HORROR ON THE HORIZON: UPCOMING HORROR FILMS TO WATCH OUT FOR!

Hey everyone! October is quickly approaching and with that the Horror film season. Here I'd like to share with you some of the horror films that have captured my attention and are definitely on my watch list! I must admit that the last year has felt rather stagnant in the way of good horror cinema. The highly anticipated horror films like IT FOLLOWS failed to live up to the hype and INSIDIOUS 3 wasn't quite as scary as its predecessors. Check out the trailers below and tell me if this season looks any better!

GOODNIGHT MOMMY

THE WITCH

CRIMSON PEAK

DEATHGASM

HAIRMETAL SHOTGUN ZOMBIE MASSACRE

ASH VS THE EVIL DEAD

THE GREEN INFERNO

KRAMPUS

Okay, some are TV shows but that's no reason to discriminate. American Horror Story, The Walking Dead, Supernatural, The Bates Motel, and other fantastic TV shows have proven to me that television horror can be just as good as the theatrical experience.

Well, what do you think? Looks like Eli Roth's film The Green Inferno is finally getting a wide release after being finished over a year ago. I don't know about you but I am very excited and looking forward to the movies and shows above! Some look like a ton of fun and others look scary as hell! Maybe, just maybe the horror stagnation plaguing us of late might be over!

BETWEEN THE PANELS: INDESTRUCTABLE HULK & DOC GREEN

The Incredible Hulk has been and probably always will be my favorite comic book character. He's the character that hooked me way back when watching the old Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno television series in syndication in the mid 1980's. I started reading comic books because of the character and he maintains the majority of my comic book collection. As a result I am extremely critical of the Hulk's portrayals in both comic books, film, and television. Many have written him and many more will continue to write him. As they do they will either earn my praise or my ire.

The latest story line of Marvel Comics's Hulk has come to an end. Retitled INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK, the new book was a part of Marvel's 2012 relaunch of their titles under the new MARVEL NOW! banner (pun intended). The book was written in it's entirety (issues #1 through #20) by Mark Waid, veteran comic book writer and superstar, and penciled by various artists, most notably Leinil Yu and the legendary Walt Simonson.

Walt Simonson artwork

After issue #20 the book was re-titled simply HULK and continued the story as if the book hadn't changed titles at all. Of course with a new title came new numbering despite being a direct continuation. So once again we have another issue #1. The opening story arc was also written by Mark Waid and afterwards changed hands to writer Gerry Duggan. This "new" Hulk book lasted for 16 issues, all of which were penciled by wonderful Marvel artist Mark Bagley. Also included in this volume was a four issue mini series titled ORIGINAL SIN: HULK VS IRON MAN tieing into the Marvel event ORIGINAL SIN, two of the issues written by Mark Waid and penciled by Mark Bagley. All said and done this saga spanned a total of 40 issues plus an Annual one-shot special.

THE PLOT

(Spoilers)

Leinil Yu artwork

The age old question to whether the Hulk should be allowed to run free or destroyed is posed once more. Mankind has always feared his power and his rage. Many have tried to deal with his outbursts of rage, exiling him to an inter-dimensional crossroads, launching him into outer space, or trying to outright kill him. All have failed and even though Hulk proves himself the hero rather than the threat time and time again they still don't trust him. So Bruce Banner comes to his latest pursuers, S.H.I.E.L.D., with a proposal, "Provide me with a lab, a team of scientists, and tools with which I will help the world and in exchange you can keep an eye on the Hulk and use him as an Agent of SHIELD.

In the simplest of synopses each of the story arcs for the entire 20 issues of Indestructible Hulk revolved around Banner working for SHIELD inventing groundbreaking technology the likes of which would make Reed Richards and Tony Stark jealous, and Hulk being sent out on missions. The first story arc sees him going to the undersea kingdom of Lemuria and battling classic powerhouse villain ATTUMA. After that Banner and his team of scientists create a portal to the Jotunheim, the land of the Frost Giants. The gateway also transported them back in time where they meet a younger Thor. With Thor's help they get back to their own time.

Attuma triumphant

Following those events we have a two issue story where Banner checks in with his parole officer, Matt Murdock a.k.a. DAREDEVIL. Then we launch into a 5 issue arc involving Hulk jumping through time tracking various Chronarchists (time traveling anarchists screwing up the time stream). He visits Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table, the old west, and other time periods resulting in crazy team-ups and fantastic battles. The story then launches into its final story arc in which Bruce Banner attempts to cure the plague of inhumans effecting the world. The final issue ends with a cliff hanger showing Bruce being shot in the back of the head by a mysterious assassin.

Now begins the second half and the new volume. Who shot Bruce Banner? After the back of Bruce's head explodes he transforms into the Hulk, saving his life. As a result the wound heals around the bullets and bone fragments. Hulk goes on a rampage resulting in the Avengers being called in to stop him. But Hulk is too much for them, even the strength of Captain Marvel isn't enough. Then a long thought dead enemy of Hulk's crashes the party, the ABOMINATION! The Abomination fights with even greater strength and ferocity than he's had before, mopping the floor with the Hulk. The Avengers have to team-up with Hulk just to push the Abomination back. Then, once everyone is beaten to a pulp, the Abomination is teleported away by the same mysterious person or persons who just tried to kill Bruce.

