One of the longest working artists in the comic book industry reunites with a certain friendly neighborhood wallcrawler just in time for his 60th anniversary, as Marvel officially announces that John Romita Jr. is joining writer Zeb Wells for the relaunch of The Amazing Spider-Man series - beginning with a new issue #1 that launches this April!
According to Marvel, both Wells and JRJR will be exploring a new storyline that asks the question: "WHAT DID SPIDER-MAN DO?" Here's the overview of what to expect from Marvel themselves.
Arriving in April, Wells and Romita Jr.’s run will house all the classic elements fans love about Peter Parker, surprising new takes on your favorite Spider-Man foes, and the answer to the question that will be on everyone’s mind: WHAT DID SPIDER-MAN DO?
Peter’s on the outs with the FF. He’s on the outs with the Avengers. He’s even on the outs with Aunt May! After a terrible and mysterious incident, no one wants to see Spider-Man – except for Doctor Octopus. Ock’s on Spider-Man’s tail and the Master Planner has something truly terrible planned for when he gets his tentacles on Spidey. All that, and Tombstone makes a move that will remind readers why he’s one of Spider-Man’s most terrifying villains…
You can check out a preview of the new ASM #1 as well over at Marvel.com.
The first "Big Event" news for the Rebirth era of DC Comics is on hand, as the publisher revealed via its recently June solicitations (as seen in Newsarama) that their "warm up" to the big storyline will happen with two one shots entitled "Dark Days" - written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV, with artwork by Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, John Romita Jr., and more. "Dark Days: The Forge" happens on June 14, while "Dark Days: The Casting" will be released on July 12.
The cover to "The Forge" looks to be centered around The Dark Knight detective himself - Batman. While no specifics were given on what the plot is for "Dark Days" - it is according to CBR set to "reveal the dark underbelly of the DCU" and lead on to an unspecified DC Event.
Today marks 15 years since "9/11" happened in 2001... And it will be forever a day where we will "Never Forget" the heroism and sacrifices so many made that day. People tried stood tall in the face of adversity and hopelessness... And one of the comics that paid tribute and remembered that day of shock and tragedy was Marvel's "The Amazing Spider-Man" - which printed a black covered issue released on December of that year and had its story titled "Stand Tall".
A lot can be summed about that issue in its way to depict the aftermath of the attacks that saw the destruction of the twin towers and many souls lost - heroes like Spidey in the story gathered to help their fellowmen and try to save as many lives and comfort those who were in dire shock. However, it was also a story penned by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn by John Romita Jr. that honored those real life policemen, firemen, and soldiers - brave souls who answered the call to just make a difference and help the victims of that horrible event. Literally - everyone "Stood Tall"... And it brought everyone together because of the terror that hit innocents unexpectedly.
9/11. The date alone evokes a lot of unpleasant and sad memories. It also makes me remember a certain issue of The Amazing Spider-Man that I have, which served as a remembrance of that day that will be forever remembered as one of the worst attacks by terrorism.
Yes, the simple black cover to this issue said it all. Originally released on December 2001, The Amazing Spider-Man #36 was one of the rare instances a comic book deviated from its ongoing storyline and focused on a situation/ event that was as real as it was going to get. Written by J. Michael Straczynski and illustrated by John Romita Jr., the books serves as a medium for the writer and artist to voice out their feelings regarding what transpired that day, showing Spider-Man wracked with shock and grief like many others, as he looks over and searches for survivors over the remains of what was once the World Trade Center.
The message sent here was simple and clear - it was a tragedy nobody could ever forget. The damage, fear, and chaos that was a result of those attacks still haunt many who experienced it first hand to this day, and those of us around the world who watched helplessly over various mediums could only feel pain, remorse, and anger over what transpired. My own memories of watching the horrible events unfold in CNN were as clear as yesterday, and even though 10 years have passed, we still remember and honor the memories of those who died and gave their lives bravely to help those in need that day.
