Greetings from the Odinson,

Avengers Assemble!

Those powerful words used to mean something. They were the battle cry of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. When the Sentinel of Liberty, Captain America, cried out “Avengers Assemble!” even the hair on the back of Doctor Doom’s neck would stand up. Sadly, now they seem to be just a call for retreat (see New Avengers #57). Fifty-Seven issues into the “New Avengers” and still the book reads like the X-Men and the team consists of street level vigilantes.

The Avengers used to be a proud organization. They were the best of the best. When a nigh omnipotent Michael Korvac had delusions of grandeur, who answered the call? The Avengers. (The Korvac Saga) When the Mad Titan, Thanos, created the god-like power of the Infinity Gauntlet, who led the charge? The Avengers. (see The Infinity Gauntlet) When the intergalactic alien empires, the Kree, Skrulls, and Shi’ar make war, who steps forth to bring peace to the galaxy? The Avengers! (see The Kree/Skrull War and Operation: Galactic Storm)

The Avengers are Marvel Comics’ premiere super hero team. They stand tall, beat down would-be world conquerors, and look good while doing it. They don’t skulk about in the shadows, hiding from the law (see Marvel continuity from the Civil War up through Dark Reign). They don’t attempt to assassinate high ranking government officials no matter who it is (see Dark Reign: The List – Avengers). The Avengers most certainly aren’t a team made up of super villains, murderers, maniacs, and a schizophrenic superman (i.e. The Dark Avengers).

The Avengers are Steve Rogers, the brave super soldier with a voice that can command a god. A stalwart leader that will do anything to protect the innocent and sacrifice everything to stand up for what he believes in. The Avengers are the mighty Norse God of Thunder! Thor, an unstoppable force for good whose strong right hand which wields the invincible hammer, Mjolnir, is only matched by his courage and compassion for mankind. The Avengers are Iron Man, not the Director of SHIELD who enacts civil rights violating policies because he thinks he is smarter than everyone else (something the X-Men have been fighting against since they were founded), but the technological wizard whose intelligence, inventiveness, and power compliments the other members of the team. Those three mighty heroes are the foundation upon which the greatest super hero team is built.

The Avengers are the Vision, the super android whose power rivals the mightiest heroes on Earth. The Avengers are Hank Pym, a brave scientist with the ability to grow to enormous size and shrink to ant-like proportions and a man whose intelligence rivals that of the smartest men alive. The Avengers are: Wonder Man, charged with ionic energy that makes him super strong and nearly invulnerable. Hawkeye, the world’s greatest marksman. Hercules, the Lion of Olympus and one of the most legendary heroes of all time. Photon, a woman powered by the energy spectrum and one of the most underrated heroes in Marvel’s pantheon. The Black Knight, wielder of the magical Ebony Blade and a scientist that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Tony Stark and Hank Pym. The whimsical Wasp, the glue that holds the team together and a woman that is not afraid to put the mighty Hercules in his place. The Black Panther, the king of the most technologically advanced nation on Earth and a man whose physical abilities rival even Captain America himself. Ms. Marvel, resident super woman and born leader. The bouncing, fun-loving , furry blue Beast.

In short, the Avengers are Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and it is long past due for them to start acting like it. The closest tales we’ve gotten lately that resemble what an Avengers story should are the Avengers Free Comic Book Day adventure and the 3-part Earth’s Mightiest epic from Mighty Avengers #21-23. These two wonderfully executed tales tease longtime Avengers fans with mighty tales of bravery worthy of Avengers exploits in the past.

Five years ago, an insane Scarlet Witch attempted to destroy the Avengers (see Avengers Disassembled). She just may have succeeded.

The Odinson has been an Avengers fan since he first picked up his first comic book back in the late seventies. After witnessing what has become of that much beloved battle cry – Avengers Assemble! – in the pages of New Avengers #57, the Odinson could not hold his tongue any longer. As a fan, the Odinson implores thee – go back and read or rediscovery the magic of Avengers tales pre-Disassembled. Check out some of the epics listed above (see 2nd paragraph), or treat yourself to one of these gems – Avengers: Death Trap, Emperor Doom, Kang: Time and Time Again, The Serpent Crown, Under Siege, Assemble HC Vol. 1-5, and, of course, Essential Avengers Vol. 1-6.