The return of the Abomination!

Iron Man offers to heal Bruce's mind, now that his brain is fried from the bullet. Tony takes Bruce to his secret city where they inject Bruce with a portion of the Extremis serum. Tony and his brother Arno Stark rebuild Bruce's brain and completely heal him. Bruce then tricks Arno Stark into giving him another dose of Extremis which transforms him into a new version of the Hulk, the OMEGA HULK. Hulk is now super smart and learns that Tony Stark could've prevented Bruce's accident that turned him into the Hulk in the first place. The two of them engage in an extensive game of cat and mouse while more and more secrets surrounding Bruce's original transformation come spilling out. In the end Hulk voluntarily stops his attack on Iron Man in pursuit of more pressing matters.

Cover for Hulk #6 by the great Hulk artist Gary Frank!

Hulk, now calling himself DOC GREEN (because the Hulk was a name his enemies gave him, one he never liked), sets out with the remainder of his SHIELD scientist team to remove the Gamma threat from the face of the world. He goes after Rick Jones, The A-Bomb, and depowers him making him totally human once again. Next he goes after his son Skaar wiping the gamma from his body.  Systematically Doc Green works his way down the line of gamma powered people and "de-hulking" them. When he comes to his ex-wife Betty Ross, the Red She-Hulk, he discovered it was she who shot him in the head and set the Abomination after him. Doc Green says he understands why she did it and doesn't blame her for it, but he still depowers her. Lastly he goes after his ex-father in-law, Red Hulk. After a hard won battle Red Hulk is depowered too. The only two Hulk's he leaves alone are Jen Walters, the She-Hulk, and his daughter Lyra. The story is then interrupted and subsequently ended by the Marvel event SECRET WARS by Jonathan Hickman.

Mark Bagley artwork

THE GOOD

The Kiss. Hulk apparently made an impression with Lemurian warrior Mara

The Hulk volume prior to this was a the INCREDIBLE HULK by writer Jason Aaron. It was atrocious. I thought nothing could be worse than Jeff Loeb's RED HULK book but I was wrong. In theory Jason Aaron's Hulk should've been great, but it completely disregarded the volume before it, repeated a story that had already been done several times before, and had a string of terrible artists. The space bears were cool though. Why is this good, you ask? Because Mark Waid completely ignores it.

Doc Green depowering A-Bomb

He begins a very Bruce Banner centric story, which is rare. Waid explores Banner's intelligence and occupation as a scientist showing why the character is one of the smartest characters in the Marvel Universe. It's refreshing having the story being Banner driven instead of Hulk, another rare quality. Banner's whole drive is to create something beneficial for mankind instead of smashing everything. He sets a crazy goal about inventing something new every week or so (or something along those lines).

The art for the first story arc by Leinil Yu is fantastic. His Hulk is good and everyone else in the book looks great. Having the story lead Hulk to Lemuria and eventually confronting Attuma was a real treat too as Attuma and the ocean dwellers are some of my favorite characters. It's too bad Namor ~ The Sub-Mariner couldn't make a cameo. After that the book goes along a certain path that feels very experimental for the character.

Hulk vs Attuma

After issue #20 of Indestructible Hulk, when the next volume starts, the first story arc of the second half kicks off with a bang! Bringing back Abomination in the hard hitting badass way that they did was amazing! I haven't been so excited for a Hulk book in a long time. The Original Sin tie-in was done very well and the rest of the book flows along a wonderful path. I've always hated the influx of Hulks, i.e. Red Hulk, Red She-Hulk, A-Bomb, Skaar, and so on (I actually kinda like Lyra though). Most writers can barely handle one Hulk rather than the half dozen Jeff Loeb gave us. So Doc Green going from one Hulk to the next and "de-hulking" them was wonderful. My hat's off to Gerry Duggan for delivering a wonderful last year of stories. His Omega Hulk story arc is easily the most entertaining of all 40 issues. Even so, my favorite story arc for the whole thing is when Abomination returns. Abomination is my favorite Hulk enemy and always will be.

Is Doc Green the Maestro?!

Mark Bagley's art is fantastic from beginning to end, perhaps the most enjoyable artist on Hulk since Paul Pelletier (the best artist to draw Hulk since Gary Frank and Dale Keown in the 90's). His art has an impact to it during the fight scenes. This is going to sound weird to say but it doesn't feel static. That right there is the sign of a great artist. The Hulk vs Avengers vs The Abomination fight scene was easily the high light of all 40 issues. There's an old saying too, "every great artist on Hulk proves himself in a Hulk vs Abomination fight scene." Okay, that's not an actual saying but it's true.

