the comics, the movies, or the cartoons, but you still have to write it for someone who just got out of a cave and has never heard of these characters before, and I have to show them this is what’s cool about them and this is why you want to hang out with these guys.”

As a final note, in recent years, the Turtles have also been involved in several crossovers with characters from other universe at other companies, ranging from the Power Rangers to Naruto to Batman. When asked if he could think of another property that would be perfect for the TMNT to cross paths with, Khouri would only say, “Yes.” When pressed, he teased, “If you’re asking will there be more intercompany crossovers? The answer is yes.”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 goes on sale on January 29th. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7, which begins a new story arc and IDW bills as a jumping-on point for new readers, has a final order cutoff date of Monday, January 20th.

The post Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Is Entering Its Next Mutation appeared first on ComicBook.com.

All good things must come to an end, and that rings true for Star Wars as well. The High Republic introduced Star Wars fans to new tales in a galaxy far, far away that took place centuries before the Skywalker Saga, during the golden age of the Jedi Order. Marvel has explored The High Republic across three different phases, with Phase III set to conclude in Star Wars: The High Republic – Fear of the Jedi. New York Times Bestselling author Cavan Scott, one of the architects behind previous High Republic projects, returns to pen Fear of the Jedi and wrap up the story of Jedi Master Keeve Trennis.

ComicBook spoke to Cavan Scott about Star Wars: The High Republic – Fear of the Jedi and about concluding Phase III of The High Republic. We checked in to find out Scott’s highlights about Phase III, the meaning behind the Fear of the Jedi title, the appearance of The Acolyte‘s Wookiee Jedi Master Kelnacca, and bringing Keeve Trennis’ story arc to an end. We can also exclusively reveal the first look at interior pages for Star Wars: The High Republic – Fear of the Jedi #1 by artist Marika Cresta (Doctor Aphra).

[RELATED: Star Wars: The Acolyte Finale Includes Massive Franchise Cameo]

ComicBook: You’ve been involved with The High Republic storytelling for some time, and now you’re back to wrap up Phase III with Fear of the Jedi. What have you enjoyed the most about the Phase III era of Star Wars storytelling?

Cavan Scott: It’s been so much fun bringing everything together, including elements from Phase II (especially the character of Tey Sirrek who first appeared in the second phase and has lived quite a life since.) It’s been such a joy to see all of my fellow High Republic creators nail the landing in their respective stories, playing out events we started planning seven years ago! The High Republic has been a huge part of my life since the first day we all sat around a table at Skywalker Ranch and such an incredible experience. And we’re now — finally — in the end game!

Fear of the Jedi is an ominous title when you consider how Jedi are trained to overcome fear because it leads to the dark side of the Force. What can you tell us about the title’s meaning and if it foreshadows dark times ahead?

At the end of our first week of planning what would become The High Republic back in 2018, I asked a question: ‘What scares the Jedi?’ It became a question for the initiative as a whole, and, in this series, I attempt to answer it, focusing on the fears on one particular Jedi: Keeve Trennis, who has been largely our hero throughout Marvel’s High Republic run. Keeve has been through a lot, and has never been afraid to question herself. Now, after recent events, she has started to question the Jedi Order in total. As we know from the 2019 audio drama, Dooku: Jedi Lost, Keeve goes on to become one of the Lost, Jedi Masters who leave the Order. This last series will reveal why.

Kelnacca, the Wookiee Jedi Master from The Acolyte, is a guest star in Fear of the Jedi. How did knowing Kelnacca’s fate in The Acolyte shape how you fleshed out the Wookiee’s backstory?

His fate didn’t factor in so much, but I jumped straight to scripting Fear of the Jedi from writing last year’s Kelnacca one-shot to tie into The Acolyte, so was happy to also be able to bring back his Padawan Yarzion Vell. I love how all these stories come together in Star Wars, and stoic — often brusque — Kelnacca is such fun to write.

Keeve Trennis has been a focus of your previous High Republic stories and is the main character here. What are your thoughts on her character arc, and has it progressed how you envisioned it in those opening chapters?

Everything I’ve written for Keeve has been leading up to this point. I wrote a draft of her final scene on the same day as I submitted issue one five years ago, so I’ve always known where she was headed. It was an emotional day when I finally got around to including it in the script for the final issue. Some of the details needed to be tweaked, because characters and situations evolve over time, but the scene is largely the same as it was back in 2020 when I saved it in a folder titled, rather ominously, ‘The End!’

Keeve means a lot to me, as does her Jedi master, Sskeer. It’s a weird feeling. I feel as if I’ve watched her grow up on the page, and now she’s exactly where I knew she would be. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved with the initiative as a whole, and the Marvel run in particular. Over 40 issues of storytelling? That’s no small achievement, and it’s all thanks to the readers who have supported us every step of the way.

To wrap up, what are you most excited for Star Wars fans to see and experience in Fear of the Jedi, and what can you say (if anything) about what lies beyond Phase III?

Aside from Keeve’s fate, there is trauma to come for Tey and conflict for Lourna Dee, who I will miss writing! Fear of the Jedi is everything I love in Star Wars. Adventure, space battles, giant monsters and wonderful character moments that will break your heart one minute and warm it the next. As for life beyond, Phase III, well, this is the end of the story that we’ve been planning since 2018, but not for the High Republic as a whole. There are always more stories to tell….

The post Star Wars: Cavan Scott Reveals What Scares the Jedi in The High Republic Phase III Finale appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the biggest franchise in movies. It vaulted past contenders like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings, using the familiar allure of superheroes to grab fans’ imaginations and never let go. The MCU used a simple formula, one lifted directly the comics – create a vast interconnected universe, with characters that know each other and events that have bearing on what comes next. Marvel had used this method once before during the 1960s to jump ahead of DC Comics, and it worked just as well in the world of cinema.

However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe only succeeded because they had access to decades of amazing stories and characters all created in the pages of the comic source material. Comics had been the home of superheroes since their inception, so one would imagine that the MCU’s dominance of pop culture would help the comic industry – people are obviously rabid for good superhero stories. So, let’s get to brass tacks and the answer the question – does the MCU help the comic industry?

The MCU’s Success Hasn’t Actually Had Much of an Effect on the Comic Industry, Except in One Way

Right now, worldwide, there are tens of million of MCU fans. While there are obviously degrees, it’s safe to say that of that number, there are millions of what people would call diehard Marvel fans. Everyone, even in these latter days of MCU popularity, knows at least one person who is obsessed with Marvel and there are online spaces full of super fans even today. However, for some strange reason, this hasn’t really had much of an effect on the comic industry’s sales.

One of the big problems with the comic industry is that they’ve stopped releasing print sales – from distributors to stores – unless a specific title or issue has set a record. In recent years, the best we can get is the entire industry’s cash output, which was $1.8 billion dollars in 2023. However, that number isn’t just American superhero comics, it’s also manga and kids/young adult comics (think titles like Dog Man). All things considered, the percentage of the industry that is superheroes is actual quite small.

RELATED: 10 Marvel Post-Credit Scenes That Actually Changed the MCU

The last time we actually got concrete numbers, the bestselling titles moved about a hundred thousand copies on average. Now, this is just the number sold to retailers, this isn’t what’s actually sold to customers. In fact, we only get an average on that sort of thing from the roughly two hundred stores who all use the same point of sale system from ICv2. In short, comic sales are quite low.

So, the Marvel movies haven’t moved a lot of fans into the comics. It’s would be easy to assume that Marvel Studios saved Marvel and, by extension, that MCU fans read comics. They do exist, but in small numbers. MCU fans haven’t gone to the comic stores in droves. Deadpool & Wolverine made over a billion dollars; Deadpool/Wolverine #1 will make a couple hundred thousand at publication, thanks to that fact that it retails for $4.99.

However, here’s the thing – Marvel as an organization having money is always a good thing and it keeps eyes on the comic industry. Superheroes and comic adaptations remain among the biggest events in pop culture, and by extension, the MCU’s success has driven the success of many other entities in the comic industry. Comics are a feeder system; as long as people like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and Wolverine, there’ll be comics of some kind.

The Comic Industry Is Dead, Long Live the Comic Industry

With the X-Men coming to the MCU, there’s a lot of excitement about that potential. In the comics, the new From the Ashes initiative has brought several X-Men back into the ranks of the bestsellers list, selling tens of thousands of copies, which is looked at as a good thing. There’s ten X-Men books; it’s possible that on a monthly basis, maybe five hundred thousand dollars are made off them. That includes Marvel and the comic stores. It’s not that much money when one imagines the size of just the United States, let alone the rest of the comic reading world.

The MCU does not drive comic sales in any appreciable way. Yes, comics are making more money, but each issue retails for $3.99 to $4.99, more on the higher end of the spectrum every passing month. Less people buy them for more money. That’s not just Marvel, that’s everyone in the comic industry. Here, we think a book breaking a hundred thousand unit sold is a reason for celebration.

There are 344 million Americans. The vast majority of them know about superheroes. So, anyone who says that the MCU has helped the comic industry isn’t right. However, they also aren’t wrong. The success of the MCU has brought in other companies trying to replicate its success. This keeps everyone working. Plus, Marvel and DC are idea factories, the entire comic industry is. As long as people need ideas for stories with a built in audience, it will be here. The MCU has hurt the comic industry in a lot of ways – most people go there for their superhero stories and not comics – but it’s also made sure the industry will be immortal.

So, the answer to the question? Whatever you want it to be.

The post Does the MCU Actually Help the Comic Industry? appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Indiana Jones has gone on countless adventures, both on and off cinema screens. The Indiana Jones franchise first began with 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark and marked Harrison Ford’s debut as the world’s most famous and beloved archeologist Dr. Henry Jones Jr., better known as Indiana Jones. Since then, four further Indiana Jones movies have been produced, but Indy’s adventures hardly stop there.

The popularity of the Indiana Jones franchise has led to Indy adventures being told in books, comics, and TV shows, along with many Indiana Jones video games. Some of Indy’s expanded universe stories have been nearly as popular as the main Indiana Jones movie series, but some have also receded a bit from the spotlight. Nonetheless, it can truly be said that the entirety of Indiana Jones’ catalog of adventures is worth diving into for Indy fans.

Here are 10 great Indiana Jones adventures outside of the movies.

Indiana Jones and the Army of the Dead

Steve Perry’s 2009 novel Indiana Jones and the Army of the Dead acts as a prequel to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and provides some backstory for Indy’s relationship with his friend George “Mac” McHale (Ray Winstone) in the movie. Taking place in 1943, Indy and Mac team up on an adventure to Haiti to find a mysterious voodoo artifact known as the Heart of Darkness. However, Indy and Mac must battle both Nazi and Japanese soldiers also pursuing the artifact.

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull provided an unexplored backstory of Indy’s military background when the United States officially entered World War II, revealing that he and Mac worked as double agents for the U.S. government during the war. Indiana Jones and the Army of the Dead not only takes Indy on a gripping literary adventure but also fleshes out his relationship with Mac before the latter joins forces with Soviet military leader Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett) in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which makes the novel a great read for Indiana Jones fans.

[RELATED: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Review: A Striking Adventure]

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis

What could be a more natural lost city for Indiana Jones to search for than the sunken city of Atlantis? The LucasArts point-and-click game Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis does exactly that, sending Indy on a quest for Atlantis in 1939. Fate of Atlantis first debuted in 1992 and has since seen numerous updates and re-releases on modern PC and gaming consoles, including a Wii release in 2009.

While Indiana Jones has become a staple of adventure video games, Fate of Atlantis has somewhat fallen through the cracks in the modern discourse of Indiana Jones canon. Nonetheless, gamers and Indy aficionados alike should definitely embark with Indy on his adventure to the lost city of Atlantis for one of his most unique adventures outside of cinema screens.

