Anyone else excited about this? After I left Nightwing at #94, I can't wait for this Year One story, which is luckily not written by Devin Grayson. I'm really looking forward to it, and the preview over at DC looked really good.

Ok, after getting past the Liefeld covers that graced the first few issues, I am starting to enjoy this book. Nicieza's writing is perfect as always and Patrick Zircher's pencils, which I have been a fan of ever since he replaced Mark Bagley on Thunderbolts, are a joy to behold. They are made all the better in fact by Udon's masterful inkers and colorists.

The first story arc was just so-so for me, but the conclusion was terrific. It solidly set up the book, and gave all the reasons we need for the question, "Why are these guys sharing a title?" Their literal bond becomes clear at the conclusion of the first arc, not to mention they are wonderful polar opposites that drive the book nicely. Not to mention driving each other bonkers.

This is a book, similar to Superman/Batman, where the writer, Fabien Nicieza, can just go nuts. He is dealing with two super popular characters that know just about everybody in the Marvel Universe. So plenty of guest stars and cameos are to be expected and celebrated. Such as the formation of the New Six Pack at the end of #7. A couple of new faces put together with some old standbyes make me clamour for the next issue.

My only complaint, and it is an admitted big one, is the insane power level that Cable has attained. I know it came about as a result of some fairly recent stories that I apparently missed, but the guy's level of power is god like. And unlike Superman, he doesn't have the charisma or years of nostalgic affinity that Big Blue carries with him. But I will overlook this gripe for now, and just enjoy the book for what it is. A celebration of 90's gun toting mutant bad asses.

Ok folks, I am not reading this book, but I know plenty of you are, as evidenced by the multiple referances to it in other threads. But I noticed that it did not yet have a thread of its own, so here you go.

Although I do have alterior motives in starting this thread. I want to know more details about the return of Colossus. I am not using spoiler tags here because the big guy's return has been front page comic news for the past couple months now, so I think the surprise is pretty well out of the bag. But if you would like to respond with details for me, please use the spoiler tags, as I don't want the nitty gritty spoiled for anyone who might not want to read it.

”The Sorcerer has been successful in the choices he has made thus far. The heroes that were gathered to assist in the destruction of the vampire Lord Logan conducted themselves perfectly. I have gleaned much from observing them. But new challenges will always lie beyond whatever victories have been attained. Reality will forever need someone to keep watch.”

Dr. Stephen Strange saw to it that his colleagues returned the Watch’s defenders to their rightful places in time and space just as soon as possible. It had been entirely too long since most of them had visited the places they called home. Each and every one of them had earned some time away from the world of heroics, even if for only a few days to reacquaint themselves with the people and places they held dear. However, Strange was nervous about allowing Norrin to return to his dimension of origin, for fear of the consequences that Galactus’ curse could hold for him, and the innocents around him. So, as a precaution, and without the Surfer’s knowledge, Stephen placed a spell upon the alien that would allow the Sorcerer to keep watch over him, even from realities away.

There was another curiosity that came into play as Dr. Strange was making preparations to return the heroes home. There was a subtle ripple in the time stream that could not go unnoticed. As it turned out, there had been items left behind in the null space headquarters that some of these heroes had previously occupied. Items out of alignment with the reality around them. It was a simple task to set these things right, as the items in question were returned to their rightful place in time and space. But upon returning one item, a certain Asgardian sword, its owner became quite adamant that it no longer belonged to him; extremely, verbosely and almost violently adamant in fact. The one known as Deadpool insisted that the sword wasn’t his, and made a few extremely overt threats that he swore to carry out if he was not allowed to return the sword to Victoria Essex; or Pale Rider as he gleefully and childishly referred to her, whom he had gifted it upon a month earlier. Seeing no harm in allowing this, Dr. Strange arranged for a meeting between the two, before finally transporting Victoria home, and shunting Deadpool back where he belonged as well. In hindsight however, the Sorcerer Supreme would later regret allowing this ill investigated exchange.

With the heroes returned home, Dr. Strange consulted with the Orb of Agamotto to discover where next in reality his defenders would be most needed. It did not take him long to find just the place. It was a world seemingly on the brink of perfection, but one whose utopian ways had not come without a price, and one whose idyllic existence would not last. The Watch would have to be successful in their charge if this paradise was to come to an end. After a week of careful preparation, Dr. Strange was ready to amass the heroes once more. He chose their numbers carefully, knowing that the task before them would be a precarious one. When the arrangements had been completed, the Sorcerer gathered his team upon the surface of the moon just as he had nine days previously. The veterans were the first to arrive. Victoria, with sword gleaming at her side, Husk, who looked rested and much more at ease than she had in months and Barry, who appeared to be as full of energy as ever, found themselves in the familiar surroundings of the Watcher’s chamber, as the blue and white shrouded alien silently observed them from his seat above. Within moments they were joined by the rest of their group: the disembodied being known as Cloak, Alexander “Logan” Fisk, Franki Grayson, the vampiric Alex Elder, Abbey Chase and the adventurer Danny Rand. They were alone with the Watcher in his vast chamber, given a few moments together before they were to be set out on the next chapter of their adventures.