Mark Bagley's Hulk vs Abomination

THE BAD

Except for Leinil Yu, Mark Bagley, and Luke Ross (he did two issues of the Original Sin tie in mini series) all the other artists are pretty forgettable. I hate to admit it but a little over half of Mark Waid's stories are pretty forgettable too. I like what he tried to do but overall I think his experiment with a Banner driven book half failed. That may be due to Marvel forcing him to write stories that tied in with events like AGE OF ULTRON (ugg... blarg, what a terrible story) and INHUMANITY. The forgettable artists also contributed greatly in the experimental stories failing.

Hulk Agent of T.I.M.E. story arc and artwork. This was the Age of Ultron tie in story

And then there's Secret Wars... cutting the comic short, barely giving Gerry Duggan enough time to finish what was easily the most enjoyable Hulk saga since Greg Pak's run. You could say that the story kind of continues in the Secret Wars tie in books that are Hulk centric but after having read both Secret Wars: Planet Hulk and Secret Wars: Future Imperfect I can say with certainty that the story ends with issue #16 of Gerry Duggan's Hulk run. It's a shame because Secret Wars isn't that great. Marvel has hurt so many books by forcing them to go along with major events like this. I'm all for continuity but the shear number of events (a massive crossover seems to happen every quarter) is ridiculous. My solution: stop making event books. Let the writers see their ideas through for a year without forcing them to write a story they have no interest in.

An example of the art quality in the latter half of the Indestructible Hulk

Oh yeah, and what's with the stupid armor? Even a child can tell that Hulk doesn't need armor.

THE VERDICT

Greg Pak, despite my complaints about having read all his Hulk stories before written by either Bill Mantlo, John Byrne, or Al Milgrom, I do feel his Hulk was the last great Hulk saga, from Planet Hulk to Heart of the Monster minus all that Red Hulk crap (which I blame Jeff Loeb for entirely). That being said, this is easily the most enjoyable Hulk saga since. The Indestructible Hulk volume would ultimately be mediocre if it wasn't followed up by the "Who Shot Bruce Banner?" story which lead into the Omega Hulk arc. Those two stories elevate the Waid run and without them the Indestructible Hulk volume would easily vanish from memory. One of the best compliments I can give any book is simply, "I would keep buying it if the same creative team kept making it."

Overall Ranking: 6 out of 10

(the majority of Indestructible Hulk brings the rest down from what would be a 7 out of 10)

Art by Luke Ross

Greg Pak is returning to the book when it relaunches in December of 2015. Sadly the book looks terrible with an even worse title "Totally Awesome Hulk." This looks totally "not" awesome, guys.

Want more Hulk? Check out the post linked below...

Classic Rock: Hulk versus Abomination

BETWEEN THE PANELS: GUARDIANS 3000 & KORVAC SAGA

Cover for Guardians 3000 #1 by Alex Ross

In 1969 Marvel introduced the world to the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Set in the year 3007 A.D. The Milky Way galaxy had been taken over by the alien race called the BADOON. At this point in history mankind has colonized nearly all the local planets of our solar system, Mercury, Jupiter, Pluto, and even the nearest planet outside our galaxy in the Alpha Centuri system. Due to the vastly different climates on these planets, the human beings that live and work in those harsh atmospheres were genetically altered to inhabit such extreme environments. A Jovian, an Alpha Centaurian, a Pluvian, and an Earthling from the 20th Century, all on their way to execution, band together and escape their ill fates. Together they form a team of freedom fighters dedicated to liberating the galaxy from Badoon tyranny. They were to become the very first Guardians of the Galaxy!

Images from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 #14

"Wait, what? Those aren't the Guardians. Where's the dance-off champion Star-Lord? The loud-mouthed raccoon and walking tree?"

They're still there. Those are the 21st century Guardians of the Galaxy. But the 31st century Guardians of the Galaxy were there first.

"Wait, what?! You're making even less sense than before."

The 21st Century Guardians of the Galaxy

In 2008 a new group of heroes banded together to protect the whole universe. They were Nova (Richard Rider), Star-Lord, Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora, Warlock, Quasar, Major Victory, Mantis, Moondragon, Jack Flag, and Cosmo. On their second mission they encountered a man from the 31st century. He wore a hermetically sealed suit, bore Captain America's shield, and said, "I am Major Victory of the Guardians of the Galaxy." After hearing that name Rocket adopted it for their team. Thus the future Guardians gave way to the past Guardians.

That comic book was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. Those two writers along with writer Keith Giffen assembled the current Guardians of the Galaxy in a truly legendary relaunch of Marvel's cosmic super heroes. That story's roots began back in 2003 in THANOS vol. 1. But before then there was another team of Guardians of the Galaxy that had existed since the 1960's with some epic story lines through the 70's. Their biggest success was in the 1990's with over 70 issues all their own. These characters play a significant part in the 2008 volume with Star-Lord and the other characters everyone is now familiar with.