Indiana Jones and the Spear of Destiny

Indiana Jones has also been seen in the pages of comic books, mostly produced by Marvel and Dark Horse, and 1995’s Indiana Jones and the Spear of Destiny is one of Indy’s comic book highlights. Picking up right where Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ends, Spear of Destiny jumps ahead to 1945, with Indy and his father Henry Jones Sr. once again in a race against the Nazis to find a historical relic — in this case, the legendary spear said to have pierced the side of Jesus at the crucifixion, known as the Spear of Destiny.

The father-son chemistry of Harrison Ford and Sean Connery stands as one of the major highlight of The Last Crusade and of the entire Indiana Jones franchise. While Connery declined to come out of acting retirement for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones and the Spear of Destiny gives Indy fans one more adventure with the Jones duo. That alone makes it a worthy comic book addition to the Indiana Jones franchise.

[RELATED: Disney+ Has a New Surprise for Indiana Jones Fans]

Indiana Jones and the Iron Phoenix

Long before the Philosopher’s Stone was brought to worldwide prominence by Harry Potter, it was the latest artifact Indiana Jones was searching for in the four-issue Dark Horse Comics series Indiana Jones and the Iron Phoenix. The comic follows Indy as he tries to find the mythical artifact the Philosopher’s Stone, with the Nazis also in pursuit of it in the hopes of using its supernatural powers to resurrect deceased Nazi soldiers.

Like The Spear of Destiny before it, The Iron Phoenix was originally conceived as a LucasArts game and was intended as a follow-up to Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis following the latter’s popularity. Despite these gaming plans ultimately not being realized, in the end, the comic book medium thankfully preserved The Iron Phoenix (and The Spear of Destiny) as another thrilling Indiana Jones adventure.

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – “Young Indiana Jones and the Treasure of the Peacock’s Eye”

The TV series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles showed just how much adventure has been in Indy’s blood since childhood, and one of its highlight episodes is “Treasure of the Peacock’s Eye.” The episode sees Indy (Sean Patrick Flannery) embark on an adventure with his friend Remy Baudouin (Ronny Coutteure) to find the mysterious artifact known as the Peacock’s Eye.

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles consistently excelled at showing Indy’s youthful adventures with both gripping stakes and genuine educational value for younger viewers. Moreover, Sean Patrick Flannery also cements himself as an engaging and likable adventurer like the archeologist Harrison Ford embodied before him. Fans of Indiana Jones who haven’t seen The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles could do worse than to give “Treasure of the Peacock’s Eye” a look.

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – “Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal”

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles goes all the way back to the beginning of Indy’s adventures in “Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal.” The feature length-episode combines the individual stories “My First Adventure” and “Mexico, March 1916” (Lucasfilm having re-issued the series as 22 movies consisting of two merged episodes each for home media release), with Corey Carrier and Sean Patrick Flannery respectively playing Indy as a child and teenager. Carrier’s tale focuses on Indy’s excursion to Egypt as a young boy, with Flannery’s portion devoted to Indy’s venture into the Mexican Revolution and adventure with Pancho Villa in 1916.

The Curse of the Jackal provides an exciting dual tale of a young Indy at two phases of his adventurous life, and a great introduction for viewers new to The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. Moreover, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull directly references the episode, with Harrison Ford’s grown Indy sharing that he rode with Pancho Villa with his son Mutt Williams (Shia Labeouf).

[RELATED: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Reveals Why Marion and Indy Broke Up]

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – “Mystery of the Blues”

Harrison Ford’s performances as Indiana Jones aren’t only found on the big-screen, with Ford returning as a bearded Indy for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles episode “Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues” (a feature-length combo of “Chicago, April 1920” and “Chicago, May 1920”). “Mystery of the Blues” follows Indy, now an archeology student at the University of Chicago, in a new adventure in Prohibition-era Chicago in the roaring ’20s.

While George Hall typically portrayed the elderly Indy in the show’s bookend segments, Harrison Ford returns as Indy in the show’s framing story of Dr. Jones’ in the ’50s. Flannery and Ford’s dual appearances in the episode add a feel of direct lineage to Indy’s growth to adulthood, and history buffs will also enjoy Indy meeting such figures as Elliot Ness and Ernest Hemingway.

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – “The Trenches of Hell”

Indiana Jones’ big-screen adventures have frequently had such historical conflicts as World War II and the Cold War as their backdrops, but The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles went as far as to drop Indy right into one of the bloodiest wars in human history in “Trenches of Hell” (the title given to the combined version of the episodes “Somme,” “Early August 1916,” and “Germany, Mid-August 1916”). In “Trenches of Hell”, Sean Patrick Flannery’s Indy fights alongside Belgian soldiers in the trench warfare of World War I.

While Indy’s military background is referenced in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, “Trenches of Hell” shows how early Indy entered military life alongside his archeological pursuits, and it remains one of the show’s most enthralling stories of Young Indy’s adventures. Indy even crosses paths with Charles De Gaulle in “Trenches of Hell,” another of the show’s countless instances of Indy bumping shoulders with historical figures.

Indiana Jones and The Genesis Deluge

Indiana Jones has sought out his share of Judeo-Christian artifacts, and the 1992 novel Indiana Jones and the Genesis Deluge sets him after a literally and figuratively huge one, namely Noah’s Ark. The novel sees Indy devoting his attention to his life as a professor of archeology. However, when Indy gets the call to embark on an expedition to locate Noah’s Ark, the thrill of adventure leads him to pick up his fedora and bullwhip again.

Indy’s excursion to Turkey to find the second ark of his archeological career pits him against many new challenges, obstacles, and adversaries, with plenty of adventure along the way. Indiana Jones and the Genesis Deluge is another great read for Indy fans looking to join Dr. Jones on a literary adventure.

[RELATED: Indiana Jones Actor Loves How Much You Hate His Character]

Indiana Jones and the Hollow Earth

Indy is in a race against the Nazis again in Max McCoy’s 1997 novel Indiana Jones and the Hollow Earth, which acts as a prequel to the entire Indiana Jones film series with its 1934 setting. This time, Indy and his ally Ulla Tornaes are on a quest to find an underground city hidden somewhere under the Arctic.

With the Nazis in pursuit of the city, the stakes are once again high with Adolf Hitler eyeing another historical relic that will enable Nazi Germany to conquer the world. With the Third Reich once again giving Indy a challenge on another adventure, his immortal words of “Nazis, I hate these guys!” from The Last Crusade once more ring true. Ultimately, Indiana Jones and the Hollow Earth is another fun adventure in Indy’s literary career and one that Indy fans should read.

Indiana Jones movies are streaming on Disney+.

The post 10 Indiana Jones Adventures You Didn’t Even Know About appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Predator was first unleashed in 1987 and quickly became one of cinema’s most iconic villains. After handily taking out most of a squad of elite paramilitary soldiers all for the thrill of the hunt, it’s up to the lone survivor – played by Arnold Schwarzenegger – to use his cunning and strength to turn from hunted into hunter. Predator was an instant hit, launching an entire franchise that consisted of sequels, prequels, and reboots. Fans just can’t seem to get enough of the premise involving a massive creature with mandibles and high-tech weaponry hunting down humans in various habitats, collecting their skulls like mere trophies.

When the skull of a Xenomorph (from the Alien franchise) appeared at the end of Predator 2, there was plenty of clamor about when the two extraterrestrial baddies would eventually go toe-to-toe. While it would be some years before fans got two Alien vs. Predator movies, the Predator had been duking it out with the famed Xenomorph in comic book form since 1989. However, that wasn’t the only Predator crossover that was made. There are plenty of other comic book series in which the Predator took on characters from different franchises to see who was the best hunter.

Archie vs Predator

Archie Andrews and his pals are on a spring break trip in Costa Rica, where a Predator has landed in a jungle nearby. The Predator develops a crush on Veronica and follows the gang back to Riverdale. When they discover they’re being targeted, Archie, Betty, Jughead, Dilton, and Veronica set up a trap with an ambush party to take out the Predator. However, love does strange things to a person – and Predators too, apparently – and the extraterrestrial hunter tears through most of the group with ease. How far will the Predator go to attract Veronica’s attention?

The world of Archie is definitely a strange place to set a Predator tale, but this four-issue miniseries pulls it off surprisingly well. Archie vs. Predator finds the perfect balance between light-hearted teen humor and bloody sci-fi violence, and is a must-read for fans of both franchises.

Batman vs Predator

The Predator lands in Gotham City, attracted to its violent underworld, which the extraterrestrial thinks is prime hunting territory. Meanwhile, Batman is investigating the bizarre murder of a mob-backed boxer who had his skull and spine removed. It’s only a matter of time before the two meet in a brutal bout that leaves Batman in critical condition. The Dark Knight’s recovery is taking too long, so he must build himself a special new suit for his next confrontation with the Predator, whose reign of terror in Gotham has prompted the National Guard and SWAT teams to carry out a plan that may have devastating effects on the city’s inhabitants.

The ultra-violent Predator fits in quite nicely with the grim and gritty world of Batman, a miniseries that delivers bloody sci-fi action and noirish intrigue in equal measure. Seeing Batman’s ingenuity pushed to the limits when trying to take down the Predator is worth the price of admission alone.

[RELATED – Marvel Reveals Predator Vs Spider-Man Is Coming in 2025 (But Who Will Win?)]

Predator vs. Judge Dredd

The Predator lands on Earth to try its hand at hunting in a new urban jungle – that of Mega-City One. With no shortage of chaos plaguing the city, it’s the perfect place for the Predator to do some quality killin’, but when it starts slaughtering Judges in addition to criminals, Judge Dredd takes it upon himself to track down this new player in town and bring it to justice. Little does Dredd realize that he’s become the target of the Predator, who views him as the most dangerous game.

The horror elements introduced by the Predator do little to detract from the dark satirical humor of the world of Judge Dredd. So much of what makes this a standout comic is how it pits two equally driven yet ideologically different characters against each other. You just know their endless determination will result in a truly knockdown, drag-out fight.

JLA vs. Predator

Not one, but multiple Predators have landed on Earth and are wreaking havoc at key locations around the world. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and others are on the case, but soon learn that this isn’t your typical alien invasion. These Predators are enhanced with abilities to emulate those of the Justice League of America in an attempt to see which team is strongest. The JLA may have found their match in terms of sheer power, but they have one thing the Predators don’t: teamwork.

JLA vs. Predator is one of the campiest in the Predator crossover series, but its self-aware tone more than makes up for it. After all, it’s pretty hard to take a comic seriously when it has a Predator with the powers of Plastic Man. Still, the moral righteousness of the Justice League of America makes for a fun contrast with the brutality of the Predators, resulting in a pretty rousing comic.

Tarzan vs. Predator: At the Earth’s Core

A group of Predators are participating in a ceremonial hunt in a subterranean world called Pellucidar, killing everyone they encounter. But when Tarzan arrives in Pellucidar and sees nothing but a trail of death, this king of the jungle must now go on the hunt for those responsible. Even though Tarzan is outmatched by a group of more powerful beings, he’s got plenty of jungle experience and survival skills to hold his own against them. But will his prowess be enough against their advanced extraterrestrial weaponry?

Tarzan vs. Predator: At the Earth’s Core is a delightful blend of the pulp adventure storytelling of yore with the action of modern sci-fi. But the real highlights of this miniseries are the moments when Tarzan is forced to use his primitive yet resourceful instincts against the high-tech ordnance of the Predators, harkening back to the original Predator film.

The post 5 Predator Crossovers That Proved Who Was the Best Hunter appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Dark Knight is known for his stylish Bat-branded gear, and now Cat Footwear has delivered a brand new collection that no Batman fan will want to miss. The new collection is fittingly title the Gotham City collection, and features the Colorado Grader Boot and the Intruder Galosh. You can check out up-close looks at both new additions below, and as you can see, they both embrace the style and theme of the World’s Greatest Detective. You can order the Gotham City Collection right here, and you can find a full trailer in the video above.