True Avengers Fans, Assemble!

This is Odinson bidding thee farewell

Last weekend was very soccer-centric for us. We had 2 games on Saturday and a third on Sunday. The girls played well on Saturday, both game out on the short end of the score. Zoe did score another goal though, which meant we owed her more ice cream. The deal of ice cream for goals became more problematic on Sunday when Zoe scored twice and had an assist as the Mystery won their first game of the season 6-1. And Zoe got something called a cookie sundae, it was a crazy mix of cookies, ice cream and who knows what else. But Zoe liked it. After all the time outside, everyone was happy to get inside and catch on some reading.

Before I get into the cool new books that came out last week, I wanted to mention something cool going on in our Dallas and Arlington stores this weekend. Saturday October 3rd is the date for the latest incarnation of 24 Hour Comic Day. It is one of my favorite things that we host. Aspiring comic creators all get together for this endurance challenge where the goal is simple, create a 24 page comic in just 24 hours. It’s a lot of fun and you get to see a lot of talented people creating some really neat projects. There are still openings for creators if you want to take up the challenge, or you can just stop by and watch if your interested in what goes into to making a 24 page comic. The fun starts at noon on Saturday and runs through noon on Sunday. Now that I have taken care of that, I want to turn my attention to some really fun books that came out this week.

The new direction on The Incredible Hulk continues this month in Incredible Hulk 602. Banner continues his road trip with his son as he begins to train him on how to kill the Hulk. His first step is to find him a sparring partner whom he can’t hurt, so he picks the unstoppable Juggernaut. There are some good lighthearted moments here mixed in with the action. My favorite involves the duo winding up in a comic book store in Arlington, Texas so Skaar can understand one of Juggernaut’s insults. This issue continues down a very interesting path and is rapidly making this one of my favorite titles to read.

This was a great week for Superman fans. Not only do you get Blackest Night: Superman 2 (which has what may be my favorite final page of the entire year), but you also get the long awaited debut of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Superman: Secret Origin. This highly anticipated mini-series retells the classic origin of Superman from when he first found out about his origins. The story is good, we get to meet lots of familiar characters and Gary Frank’s art is amazing. This book is a must for any Superman fan.

Before I go, I wanted to mention one book that isn’t really a comic or graphic novel. But it is really cool and a must for any Batman fan. Last week saw the release of the latest entry into Running Press’ Vault series. I have loved all of these “Museum in a Box” titles and The Batman Vault is no exception. In addition to great stories about the history of Batman, it comes complete with replicas of some really cool Batman collectibles including a Batman mask, Bob Kane sketches, a make your own Batplane and lots of other cool items. If you love Batman, you’ll love this book.

That will do it for another week. Check out Incredible Hulk 602, Blackest Night: Superman 2, Superman: Secret Origin and The Batman Vault and let me know what you think. I’m off to pick up Zoe from school, but I’ll be back next week with another batch of books to visit with you about.

The “Chosen One.” In the realm of sci-fi/fantasy and comic books this is a phrase that is used quite often. Chosen One usually refers to the hero of the story. The one person that can defeat the evil of the piece. Someone cannot just decide to be a Chosen One. The Chosen One is born. It is their destiny. Being the Chosen One is not a choice. You either are the Chosen One, or you are not. Chosen Ones have been present throughout the history of storytelling. King Arthur was the only one capable of pulling the sword from the stone. Moses led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. And Ash was the only one who could defeat the Army of
Darkness.

Here is a list of other notable Chosen Ones we’ve come to know in recent years.