That story line ended in 2011 and it seemed the Marvel cosmic universe was once again laid to rest. Then in 2013 a NOVA book and another Guardians of the Galaxy book were started. The Nova book featured a completely brand new character and was entirely its own story, only briefly connecting with the previous Nova book. This was incredibly disappointing as it was a Nova book not for Nova fans. Then the Guardians of the Galaxy book featured all the same characters, but they barely resembled themselves at all, they were so radically different in character and design. It was like night and day. It seemed writer Brian Michael Bendis had no idea who he was writing.

So Marvel was restarting their cosmic line of books but both were terribly disappointing compared to the previous Nova and Guardians books. Then in October of 2014, in the wake of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie's tremendous success, Marvel launched another book called GUARDIANS 3000. The book featured the original Guardians of the Galaxy from the future and was written by none other than Dan Abnett, co-writer of the last great era of cosmic Marvel. Finally the fans of cosmic Marvel had a book to look forward to, one that would deliver where the other current cosmic books were failing.

THE CHARACTERS (some spoilers)

The Guardians of the Galaxy, Vance Astrovik a.k.a. Major Victory, Charlie 27, Martinex, Yondu, and Starhawk are traveling from planet to planet liberating the oppressed worlds from the ruthless Badoon. They liberate a labor camp filled with slaves and encounter a young woman named GEENA DRAKE. For some reason Geena registers as an anomaly to Starhawk and he believes her to be incredibly significant. They take her along with them hoping to discover why she is so special.

"Hold on a second... Haven't they freed the galaxy from the Badoon before?"

Major Victory wielding Captain America's shield

Before we get to that let's establish who these characters are. MAJOR VICTORY was an American astronaut from the 1980's. He embarked on a 1,000 year mission into space in hopes of reaching the next closest planet that may have sentient life, Centuri IV in the Alpha Centuri system. To survive the journey he is placed in a stasis suit under suspended animation. What they didn't realize was that he would be awake for the whole 1,000 year trip. During that time his body underwent a mutation developing telekinesis and psionics. When he reached Centuri IV he was greeted by human beings awaiting him. During his journey the human race had developed intersteller travel due to Harkovian engines. He exited the rocket discovering that mankind had colonized the galaxy. Shortly thereafter the Badoon attacked and everyone of the centaurians were seemingly killed save one.

Yondu in the comics is vastly different from the Yondu in the movie.

Vance and a weapons expert native to Centuri IV named YONDU, supposedly the last of his race, were taken captive by the Badoon. Yondu is a skilled hunter, tracker, and expert in hand to hand combat. He wields a bow and arrows made of a mineral called Yaka, which is extremely reactive to harmonics. By whistling he can control the path and trajectory of the arrows. He is the weapons master of the Guardians.

Charlie 27 is the huge dude in the back. The image is from the 2008 volume of the Guardians of the Galaxy

Meanwhile, returning to his home on the planet Jupiter, CHARLIE 27 finds the world empty with not a single Jovian to be found. Charlie is a Jovian, a genetically modified human being designed to function in the high pressure environment of Jupiter. The Jovians are thick, massive humans with ultra dense bones and extremely strong musculature. With enhanced reflexes to react quickly in case of emergency, not only are Jovians physically huge but under normal gravity they are unbelievably fast. Charlie is captured by the Badoon and taken to their new capitol planet. Once there he overpowers his captors and makes a break for it.

Martinex

Charlie comes across another prisoner, a crystalline looking man named MARTINEX. Martinex is another genetically engineered human being designed to survive on Pluto. He is the last of the Pluvians, the rest murdered by the Badoon. His body can manipulate biothermals allowing for temperature regulation in the extreme Pluto climate. He can shoot either fire or ice from his hands. The Pluvians were a colony of scientists. Martinex is the science officer of the team. Charlie helps free him and the two of them help free Vance and Yondu. Together the four of them make their escape and form the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Starhawk designs from the 2008 volume of Guardians of the Galaxy

After that they encounter a being known as STARHAWK. Starhawk is a being of immense and mysterious cosmic power and is two people merged into one, a man named STAKAR and a woman named ALETA. Sometimes Starhawk appears as a male, utilizing Stakar's body. The other times she appears as a woman, utilizing Aleta's body. Starhawk is a quantum energy manipulator and precognitive in addition to a number of other mysterious powers including psionics. Starhawk is "the one who knows." He sees the future and knows the destinies of his teammates. He/she acts as a guide for the team and is the major power player for them. Eventually Stakar and Aleta are separated, each retaining immense cosmic power.

Starhawk in Aleta's body from the 2008 volume of Guardians of the Galaxy

And last on the team is NIKKI, a genetically modified human designed to survived the extreme heat of Mercury. All the Mercurians are killed by the Badoon except her. She escapes in a Badoon ship and encounters the Guardians by chance. She has natural grace and enhanced agility on par with Spider-Man. She is proficient in fire arms  and a skilled pilot. Her skin is ashen grey and her body temperature runs naturally around 200 degrees with a hot attitude to match. These seven make up the Guardians of the Galaxy in the 31st century.