The Colorado Grader Boot is made up of dark black leather with a distressed yellow undertone, giving the boot a grungier look that would feel right at home in Batman’s city. Coupled with the boot’s yellow accents, it also fells inspired by Batman’s black and yellow costume, and it is certainly inspired by the comics.

That’s because when you look on the inside of the boot, you’ll find full lining utilizing panels from Batman’s 85 year conics history in black and grey. You can also choose from black stealth laces or black and yellow laces to add that final touch. The Colorado Grader Boot retails for $159.95 and can be ordered in men’s sizes here. You can find the official description for it below.

Batman x Cat Footwear Colorado Grader Boot:
Tough, dark, and dependable. These custom Dark Knight-inspired boots were built to go the distance and keep your feet shrouded in mystery. Show your true colors: black and yellow.
FEATURES:
Two sets of laces
Comic strip lining
Batman lace fob
Lateral + medial logo
Stacked EVA + rubber outsole for unmistakable traction

[RELATED: DC Goes All In on Free Comic Book Day 2025 With New Superman, Absolute Universe Stories]

Then there’s the Intruder Galosh, which brings over some of the same style elements but in a shorter frame. The Galosh features the comic panel lining as well, and there’s also the dark black leather with distressed yellow undertone, though more of the shoe seems to be straight up black, broken up by bold yellow lines on both sides of the laces found down the center of the shoe.

There’s also a black Bat-symbol on the side underneath that main yellow ridge, completing the Batman-themed look in a slightly more reserved way. The Intruder Galosh retails for $134.95, and you can check out the new shoe up-close in the gallery above. You can also find the official description below.

Batman x Cat Footwear Intruder Galosh:
Overbuilt and unapologetic. Drawing inspiration from the world’s greatest detective, those rain-drenched Gotham City streets don’t stand a chance.
FEATURES:
Two sets of laces
Comic strip lining
Batman lace fob
Lateral + medial logo
Stacked EVA + rubber outsole for unmistakable traction

Are you excited for Cat Footwear’s Batman Collection? You can talk all things Batman with me on Bluesky @knightofoa!

The post Cat Footwear’s Gotham City Collection is a Must for Batman Fans appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Marvel appears to be re-assembling the original members of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes for Avengers: Doomsday. Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to play the famed villain Doctor Doom. Not to be overshadowed, there is a report that Chris Evans is also making an MCU comeback in Avengers: Doomsday. Though it’s not clear if he’ll suit up as Captain America or another variant, such as the Human Torch from Deadpool & Wolverine. But if fans are actually getting Chris Evans in another Avengers movie, it needs to be as Captain America. Thankfully, Marvel may have revealed a way that can happen.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom role opens up the Multiverse in a whole new way. The actor skyrocketed to megastardom as Tony Stark, who courageously gave up his life to stop Thanos in Avengers: Endgame. But now Downey will be playing one of the most famous villains in the Marvel Universe. Doom and the Avengers will inevitably clash, but what if he had his own team of Avengers to have his back? And what if Chris Evans’ Captain America was on that team? Can you see where we’re going with this? An upcoming Marvel series makes this scenario all the more likely.

Doctor Doom’s Avengers Assemble!

Doctor Doom is currently the Sorcerer Supreme of the Marvel Universe after stealing the mantle from Doctor Strange in the Blood Hunt event. A publishing initiative called “One World Under Doom” follows Doctor Doom as he names himself Emperor Doom and takes control of the world. Just about every comic is tying into “One World Under Doom” along with new titles and limited series. One of those tie-ins is Superior Avengers by Steve Foxe (Timeslide, New Champions) and Luca Maresca (Venom War: Lethal Protectors, X-Men: Forever).

[RELATED: Chris Evans Should Not Bring Back Captain America]

Superior Avengers finds Doctor Doom assembling a team of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes filled with villains. These characters are new versions of familiar Marvel villains like Abomination, Doctor Octopus, Ghost, Killmonger, Malekith, and Onslaught. Doctor Doom’s reasoning is if the Avengers won’t join his cause, then why not have Avengers who are only loyal to him?

Fans have seen this play out before during “Dark Reign” when Norman Osborn formed the Dark Avengers. Norman suited up as Iron Patriot, with Daken as Wolverine, Bullseye as Hawkeye, Venom (Mac Gargan) as Spider-Man, Skaar as Hulk, and Moonstone as Ms. Marvel. They had the public fooled until the real Avengers took Norman Osborn down. Superior Avengers features a Doom-endorsed Avengers as the perfect example of what the MCU’s Doctor Doom could do in Avengers: Doomsday. The Multiverse opens the possibility of seeing Chris Evans as Captain America again alongside some familiar faces.

Chris Evans’ Captain America and the Evil Avengers

If the report of Chris Evans returning for Avengers: Doomsday turns out to be true, he probably isn’t the only original Avenger we can expect to see. We already know Robert Downey Jr. is Doctor Doom, but what if we also get Scarlett Johansson back as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk, and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye for an original Avengers reunion? To top it all off, they could all be working for Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, with Doom taking the place of Iron Man on the team.

This would pit an evil version of the original Avengers against whoever is on the New Avengers, most likely led by Sam Wilson’s Captain America or maybe Captain Marvel. There have been rumblings that Captain America: Brave New World will see Sam looking to reform the Avengers, with Shang-Chi and She-Hulk as possible members. Along with Doctor Strange, they could investigate the incursions we witnessed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, with their investigation leading them to Doctor Doom.

[RELATED: Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars Need to Redeem the MCU’s Biggest Multiverse Mistake]

Fans wouldn’t expect to see Chris Evans as an evil version of Captain America, and it would be the right kind of surprise to put him next to his Avengers costar Robert Downey Jr. portraying Victor Von Doom. Avengers: Doomsday would become an all-star affair and inject the MCU with a level of excitement that has been missing from recent offerings on the big screen.

Chris Evans, the evil Captain America. Make it happen, Marvel Studios.

The post Marvel Just Revealed How Chris Evans’ Captain America Return Could Make Sense appeared first on ComicBook.com.

A Wolverine series from an all-star creative team has brought back the Old Man Logan persona but with a unique twist. Old Man Logan became one of the more popular Wolverine variants to debut over the last couple of decades, to the point that it was adapted into the 2017 feature film that, at the time, marked Hugh Jackman’s final Wolverine performance until last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine. Wolverine: Revenge is where an aged Logan appears after his world lost electricity and technology, in a similar fashion to the Old Man Logan universe from the comics. And now we can see what he’s been up to all these years.

ComicBook has the exclusive preview of Wolverine: Revenge #4 by Jonathan Hickman and Greg Capullo. The story jumps ahead 20 years after Wolverine got revenge on Omega Red, Sabretooth, Deadpool, and his former X-Men ally Colossus. A lot of time has passed since then, and we learn that the world has moved on. A white-bearded Logan rides on a horse into Light’s Shadow, a western-looking town referred to as “The Territory of the People.” It’s an outpost for rangers, ranchers, thieves, and explorers. So in other words, the perfect place for an Old Man Logan to mosey on into.

[RELATED: Wolverine Continues His Bloody Revenge Tour in Marvel’s Red Band Series (Exclusive)]

Wolverine gets a warm greeting as he enters a saloon. The bar folk are a mix of what you’d normally find in a tavern, along with drinkers dressed in superhero attire. We have a Captain America, Giant-Man, and a tiny Ant-Man sitting on the edge of the bar, all raising a glass to Wolverine. Another panel even has an Ultron wearing a cowboy hat and trenchcoat. The bartender gives Wolverine a drink on the house, and perfectly responds, “You see me reachin’ for my wallet?”

After finishing his beer, Wolverine asks for the location of a man, with the bartender saying he’s upstairs. The preview ends with Logan walking up a set of stairs as someone who looks like Mirage of the New Mutants feeds the Demon Bear beer out of a pitcher. The person Wolverine is looking for could be anyone, though the likelihood of there being many heroes left in this dark Marvel future is slim.

Wolverine: Revenge is an R-rated Red Band Marvel series

Wolverine: Revenge is one of the new titles to get the red band treatment from Marvel. The publisher began releasing red band editions of its comics with the debut of the vampire-centric Blood Hunt, with the individual issues being polybagged and flagged as containing explicit violence and blood. 

The description of Wolverine: Revenge #4 reads, “AN EYE FOR AN EYE! Time has passed since WOLVERINE’S quest for vengeance began. But as an eye for an eye escalates through the years, revenge becomes a FAMILY AFFAIR! And this is going to be one HELL of a reunion! A shocking development in Hickman and Capullo’s saga of the Wolverine that must be experienced to be believed!”

As for Wolverine: Revenge #4 – Red Band Edition, “The same vicious vengeance unleashed in WOLVERINE: REVENGE #4 – only expanded and bloodier than ever in the Red Band edition featuring exclusive pages! Polybagged to contain the explicit violence!”

The exclusive preview of Wolverine: Revenge #4 is below. The issue goes on sale Wednesday, January 22nd.

The post Old Man Logan Returns in Another Dark Future of the Marvel Universe appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Superman universe is about to expand in a major way, and it will be a fan favorite Marvel writer at the helm. DC has announced a new Superman ongoing series will launch this May titled Superman Unlimited, and it will be the team of writer Dan Slott (Superior Spider-Man, Spider-Boy, Fantastic Four) and artist Rafael Albuquerque (Detective Comics, Batgirl, American Vampire) taking the Man of Steel on his next grand adventure. This will be Slott’s DC ongoing series debut as well, and Superman Unlimited as a whole is slated to be a driving force in DC’s upcoming Summer of Superman. You can check out a first look at the series below.

With the addition of Superman Unlimited, DC will have three books centered around Kal-El and the Superman family, including Action Comics and Superman. Superman Unlimited is set to debut on Saturday May 21st, but fans can get their first look at the series in a 10-page prelude in DC All In 2025 FCBD Special Edition #1, which will release as part of Free Comic Book Day on May 3rd.

“He’s the first and the greatest superhero of all-time, and I’ve been waiting my whole life to tell stories about him,” said Slott, “Not just because of all the amazing powers he has, but because of who he is inside. Rafael Albuquerque and I are going to take him—and you—to places you’ll want to escape to every month. Millions of surprising ideas for Superman, Lois, the supporting cast, classic rogues, and all-new friends and foes too. If you’ve never read a Superman book, a DC book, or any comic book before—or if you’ve been a Superman fan your entire life—you couldn’t ask for a better place to take the leap and go all in than Superman Unlimited #1.”

Superman Unlimited will kick things off with an extinction-level event in the form of a Kryptonite asteroid shower. This will obviously have a major effect on Superman, but it will also create an arms race for the now extremely valuable (and far more plentiful) resource. This also means more of Superman’s enemies will have access to green Kryptonite, and to survive this new threat, Superman will need to forge some new alliances and rely on some new technology as well. You can find the official description for Superman Unlimited below.

[RELATED: Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 1/15/2025]

“To kick off DC’s Superman Unlimited series in May, a massive extinction-level Kryptonite asteroid showers Superman’s greatest weakness down upon the earth, creating an arms race for the new most valuable resource on the planet: Green K. The greater availability of Kryptonite in the DC Universe changes the balance of power in the criminal empires of Metropolis and across the globe: Intergang, under new leadership, is on the rise, with practically all their foot soldiers carrying at least one clip of Kryptonite bullets on them. The asteroid left massive Kryptonite deposits to be mined, and it houses unlimited horrors yet to be unpacked. To survive, Superman will need to forge new alliances, new tech and new tactics if he hopes to carry on his quest for truth, justice and a better tomorrow!

Superman Unlimited won’t just provide Superman’s nemeses with near-unlimited Kryptonite: the Daily Planet gets an upgrade. A merger with a new incarnation of Morgan Edge’s Galaxy Communications expands the Daily Planet brand into a multimedia news platform with a cable news channel, website, strong social media presence, and—yes—Lois Lane is still editor in chief. Daily Planet regulars Jimmy Olsen, Ron Troupe, Cat Grant and Steve Lombard will staff satellite branches across the DC universe, creating a global network. Behind it all is the tech savvy of a new IT specialist from Gorilla City, King Solovar’s goddaughter, Tee-Nah.”

