Avengers Assembled

If you're not tired of me talking about the Avengers, at the end of this post, you just might be.

I'm talking about the film Avengers: Age of Ultron in two places this week. First you can find me and The Bride discussing the film in the Disney-focused Make Mine Magic Podcast right here, and then if you want see me as well as hear me, I am joined by Biff Bam Pop! staffers J.P. Fallavollita, Jason Shayer, and Jim Knipp talking about the movie on the latest episode of the Biff Bam Popcast! that you can check out right here.

Of course you read my review of the film here, my hopes for it here, my reviews of the first Avengers movie then and now, and if you don't know who (or what) Ultron is, I tell you here.

And as sidebars to the film, my reviews of "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" are here and "Marvel's Agent Carter" here. And if that's not enough, my reviews of Disney XD's animated series "Marvel's Avengers Assemble" are here. And if you want to discuss anything Avengers-related, check out the Avengers Forever group on Facebook here.

Avenging the Age of Ultron

I am a huge Avengers fan, some folks consider me an expert, mostly people who read my reviews of the comics for over a decade at the much-missed Avengers Forever website, a couple delusional individuals have called me the highest authority on Earth's Mightiest Heroes. I don't buy it for a moment. However, I am a hardcore fan and longtime reader, and I have a confession to make...

I haven't been thrilled with the first few peeks at the new movie Avengers: Age of Ultron. They haven't done much at all for me, and this is coming from a guy who geekgasmed his way, astonished from start to finish, through the first movie.

Maybe it's the design of Ultron, a perfect design in the comics, jettisoned for the film. Or maybe it's that Ultron was built by Tony Stark rather than Hank Pym, removing the creepy Oedipal origins that made the character so frightening and unique. Maybe it's the Pinocchio theming of "I've Got No Strings," diminishing the danger of Ultron. Or it could be the rehashing of the Hulkbuster armor, seen a zillion times in comics and cartoons - which don't get me wrong, will look great on the big screen - but is still kinda old hat. For whatever reason, nothing about this flick so far has charmed me.

Then the third trailer came out, which you can see over at Biff Bam Pop! right here.

Now I'm excited. We get to see Ultron's plan, motives for his creation, and we see a little bit of background behind the Red Room flashbacks and the Hulkbuster scenes - it's the Scarlet Witch controlling and invading minds. We get group scenes, both interacting and being dynamic in costume, and we get rousing dramatic music instead of music box Pinocchio songs. We get great action scenes, clever dialogue, Stark with Loki's scepter, and best of all, our first real look at the Vision. I am down. I want Avengers: Age of Ultron now!

And for those of you who still remember Avengers Forever, the discussion continues today over on Facebook, and you can read my current reviews of the "Avengers Assemble" animated series at Biff Bam Pop! here.

Talkin' 'Bout the Avengers

There been a lot of talk lately over at Biff Bam Pop! lately about the Avengers and Age of Ultron, most of it coming from me.

But if you'd like to get in there and talk too, this Sunday evening is your chance.

Reaperradio is hosting an Avengers Chat at the LadyNightsRealm Chatroom on Sunday, April 14th at 8:00 PM EST with a second chat wave at 9:30 PM EST.

The Chat will be covering any and all Avengers and Avengers-related comics titles, as well as the Animated Series, the movie, even the toys.

 Hope to see you there. Let's talk Avengers!

The Avengers on Biff Bam Pop!

For more than a decade I wrote monthly reviews of the current Avengers title from Marvel Comics at the Avengers Forever website. When that site closed up a few years ago, it left a void in my life as well as in the lives in many of the folks who hung out there. A version of Avengers Forever does exist on the Facebook here, but it's just not the same.

This month at the Biff Bam Pop! pop culture website, it's Mighty Marvel Month, and to celebrate, I have jumped back onto the Avengers bandwagon with a vengeance.

Here's just a sampling of what you'll find:

Avengers NOW!, an overview of the Avengers franchise in the Marvel NOW! era.

Age of Ultron: Book One and Age of Ultron: Book Two, writer Brian Michael Bendis' final storyline for Earth's Mightiest Heroes as their greatest enemy finally wins and takes the Earth.

Avengers Assemble Annual #1, a special spotlight on classic Avenger, the Vision, and his return to greatness.

