Marvel Tries New Way to Create Buzz for Next Year's Event

Comic Book readers have become a bit jaded when it comes to the "Latest Crossover that Will Change the Universe Forever" due to the fact that Marvel and DC are guilty of using that tagline once a year. So, Marvel used a different tagline for next years crossover event, Avengers VS. X-Men or AvX, by boldly claiming it as "the best comic book story ever." They've also been slowly revealing more details about the event after initially revealing the Phoenix "It's Coming" teaser last month.

Last week, Marvel did something to make sure fans knew this event would be historical by having a live web chat with the various writers that will crafting the story, including some of the industry's biggest names such as Matt Fraction and Jason Aaron. Fans were able to submit questions via twitter and participate in a live chat with other viewers. Marvel's plan seems to have worked as the hashtag #AvX managed to trend in the United States for at least an hour. If they manage to keep this up, Marvel could be looking at a surge in sales once this epic crossover takes over the Marvel Universe this spring!  

It's Coming But Is SHE Coming?

Few things are teased as often as Jean Grey's inevitable return is. Then again, few things excite comic book fans more than the prospect of Jean Grey gracing the Marvel Universe with her fiery red hair and angelic/demonic personality.

One of the original X-Men, Jean Grey, also known as Marvel Girl and Phoenix, is arguably the most popular female marvel character due to her role in one of the most treasured comic book stories of all time, The Dark Phoenix Saga where she destroyed an entire universe before ending her life. Since then, she's been depicted in all X-Men media from the cartoons to the blockbuster movies, where she was portrayed by Famke Jansen.

Jean Grey is also the symbol of the often criticized comic book rule of "Nothing stays dead." Having died in 197 at the stunning conclusion of The Dark Phoenix Saga, a clone of her named Maddie Pryor appeared shortly after. Jean herself returned years later as Maddie was driven insane and killed. Jean continued to have a prominent role in the X-Men universe until her death in 2004. She returned briefly in the 2006 miniseries, Phoenix: Endsong, and fans have been waiting for her to return permanently ever since.

Marvel has acknowledged that no character receives more fan mail than Jean, many of the letters begging Marvel to bring the character back. Marvel writers have enjoyed teasing fans of her return over the years, including their most recent teaser poster for the 2012 company wide event which shows the Phoenix insignia with the words, "It's Coming." Although the Phoenix Force itself has been used in storylines without Jean Grey, Marvel knows full well that fans will associate the fiery bird with everyone's favorite sun-consuming telepath. They are also aware that few things create more buzz than Jean Grey due to her significance, power and overall popularity. But will Jean finally make her anticipated return as the "Heart of the Marvel Universe"  or is this yet another tease in a long line of red herrings. Only time will tell...  

Closeted Gay Character Gets Outed By Marvel's Editor-in-Chief, Axel Alonso!

In a recent interview with ComicBookResources, Axel Alonso, current Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, was asked about the lack character diversity in the Marvel Universe. Axel easily defended the company by listing numerous multicultural characters as well as LGBT characters including Striker, who Axel claimed "Just came out of the closet in Avengers Academy." For readers, this was their first time hearing this detail about the character since the issue Axel refers to doesn't come out for another two weeks...

Could this possibly be a publicity stunt to boost sales of the critically acclaimed series about a group of potentially dangerous young heroes or did Axel truly forget the upcoming release schedule? Either way, Christos Gage, creator and current writer of Avengers Academy didn't seem too upset by Axel's spoiling. The writer quickly tweeted fans saying, "Regarding Striker: Make sure to pick up AVENGERS ACADEMY #23 in a couple weeks. I'll have a lot more to say when the story's out!"


For fans worried that Avenger Academy's resident electric bad boy's coming out story will be played just for shock value, Gage assures them that Striker's sexuality was planned "vaguely since #1" and "solidly since #5." He even urged readers to go check early issues for subtle hints and clues regarding Striker's secret. 


For those of you who want to see what Striker himself has to say about the whole thing, check out Avengers Academy #23 in two weeks! 

Cloak and Dagger, Marvel's Troubled Drug-Busting Runaways, Coming Soon to ABC Family

Readers were introduced to runaway teenagers Ty Johnson and Tandy Bowen, better known as Cloak and Dagger, in the March 1982 issue of Spectacular Spider-Man. This odd pair of street-level super heroes who received their amazing gifts through drugs grasped fans, prompting numerous attempts at limited and ongoing series to spotlight these two unusual heroes. Despite their rich backstory, their gritty story lines that often dealt with drug dealing and their striking designs, Cloak and Dagger never managed to make it past 19 issues.

Luckily for fans, Marvel wouldn't let such a brilliant concept fall into obscurity and Cloak and Dagger have popped up in various guest appearances and one-shot issues over the last two decades, even having a brief stint with the X-Men. Since the current economical situation of the comic book industry doesn't really allow for new risky comic series, Marvel has announced plans to widen their television presence with new shows including a live-action Cloak and Dagger television series on the ABC Family network. No doubt that such experimental television ventures are made possible thanks to Disney's ownership of Marvel but who's complaining?