“Superman Unlimited adds to the foundation of DC’s Superman comics in the same way Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’s Superman/Batman did in the early 2000s,” said DC group editor Paul Kaminski. “Superman Unlimited will capture the big, fun, high-flying adventures that Superman is known for, while also providing big moments for DC’s Superman-related comics with the introduction of a massive new Kryptonite deposit. Imagine a world where Superman is stopping a bank robbery, but every weapon is packed with Kryptonite ammunition and every petty criminal carries a Kryptonite shiv. This is a world of unlimited danger on a level that Superman, and DC’s Superman family of characters, has never faced before.”

“We just launched Justice League Unlimited in the fall, and Mark Waid and Dan Mora are telling a tale of unlimited Super Heroes in that ongoing series,” continued Kaminski. “In contrast, Slott and Albuquerque’s Superman Unlimited is a tale of unlimited Super-Villains that are super-charged by Kryptonite. Green K is everywhere. Superman is going to need to get to work and adapt to survive. Every line of Dan’s pitch is packed with surprises and every line Rafa draws is stunning… 2025 is truly going to be Superman UNLIMITED.”

Superman Unlimited #1 will release in comic stores on May 21st with a cover by Albuquerque and Marcelo Maiolo. The DC All In 2025 FCBD Special Edition #1 will launch in comic stores on Saturday, May 3rd.

Are you excited for Superman Unlimited? You can talk all things comics with me on Bluesky @knightofoa!

The post Superman Unlimited: Fan-Favorite Marvel Writer Dan Slott to Pen DC Ongoing appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The unexpected crossover between Aliens and the Avengers is about to find a third entrant in the skirmish. The all-star team of Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic are reunited for Aliens Vs. Avengers, bringing Xenomorphs into direct conflict with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. There have been several shocking moments in just the first two issues, from Black Panther’s son being introduced to a Spider-Man getting a new costume made from both symbiote and Xenomorph. The surprises keep coming, but if you’ve been wondering where the X-Men fall in this battle, it appears we’re about to find out.

ComicBook has the exclusive first look at Aliens Vs. Avengers #3 by Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic. It begins with a look at X-Men villain Mister Sinister and some of his clones as they gaze at and inspect a small alien creature. If any villain was going to have an infatuation with Alien creatures and their DNA, it’s Mister Sinister. There’s no telling where his machinations will take him in this Aliens Vs. Avengers saga.

[RELATED: Aliens Vs. Avengers #2 Review: The Makings of A Pitch-Perfect Crossover]

Next, Miles Morales, Captain Marvel, and Iron Man, who were among the heroes who fled Earth to escape the Alien invasion. Their journey appears to have taken them to another planet brimming with advanced buildings. Iron Man receives a notification on his armor of a landmark, and the trio takes off to investigate.

What they find is a swarm of Xenomorphs, and they go into action defending themselves and taking on their foes. Iron Man and Captain Marvel shoot blasts from their hands, while Spider-Man fires off webbing. It’s all an impressive display, and one of the Aliens even gets the drop on Iron Man. He’s put in a chokehold from behind but is able to get the upper hand as the first look comes to an end.

A description of Aliens Vs. Avengers #3 reads, “THE ENGINEERS GO TO WAR! But in a world of cosmic heroes and genetic mutants, the Engineers are not the only gods of creation. As the Engineers set out to destroy what they made, humanity’s remaining heroes discover an even more pressing threat: the X-Men.”

The only X-Men-adjacent character we see in the first look is Mister Sinister, but the synopsis makes it clear that the X-Men will make their presence known in the third issue of the crossover series. We’ve seen some of our favorite Avengers fall in action like Captain America and Hulk, so it’s time to see how the X-Men have fared after a quick glimpse at them in Aliens Vs. Avengers #1.

The exclusive first look at Aliens Vs. Avengers #3 is below. The issue goes on sale Wednesday, February 19th.

The post The War Between Aliens and Avengers Heats Up as Another Faction Enters the Fray appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The latest season of Harley Quinn kicks off with an unexpected deep dive into Superman’s history. When Harley (voiced by Kaley Cuoco) and Ivy (voiced by Lake Bell) infiltrate Metropolis Museum’s superhero gala, they stumble upon an elaborate exhibition showcasing the Man of Steel’s most significant costume changes. From emergency containment suits to alternate reality gear, each display tells a unique story about Metropolis’ most excellent protector. While some outfits served practical purposes in Superman’s darkest hours, others represent radical experiments with his powers or reminders of paths not taken. The museum exhibition also underlines how the creative minds behind Harley Quinn are experts in DC’s rich history in comic books and beyond.

Though known for his iconic blue and red suit, the Last Son of Krypton has donned numerous variations when circumstances demanded more than heat vision and super-strength could provide. These costume changes often marked turning points in Superman’s career, whether adapting to new threats, recovering from devastating injuries, or exploring different aspects of his Kryptonian heritage. Let’s take a look at every Superman costume featured in the first episode of Harley Quinn Season 5.

Every Superman Suit in Harley Quinn’s Museum Exhibition

Recovery Suit

First appearing in 1993’s Action Comics #689, the Recovery Suit emerged during one of Superman’s most vulnerable moments. After his resurrection following the “Death of Superman” storyline, this sleek black jumpsuit features silver highlights and a stylized “S.” Later iterations of the suit also explained its crucial medical purpose. Acting as a solar energy collector and amplifier, the suit covers Superman’s entire body, transforming his weakened form into an enhanced solar battery. This practical application of Kryptonian technology helped restore his powers. It also reinforced the sci-fi element of Superman’s mythos, emphasizing his alien origins and establishing a precedent for using advanced technology in times of crisis.

[RELATED: Superman Director Richard Donner Weighs in on State of Superhero Movies]

Electric Suits

In 1997, Superman #123 introduced one of the most dramatic reinventions of the Man of Steel with the Electric Superman suits. Following a radical transformation that turned Superman into a being of pure energy, he required special containment suits. The primary Electric Blue suit featured white lightning patterns over a blue energy form, while its counterpart manifested in red after Superman split into two beings. Both versions granted unprecedented abilities, including energy manipulation, electromagnetic control, interfacing with electronic devices, teleportation, and intangibility. Though controversial among fans, this short-lived transformation pushed the boundaries of what Superman could be, introducing new powers that occasionally resurface in Elseworld stories.

Imperiex War Suit

The Imperiex War Suit debuted in 2001’s Superman #174 as a direct response to the devastating “Our Worlds at War” crossover event. Ma Kent helped design this variation, which maintained Superman’s classic silhouette while incorporating significant symbolic changes. The suit featured darker blue tones and notably replaced the traditional yellow background of the “S” shield with black, mirroring the design choices seen in the “Kingdom Come” storyline. While not providing additional powers, this costume change represented Superman’s emotional state and served as a visual reminder of the war’s tremendous cost.

New 52 Armor

The New 52 Armor, launched with Action Comics #1 (2011), completely reimagined Superman’s costume as functional Kryptonian battle gear. Designed by artist Jim Lee, this modernized interpretation added a protective collar, removed the classic red trunks, and incorporated red piping throughout the suit. The armor featured tapered sleeves ending in points on the hands and a redesigned “S” shield. Despite initial controversy, elements of this design influenced Superman’s appearance across various media and subsequent comic iterations.

Power Armor

Making its debut in 1990’s Action Comics #659, Professor Emil Hamilton’s Power Armor represents humanity’s attempt to replicate Superman’s abilities through technology. Created during a crisis where Mr. Mxyzptlk temporarily stripped Superman of his powers, this silver mechanized suit allowed the depowered hero to continue protecting Metropolis. The full-body armor granted superhuman strength sufficient for punching through brick and concrete walls, while its reinforced plating could withstand small-arms fire and survive falls from several stories. Hamilton also equipped the suit with an array of sensors to compensate for Superman’s lost super-senses.

Space Suit

Featured prominently in Superman: The Animated Series, the Space Suit addressed the practical challenges of extended cosmic missions while reflecting the show’s more grounded approach to Superman’s powers. The full-body suit incorporated his classic costume elements while providing essential life support systems, protection from cosmic radiation, and propulsion systems for zero-gravity maneuvering. This practical addition to Superman’s arsenal served multiple purposes: adding realism to space adventures, creating opportunities for dramatic tension through potential suit damage, and expanding the show’s toy line with new action figure variants.

Brave New Metropolis Suit

Finally, the “Brave New Metropolis” costume, introduced in the 1997 Superman: The Animated Series episode of the same name, is a dark reflection of Superman’s potential for tyranny. The episode explores an alternate timeline version of Superman, born from the loss of Lois Lane and a subsequent alliance with Lex Luthor, transforming the bright primary colors of hope into an all-black ensemble with a modified “S” shield. The monochromatic, more intimidating appearance represented how loss and power could corrupt even the greatest hero, influencing later depictions of evil Superman variants across DC media.

New episodes of Harley Quinn Season 5 premiere on Max every Thursday.

The post Every Classic Superman Suit in Harley Quinn Season 5 Episode 1 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

By trading Gotham City for Metropolis, Season 5 of Harley Quinn uses its beloved satirical tone to joke about the weirdest aspects of Superman’s history. In the first episode, the show follows Ivy (voiced by Lake Bell) and Harley (voiced by Kaley Cuoco) as they crash into a gala event at Metropolis Museum, where the Man of Steel’s legacy is being honored. As part of the exhibition, there are replicas of colored pieces of Kryptonite, each with a tag that describes their effects on Superman. Of course, we have the classic Green Kryptonite, which drains Superman’s power. However, Harley Quinn digs deep into DC history to joke about weirder artifacts, such as pink and red Kryptonite.

Kryptonite has been integral to Superman’s mythology since it was first introduced in 1943 during the Superman radio serial. The radioactive ore originated from Superman’s home planet, Krypton, making it poetically fitting that fragments of his destroyed world became his greatest weakness. While Green Kryptonite remains the most well-known variant, DC Comics and its derived media have introduced numerous colored versions over the decades, each with unique and sometimes bizarre consequences on the Man of Steel.

[RELATED: Harley Quinn Season 5 Premiere Pays Homage to Superman’s Biggest Cinematic Moment]

Over time, the number of Kryptonite variants grew to include over 30 different types, though many appeared once or twice before being forgotten. Harley Quinn‘s museum exhibition picked six colors to explore the Kryptonite legacy: green, red, gold, blue, white, and pink. Some are obviously in the show for the laughs, while others are ominous nods at future storylines.

Every Harley Quinn Kryptonite, Explained

At the Metropolis Museum, visitors encounter an array of Kryptonite specimens, starting with the infamous Green variant simply labeled “Deadly.” The mineral’s radiation interferes with Kryptonian cellular structures, replacing stored solar energy with toxic emissions that overwhelm their natural healing abilities. Initial exposure triggers intense nerve pain throughout the body, accompanied by nausea and rapid loss of powers. Within minutes, victims experience muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, and vulnerability to physical damage. Prolonged contact leads to radiation poisoning, organ failure, and eventually death. Even brief exposure can weaken Kryptonians for hours afterward as their bodies struggle to purge the radioactive particles and restore solar energy absorption. No wonder this variant remains the most feared substance in Superman’s rogues’ gallery, favored by everyone from street criminals to genius adversaries like Lex Luthor.

The exhibition’s Red Kryptonite display, marked only as causing “Random Effects,” represents one of the most unpredictable artifacts in DC Comics history. First appearing in 1949’s Superman #61, this variant was created when regular Kryptonite passed through a mysterious red cloud in space, fundamentally altering its radiation signature. Red K is particularly frightening because its effects manifest differently with each exposure, lasting anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. In some instances, the mineral split Superman into two beings with opposing personalities; in others, it caused rapid aging or transformed him into various creatures, including a dragon-like Drang. The museum’s vague description acknowledges this chaotic legacy while hinting at the countless possibilities each new exposure might bring.