Avengers #7, and how the New Universe fits into writer Jonathan Hickman's plans for his eighteen member roster of Avengers.

And finally, there's the new trailer for Iron Man 3 right here.

It has felt very good getting back into the driver's seat. If you're not into the Avengers, or comics, you could also check out my reviews of the latest albums from Adam Ant and David Bowie, and of course, you can find all of my Biff Bam Pop! work here!

Mighty Avengers Finale

"WWJVDD" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #36, the final issue of the series, by writer Dan Slott and artist Khoi Pham, is now online at Avengers Forever.

The Mighty Avengers are gone, it’s Jocasta vs. Hank Pym, it’s three against three billion, Ultron triumphant, and What Would Janet Van Dyne Do? - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=647

Enjoy!

And thank you, Dan and Khoi, for a great but brief ride.

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

And if you'd like to make a donation to help keep the Avengers Forever website as mighty as ever, click here.

Siege #4 Reviewed at Avengers Forever

"Loki the Avenger" - my comic book review of Siege #4, by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel, is now online at Avengers Forever.

As the Sentry transforms into the demonic Void in the ruins of Asgard, it turns out Hank Pym was right about Loki, and then it’s the Avengers vs. the Angel of Death, with a far too tidy ending - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=648

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

And if you'd like to make a donation to help keep the Avengers Forever website as mighty as ever, click here.

Avengers #1 Reviewed at Avengers Forever

"Just Like Starting Over" - my comic book review of Avengers #1, by Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita Jr., is now online at Avengers Forever.

Thor, Iron Man, the new Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hawkeye and Spider-Woman – they are the newest incarnation of the Avengers. They have only just started to get used to being together when their greatest enemy, Kang the Conqueror, crashes the party… but nothing is as it seems - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=643

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

Avengers Day

Marvel Comics has designated May 19th as Avengers Day. So, what better way to celebrate Avengers Day than to check out what's going on at Avengers Forever?

Avengers Forever is the website dedicated to all things Avengers and Avengers related.

On the website you will find:

Character Profiles - All the info and details you could ever want about every Avenger and Avengers-related character, literally Earth’s Mightiest Database.

Reviews of Current and Older Avengers Titles - The AF Staff reviews the comics as they are released and also looks back on issues of the past. One of the most comprehensive review sites on the ‘net.

Interviews - The AF Staff interviews the creative folks responsible for bringing us the Avengers today and the last four decades.

Fan Fiction - Earth’s Mightiest Fans continue the unofficial adventures of the Avengers in prose, in some of the best fan fiction on the ‘net.

Desktop Wallpaper and other free downloads like Avengers membership cards and computer icons and cursors.

Back Issue Database - Ever wonder what happened in Avengers #106? Find out here!

Articles Database - written by some of the Earth’s Mightiest Fans.

Even a Chatroom - talk live with Avengers fans from all over the world, as well as creators and other special guests.

...and most importantly, the Avengers Forever Forum. Not just a message board, but a unified community of lovers of the comic book artform and especially Marvel Comics’ Avengers. This worldwide community discusses the characters, stories and history of the team in a friendly and civil manner, all true fans and all united in their love for the Avengers. There are even polls, trivia, contests and much much more. What are you waiting for? Join the discussion today!

And don't forget to check in at your favorite comics shop today to celebrate Avengers Day!

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!

Mighty Avengers #35 Reviewed at Avengers Forever

"Ultron Lives…" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #35, by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham, is now online at Avengers Forever.

Alone in Infinite Avengers Mansion, Henry Pym and Codename Blackjack face off against the Avengers’ greatest enemy Utron and his ten billion brides - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=642

Also at the AF website, check this out:

"Avengers Assemble… Briefly" - my comic book review of Siege #3, by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel, is now online at Avengers Forever.

The real Captain America emerges and assembles a force of Avengers to take on Norman Osborn’s forces in the battle for Asgard, and Thor versus Sentry - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=641

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss these reviews, these issues or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

And if you'd like to make a donation to keep Avengers Forever online, click here. Thanks!

Avengers Assemble!

Mighty Avengers #34 Review and Chat

"Undone" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #34, by Dan Slott and Neil Edwards, is now online at Avengers Forever.