Nikki

THE PLOT (spoilers)

Something is wrong with the time stream. Time is skipping and repeating and only Geena Drake can perceive it. The Guardians are stuck in a loop, one in which they all die and then restart 30 minutes prior to dying. Geena, remembering how they died, helps them avoid death a second time. They discover that the time stream is dissolving. In order to fix things and save all of existence they need to travel to the past and find the problem.

Art by Gerardo Sandoval

This leads them to the year 2015 A.D. where they encounter that era's Guardians of the Galaxy. Together both teams of Guardians track the problem to an old enemy, Michael Korvac. But they are too late to stop time from ending. The Marvel event SECRET WARS occurs and the Guardians find themselves in a totally new universe on a planet called Battleworld. There they act as enforcers to an area of Battleworld called Forest Hills. The area is run by Korvac. There they discover another anomaly, the world isn't right. They are the ones who know and the only ones who can do anything about it.

THE GOOD

Alex Ross artwork for issue #6

The writing is fast paced. The action is hard hitting. The characters are ridiculously cool. The comic lasts for 8 issues before being interrupted by Secret Wars (it has a prologue at the end of Bendis's Guardians of the Galaxy #14 which is the story's technical beginning). During those issues the story is told from Geena's point of view. She describes the characters while watching them royally kicking Badoon butt. Her view of them is sort of awe-inspiring, which translates to the reader viewing these characters the same way. It's a fantastic way to keep the pace going strong while explaining to your readers who these characters are in a quick concise manner (more concise than my quick character breakdowns above).

Each of the characters is treated respectfully and accurately as far as their skill sets and powers. You can tell Dan Abnett loves these characters because after reading these issues you feel the same way. The story incorporates a ton of guest cosmic characters too like Gladiator, Star-Lord, a future Herald of Galactus, and the last surviving Nova Corpsman (a descendant of Richard Rider too!) complete with the Worldmind. These cameos quickly remind you of how vast the cosmic Marvel universe is and how great this world is. In addition to all of that there are references galore to the previous Guardians books from the 1990's on back and of course to Abnett and Lanning's prior Guardians title.

One thing about referencing the older books that I don't think the majority of writers at Marvel realize is that a simple gesture like that validates the writer in the eyes of the reader. It lets us, the reader, know that the writer has done his/her research and therefore we feel more comfortable in their hands. Not only that but it also makes the story seem all the more grander. Yes it is its own story but it also is a part of something far bigger too. Not only does it validate the author in our minds, but, if we have read the older books, it validates the time and devotion we readers have already given to these characters. If you think this caters only to long time fans you'd be wrong. For new readers a reference to an older story adds a new level of intrigue and makes the new reader feel like they have just discovered a whole new universe and are now a part of something bigger.

Issue #3 Cover an homage to a classic Star-Lord cover from Marvel Preview

There's humor too. Clever humor. The guest appearance of the modern Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the shining moments in the volume. In the three issues that feature them they are far better represented and written than in the entirety of Bendis's run or any other writer for that matter (other than Andy Lanning of course ;). For a brief moment the modern Guardians felt like their old selves again. And the addition of Carol Danvers Captain Marvel is great too. Then Secret Wars happens and the volume is prematurely ended.

But even in this the story ties into the events occurring in Secret Wars. Whereas most of the Secret Wars tie in mini series are self contained and unconnected to the previous series, the Guardians 3000 tie in mini series titled KORVAC SAGA connects to the previous series and continues it all the while functioning on its own as well. The story from issue #1 of G3000 is geared toward the inevitable interruption of Secret Wars. So, instead of 8 issues and a "What if" fantasy scenario mini series afterwards we get a full 12 issue story. Captain Marvel's and Moondragon's appearances in Korvac Saga are absolutely wonderful too!

Here's the list of the issues that make up the total story:

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 #14 (backup story)

Guardians 3000 #1-8

Korvac Saga #1-4

THE BAD

The art work for the majority of the 12 issues ranges from simply okay to terrible. While I could find positives here and there as a whole I didn't enjoy Gerardo Sandoval's art. The art is very angular, jagged, and cartoony. That may work well for light-hearted books like Spider-Man and Squirrel Girl but I feel it was inappropriate here and as a result a "death sentence" for the book. I thought the art got better once Nico Leon took over from issues 6-8. The art for Korvac Saga was probably the worst but not far off from Sandoval's.

Variant Cover for KORVAC SAGA #2

Abnett uses a type of sci-fi future-speak for a lot of the dialog. While this is incredibly sci-fi immersive it kind of detracted from the experience at points. Secret Wars forced the book to end prematurely (as Secret Wars did to just about every book). Because of this the story feels rushed. As a result some characters are left under utilized and the potential for the book is cut in half. Some of the character designs too are a little underwhelming (Nikki is the big one that comes to mind).