Created for The Adventures of Superman TV series in 1958, the Gold Kryptonite specimen bears the “No Powers” warning – a deceivingly simple description for a highly complex threat. In Superman’s earliest encounters with this variant, its radiation permanently destroyed a Kryptonian’s ability to process yellow sunlight, effectively rendering them powerless forever. Post-Crisis continuity altered its properties, making the power loss temporary but no less dangerous. In modern interpretations, such as the Injustice timeline, Gold K returned to its permanent effects, with Batman wielding it as the ultimate deterrent against a tyrannical Superman.

The Blue Kryptonite display’s note “Cures Effects of Red” reveals one of the more beneficial applications of Kryptonite radiation. Engineered as a weapon against Bizarro creatures, affecting them as Green K affects Kryptonians, Blue K’s properties have varied significantly since its first appearance in 1960’s Superman #140. In some instances, it acts as a healing agent for non-Kryptonians while suppressing Superman’s superhuman abilities. In Smallville, for example, it rendered Kryptonians powerless but immune to Green K’s radiation. Its most consistent modern use remains an antidote to Red K’s chaotic transformations.

The White Kryptonite section, labeled “Kill Plants,” might appear less threatening than its counterparts, but it’s still quite dangerous. Created when normal Kryptonite underwent cosmic radiation exposure, this variant emits a unique frequency that destroys plant life at the cellular level. While seemingly less relevant to Superman’s rogues’ gallery, its presence in the museum foreshadows trouble for Poison Ivy. A single piece could devastate entire ecosystems, running Ivy’s work in Metropolis. Or, more pertinently, prove lethal to meta-humans whose powers derive from botanical sources.

Finally, the Pink Kryptonite exhibit, noted for its ability to “Swap Gender,” represents a significant reimagining of one of DC’s more controversial artifacts. First appearing in 2003’s Supergirl Vol. 4 #79, Pink K originally altered Superman’s sexual orientation, relying on dated stereotypes for comedic effect. The story portrayed Superman suddenly expressing interest in Jimmy Olsen while making stereotypically gay remarks, a portrayal that was criticized for trivializing LGBTQ+ identities. Harley Quinn‘s reinterpretation as a gender-swapping agent moves away from the original’s insensitive comedy, aligning with the Justice League Action animated series, which similarly changed Pink K’s effects to cause physical transformation rather than orientation changes.

New episodes of Harley Quinn Season 5 premiere on Max every Thursday.

The post Harley Quinn Season 5 Takes a Jab at DC’s Weird Kryptonite History appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Happy new comic book day! It’s another big week in the world of comics, and the ComicBook staff have come together to break down and review as many of the new releases from this week as possible. Now obviously this isn’t every single comic on stands, but we’re breaking down new releases from Marvel, DC, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, Dynamite, Oni Press, IDW, Mad Cave Studios, DSTLRY, and more!

We’ve also carved out some additional space for three of this week’s biggest books in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #35, You Won’t Feel a Thing #1, and Ultimate Wolverine #1, so if our smaller reviews here pique your interest, make sure to check out the full reviews for a much more comprehensive analysis of those issues. As for ratings, we keep things simple with a whole or half number out of five, and you can check out some of our previous reviews right here. With all that said, let’s get to this week’s new comics!

DC

Batman and Robin: Year One #4
Tonally, Batman & Robin: Year One seems to have settled tonally with #4, balancing Dick’s youthfully quippiness with something a bit more serious so as to make things less of a caricature. It’s a development that is perfectly timed as the issue starts to see things settle in other ways as well. We get a more focused look at the villain of the story, a new mobster named Grimaldi seeking to do in Gotham what his father was unable to do in Miami. We also see Dick have his own foe to face in the issue with the first day of school at hand. While the issue delivers plenty of action, it’s the character development, particularly when it comes to the villain and Batman’s response to him that makes this issue stand out. It feels at last like we’re building towards something that will be a real challenge to both Batman and Robin. – Nicole Drum
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #35
Since the first issue of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, superhero fans have known that Mark Waid had something special on his hands. Taking a look to the past of both the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, the team-up book is one that not only highlights what makes Clark and Bruce work so well but the DC Universe at large as well. While artist Dan Mora might have moved onto “bigger” things in the DCU, this hasn’t stopped World’s Finest from continuing its momentum as it does so here by seeing Supes and Bats make their way to the briny deep. In teaming up with the Aquaman of yore, readers get one of our best takes on Atlantis to date. – Evan Valentine
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (Read the full review here)

Catwoman #72
While the narration structure that runs through the issue and frames the story overall is a little bit of a distraction from the more compelling action on the page, Catwoman #72 is a strong issue. Serving as both heist and subtle examination of Selina’s past, the issue gives readers what they want — Catwoman doing a little breaking and entering in order to attempt to retrieve her secrets form a safe — while also deepening the mystery of what exactly those secrets are and who she is up against. There’s a good bit of action in the issue, brought to life by some fantastic art but the use of color is the real star of the show.
– Nicole Drum
Rating: 4 out of 5

Challengers of the Unknown #2
Christopher Cantwell continues to pen a series that feels classic and timeless in its execution, making for an amazing read. Art for the issue is credited to Jorge Fornes, Sean Izaakse, AND Amancay Nahuelpan (with colors by Romulo Fajardo, Jr. and Matt Herms) and it’s a testament to the work of everyone involved that there’s a seamless fidelity to the imagery. Challengers of the Unknown continues to be the kind of thing that major comics should be, huge stories with grand scales and fun characters. – Spencer Perry
Rating: 5 out of 5

Green Lantern: Fractured Spectrum #1
After the monumental events of Green Lantern: Civil Corps, Green Lantern: Fractured Spectrum #1 feels like a needed setting of the table before things hit critical speed again. For those who have been following along with the Green Lantern corner of the universe, this issue will be especially rewarding as it brings together all of the new characters and concepts that have been established, with Jeremy Adams then adding in a few more for good measure. Adams excels at giving each Lantern their own voice and sense of individuality, and this is no more apparent than with Guy Gardner, who shows that any hero, even one as zeroed in as Guy, can still surprise you. Speaking of surprised, V Ken Marion and Romulo Fajardo Jr. bring an unexpected element to the Green Lantern Corps that I hope to see stick around, especially if that clash with the Sorrow is a sign of things to come down the line. Hal, Kyle, John, Guy, Jessica, Kilowog, and the rest of the Lantern Corp feel like a brilliant fit with Marion’s dynamic style, and Fajardo Jr. simply works wonders in bringing their constructs to life. Things are only going to get crazier from here, and Fractured Spectrum gets the next phase of their story off on the right foot.
– Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Nightwing #122
Watters and Soy take the opportunity to explore the past to set the stage for the future in Dick Grayson’s world, highlighting his days as the Boy Wonder of Gotham’s Dark Knight. The flashback scene is one that acts as the highlight of the issue, as DC’s past in this “DC Rebirth” timeline is always interesting to dive further into. Unfortunately, the meat of the issue overall doesn’t have much in the way of twists and turns, feeling fairly “run of the mill” when it comes to Bludhaven. Nightwing needs a shot in the arm to help elevate Grayson’s story and its not to be found here unfortunately, despite the interesting enough story focusing on years gone by. – Evan Valentine
Rating 2.5 out of 5

The New Gods #2
The New Gods #2 continues the operatic overture of the series’ debut. As with the first issue, this story opens with a prelude from a guest artist, this time Jesse Lonnegran, who puts their diagrammatic sense of design to good use in introducing a new threat not to Earth or the New Gods, specifically, but to all of creation. Where Kirby’s original Fourth World created a mythological dichotomy between the abundant life and freedom of New Genesis and the death and totalitarian control of Apokolips, Ram V recalibrates the stakes, turning it into a question of existence as created by the Source and the nihilistic darkness of unbeing that preceded creation. Amid that operatic conflict, The New Gods #2 offers intimate scenes of individuals, both gods and mortals. Evan Cagle’s precise but flowingly free linework presents Highfather more feebly than ever before, collapsing in the comforting arms of his attendant, a contrast to Cagle’s depiction of Big Barda using body language to express both her unwavering confidence and every bit of annoyance she feels toward her husband in that moment entirely through her stance and stare. This mix of grand stakes and raw, emotional moments — as well as the mysteries involving Highfather’s secrets and Orion’s unexplained mission — create the sense that The New Gods is on the precipice of something special, and it’s only getting started. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Nice House by the Sea #5
The Nice House by the Sea continues to be a unique mystery that creates brand new questions any time it answers new ones. What James Tynion IV continues to illustrate in the latest issue is that he’s got an incredible and firm grasp on his characters, making them fully realized and deep. Artist Álvaro Martínez Bueno and color artist Jordie Bellaire continue to knock it out of the park, with major splash pages in the latest issue setting the mood and tone of the series. – Spencer Perry
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Question: All Along The Watchtower #3
It’s difficult not to just lose yourself in the stunning visual feast that is The Question: All Along the Watchtower #3, and while Cian Tormey and Romulo Fajardo Jr. have impressed throughout the entire series, this issue in particular is easily the best one yet. While writer Alex Segura moves you through each step of this growing mystery with ease, the visual storytelling found on every page deserves some additional recognition. Without going into spoilers, that last page sets up a critical next chapter and what will likely be an insanely gorgeous final battle as well, so here’s hoping Renee and the team can get it together and show up for a fight. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 4 out of 5

Wonder Woman #17
Wonder Woman #17 continues the needlessly long and drawn out story of the Sovereign explaining his history and story with Wonder Woman, this time narrating how the Wonder Girls decimated his stronghold by working together while in a parallel story Diana tells her infant daughter the story of her father, seemingly dazed by her own grief as she allows her allies to fight the Sovereign battle for her, at least for now. To be honest, there isn’t much new ground covered in this issue. We’re still very much in the same place we’ve been for a few issues, just with the Sovereign running to a new location that is being teased as being the ultimate one, but one that feels rather American-centric for a character that isn’t actually from our world. It’s an easy enough read, but it feels like we’re just reading water.
– Nicole Drum
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Marvel

Avengers Assemble #5
Avengers Assemble fittingly comes to its end as a celebration of the classic Avengers comics that inspired it. There’s no high concept and no attempts at a widescreen “cinematic aesthetic.” The entire issue is instead a throwdown between the Avengers and the Serpent Society, with each Avenger squaring off against a well-suited foe, leading to several examples of the heroes combining their powers in interesting and exciting ways to outdo their opponents. We even get a killer splash page in the mold of the two vertically stacked rushing toward each other to get the whole fracas started. How much you enjoy the issue will likely depend on how much you appreciate a good old-fashioned superhero slugfest, but it is disappointing that the larger story of Mephisto’s sudden patronage of the Serpent Society goes unresolved, presumably meant as a hook to draw folks into the Marvel Unlimited-exclusive Astonishing Avengers vertical comic this series feeds into. Still, it’s nice to see an example of solid fundamentals at play, and hopefully, we get more such stories in the future instead of the cheap throwback books that fail to recapture the bygone eras they seek to emulate that have become part of Marvel’s bread and butter over the past few years. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Exceptional X-Men #5
The fallout from last issue’s revelation begins in earnest in Exceptional X-Men #5, but in what has become tradition with this series, it’s never handled in the exact way you’d expect. While Kitty Pryde’s confession was heard by everyone, the aftermath is examined on a individual level, with writer Eve L. Ewing shifting the focus to Melee (Thao) specifically. The hard moral stance and how that carries positives and negatives makes for a compelling arc for the new recruit, and her exchanges with the rest of her team and Pryde lead to genuine and earned moments of growth and understanding. It also doesn’t paint Pryde as correct in her actions, and we even get a dive into that evolution as well. The book’s opening pages are some of my favorites of the issue, and it’s no secret that Carmen Carnero, Nolan Woodard, and Travis Lanham can handle a stylish clash. The expression work throughout the rest of the issue is strong as well, though the latter half doesn’t connect as much as the first. Despite those small nitpicks, I’ve found myself a major fan of this ragtag group of heroes, and if there was any question, I’m clearly all in.
– Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 4 out of 5

