Source:Â THonline.com
Marvel Comics’ New Year’s Resolution must be to “shake things up.”
Some of the most recognizable superheroes in comics have some very exciting things happening to them in the coming weeks.
The company’s most successful hero, Spider-Man, will be embarking on a new storyline titled “Brand New Day,” which is kind of a fresh beginning for the character, a return to his roots.
If you’re a Spidey fan, what this also will mean is that you’re going to be spending more money to buy the Spider-Man comic book. Three times as much, actually.
Beginning in January, Marvel will be publishing “Amazing Spider-Man” three times per month (up from only once).
The revised publication schedule is obviously a business decision to bring in more bucks. But let’s hope the new artists and writers will be up to the task of a near-weekly Spider-Man series and that the stories will have quality in addition to quantity.
The Incredible Hulk will be putting the “red” in “incredible.” Marvel’s famous green-skinned goliath will be trading his emerald skin for ruby red in the all-new “Hulk” series.
Beginning again with a new No. 1 issue, “Hulk” will be written by Jeph Loeb.
Loeb knows a thing or two about superheroes, having previously written and produced episodes of “Smallville” and “Heroes.”
Artist Ed McGuinness will draw the new “Hulk” book.
I’m not sold on the red Hulk concept. While a cool idea, it seems almost sacrilegious to change Hulk’s skin tones. With a second Hulk movie coming this summer (retaining the green skin on screen), I find it hard to believe that this change will last.
Remember a few months ago when Captain America died? The highly publicized storyline made national news as the patriotic icon was gunned down. Yes, he is still dead. Yes, I think he will eventually come back to life. Thankfully death is seldom permanent in comic books.
However, in the upcoming “Captain America” No. 34, there appears to be a brand-new Cap. Wearing a modified uniform with heavier armor and toting a gun, this new Captain America’s true identity is a mystery. It should be a fascinating story when the real Cap returns from the dead and takes on his imposter.
Finally, Marvel’s flagship title “Fantastic Four” will receive a new creative team in early 2008. But this isn’t just any team.
Writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch are considered among the finest comic book creators today. They’re kind of the Spielberg and Lucas of comics. Together, they produced the best-selling “Ultimates” series, bringing a sense of realism to superhero comics.
Now they are promising a long run on the “first family” of comics.
Expectations are high, but fans are also skeptical that the books will be released on schedule. Hitch’s art is amazingly detailed but he has a reputation for missing his deadlines. Some of the “Ultimates” comics were delayed up to six months between installments. However, if this dynamic duo can produce a monthly “Fantastic Four” book, it could actually become the top-selling comic of 2008. It should be an interesting year for the good guys.
Dyer is a teacher at Fulton Elementary School in Dubuque.