Some info from the Aspen panel:

Soulfire #4 will have four covers, it was revealed Friday at the Aspen panel at Wizard World Texas. Two of the covers will be by Aspen's Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald. Jim Lee and J. Scott Campbell are providing the other two.

In other news from the panel:

* Koi Turnbull is the new Fathom artist and will be joining writer J.T. Krul on a new series targeted to launch in May.

"I don't feel any pressure at all. The way I look at it, I'll just do the best I can do," Turnbull said. "I'm 10 steps away from Mike's office, and if I have any questions, he'll be there."

Jason Gorder is inking, and Christina Strain is coloring.

* Turner said that Aspen's philosphy will be "really long" mini-series. "The worlds will all continue, but you're not going to see Soulfire #65," he said. "Think of it like a television series, with Season 1, Season 2 and so on."

* More new sketchbooks are planned, with the next one targeted for next summer.

* A hardcover will be published through Wizard.

* Aspen Collected is going back to press and will be available in January.

* Aspen Seasons, an anthology book, will launch in March with a Spring Edition. Two new Aspen artists will be contributing to the issue.

* As for working with Jeph Loeb some more, Turner said, "I'm talking with Jeph about that, but his schedule is slammed with Smallville. But we'll see."

* Turner said he has been talking with Marvel about some possible cover work.

* Turner said he is still working with Geoff Johns on Ekos, and it will likely be his next project after Soulfire, although he might be doing something with DC in the interim. "It's tentatively scheduled for summer 2006," Turner said. "I'm definitely doing it."

Some info from the above panel:

The new Majestic ongoing book will become very important, WildStorm's Jim Lee hinted at DC Comics' WildStorm/Vertigo panel on Friday at Wizard World Texas. "We have really, really big plans for the WildStorm Universe in 2006, and this book plays a pivotal role," Lee said. Majestic -- written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning with art by Neil Googe and Trevor Scott -- features the character returning from the DC Universe into the WildStorm Universe. "Dan and Andy are taking a lot of ideas they wanted to do in the mini-series but were too expansive to do in six issues," editor Alex Sinclair said.

In other highlights from the panel:

* Legend is a four-issue mini-series, written by Howard Chaykin and illustrated by Russ Heath, and inspired by Philip Wylie's classic novel Gladiator. The mini-series tells the story of Hugo Danner, a man blessed with super-powers but cursed with all too-human failings.

* The second story arc for Razor's Edge will start in March. The five-parter by Ed Brubaker and Jason Pearson will feature Black Ops.

* Warren Ellis' Desolation Jones starts next year. Drawn by J.H. Williams III, the series is about a former British secret agent who's officially dead. Having gone underground in Los Angeles, Jones reinvents himself as a private investigator to the secret community of ex-spooks.

* Astro City: The Dark Ages, rescheduled for next year, will be three four-issue arcs.

* A new story arc begins in Ex Machina #8 in February, following the trade paperback collection of the first five issue in January. Lee said the book is growing in sales. "It's reassuring seeing a book like this garnering the success it has," Lee said.

* IPC's Andrew Sumner said that Alan Moore has completed an overview and Leah Moore and John Reppion have completed the first script for Albion, the six-issue mini-series returning the Silver Age British characters.

"Alan and Dave Gibbons have discussing covers, and Shane Oakley has been discussing character designs," Sumner said.

Sumner said that Albion will explain what's been happening for the last 30 years since the characters went out of publication.

"It will reconcile the universe and put it in a state where DC or WildStorm creators can deal with the characters," he said.

* Tenjho-Tenge, a new CMX title, will launch in Feburary, with two more titles to follow in April, Hank Kanalz said.

* In February's Books of Magick: Life During Wartime #8, Tim Hunter takes action to confront his enemies on their turf, while Constantine and Molly get a little too close for comfort. The story is written by Si Spencer with art by Dean Ormston and cover by Frank Quitely.

* A two-part story starting in February's Fables will guest-star Jack Be Nimble and will feature art by David Hahn.

* Loveless, the ongoing Western by Brian Azzarello and Marcelo Frusin, will be a 2005 launch.

* Hellblazer Special: Papa Midnite is written by Mat Johnson with art by Tony Akins and Dan Green. The story starts as Papa Midnite embarks on a vision quest that takes him back to his boyhood 300 years ago in colonial Manhattan, and a slave rebellion that he helped crush.

* DC released the cover to Swamp Thing #11, part of "Love in Vain," Joshua Dysart's first arc as writer.

* The nine-issue adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, by Mike Carey and Glenn Fabry, is being targeted for a a spring start.

You can download it here.

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Ok, thoughts, opinions? General Geekiness?

I will withdraw comments I made earlier about not going and seeing this. Simply because...
OH MY FRICKIN GOD DID YOU SEE THAT ARMY OF WOOKIES????????


Ok, got that out of my system.

:bashlamer:
It's your official Birthday Beating!

:bdaygift:

Let's all wish the Silver Surfboard a happy birthday!

Ladies and Gentlemutants...

I just wanted to let everyone know that The Mighty One and I may very well disappear for a few days this week.
Have no worries... we will simply be welcoming our daughter into the world.





I'll keep you posted!

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It's Spider-Man with an Indian twist on his origin. Cover looks amazing, as does the art inside. Above link will let you see cover and first six pages. Tis interesting to say the least.