Laura Kinney: Wolverine #2
After a killer debut, Laura Kinney: Wolverine #2 hits the ground running with a Hell’s Kitchen team-up with none other than Elektra, known these days as Daredevil. Writer Erica Schultz has a clear grasp on the Wolverine trademarks, and pairing Laura with Elektra allows the book to capture a familiarity in their dynamic while also clearly setting Laura apart from any past dealings with Logan. At times it does seem that perhaps Laura is a bit more reckless and on edge than she’s been in the past, which is especially apparent in contrast to Elektra’s more methodical approach. That’s part of the fun though, and I’ll forgive Luke Cage for simply not understanding who he’s talking to. Much praise is also due for the stellar work of artist Giada Belviso, colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, and letterer Cory Petit, who lean into those classic Wolverine aspects in some truly wonderful sequences, and when Wolverine and Daredevil are in the mix together, the artwork is simply magic. That massive cliffhanger only makes the wait for next issue even worse, but the series is establishing that it will be more than worth the wait. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 4 out of 5

Rogue: The Savage Land #1
Taking a trip back to the often forgotten era of the X-Men in Australia, creators Tim Seeley and Zulema Scotto Lavina follow Rogue and her attempts to survive the horrors of the Savage Land. In taking us to the aftermath of the arc known as the Siege Perilous, the power-absorbing X-Man finds herself not only trapped in the prehistoric locale, but sans the powers that have saved her life more times than she can count. In this flashback story, we get a closer look at Rogue as a character along with peeling back the layers of just how scary the Savage Land can be. Seeley not only give us more insight into Rogue’s struggles but also highlights one of the surprising upsides to the fact that the superhero has so many voices bouncing around inside of her skull. Rogue: The Savage Land feels like a necessary buy for those wanting more insight into Rogue, especially if you’re looking to see how the often thought controversial relationship with her and Magneto began. – Evan Valentine
Rating 4 out of 5

Spirits of Vengeance #5
Kudos to the art team here, whose work in Spirits of Vengeance #5 largely feels cohesive despite the many, many names on the credit page. Sean Damien Hill, Brian Level And Paul Davidson are credited as pencilers, with Jay Leisten, plus Level & Davidson credited as inkers. Visually the book is fun, with weird imagery that will no doubt have Ghost Rider fans excited, and it’s all elevated by the work of color artist Andrew Dalhouse, who brings depth and temperature into these locations and characters. Narratively the series remains a mess and unfocused, which is perhaps keeping it from really being of note and not matching the fun of the imagery. – Spencer Perry
Rating: 3 out of 5

Star Wars: Battle of Jakku Last Stand #3
The penultimate chapter of the Battle of Jakku is here and with it, the forces are in battles that span the universe. On the Luke Skywalker side of the aisle, it almost seems as though it’s the calm before the storm as enemies become allies and surprises abound. Segura has a firm understanding of the universe here, juggling the characterization of the countless characters involved. On the art front, Leonard Kirk has always been an artist whose strong suit was capturing emotion, at least in my opinion. While he brings that same strength here, I would say that the space battles themselves feel almost a bit too claustrophobic in terms of portraying the Republic’s fight against this new rise of the Empire. The penultimate issue of the Battle of Jakku is one that’s strong enough, setting the stage for what we hope will be a ground-shaking conclusion. – Evan Valentine
Rating 3.5 out of 5

Storm #4
Storm #4 is a stunning case of style over substance. Lucas Werneck and colorist Alex Guimaraes bring dramatic polish and compositions to the narrative — Wereneck’s title pages remain a memorable stylistic flourish, only slightly undercut by the recap/credits pages, affecting a drastically different and less interesting aesthetic. However, the actual plotting feels nearly random, shifting focus from one beat to the next. Forcing Storm into another intimate staredown with Doctor Doom but without her mutant powers is a natural enough extension of what the previous issue built up, and the issue seems to be headed in an interesting direction as Doom tries to claim mutants for himself. But this premise is unceremoniously disregarded and suddenly an entirely new set of circumstances — thrust upon Storm seemingly at random — comes to the fore. It’s emblematic of the problem plaguing this series from the start, as each new plot hook is rushed past and forgotten before it ever evolves to its fullest potential as if writer Murewa Ayodele is trying to force as many ideas into the book as possible — many of them compelling ones — as quickly as possible for fear that he’ll lose the opportunity. It makes for a reading experience that is dazzling on the surface but leaves one feeling unfulfilled by the issue’s end. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 3 out of 5

The Amazing Spider-Man #65.Deaths
“The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man” arc takes a diversion in strongly-numbered The Amazing Spider-Man #65.DEATHS as writer Derek Landy, Kev Walker, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Mattia Iacono take the reins for an aside focusing on Phil Coulson, who recently became the personification of Death in the Marvel Universe. Seeking to answer the question of why Death chose Coulson for that role, the issue offers the most boring possible answer: because Coulson is special. It’s a cop-out that ironically suggests that there is nothing special about Coulson as a character — or at least that the creators and editors charged with mapping out his role in the Marvel Universe lack any particular insight into who Coulson is and why this grim duty particularly suits him. The remainder of the issue sees the art team doing cover versions of iconic moments from Spider-Man’s history across several double-page spreads, and while Walker’s linework is as evocative as ever — using lines sparingly to allow emotion to fill the space — these spreads aren’t additive to Spider-Man’s story and only lead to the tired conclusion that suffering maketh the hero, turning this issue into a forgettable intermission. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 2 out of 5

The Immortal Thor #19
With departing Asgard for the time being, a series of vignettes checking in with various supporting characters dwelling in the golden realm comprise Immortal Thor #19. Dubbed “Tales of Asgard,” the issue uses Magni, Thor and Enchantress’s son from a dead future, as the connective thread between these scenes, though only barely — he doesn’t even interact with some of the characters featured. Despite that, the issue manages to set the stage for many potentially compelling stories to come involving the return of the Utgard gods and the foretold death of Thor. If there’s a theme connecting these tales, it’s a sense of longing for the past, whether that’s seeking to reclaim past glory, make up for past wrongs, or simply find some measure of the purpose they once had. It’s a state that leaves Asgard ill-prepared for the imminent turn of the wheel that will thrust them into the future, whether they wish it to be or not. The different art styles could have been employed more effectively — their use in the issue feels mostly haphazard — but it’s all solid in its own right. Ultimately, the issue proves a mostly effective palette cleanser, setting the stage for what’s to come. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Ultimate Wolverine #1
It can be difficult to take familiar elements and ideas and give them new twists and while Ultimate Wolverine #1 definitely does lean into some familiar things, this isn’t merely another remix. Condon has crafted a take on the idea of Wolverine as a brutal killer that offers readers enough mystery and questions that makes the story stand on its own even for the more “what if” elements of the storyline. By giving readers glimpses of where the character has been but not quite revealing everything and keeping some of the dynamics between characters and groups a bit of a mystery. The result is a compelling story, one that will have readers wondering what’s next. – Nicole Drum
Rating: 5 out of 5 (Read the full review here)

Image Comics

Feral #9
You just knew something was severely off with the mysterious “lady” and her supposed safe haven, and the disturbing truth comes to light in Feral #9. The intrigue spills into violent chaos, and if the stakes weren’t high enough already, they’ve reached truly critical levels here. Writer Tony Fleecs doesn’t give you a moment to breathe as Elsie and Gigi attempt to save the kids and a Lorde still under this house’s thrall, and this just might be the most visceral issue of the series to date, with the outstanding team of Trish Forstner, Tone Rodriguez, and colorist Brad Simpson painting a truly nightmarish picture of survival with the series’ patented animated flair. In short, Feral isn’t letting anyone out of its clutches anytime soon. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

G.I. Joe #3
The first two issues of G.I. Joe have been absolutely stacked with high octane action, and in that respect, issue #3 takes a moment to breathe. That’s not to say there isn’t action at all, but it’s in a different vein, with one mostly happening outside of view while the other is a one on one confrontation that just seems silly when you put it into perspective, and Stalker earns MVP status for calling that out as well. The most compelling aspects are found on the Cobra side through Clutch’s undercover point of view, as Joshua Williamson continues to develop the hierarchy within Cobra and the complicated dynamic between Cobra Commander and Destro. Cobra headquarters simply looks fantastic in the hands of artist Tom Reilly, colorist Jordie Bellaire, and letterer Rus Wooton, and it all comes together towards the end too, as we get a major tee-up for next issue now that more of the pieces are in place. There’s plenty to love in G.I. Joe #3, but it doesn’t quite hit the supremely high bar of issues #1 and #2. – Matthew Aguilar
Rating: 3 out of 5

The Moon Is Following Us #5
The Moon Is Following Us comes to the end of its first arc with an epic battle, shocking deaths, and twisted betrayal. The last of those brings a fundamental question for the series’ heroes: Can they, having been willing to do anything to save their child, truly fault another for doing the same? The battlefield chaos is hard to follow at times, but Rossmo’s delicate linework and colors drive home that this carnage occurs in a world of dream stuff. There’s also a sense of near-infinite escalation here as an entirely new facet of the story only emerges in this issue’s closing pages. It’s a lot, making for a somewhat hectic but thrilling reading experience, but one that keeps its eyes on the emotional core of its story, that of parents and children wrestling with grief and the struggle of letting go. Halfway through the series, and with the sense that we may finally have all of the cards on the table, it’ll leave the reader excited to see how things coalesce in the story’s back half. – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 4 out of 5

Other Publishers

Minor Arcana #5
Minor Arcana #5 is possibly the most gut-wrenching issue of the series to date. The issue digs into the story of Theresa’s grandfather Budd as he struggles with a sense that something bad is coming for him. It’s a story that, largely, unfolds in a way that is going to be very familiar for many readers: a sense that there is more that we should be doing with our lives, a sense of discontent, a sense of being stuck in an endless loop of drudgery and want. But the issue has a turn that not only shines a light on Theresa’s story in the present, but also will make the reader really consider the nature of what a bad feeling could really be about. Beautifully written and beautifully drawn, this is a stunning issue and one that will absolutely haunt you. -Nicole Drum
Rating: 5 out of 5

Shadow of the Golden Crane #1
Shadow of the Golden Crane arrives as an interesting corner of the World of Hellboy, digging into a fresh side of the franchise and exploring another decade that’s ripe for potential. Chris Roberson pens the script, which manages to take the focus off Hellboy to surprising effect, focusing instead on Susan Xiang, a BPRD agent with plenty of appearances already under her belt, and fleshing her out even more. With Michael Avon Oeming on art, and colors by Chris O’Halloran, there’s a high bar for the visual look of the series, and though O’Halloran’s colors look good, there are some times where visually things get lost, with details left by the wayside. It’s not bad by any means, but the standard previously set by these two does make these moments glaringly obvious. However the book is one of our first Hellboy titles in some time and it’s nice to be back. – Spencer Perry
Rating: 4 out of 5

Star Trek: Lower Decks #3
The Cerritos crew embarks on a new adventure in Star Trek: Lower Decks #3. The comic continues to offer everything fans loved about the animated series in terms of character dynamics and tone through a combination of Ryan North’s strengths as a writer (endearingly snappy dialogue plus an appreciation for science and ability to make it digestible to lay readers, with that last one feeling well represented by the introduction of certain new Starfleet branch) and artwork that is dynamic without being ostentatious. That might sound like damning with faint praise, but rather it gives the comic the consistent rhythm that characterized the TNG era of Star Trek television which Lower Decks spent five seasons celebrating. Jack Lawrence’s lines are a little thicker; his characters are a little more cartoonishly abstracted from the original models than other artists who have worked on Lower Decks in comic book form, but this feels like a natural evolution of the aesthetic as it adapts to the comics medium and hardly feels distracting or out of place. Come for the latest hijinks of the Lower Decks crew, and stay for the explanation of metastability vs. stability via a cowboy emoji on a line graph (you’ll see). – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 4 out of 5

You Won’t Feel a Thing #1
What becomes of an old detective at the end of their days? Scott Snyder and Jock have told plenty of noirish tales, and the main character of their new DSTLRY series You Won’t Feel a Thing, having spent most of his life and career chasing serial killers, could likely have starred in a few of them. But what happens now that death has come for him, not in the form of a masked murderer but as a tumor applying increasing pressure on his brain? Can he go quietly into that dark night, or will unfinished business have him going down fighting? – Jamie Lovett
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (Read the full review here)

The post Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 1/15/2025 appeared first on ComicBook.com.