Straczynski and Romita Jr. presented one of the most heartfelt tales that reflected the obvious shock people had over this event, as well as the overwhelming guilt and responsibility fictional heroes like Spider-Man felt over a terrible crisis like this. As someone who has fought for the safety of others, the webslinger is grounded and helpless to do anything even with all of his powers at his disposal. Arriving at Ground Zero after the dust clears, he valiantly looks for signs of life, joining his fellow superheroes to work with other rescuers and emergency units in finding as many survivors as they can. It was a heartfelt message of remembrance and heroism at a time when America truly needed those heroes. Even though it's been almost 10 years since this issue hit newsstands, it still resonates with me as one of the clearest and honest reactions to 9/11. We will never forget.
Marvel has finally given confirmation that Fantastic Four #600 is indeed happening by unveiling the cover to said issue, as illustrated by artist John Romita Jr.! That pretty much confirms that "Future Foundation" ends and FF reverts back to its original format... But Spider-Man is still present and in the cover! However, what is not definite is whether the Human Torch is indeed returning from the dead... But there's a sure fire chance that he is. This is the fourth tease we've gotten in the past few days, and apparently there's one more coming up as hinted by the original file name sent in for this teaser ""Four_Teaser4of5"! Look for more on the story by visiting the source post at Marvel.com and Newsarama!
This October, Dave Lizewski and Mindy MacCready will be donning the costumes once more to kick ass and take names, as Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. set up to bring fans "Kick-Ass 2: Balls To The Wall"! That's right, Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl are coming back to the streets, to finish the job against crime and take on their archnemesis, Red Mist! Not only that, their actions have gone viral on the web, and now every person in this planet wants to be a superhero, in one form or the other! Comic Book Resoruces has this amazing interview post with Millar on the direction the writer is taking this series once the second story launches. Check it out via this link, and here's a teaser image of one page that's already making me excited to read the next installment!
Kick-Ass 2: Balls To The Wall #1 debuts on October 6. It will also be serialized in smaller form via Mark Millar's CLINT Magazine next month!
And there came a day... A day unlike any other! Earth's Mightiest Heroes united against a common threat! On that day the Avengers were born - to fight foes no single hero could withstand!
Avengers #1 Written By: Brian Michael Bendis Illustrated By: John Romita Jr.
At last, Marvel's Heroic Age has begun, and with that comes the birth of a new team and direction for the Avengers! The Dark Reign is over, and the ramifications brought upon by the Civil War, Secret Invasion, and Avengers Disassembled are all but forgotten in this brave new and shiny world of heroes. How does the first issue of the relaunch, once again written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by John Romita Jr, hold up to the readership? Well, in my case, it's surprisingly amazing! For somebody like myself who who had doubts about whether or not another reboot was going to work, Bendis sure put a lot of effort and A game into this project, and the introductory piece comes off with flying colors. Also, I may have disliked how Siege ended and wrapped things up, but there's no denying the feeling of importance and the beginning of a bright new future for Earth's Mightiest Heroes here. I must say, I'm interested with the storytelling, and while it may come off to some as repetitive and a way to promote a recent Marvel Animated movie that came out a year or so back, the plot intrigues me, and I'm going to see it through. There's even a supplemental piece included that gives an oral history of how the Avengers formed and started, so there's a lot of material that makes this book worthy to check out.
Now, as for the art itself, I wasn't expecting John Romita Jr. to be the primary choice to do the new Avengers ongoing title, but strangely, his art works well enough and I don't mind it at all. Granted, I prefer him sketching primarily on a Spider-Man book or Kick-Ass comic anyday, but his work here is pretty acceptable. However, I can see why other people aren't too hyped or enthusiastic about it, given his renditions of characters like Iron Man and Thor. Some things may be too sketchy, abstract, or a little rough for some readers to look at, and the there's a slight lack of realism in the way the characters emote. Still, he gets the job done, and his work on Amazing Spider-Man and Wolverine: Enemy Of The State put me on the map to comics when I started the hobby again a few years ago, so you won't see me complaining here.