Neo – In a distant dystopian future, the Matrix is a massive computer program, built by sentient machine, that serves as a means to keep the human population enslaved. Within the Matrix people live out their lives much the same way they would in real life. They are born, they grow old, they work, procreate, and they die in a real world-like setting. However, it is foretold that a man will be born in the Matrix that can bend it to his will and possess abilities undreamed of. That man is Thomas Anderson, a.k.a Neo. Neo was able to use his force of will to achieve many impossible feats, including super-human strength, speed, telekinesis and flight. It is Neo who will face the Agents, super-human fighting machines that serve as the watchdogs and peacekeepers of the Matrix. It is through the heroics of Neo that the worlds of both machines and man will be saved.

Anakin Skywalker – An ancient Jedi prophecy foretells the coming of a Chosen One that will one day bring balance back to the Force. Anakin Skywalker was a slave boy discovered on the remote desert world of Tatooine by Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon learned that Anakin possessed more midi-chlorians, microscopic organisms that reside in all living creatures and are in connection with the power of the Force, than any Jedi in history. Believing Anakin to be the Chosen One the prophecy spoke of, Qui-Gon took Anakin in and planned to train him in the ways of a Jedi. After Qui-Gon’s untimely death, Anakin was taken under the wing of Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. The two of them became like brothers and were a powerful force for good during the epic Clone Wars. However, Anakin was seduced by the dark side of the Force and turned on the Jedi. He became the Sith Lord known as Darth Vader and helped the evil Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Order. Many years later, thanks to the love and bravery of his son, Luke, Anakin was able to come back from the dark side and destroy the evil Emperor, thus bringing balance back to the Force and peace to a galaxy far, far away. Anakin had fulfilled his destiny.

Buffy Summers – Into each generation a slayer is born. The slayer is the Chosen One. One girl in all the world that will stand against the vampires and the forces of darkness that threaten mankind. Slayers are trained by guardians known as Watchers. It has been so since the dawn of mankind. When one slayer dies another is called (meaning her powers are activated) to take her place. 1997 – Enter: Buffy Summers. A spunky high school student imbued with super-human speed and strength and prophetic dreams that help her fight the forces of evil.

With the help of her friends, Watcher, and vampire lovers, Buffy has been fighting the good fight for over a decade now. Every time a horrible Big Bad or Apocalypse rears its ugly head the Chosen One rises to the challenge and saves the day.

Iron Fist – Danny Rand is one of the world’s premiere practitioners of the martial arts. He and his partner Luke Cage have leased their unique talents out as Heroes for Hire. But Rand has a greater destiny. He is the Chosen One of K’un L’un, one of the Seven Cities of Heaven and the magical realm where Rand received his martial arts training. He is the Immortal Iron Fist. Trained to be the ultimate fighting machine and protector of the innocent and down trodden, Rand is the bearer of the “Iron Fist,” the mystical embodiment of his chi that makes his fist “…like a thing unto iron!” He has soundly defeated the mutant killer, Sabretooth, on several occasions (Iron Fist #14 and Power Man and Iron Fist #66, 78, and 84).

He has single-handedly fought the Uncanny X-Men to a standstill (Iron Fist #15), and he has held his own against the Master of Kung Fu (Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #29). There have many other Immortal Iron Fists before Danny Rand, and much like the slayers in the Buffyverse, every time one of them dies another rises to take his place. Part of Danny’s destiny is to compete with the other Immortal Weapons in the tournament of the Seven Cities of Heaven. However, his full destiny has yet to be revealed. One thing is for sure though, Danny Rand is the first Iron Fist to survive past the age of 33, making him special in a long line of special people.

Cable – Born Nathan Summers, Cable is the son of Scott Summers, the hero known as Cyclops and field general of the mutant strike force known as the X-Men, and Madelyne Pryor, a clone of Jean Grey. In order to save his son’s life Cyclops sent the infant Nathan into the future where a cure for the techno-organic virus that he was infected with existed. It is in this far-flung future that Nathan becomes known as the freedom fighter, Cable.