“Let me show you what it means to save the world,” Victor von Doom told Doctor Strange in the final moments of Blood Hunt #5. After an incorporeal Strange transferred Doom the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, the leader of Latveria gave his word: He would surrender the title upon using it to save the world. But his work had only just begun. When Doom cast a spell that helped Earth’s mightiest heroes end the vampire invasion, he told the Avengers, “You have but one man to thank: Earth’s new, superior Sorcerer Supreme.”

As Strange embarks on a mission to become the first Sorcerer Supreme of Asgard, and Sam Wilson’s Captain America leads a team of heroes and villains to overthrow Emperor Doom, the self-proclaimed Emperor of the World is assembling the Superior Avengers — “deadlier, meaner, and all-around superior to any Avengers team that’s come before,” per Marvel.

RELATED: One World Under Doom, Explained: How Doctor Doom Became Earth’s New Superior Sorcerer Supreme

The Latveria-based team includes Doctor Doom’s versions of the villains Abomination, Doctor Octopus, Ghost, Killmonger, Malekith, and Onslaught. The six-issue limited series, which ties into the mega-event One World Under Doom, is from writer Steve Foxe (X-Men ’97, New Champions) and artist Luca Maresca (She-Hulk, X-Men: Forever), whose designs put a Latverian twist on the enemies of the Hulk (Abomination), Spider-Man (Doc Ock and Lady Octopus), Iron Man (Ghost), Black Panther (Killmonger), Thor (Malekith), and the X-Men (Onslaught). See the all-new characters below.

“Introducing any new character to the Marvel Universe — let alone an entire cast of them— is both an honor and no small terror,” Foxe said in a statement. “So when editor Wil Moss reached out about developing an intense, secretive team of Avengers for One World Under Doom, I knew I had to swing for the fences.”

Foxe continued, “The Avengers that readers are going to meet here may have familiar names, but you’ll quickly come to learn why they consider themselves superior to other teams. This book features some of the most ruthless, wide-scale action I’ve ever written at Marvel, and I’m so thrilled to be telling this story alongside Luca Maresca. Luca nails both the subtler mind games at play in our story and the (sometimes literally) breakneck action.”

“Doctor Doom is one of my favorite villains, and I can’t wait for fans to learn the story of his new Avengers,” Maresca added. “In designing these characters, I tried to keep as many elements of their classic versions as possible. In clothing or equipment, they always have some reference to their source character or their media versions. I was very excited to co-create new Marvel characters. Giving them a life and a new identity is something I love to do, and as the story progresses, I’m excited to peel back their layers, deepening them and baring their soul! Readers are in for some big surprises!”

On stands April 16 with a cover by One World Under Doom artist R.B. Silva, Superior Avengers #1 asks the questions: “Are they really who they claim to be? Where did they come from? And, most importantly, whose side are they really on?”

A synopsis states, “And there came a day, unlike any other, when Doctor Doom ruled the world…and he needed an Avengers team all of his own! Kristoff Vernard, son of Victor Von Doom, has been tasked with building the newest iteration of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! But who are these would-be heroes? And how did they come to be the Superior Avengers? Find out in a tale unlike any other in the landscape that is One World Under Doom!”

Superior Avengers: Abomination

Superior Avengers: Doctor Octopus

Superior Avengers: Ghost

Superior Avengers: Killmonger

Superior Avengers: Malekith

Superior Avengers: Onslaught

One World Under Doom #1 (of 9) goes on sale Feb. 12, launching a series of tie-in titles that includes Doom Academy (Feb. 19), Thunderbolts: Doom Strike (Feb. 19), Red Hulk (Feb. 26), and Superior Avengers (April 16).

The post Marvel’s Doctor Doom Assembles the Superior Avengers appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Alien franchise has been finding new success by digging into its own past. Ridley Scott gave the movies a new lease on life by opening up the backstory of the original Alien (1979) film in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant; director Fede Álvarez took that baton and ran with it, making Alien: Romulus an Easter egg trove of franchise callbacks and connective threads. Meanwhile, the various Alien comic series from Marvel have been building entirely new lore around the content of the films – and now the latest anthology series Alien: Paradiso is introducing a major franchise character as its “final girl.”

The story of Alien: Paradiso takes place on the planetary resort colony of Paradiso, which has strict rules about banning weaponry of any kind. A smuggler/arms dealer named Ricky Valentine comes there with his crew to make a highly valuable deal with a cartel that could set him up for life. Unfortunately, that deal is for some xenomorph samples that are already being incubated inside live hosts. When one of the xenomorphs chest-bursts out of its host in the middle of the dinner hall, panic sets in and a strict quarantine is put in place.

Alien: Paradiso #2 sees Ricky starting to realize just how badly his plan is going. The guests are locked inside the dining room; Ricky’s grim-faced bodyguard Tsula Kane doesn’t hesitate, grabbing up meat forks, knives and other sharp utensils to use as weapons. Ricky chastises Tsula for being paranoid, but Tsula counters that she’s resourceful and prepared – and a flashback scene reveals why the dark legacy of the Alien franchise has made her that way…

Alien Introduces Kane’s Daughter

The Alien franchise’s very first xenomorph appearance was a Chestburster that had been implanted in the body of “Kane” (John Hurt), the executive officer of the commercial towing ship USCSS Nostromo. It was Kane who stumbled upon the ill-fated discovery of facehugger eggs in a crashed Engineer ship on LV-426, and was taken down by one of the parasites. Ellen Ripley and the rest of the Nostromo crew had no understanding of what the facehugger was or how to remove it. Everything seemed to work itself out when the facehugger mysteriously died and Kane suddenly awoke – that is until the crew’s “family dinner” turned into a nightmare when the chestburster emerged from Kane’s body.

Alien: Paradiso #2 reveals that Tsula Kane is (as her name would imply) the daughter of Thomas Kane, who died aboard the Nostromo. The flashback scene focuses on Tsula’s memory of how a representative of the Weyland-Yutani corporation came to see her mom and explain that the nature of Thomas Kane’s death and the Nostromo’s destruction meant the company wouldn’t pay out anything beyond the basic life insurance policy. Mrs. Kane was broken by being left with no explanation about her husband’s death, and no finances to support her family, imparting the harsh lesson to Tsula that life is brutal, and we are powerless against that brutality.

With this reveal, Alien: Paradiso has revealed the true protagonist and thematic angle of its story. Instead of undercover Colonial Marshals Dash Nanda and Lydia Reeves (as implied in issue #1), it will be Tsula who is our “final girl” protagonist. The story is also taking shape as a ‘cycle of violence’ parable that will explore how the original xenomorph’s violent birth and rampage aboard the Nostromo created a version of Tsula who is now prepared to revisit that same brutality upon them. For longtime Alien franchise fans, it’s yet another connective piece that’s adding to the larger puzzle of where the franchise is headed next.

[RELATED: Alien: Romulus Director Teases Sequel Heading Into “Uncharted Territory”]

Alien: Paradiso is available at Marvel.

The post Alien Reveals Major New Legacy Character Connected to Original Film appeared first on ComicBook.com.

McFarlane Toys is set to drop a third wave of 1:10 and 1:6-scale Marvel poseable figures, which will include heroes like X-Men’s Cyclops, Secret Wars Spider-Man, Mighty Thor’s Thor, and more. If you’re unfamiliar, this line of figures/statues are based on iconic Marvel covers from the likes of Jim Lee, Steve Ditto, John Romita Jr., Rob Liefeld and, of course, Todd McFarlane. Look for Wave 3 to launch January 15th at 9am PT / 12pm ET here at Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon. Check out the entire list of heroes below along with a gallery of teaser images. UPDATE: The statues are live!

• Marvel Collection 1:6 Scale Wave 3 Thor Mighty Thor #177 Comic Cover Statue
• Marvel Collection 1:6 Scale Wave 3 Spider-Man Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 Comic Cover Statue
• Marvel Collection 1:10 Scale Wave 3 Spider-Man Amazing Spider-Man #302 Comic Statue
• Marvel Collection 1:10 Scale Wave 3 Cyclops X-Men #1 Comic Cover Statue
• Marvel Collection 1:10 Scale Wave 3 Daredevil #600 Comic Cover Statue
• Marvel Collection 1:10 Scale Wave 3 Storm Marvel Tales Featuring Spider-Man and the X-Men #235 Comic Cover Statue
• Marvel Collection 1:10 Scale Wave 3 Captain America All-New Captain America #1 Comic Statue

Back in May of last year, Todd McFarlane, the comic creator, president of Image Comics and CEO of Mcfarlane Toys, exclusively told Comicbook about the launching of this new line. McFarlane had the following to say to ComicBook about the future of the lineup:

“Well, you know, I sort of got a soft spot for some of the guys I grew up with,” McFarlane said. “I’m gonna do a tip of the hat in the first series to Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld because I thought that during that whole era where we came along, we sort of each made our mark in different ways that were there.”

“Eventually, I’d like to tip my hat to some of the people that inspired me a ton, George Perez and John Byrne,” McFarlane said. “But I also know that there’s a whole generation that have come in who those aren’t the guys they grew up with, right? It’s more of people that they’re looking at right now. And whether it’s the interior artist and, or the cover artist, I’ll be sort of looking at what they’re asking for and giving them that.”

Want to stay up to date with all the latest comic book news? Then keep an eye on our Gear Page!

The post McFarlane Toys Marvel Comic Cover Statues Wave 3 Is On Sale Now appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Wolverine is the best there is at what he does, but sometimes that unfortunately means taking lives. And it hits a little harder when that life belongs to one of his closest friends on the X-Men. Wolverine is one of the newest additions to the Ultimate Universe, except this isn’t the Logan fans have come to know and love. Ultimate Wolverine is closer to his Weapon X days than the hero fighting as an Avenger and X-Man. Wolverine is being used as the ultimate weapon by members of The Maker’s council, and he’s already being pitted against his loved ones. WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Ultimate Wolverine #1. Continue reading at your own risk!

Ultimate Wolverine #1 comes from the creative team of Chris Condon, Alessandro Cappuccio, Bryan Valenza, and VC’s Cory Petit. We begin in the Eurasian Republic, ruled by the triad of Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red. They’ve started a secret government division called Directorate X to exploit mutants, which on the surface looks like another form of the Weapon Plus program. A group called the Opposition is living up to their name by interfering with Directorate X, causing Ultimate Wolverine to be sent in to take them out.

[RELATED: Marvel Reveals Wolverine’s Ultimate Form (and It’s Terrifying)]

After dropping from the sky like a missile, Wolverine begins infiltrating what appears to be a church turned into a headquarters for the Opposition. Wolverine makes quick work of the guards before heading inside, where he’s met by two familiar faces: the mother/son duo of Mystique and Nightcrawler.

Ultimate Wolverine kills his best friend Nightcrawler

We jump from the present to the past to get a little history of Ultimate Wolverine’s backstory. It’s revealed that Wolverine was the only survivor of an attack on an Opposition compound, making him an attractive candidate for the Rasputins and Omega Red. Wolverine even survived a point-blank gunshot to the head. He’s the perfect candidate for Dr. Prostovich’s skeletal enhancement, aka the Adamantium bonding process.

