All images copyright Marvel Enterprises. (CU Independent/Alison Bergh)
This fall, almost every hero or group will face a challenge that they must overcome, or else it could be curtains for them.
Four Will Become Three
Probably, the biggest change that is coming this fall will involve the Fantastic Four. By the time writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Steve Epting’s “Three” ends, one of the Fantastic Four will have bit the dust.
Andre Bandelier, a 21-year-old junior economics major, said one thing comes to mind for him.
“I guess it’s pretty big,” Bandelier said. “This shake-up is going to be huge.”
In addition, Spencer Pocock, a 20-year-old junior architecture major, said he thinks the title is going to miss some important elements.
“You miss out on alliteration with ‘Fantastic Four,’” Pocock said. “But it seems odd to break up an iconic number, but new comics recently seem to be about shaking things up.”
Capt. America v. the U.S.A.
The Star-Spangled Avenger, Bucky Barnes’ past will come back to haunt him starting in October. After his arch-foe, Baron Zemo, revealed that Bucky was the infamous assassin Winter Soldier, Captain America will face the trial of his life.
While Captain America is preparing for his subpoena, Pocock said he thinks the storyline is more than interesting.
“To have a hero go through the legal system that they are supposed to represent is very ironic,” he said.
Writer Ed Brubaker and artist Butch Guice’s courtroom drama begins in October.
War for the Scarlet Witch
One of the biggest characters is returning to the Marvel Universe.
After a three-year absence, the real Scarlet Witch—the woman who decimated the mutant population and killed numerous Avengers—is back…but is she a friend or foe?
As the Young Avengers, along with her father, Magneto, go search for the reality-altering mutant, their actions will cause a rift between the Avengers and the X-Men that could lead to a war.
However, Pocock said he senses that there is something familiar about this storyline.
“It seems similar to Marvel’s ‘Civil War,’” he said. “Two stereotypical superhero teams fighting each other.”
Find out the Scarlet Witch’s fate in “Avengers: The Children’s Crusade,” a mini-series written by Allan Heinberg, with art by Jim Cheung.
Quick Hits
IGN.com reports that after over a hundred issues, Amazing Spider-Man’s “Brand New Day” storyline will end with “Origin of the Species” at issue 647. Dan Slott will become the full-time writer with rotating art from Humberto Ramos, Marcos Martin and Stefano Caselli.
Besides a possible war with the Avengers, Marvel’s Merry Mutants continue to resist a vampire invasion from Count Dracula’s son, but will also fight the Prince of Darkness himself.
While many fans have already found this storyline exciting, others like 22-year-old senior communications major Lauren Kaufman said this story bores her.
“I don’t like vampires,” Kaufman said. “They became a phenomenon in our society and they are no longer hip. They’re so last year.”
Find out if the X-Men survive in “X-Men (Vol.3),” written by Victor Gischler, with illustrations provided by Paco Medina.
Legendary comic book writing team Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning will re-launch popular Marvel title “Heroes for Hire” with artist Brad Walker in December, featuring popular anti-heroes Elektra, Ghost Rider, Moon Knight and the Punisher.
For more information about everything Marvel, visit Marvel’s website.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jacob Elyachar at Jacob.elyachar@colorado.edu.