Thor vs. Quicksilver, the Mighty Avengers vs. Loki, the Wasp starts to lose it, everything begins to fall apart, and the deadly Ultron is waiting in the wings - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=639

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

And don’t forget – Friday evening, March 12th, at 8 PM EST – chat live with other Avengers fans about this issue, this review, New Avengers #62, the Heroic Age, Siege, or anything Avengers-related.

Come to the Avengers Forever Chatroom and check it out!

Siege #2 Reviewed at Avengers Forever

"Bendis’ Greatest Triumph" - my comic book review of Siege #2, by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel, is now online at Avengers Forever.

Death, mayhem, carnage, evisceration, Thor, Sentry, Osborn, Ares and the Avengers assembled - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=640

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

Mighty Avengers #33 Reviewed

"Deus Ex Machina" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #33, by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham, is now online at Avengers Forever.

Henry Pym vs. Norman Osborn, the Mighty Avengers and the Dark Avengers vs. the Absorbing Man with the power of the Cosmic Cube, Sentry vs. the Void, the returns of Iron Lad and the original Vision, and Loki no longer in drag - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=638

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

Siege #1 Reviewed

"War in Comics" - my comic book review of Siege #1, by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel, is now online at Avengers Forever.

Volstagg gets fried, Ares gets stupid, Thor gets thumped, Loki gets what he wants, Norman Osborn attacks Asgard, and why war in superhero comics just doesn’t work - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=637

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

Mighty Avengers #32 Review

"Back on Track" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #32, by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham, is now online at Avengers Forever.

The Mighty Avengers vs. the Dark Avengers, Henry Pym vs. Norman Osborn, the Absorbing Man returns and the creative team gets things back on track - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=635

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

Catching Up with the Mighty Avengers

"The Secret Return of Nick Fury" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #12, by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, is also now online at Avengers Forever.

Where has Nick Fury been since the Secret War and what’s he been up to, and why can’t he trust anyone any more? Find out all this and more – and check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=607

"New Howling Commandos #1" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #13, by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev, is also now online at Avengers Forever.

Where are the Avengers? Not a one in sight as Nick Fury gathers a new team to fight the Skrulls’ Secret Invasion in this seeming pilot for a new series - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=609

"Skrulls, Secrets, and the Sentry" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #14, by Brian Michael Bendis and Khoi Pham, is also now online at Avengers Forever.

Young Gun artist Khoi Pham begins his run on Mighty Avengers and rocks the house with this Sentry solo spotlight - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=610

"Personal Worst" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #15, by Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita Jr., is now online as well at Avengers Forever.

Whatever happened to Henry Pym? Trust me, you don’t want to know… another of Pym’s darkest hours at the hands of Bendis - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=612

"Eulogy for the Wasp" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #20, by Brian Michael Bendis and various artists, is now online at Avengers Forever.

After the final battle of the Secret Invasion, the Avengers mourn one of their own - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=615

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss these reviews, these issues or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

Avengers Forever Holiday Chat Schedule 2009

From the Avengers Forever website:

The Avengers Forever Chatroom is open for the holidays! Some of us are lucky enough to have a bunch o' time off from work and or school for the holidays so we thought it might be a good time to dust off the chat room and have at it!

That said below is a tentative schedule that includes chat room dates, times and topics. Please feel free to stop on by for some great conversation over the holidays!

New Avengers Chat
Saturday, December 26 @ 8:00 PM (EST)

Mighty Avengers Chat
Sunday, December 27 @ 8:00 PM (EST)

Dark Avengers Chat
Monday, December 28 @ 8:00 PM (EST)

Avengers Volume Three Chat
Tuesday, December 29 @ 8:00 PM (EST)

West Coast Avengers Chat
Wednesday, December 30 @ 8:00 PM (EST)

Enter the Chatroom here!

Hope to see you soon! Happy Holidays! And Avengers Assemble!

Avengers Forever Chat

Sunday night at Avengers Forever we’ll be chatting about Mighty Avengers #31 and Dark Avengers #11...

Sunday, November 29th at 8:00 PM EST
Not sure what time that is where you are? Click here for times elsewhere…

Click here to chat: http://www.avengersforever.org/chat/

Come on out and talk with other Avenger-philes about what’s happening with Marvel Comics’ coolest superhero franchise – The Avengers!