THE VERDICT

Variant Cover for KORVAC SAGA #3

This book was doomed from the start because of Secret Wars. Even still, Abnett went with the best story he could tell in a compressed amount of time and used every moment to its fullest. Abnett appears fully aware from the start of how Marvel intended to screw him over with Secret Wars. Despite this he turns out a fantastic story from start to finish. I gained more enjoyment from issue #2 than the entirety of Bendis's Guardians run. I've reread the whole volume twice, something I haven't done with a Marvel comic in over five years.

Concept Designs for KORVAC SAGA

For the first time since 2011 I received an incredible cosmic comic book from Marvel. It inspired me to go back and reread Thanos volume 1 thru Annihilation thru The Annihilators. Fortunately in December of 2015 Marvel is launching another Guardians book written by Dan Abnett titled GUARDIANS OF INFINITY. The book will feature the modern Guardians, the Guardians 3000, and new team of Guardians as well. Hopefully Abnett will connect it to Guardians 3000 and continue the story.

Designs for Nikki and Geena Drake for KORVAC SAGA

Overall Ranking: 8 out of 10

(despite the bad artwork)

GUARDIANS OF INFINITY #1
By Dan Abnett
Coming December 2015

Want more Guardians of the Galaxy? Check out these other posts...

Between the Panels: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 By Bendis

Hero Worship: Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy VS Guardians of the Galaxy

For more great Marvel comics from Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning check out these too...

Revolutionary War 

Mys-Tech Wars 

ALL-NEW ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL NOW: WHAT TO BUY & WHAT TO FRY

Marvel Comics Group is doing a massive relaunch of their universe in the wake of the universe shattering event SECRET WARS by Jonathan Hickman. Starting in October of 2015 and rolling on through the following months we will be seeing virtually all of their previous books ended (most of which already are over) and a ton of new titles starting up!

If you're a comic fan like myself and share some similar tastes as far as super heroes are concerned then follow me on down as I list off the new titles that Marvel is delivering and spotlight which titles are MUST HAVES, which are question marks ????, and which to AVOID! Let's take a look...

OCTOBER

 Angela: Queen of Hel

By Marguerite Bennet (writing)

Kim Jacinto & Stephanie Hans (art)

 Nope. Probably not gonna get this one. I enjoyed the character when she was a part of the SPAWN comic book but I just don't know what to think of her in the Marvel U. Having her in the Thor books I do think is a good place for her. 

 The Astonishing Ant-Man

By Nick Spencer (writing)

Ramon Rosanas (art)

Pass. I've never been that big of an Ant-Man fan. I loved the movie and I will buy the movie the moment it comes out. This comic does look interesting and cool. If there was an Ant-Man comic to get It'd be this one.

 The Amazing Spider-Man

By Dan Slott (writing)

Giuseppe Camuncoli (art)

Pass. Spidey is too much for me. I like him but not enough to buy a Spidey comic regularly. I also do not care for the artist. 

 Blade

By Tim Seeley (writing)

Logan Faerber (art)

Pass. This book I would get if it didn't look so off-putting. A pink Blade? Looks like something out of the 80's. I like Blade. I have liked him for a long time. But this looks too far from the source.

Sam Wilson, Captain America

By Nick Spencer (writing)

Daniel Acuna (art)

Pass. I like Falcon. I like Captain America. Daniel Acuna's art isn't terrible either. But I don't care for Fal-Cap.

 Contest of Champions

By Al Ewing (writing)

Paco Medina (art)

Pass. I'm interested in this one. It looks like a fun book that will probably carry no weight and not effect the universe at all. A fun book for crazy match-ups and Paco Medina's art will lend itself well to such a book. I doubt it will last though.

 Doctor Strange

By Jason Aaron (writing)

Chris Bachalo (art)

YES! I am definitely getting this book! Jason Aaron has one of the most messed up, disturbing imaginations out there. This is a winning combo (in theory). Add it to the pull list.

 Extraordinary X-Men

By Jeff Lemire (writing)

Humberto Ramos (art)

Nope. Not gonna do it. Lemire is good but Ramos I just can't get behind. 

 Guardians of the Galaxy

By Brian Michael Bendis (writing)

Valerio Schiti (art)

Hell no (which is a shame because I love the Guardians of the Galaxy). I got burned the last time. Bendis doesn't have the imagination for a book like this. It's too much for him. I'm ashamed for getting his previous Guardians title. Never again. The art will be good though.

Howling Commandos of SHIELD

By Frank Barbiere (writing)

Brent Schoonover (art)

Pass. I love Marvel's horror characters but this is the wrong direction to take them. No. No. No.

 Invincible Iron Man

By Brian Michael Bendis (writing)

David Marquez (art)

Pass. The art will be great on this book but I have read Bendis's Iron Man before in his Avengers books. This book will only disappoint.

 Karnak

By Warren Ellis (writing)

Gerardo Zaffino (art)

Short Listed. This book has the potential to be something awesome. The character of Karnak and his ability to see the weakness in everything is rife with possibility. It could fly high or crash. This one is on the maybe list.