Nightcrawler immediately recognizes Wolverine, even though he has a full face mask covering his head. Nightcrawler hides and begins reciting a prayer as Wolverine mows down his attackers in the Opposition. He’s then confronted by Colossus, who appears out of nowhere wielding a massive machine gun. The only problem is Wolverine has a heightened sense of smell, and realizes that’s not Colossus. It’s Mystique in disguise. They fight for a few seconds and then Wolverine slices Mystique’s throat, killing her.

Nightcrawler attempts to reason with his old friend, telling Wolverine that he remembers him and this ruthless killing machine isn’t his true self. Kurt Wagner may be a priest, but that doesn’t mean he’s anti-violence to protect himself. Nightcrawler springs into action, BAMF’ing across the room while he sprays Wolverine with gunfire. Again, Wolverine uses his nose to sniff out Nighcrawler, impaling him with his Adamantium claws after a teleportation.

“If you’re in there, my friend, I pray you have the strength….,” Nightcrawler tells Logan. “I’m sorry we weren’t quick enough… We came back… we came back for y-you… We would always… come back… for…” Those are Nightcrawler’s last words as he passes away while slumped against a wall. What this means is Nightcrawler and the other members of the Opposition returned to their compound after the attack from Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red’s forces. But there were no survivors except for Wolverine, who they took with them.

Wolverine and Nightcrawler’s friendship is one of the best things about the X-Men

The first issue of Ultimate Wolverine starts by having a mind-controlled Wolverine brutally slay Nightcrawler. Their friendship is one of the defining aspects of the X-Men franchise because of how different they are. Nightcrawler is a religious man, and we know Wolverine is never considered that. Wolverine has a history of killing, and yet Nightcrawler ignores that to love his friend the way he is.

Fans got to see their dynamic at work on X-Men ’97, most notably how they worked so great together when they protected Rogue from Bastion’s Sentinel sleeper agents. Their differences are what brings them together, and we’ve seen it play out on the small screen as well as in the comics.

Unfortunately, that won’t happen in Ultimate Wolverine or in the Ultimate Universe. Nightcrawler is dead, and Wolverine will continue to be used as a weapon of mass destruction against his former friends.

The post Marvel’s New Ultimate Wolverine Brutally Kills His Closest Friend on the X-Men appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are here from their comic book run, The Last Ronin, in this all-new drop from Funko. The turtles are seen here looking like their comic book counterparts, with all of the garb and weapons of a different future. Included in the release are all four turtles: Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo, and the titular Last Ronin (SPOILERS: aka Michelangelo). The line also includes some exclusives, like an Amazon exclusive 4-pack that depicts the Last Ronin among his ghostly brothers.

All of these Pops will be available to pre-order starting today, January 15th at 12pm ET. Commons and select exclusives will be available here Entertainment Earth and here on Amazon. A full breakdown of the wave including additional exclusives can be found below.

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin Leonardo Funko Pop!
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin Raphael Funko Pop!
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin Donatello Funko Pop!
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin The Last Ronin Funko Pop! (Deluxe)
• Amazon Exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin Michelangelo / Raphael / Leonardo / Donatello Funko Pop 4-Pack – See on Amazon
• Barnes and Noble Exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin Funko Pop! – See at B&N
• Meijer Exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin Leonardo with Swords Funko Pop! – See at Meijer
• BAM! Exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin Oroku Hiroto Funko Pop! – See at BAM

The Last Ronin Live-Action R-rated Movie 

Back in April it was revealed that a live-action, R-rated adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin is in the works at Paramount. Walter Hamada, the former president of DC Films at Warner Bros. and current overseer of the studio’s horror line, is developing the project. The new film will be based on The Last Ronin IDW graphic novel, which is set in a future post-apocalyptic New York City where a lone surviving Turtle embarks on a mission to avenge his fallen brothers. Tyler Burton Smith, the writer for 2019’s Chucky and the R-rated action movie Boy Kills World, is writing the script.

“A New York Times best seller, The Last Ronin was conceived as “the final story” of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Co-written by Tom Waltz (IDW’s TMNT) with pencils and inks by artists Esau & Isaac Escorza (Heavy Metal) and Ben Bishop (The Far Side of the Moon), the climactic Turtle tale pit the lone warrior against the grandson of Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello’s old archnemesis: the Shredder. The mini-series launched the “Ronin-Verse” and a prequel, titled Last Ronin — The Lost Years, which spanned the devastating series of events leading up to the Last Ronin’s final battle.”

Want to stay up to date with all the latest TMNT news and collectibles? Then keep an eye on our Gear Page!

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Since the first issue of Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, superhero fans have known that Mark Waid had something special on his hands. Taking a look to the past of both the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, the team-up book is one that not only highlights what makes Clark and Bruce work so well but the DC Universe at large as well. While artist Dan Mora might have moved onto “bigger” things in the DCU, this hasn’t stopped World’s Finest from continuing its momentum as it does so here by seeing Supes and Bats make their way to the briny deep. In teaming up with the Aquaman of yore, readers get one of our best takes on Atlantis to date.

For Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #35, Clark, Bruce, and the Boy Wonder join Aquaman as residents of the deep are becoming monsters thanks to a mysterious virus. Two different sides of Atlantis, Tritonis and Poseidonis, are caught in the maelstorm and Arthur doesn’t seem like the unifying at this point in his career. Our issue ends in typical superhero fashion, with quite the cliffhanger of an often-forgotten villain who is making a surprise appearance in Davey Jones’ locker. Once again, the inclusion of this antagonist proves just how knowledgeable Mark Waid is in the DCU and concocts interesting contrasts for his stories with the elements and characters therein.

To start off this review, I must state that I’m not a big fan of Arthur Curry. Granted, I’ve read about him plenty when he makes appearances in Justice League appearances and DC comic book crossovers, but in terms of stories strictly focused on the DC deep, I’m at a loss. In World’s Finest, Waid and his artistic cohort for the issue, Adrian Gutierrez, are able to present quite the engaging take on Atlantis and Arthur’s place within it. Much like real world politics, if an elected leader, or in Atlantis’ instance its king, is not physically present, citizens might get a bit wary if a crisis befalls society and said leader is nowhere to be found.

[RELATED: Batman Just Got Another Wild new Version of the Batmobile (And It’s Lethal)]

It’s in this quagmire that we are able to see Curry at his finest, attempting to explain to his people that his role as a member of the Justice League ultimately benefits them as well. Saving the world inherently means that Aquaman is saving Atlantis but its a rationale that falls on deaf ears here. Honestly, there are a lot of moving pieces to this take on the underwater civilization and it makes me want to pick up an Aquaman solo book to see if things play out similarly. Perhaps, that’s one of the best compliments you can give a comic book, in that by reading it, it only makes you want to consume more.

Of course, Batman, Robin, and Superman are still a part of this story, which Waid does not forget here. Once again calling on the antics of DC Comics’ Silver Age, the writer brings back Lori Lemaris, one of Clark’s first girlfriends who just so happens to be a mermaid. Her presence here makes for a solid connection between Kent and Atlantis as she can break down the current problems of the day facing her people to Superman. Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson might not have a strong connection to the deep but considering their lack of super powers, their predicament also makes their situation an interesting one.

Of course, it takes a village to create a hit story and Waid finds a solid partner here in Gutierrez. Standing in the giant shadow of Dan Mora is no easy feat, but Adrian does his job here and the some. Where the artist most shines is in his action scenes, capturing energetic panels in a way not often seen in superhero comics. Direction is such a key component for any comic book, superhero or otherwise, and Gutierrez has an unbelievably strong eye for this. The characters, heroes and villains alike, appear larger-than-life here and it works amazingly well in tandem with Waid’s writing.

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest after thirty-five issues hasn’t missed a beat, remaining the gold standard of superhero storytelling in the DC universe. It’s timeless storytelling that continues to show what makes these characters work so well. The series remains a must buy for anyone that is a superhero fan and I hope it continues well into the future.

Published by: DC Comics

On: January 15th, 2025

Written by: Mark Waid

Art by: Adrian Gutierrez

Colors by: Tamra Bonvillain

Letters by: Steve Wands

The post Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #35 Review: A Perfect Window Into The DCU appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe is a dark place. Thanks to The Maker — an evil version of Reed Richards — heroes never reach their full potential and The Maker’s Council ruthlessly rules the world. That includes the Eurasian Republic where Colossus, Magik, and Omega Red rule, experimenting on and exploiting mutant kind. But you can’t have a secret government division doing nefarious deeds without soldiers and that’s where Ultimate Wolverine #1 comes in. Written by Chris Condon with art by Alessandro Cappuccio, Ultimate Wolverine #1 plays with the idea of what if Wolverine was this world’s Winter Soldier and the result is a story that is grim and bloody, containing just enough familiar elements for longtime Wolverine fans to hold onto while introducing some brutal new elements that the story unfolding particularly tragic, even if not especially groundbreaking.

Ultimate Wolverine #1 is a story that is, in. a sense, told in pieces. It begins largely in the “present,” with a flight over Eurasian Republic airspace near the Latverian border with Wolverine — though not called that by name — being deployed. A pair of terrified soldiers speculate about who or what he is, suggesting that he’s not even human and instead was made of the corpses of soldiers who died in combat and that he himself cannot die. As Wolverine deploys himself on his mission, we get pieces of his past. He was the lone survivor of an airstrike, then shot in the head, then imprisoned by Directorate X who decided to experiment on him, stripping him of his identity, enhancing his skeleton and turning him into a murder machine for their purposes. When it comes to those purposes, we see him deployed against Nightcrawler and Mystique — who we learn were his friends before he was taken and turned into a weapon. But while Wolverine carries out his task, the issue ends with the suggestion that maybe not all traces of Logan have been erased and that there are variables that Directorate X did not account for.

[RELATED: Marvel Reveals Wolverine’s Ultimate Form (and It’s Terrifying)]

In terms of this being particularly groundbreaking, story-wise, this really isn’t it. However, Condon does a really masterful job of taking the familiar aspects of Wolverine’s story — being seen as something other than a person, the suffering and cruelty he’s endured as he’s turned into a living weapon — and the familiar aspects of the Winter Soldier concept and presenting them as something that doesn’t feel overly repetitive. The issue gives us just enough to be interested and leaves us with questions that make us want to know more. What is Wolverine’s real origin? Is he really a composite of the parts of dead soldiers? What is his history with The Opposition? What happened that led him to being separated from his friends in the first place? There are also questions about what is really going on inside Wolverine’s head. It’s already established that he’s practically feral. How much of his old life does he remember by way of his animal self? Even with a general concept that has, in some capacity, been done before, these questions give the story a freshness worth exploring and makes for a solid read.

Artistically, Ultimate Wolverine #1 is solid as well. Cappuccio’s style carries a particular energy and when paired with Bryan Valenza’s colors there are moments when this issue feels less like a Marvel comic and more like an independent title in the best way possible. There are also some just truly stunning images, in particular one of Wolverine cutting across the sky as he makes his way to his target having leapt from the plane. The fights are also very well rendered as are the emotions on the faces of the various characters — namely Kurt’s as he realizes exactly who he’s facing in his final moments.

It can be difficult to take familiar elements and ideas and give them new twists and while Ultimate Wolverine #1 definitely does lean into some familiar things, this isn’t merely another remix. Condon has crafted a take on the idea of Wolverine as a brutal killer that offers readers enough mystery and questions that makes the story stand on its own even for the more “what if” elements of the storyline. By giving readers glimpses of where the character has been but not quite revealing everything and keeping some of the dynamics between characters and groups a bit of a mystery. The result is a compelling story, one that will have readers wondering what’s next.

Published by: Marvel Comics

On: January 15, 2025

Written by: Chris Condon

Art by: Alessandro Cappuccio

Colors by: Bryan Valenza

Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit

The post Ultimate Wolverine #1 Review: The Wildest Wolverine Yet appeared first on ComicBook.com.