Lately There has been a resurgence of talk about racial politics in comic books. On one side, certain minority superheroes whose original portrayals were controversial are gaining more prominent roles in their respective universes. On the other, the nostalgia-driven changes, especially at DC, are having the unfortunate (and admittedly unintentional) effect of eliminating certain minority characters in favor of the all-white all-stars of the silver age.
Art Asylum has posted a series of in progress shots of the upcoming War Machine figure based on the upcoming Iron Man 2 movie. Polished up, the figure looks good, and will go nicely with the iron Man Mark IV action figure when it is released.
With the 70th anniversary of Marvel is quickly approaching (August 11, 2009), the company is playing up on the celebration by releasing themed variant covers to many of its books.
Each of these unique variants is guaranteed to make you smile—where else are you gonna see War Machine grunging out on Fender Jaguar? Or Rogue vogue-ing it up? The 90s and 80s take center stage when the 70th Anniversary Decade Variants make their sensational debut!
All four of the books are being released June 17, 2009.
This one appeared in the Washington Post, and it’s all part of the Wolverine Art Appreciation Month kicking off in April.
The titles featuring these variants are:
Keep watching Marvel’s Wolverine Art Appreciation Month page for more covers as they are reveiled.
In case you missed Marvel’s last major event — and by last I mean most recent event, and not final event — Secret Invasion is back in a slew of trade paperbacks so you can finally join in on all the talk around the water cooler about the series that lead to the current state of affairs in the Marvel universe with Norman Osborne in charge.
“We’re very appreciative of the unprecedented support from retailers, fans and the press for Secret Invasion,†said David Gabriel, Marvel Senior Vice President of Sales & Circulation. “With the recent announcement of Secret Invasion Black Panther and Runaways/Young Avengers making the New York Times Graphic Books Best Sellers List, we thought this would be a good time to remind fans of the affordable packages we have available for them to catch the stories they might have missed, while also alerting new fans of a way to discover what led to Dark Reign.â€
Sixteen trades are already available, with fifteen more on the way between now and June. Take the jump for the complete list, so you have all the background you need (hint: the Earth wins).
Marvel has announced three of the Dark Reign tie-in issues have sold out at the distributor level and are being sent back to press with variant covers. New Avengers #49 has a cover price of $3.99, Punisher #2 hits shelves for $2.99, and War Machine #2 by Greg Pak also features a $2.99 price tag. All three issues arrive in stores on March 25, 2009.
Marvel has announced that Invincible Iron Man #9 and War Machine #1 are both heade back to the printer for a second printing (complete with variants).
On Invincible Iron Man #9, Marvel says:
“Earth’s Most Wanted†continues as Tony Stark must protect the entire Marvel Universe—even if it means forfeiting his own life! This new printing features the stunning interior art of Larroca on a new cover.
And on War Machine #1:
Featuring the explosive interior of Leonardo Manco on the cover! Written by World War Hulk mastermind Greg Pak, this is the red hot series that has drawn rave reviews from all corners!
Both reprints arrive on February 18, 2009, with cover prices of $2.99.
Marvel has released another round of Bring On The Bad Guys variant covers for titles arriving soon. Take the jump for villain covers to Amazing Spider-Girl #27, War Machine #1, and Guardians of the Galaxy #8.
War Machine is mad as hell and packing heat. Not just because Terrance Howard is out of Iron Man 2: Electric Boogaloo, but because of those damn dirty Skrulls. It gets intense in Iron Man: Director of SHIELD #35, and Marvel has sent Major Spoilers a sneak peek.
In the zone this week: Super-types hopped up on goofballs! Parker’s kid gets the axe! Contests contests contests! The ghost of Doctor Wertham rears it’s ugly head! Creatures from the sea! Peace officers from Neopolis!  Treasures from the DC Vaults. Mitchell Hundred gets our vote! Plus: In the fields the bodies burning, as the war machine keeps turning… OH LORD YEAH! It’s Formula 44, so turn your head and cough, ‘cause the Major Spoilers podcast is on the air!
Show Notes after the Jump!
The Skrull invasion continues, and with Iron Man detained in the Savage Land, it’s up to War Machine (and writer Christos Gage, with art by Sean Chen) to kick some Skrull ass. Marvel has sent Major Spoilers a sneak peek at Iron Man: Director of SHIELD #33.
Or – “I Think We Can Be Certain It’s Not Really Final…”
I started to try and write a big clever open, but y’know what?Â
RACCOON WITH A HEAVY MACHINE GUN!!!!!
How am I s’pose to top that?