 New Avengers

By Al Ewing (writing)

Gerardo Sandoval (art)

Pass. I like Songbird but that's it. I also don't like Sandoval's art.

 Spider-Man 2099

By Peter David (writing)

Will Sliney (art)

Pass. If I were to buy a Spidey book it would be this one. I like Peter David's writing a great deal as well as the 2099 universe. But there are too many other books coming out and only so much money.

 Spider-Gwen

By Jason Latour (writing)

Robbi Rodriguez (art)

Pass. I always liked Gwen better than Mary-Jane. But no.

 The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl

By Ryan North (writing)

Erica Henderson (art)

Never in a million years.

 Uncanny Avengers

By Gerry Duggan (writing)

Ryan Stegman (art)

Pass. The only character I like on this team is Doctor Voodoo. I enjoyed Gerry Duggan's Hulk run too. No other character on this team gets me excited though.

Uncanny Inhumans

By Charles Soule (writing)

Steve McNiven (art)

YES. I've followed all of Charles Soule's Inhumans books so far. And Steve McNiven's art is good. I just worry Soule will be spread too thin to really give the story that something special.

NOVEMBER

 All-New All-Different Avengers

By Mark Waid (writing)

Adam Kubert (art)

 Nope. Not a fan of anybody on this team.

 All-New X-Men

Dennis Hopeless (writing)

Mark Bagley (art)

Nope. I love Bagley's art but it's not enough.

 All-New Wolverine

By Tom Taylor (writing)

David Lopez (art)

Nope. I like X-23 but not enough to endure Lopez's bland artwork.

 The Black Knight

By Frank Tiere (writing)

Luca Pizzari (art)

Short Listed. This book looks cool. Just like Karnak it could go either way. I will be very interested to see how this book is received. As of now it's a maybe.

Carnage

By Gerry Conway (writing)

Mike Perkins (art)

Nope. If this was the Carnage of old, the crazy serial killer, then maybe. But it's not.

Deadpool

By Gerry Duggan (writing)

Mike Hawthorne (art)

Nope. Gerry Duggan will write a fun book but Deadpool isn't a character for me.

 Drax

By CM Punk & Cullen Bunn (writing)

Scott Hepburn (art)

Short Listed. I really want to say yes to this one but Drax is such a hard character to write. Only four men have ever written the character well, Jim Starlin, Keith Giffen, Dan Abnett, and Andy Lanning. I have no idea who the hell CM Punk is. Cullen Bunn could bring the hurt though. As of now it's a maybe.

 All-New Hawkeye

By Jeff Lemire (writing)

Ramon Perez (art)

Nope. This book will be good but I just don't have room for it. Go for it if you have the room.

 Hercules

By Dan Abnett (writing)

Luke Ross (art)

Short Listed. I never liked the character but Dan Abnett always delivers. This book will be good but it all depends on whether I have the room for it or not. The art will be great too.

 Howard the Duck

By Chip Zdarsky (writing)

Joe Quinones (art)

Never in a million years. Nothing against the character but no. It's weird that Marvel lists this book as a Guardians of the Galaxy book. Really?

 The Illuminati

By Josh Williamson (writing)

Shawn Crystal (art)

Nope. Looks like a lame version of the Thunderbolts.

 Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

By Amy Reeder & Brandon Monteclare (writing)

Natacha Bustos (art)

Never gonna get it. Never gonna get it. Wah wah waaaaahh yeah!

 Ms. Marvel

By G. Willow Wilson (writing)

Takeshi Miyazawa & Adrian Alphona (art)

Nope. 

 Nova

By Sean Ryan (writing)

Cory Smith (art)

Is Richard Rider back?! Nope, it's just Sam Alexander's lame ass dad. I love Nova but this is a pale shade of what Nova used to be. Why Marvel refuses to bring back Richard Rider I have no clue. Nope. Nope. Nope. The last Nova book felt like one big broken promise.

 Silk

By Robbie Thompson (writing)

Stacey Lee (art)

Nope.

 Spider-Woman

By Dennis Hopeless (writing)

Javier Rodriguez (art)

Ha ha ha! Not on your life.

 Star-Lord

By Sam Humphries (writing)

Javier Garron (art)

Short Listed. I liked Sam Humphries's last Star-Lord book. This one will at least get on the maybe list.

 The Mighty Thor

By Jason Aaron (writing)

Russell Dauterman (art)

Nope. This one will be good but I just don't have the room.

 Ultimates

By Al Ewing (writing)

Kenneth Rocafort (art)

Short Listed. Rocafort's art is HOT. Loved his run on DC's Red Hood and the Outlaws. Too bad I only care about Captain Marvel out of all the roster. I am very curious about Galactus being there.

 Venom: Spaceknight

By Robbie Thompson (writing)

Ariel Olivetti (art)

Nope. The art will be good but no.

 The Vision

By Tom King (writing)

Gabriel H. Walta (art)

Nope. Could be interesting though.