It is in this time period that Cable becomes known as the Askani’son. The Askani’son is the Chosen One destined to topple the malevolent tyrant known as Apocalypse. Cable possesses super-human fighting skills. He is a weapons master. A natural leader. And, through the use of his considerable psychic abilities he has managed to keep his techno-organic virus in check thus providing himself with a bionic left arm and eye. If it
weren’t for the techno-organic virus, Cable’s psychokinetic powers would be on par with that of Jean Grey. He might even be more powerful if the X-Man and Stryfe are any kind of indicators. Cable has used all the attributes at his disposal and his super-science to travel the time-stream and combat the evil of Apocalypse whenever and wherever the immortal tyrant may arise. Recently, in the wake of the Messiah Complex, Cable has become the guardian of the child named Hope, the first mutant born after M Day, the tragic day when a deranged Scarlet Witch brought mutantkind to the verge of extinction. Ironic, is it not, that one Chosen One, Cable, would be selected to protect another Chosen One, Hope.

Thus, the cycle of the Chosen One continues.

This is Odinson bidding thee farewell!

It should come as no surprise to anyone who has read my columns to learn that I am a huge Captain America and Thor fan.  Ever since I was a kid it wasn’t the X-Men that got me excited.  It wasn’t the dark and bloody adventures of Wolverine and the Punisher that I followed month in and month out.  It was the heroic endeavors of a certain super-soldier and a certain thunder god that sparked my imagination.  It was Captain America, the stalwart Sentinel of Liberty, and Thor, the mighty protector of Asgard, who kept me coming back to the comic shop.  With that being said, I am overjoyed with the state of the Cap and Thor books here in the present day.

Captain America- Even with Steve Rogers pushing up daisies at the moment, these books are consistently Grade A month after month.  Ed Brubaker’s take on Cap has been refreshing. His unique brand of storytelling is intriguing and it’s just good fun watching the mystery of it all unfold. To say that Steve Epting’s art compliments Brubaker’s voice would be an understatement.  His style fits the Cap mythos like a glove, and his visual storytelling is second to none.  The way he designs and choreographs a scene it’s as if the picture is moving on the page.

From the opening shot fired in the first issue, through the startling revelations about the Winter Soldier, into the character defining moments of the Civil War, the assassination of Steve Rogers and beyond, Captain America is easily one of the finest reads on the rack right now.

Must Read Stories: Captain America: Winter Soldier TPB (2006) Vol. 1-2, Captain America: Red Menace TPB (2006) Vol. 1-2, Civil War: Captain America TPB (2007), and Captain America by Ed Brubaker Omnibus HC (2007).

Thor- Almost four years ago the saga of the mighty Norse Gods ended not with a whimper but with a thunderous bang!  Ragnarok, the prophesized end of days, had finally caught up to Thor, Balder, Sif and the rest.  Their time had come and passed.  But now, thanks to J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Coipel, the Asgardians shall live again.

Straczynski’s pacing and attention to the lore of the characters is appreciated.  He gives a nod to what creators like Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Walt Simonson and others have established, he incorporates elements from the actual myths and legends that have not been used in the Marvel cannon before, and he throws in a little of his own spice so that the finished product is the best Thor I’ve read in years.  Coipel’s take on the Thunder God is amazing.  When he draws the mighty Odinson on the page Thor looks powerful and regal.  Heimdall looks like an imposing sentry ready to defend Asgard with a mighty swing of his sword.  Loki is sinister and unmistakably evil.  The ground shakes and the fearful tremble when the unstoppable Destroyer rushes into battle.

From the Thunderer’s resurrection in the first issue, to the rise of Asgard in the middle of Oklahoma, to Thor’s globetrotting quest to awaken his fellow Aesir, to Thor’s throttling of Iron Man, to the interactions of the Norse Gods and their mortal neighbors, and up to the current revelations about Odin, Balder, and the whereabouts of Lady Sif, Thor is that one book that when it ends each month the reader can’t wait for the subsequent issue to find out what is going to happen next.

Must Read Stories:  Avengers Disassembled: Thor TPB (2004) and Thor HC (2008).

This is Odinson bidding thee farewell!