Mighty Avengers #31 Review

"Past Imperfect" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #31, by Dan Slott, Christos Gage and Sean Chen, is now online at Avengers Forever.

An army of superheroes, including members of the Mighty Avengers, New Avengers and Young Avengers take on the renegade ex-king of the Inhumans, and we get what we may or may not want - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=632

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

Mighty Avengers #30 Review

"The Real Unspoken" - my comic book review of Mighty Avengers #30, by Dan Slott, Christos Gage and Sean Chen, is now online at Avengers Forever.

The Mighty Avengers and a slew of guest stars fight their greatest battle against faltering sales, and The Unspoken, plus Hank Pym meets Eternity - all this and more - check out my review here:

http://www.avengersforever.org/reviews/default.asp?RID=629

Enjoy!

If you want to discuss this review, this issue or anything Avengers, please check out the Avengers Forever Forum.

Baltimore Comic Con 2009 - Day Two

Bacon!

Any day that starts with people bringing bacon right to my door is a good day. With that in mind, my associate Ray Cornwall brought up a point in my report on the con yesterday that I was a bit slight on the positives of the Baltimore Comic Con. There are lots, beginning with the fact that the very cool hotel, the Tremont Plaza Hotel, was chosen by the Con. Indirectly, the bacon comes from them.

Other than the sound problems and the partitioned rooms, everything about the BCC is very well put together and nearly flawless. It's like a smaller, more friendly New York Comic Con, and that's a compliment. I really appreciate the focus on comics over pop culture, unlike other cons of recent years. Well organized, amazing guests, they even hosted the Harvey Awards - really, what can I say bad about them? I look forward to coming back again and again.

Ring Bearer

The day continued to start bright even before we entered the con. Just outside we saw Berni Wrightson and Steve Niles on a smoke break, marvelling at a great "Groverfield" t-shirt. From there we were just steps away from one of the best costumes of the con, the new Mr. Terrific, and he was accompanied by two members of the Junior Justice Society. The good day had only just begun.

One of my friends back home had asked me to pick up prop rings from DC Comics' Blackest Night. I didn't think the various colored rings would be available yet but the DC booth was on the agenda either way. I was right about the rings but DC was giving out the Black Lantern ring (thanks!) and Steven Schreck kindly played ring-model for all the prop rings to come. Apparently a full set will be available shortly from your local comics shop. While I have a certain distaste for events and crossovers, I am enjoying Blackest Night, and the little promotional props, like these rings, make the experience that much cooler.

Community

I mentioned earlier how Baltimore's con was much friendlier than others I've attended. It's true. While there was a lack of news due to the retailers meeting tomorrow - the big guns saving the announcements for Diamond as opposed to the folks who actually buy their products - there was a very cool sense of community here at Baltimore.

Yesterday I met some folks I hadn't seen in some time, said hello to new and old friends and met some folks I had only previously known online. But I also made new friends, just striking conversations up with strangers just because we obviously shared a common hobby. This is how the first conventions I attended back in the 70s and 80s were, back in the dark ages before the internet, before we were global and 'knew' everybody on a social network.

For instance I chatted casually with a gentleman and his son who had come up from the south. He was taking a rest as I was taking notes. Our conversation went on and off as we each did our thing. We compared hotels, cons and I told him where to find Coca-Cola. The best part of the chat was the bit I wasn't a part of. The man and his son were of two distinct nerd (and I mean nerd in a good way) generations. Dad would reference the Fantastic Four and the son would parry with Halo. In a geeky way it warmed my heart.

Later when my friend Ray joined me we started talking with a gentleman named Jonathan with whom we chatted for nearly two hours. The passion of which I spoke yesterday burned bright as our conversation jumped from Alter-Ego to Blackest Night from Dark Reign to the identity of the Red Hulk. It never descended into Trekkie or "Big Bang Theory" levels of fanboy-ishness but stayed a positive exciting exchange between people who love their hobby. Now that is what these cons should be about. Community.

Thanks to the Baltimore Comic Con for their cooperation and accommodation. This has been one of the more fun and fulfilling shows I've attended. Thanks for the opportunity. I look forward to the chance to come back.