"I would be more excited if the show was going to be aired on HBO than ABC Family," Michael Leng, a fan of the obscure duo, said. "But I'm just happy in general about the idea of seeing such awesome and little known Marvel Characters getting some exposure."

Leng does have a point though. The thing that made Cloak and Dagger stand out as untypical superheroes were their dark personalities and deep internal struggles. They were two troubled teenagers fighting drug wars, not free-spirits balancing high school drama with over the top super-villains. ABC Family's current lineup of shows include Pretty Little Liars and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Both shows have been successes for the network but will the millions of preteen girls also flock to a show about brooding drug-busting vigilantes or will Marvel re-imagine Cloak and Dagger as American teenagers to appeal to ABC Family's established  audience? Only time will tell but things are looking favorably for a darker tone since it was revealed that the series will take place in a post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans instead of their usual New York City stomping grounds.

One thing is for sure though, the duo certainly allows for stunning visuals as this beautiful Jae Lee cover can attest. Let's hope a generous budget is in the works...

X-23 Gets Cut

X-23, the female clone of Marvel hero and cash-cow Wolverine, was deemed worthy of her own solo series back in November 2010. A year later, X-23 is at issue #16 and is currently the only female character driven title produced by Marvel. Today, Marvel announced that the series will end in a few months at issue #20.

Marjorie Liu, undoubtedly the most acclaimed female writer currently working in the comic industry, has penned the series from the beginning. Being a successful romantic novelist, Liu has a natural gift for heart filled storytelling and poignant character depth. She was the perfect writer to bring to life the tale of a tragic character's struggles to find her soul. Liu's talents combined with the breathtaking yet subtle pencils of artist Phil Noto made the X-23 series a hit with critics and fans alike.

So why the sudden cancellation? Most will point to sales yet while X-23 wasn't a blockbuster hit, it was consistently ahead of books such as X-Factor, Thunderbolts, and its sister title, Daken: Dark Wolverine. So either Marvel made an odd decision of canceling their only female-driven series in favor of others or this is simply the first in a series of announcements about additional cancellations.

Some argue that Marvel never had much confidence in X-23 as a solo character to begin with. Throughout her twenty issue series, she hardly ever accomplished anything alone. The book usually came off as an X-23 team-up book rather than an X-23 solo series with its frequent guest stars ranging from the lovable Gambit to Marvel's finest family The Fantastic Four to fan favorite Jubilee and of course X-23's ubiquitous "father" Wolverine.

Luckily for fans, Marvel isn't completely giving up on the character yet. X-23 is set to become a member of the cast of Avengers Academy beginning next month. 

Alpha Flight Can't Seem To Stay in the Air

Things don't look good for Alpha Flight as Marvel has announced that its latest comic series revolving around Canada's premier super-hero team will end at issue eight. Since the team's debut in the seventies, the quirky team has managed to appeal to a cult audience but have consistently failed to keep an ongoing series on the market.

The latest Alpha Flight series was originally announced as an eight-issue mini series but after strong initial sales, Marvel decided to make the series an ongoing, much to the delight of the team's solid fan base. However, as sales began to wane, Marvel didn't hesitate to go back on their promise and downgrade the series back to a limited one. Luckily, fans of the team must be used to the disappointment since this is Marvel's fourth attempt at giving the team an ongoing series. Excluding the original series, which consisted of 130 issues and attracted readers with its complex, character-driven stories, all other series attempts have barely made it to twenty issues. As the team flies back to Canada for the indefinite future, fans can only hope that there will be a next time.

Avenging Spider-Man #1 Hopes to Swing Readers into the Digital Age!

Marvel's constant promotion of their digital comic book service will reach new heights next week when the first issue of Avenging Spider-Man goes on sale with a free access code to download the issue in digital form through Marvel's comic app. Marvel hopes it will coax readers, new and old, to witness how simple and easy their digital comic system is. Marvel currently has over 3,500 comic book issues in digital form but this will mark the first time that such an issue will be available simultaneously and purchased with the print version.

Avenging Spider-Man, written by Zeb Wells, will feature Spider-Man interacting with some of Marvel's mightiest heroes. While the book boasts a strong creative team, the book seems to be more geared toward the younger crowd. "I love the idea of buying an issue and having a digital form too," Nicole Paganotti, a new but eager comic book fan said. "I just wish it was a book that I actually wanted to read." Although many comic book fans will agree with her, there's little doubt that the promotion will send the book's sales through the roof due to its significance but will it help digital comics gain momentum too? Marvel seems to think so as they announced last week that issues two and three of Avenging Spider-Man will include a free digital copy as well. If this promotion is successful, Marvel may be able to avenge the struggling digital comic book format and help it replace print as the superior and preferred comic ook medium.