Web Warriors

By Mike Costa (writing)

David Baldeon (art)

Nope. Too many Spidey books. This is probably the easiest to lose.

DECEMBER

 A-Force

By G. Willow Wilson (writing)

 Jorge Molina (art)

Nope. I'm all for an all woman team of Avengers. I like Medusa and Captain Marvel. But the art looks pretty bad. It'll probably be fun but it's not for me.

 All-New Inhumans

By Charles Soule & James Asmus (writing)

Stephano Caselli (art)

Nope. I'd like to get all the Inhuman books but this one is probably going to be the easiest one to drop. The characters are easily the weakest.

 Daredevil

By Charles Soule (writing)

Ron Garney (art)

Short Listed. This book looks awesome! I have loved Ron Garney's art since the 90's. Hopefully this book will bring an edge back to the character. The only thing that worries me is writer Charles Soule being spread too thin.

 Guardians of Infinity

By Dan Abnett (writing)

Frank Barberi (art)

YES! This book here is my most anticipated book. This book will be awesome! YES YES YES!

Totally Awesome Hulk

By Greg Pak (writing)

Frank Cho (art)

Ugg... yes? Only out of obligation. This book looks stupid. But I have to get it because Hulk is my absolute favorite Marvel hero. But, man, this book looks so dumb.

 Patsy Walker, Aka Hellcat!

By Kaye Leth (writing)

Brittney Williams (art)

Nope. Depsite Hellcat having once been the wife of Daimon Hellstrom and a Defender, this does not look appealing to me at all.

 Red Wolf

By Nathan Edmondson (writing)

Dalibor Talajic (art)

Short Listed. This book looks sweet. But it is another question mark, mostly the artwork. I will keep an eye on this one though, just like Karnak.

 Scarlet Witch

By James Robinson (writing)

Vanesa Del Rey (art)

Nope. I like the writer and the character but this is another book I just don't have the room for.

 Spidey

By Robbi Thompson (writing)

Nick Bradshaw (art)

Another one?! Nope. Nick Bradshaw is good though.

 Squadron Supreme

By James Robinson (writing)

Leonard Kirk (art)

Short Listed. Again I really enjoy James Robinson's writing. If this book is anything like his All-New Invaders book then it will be sure to please.

 Starbrand & Nightmask

By Greg Weisman (writing)

Domo Stanton (art)

Nope. I love that the cosmic heroes are returning but these two are perhaps the least interesting of all the outer space heroes I can think of. I'd take Monark Starstalker before these guys.

 Uncanny X-Men

By Cullen Bunn (writing)

Greg Land (art)

 Short Listed. The X-Men, like Spider-Man, are great characters, but each has so many books out there it's daunting to think about diving in. This X book shows the most promise to me.

Weirdworld

By Sam Humphries (writing)

Mike Del Mundo (art)

Hmm... Could be fun. Could be easily left behind. I'm thinking no.

STILL TO COME...

 Captain Marvel

By Tara Butters & Michele Fazekas (writing)

Kris Anka (art)

Short Listed. I suffered through three years of lack luster Captain Marvel comics from the previous two volumes. I like the character a lot, especially the legacy from which she comes from. But will this book be just another dull piece of art and unfulfilled plot like the last one? I want to get it but I feel like it will just disappoint me.

 Agents of SHIELD

By Marc Guggenheim (writing)

Artist ???

Nope. I'll settle for the TV show instead.

 Old Man Logan

By Jeff Lemire (writing)

Andrea Sorrentino (art)

Nope. Lemire will probably knock this out of the park but alas it's not for me. 

Spider-Man

By Brian Michael Bendis (writing)

Sara Pichelli (art)

My god... yet another one. This book will most likely be good. But I just don't care.

 And there you have it! 53 new number #1s and 53 new potential books to buy. I find myself in a strange situation. With all of Marvel's previous comics coming to an end the time to GET OUT has never been better. But yet it is equally a great time to get started. My personal finances aren't as abundant as they used to be. So I am torn as to what to do. Marvel has disappointed me greatly in recent years. I am very tempted to get out... but yet I see many books that could be enjoyable.

Let's recap...

THE PULL LIST                                                         THE SHORT LIST

Doctor Strange                                                                            Karnak

Uncanny Inhumans                                                            Black Knight

Guardians of Infinity                                                                        Drax

Totally Awesome Hulk... ugg...                                                  Hercules

Star-Lord 

Ultimates

Red Wolf 

Daredevil 

Squadron Supreme

Uncanny X-Men

Captain Marvel

 I could survive on four titles, save money, and devote more cash to back issues. Or I could go balls deep. It's a problem I know. And I'm sure once January solicitations are released there will be even more new books announced, maybe even some that look irresistible. I don't know what to do. The idea of maybe getting out completely (from New comic books) is also tempting.

What are you guys doing? Playing it conservatively? Going for it? Getting out? Leave comments below and let me know. I've always been a sucker for peer pressure.