For plot itself, this is a throwback to classic Avengers storylines from the 80's and 90's. The team gets a visit from an old enemy who presence hasn't been felt for the last couple of years, and I guess the time is ripe for him to make his return and cause a ruckus during the Heroic Age. However, he's not acting alone nor on his own volition, and a certain enemy from the "Past" will put the team to the test in the next few issues. Plus, that reference and inclusion of characters from a certain Marvel animated movie could prove to be a major plot twist later on. Let's see how things go. For now, I give this new first issue of the Avengers a big thumbs up. Any fan who dares to call themselves one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes dare not miss this, especially if they see their mug shot included in the collage spread at the last few pages of the book! There's plenty of heroes on board, and lots of other Avengers books coming up! So come, celebrate Avenger's Day and grab this one!
Fresh from watching the movie last night with my friends and buddies, all I can say about Kick-Ass is pure and simple - IT KICKED ASS!!!
Into the start of Saturday and still geeking over a fantastic movie experience, I can honestly say that the film adaptation of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr's work is AWESOME. So awesome that even if I said a number of things to clarify the differences between it and its comic book counterpart, it wouldn't matter. This film uses the same premise I know and twists it around into a unique version that absolutely caught me off-guard and impressed the hell out of me. Nothing says fangasm more than seeing a comic book movie outdo its printed counterpart, and that's saying a lot already. Don't get me wrong here, I still like the original Kick-Ass story presented in the books, but this one totally blew me away, and I'll get right to explaining why as soon as I kick off this ass kicking review. Pardon the puns, but it's soooo true.
Movie review: Kick-Ass Starring: Aaron Johnson, Nicholas Cage, Mark Strong, Chloe Grace Moretz Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Following mostly the same plot as in the comics, Kick-Ass tells the story of Dave Lizewski, your average teenager and student who has a dull life and decides to become a real life superhero. His first attempt to fight crime nearly gets him killed, but he soon recovers and is still determined to pursue his passion. Eventually, he succeeds in saving a guy and becoming an instant sensation via You Tube, as well as taking up an identity - the alias of "Kick-Ass"! However, Dave isn't the only hero around town, as the mysterious team of Big Daddy and Hit-Girl take on the mob and leave a body count trail behind them. With his actions causing more trouble in his life than he bargained for, Kick-Ass will learn firsthand what it means to be a hero, even if could get him killed.
Directed by the guy who produced Snatch and directed Stardust, Matthew Vaughn brings an excellent re-imagination of Kick-Ass to the big screen. It's the flick to start off an awesome month laced with comic book movies, and even if it's not a big time superhero name you would have normally heard off, this film pays tribute to the heroes that inspired the making of this story, with several references and montages placed all around the story. The right combination of story-telling, action, and comedy is what makes Kick-Ass work, and the cast in the movie bring the two-dimensional comic book characters to life gloriously.
Aaron Johnson takes the lead and is the guy who plays Dave Lizewski/ Kick-Ass. Although the character was a blond kid in the comics, this version is just about the same, living with his dad and suffering a pathetic, Peter Parker-esque life in High School each and everyday. Dave's quite a likable fellow, albeit insecure and almost unsure of his actions most of the time. It's only when he takes up the mantle of Kick-Ass that he gains a sense of renewed confidence and self-esteem. But that itself is thoroughly tested as he realizes how big a hero's life is. Johnson's performance was excellent, and he kind of reminds me of a younger Tobey Maguire with the role he's taken up here. His previous film, Nowhere Boy, had him in the lead role of a younger John Lennon, and that's still pending a US and International release date later this year.
As a veteran actor and legend in his own right, Nicholas Cage knows what it takes to play heroes in the big screen. Being a big comic book fan himself, he's played Marvel's demon riding hero, Ghost Rider, and now gets another heroic role in Damon Macready/ Big Daddy. This version of the character is vastly different from its comic book counterpart, but that's on the good side, and a better improvement thanks to adjustments made to the story's narrative. Big Daddy is a former cop who was framed by the mob and sent to jail, losing his wife to drugs but gaining a daughter just before she died. After leaving prison, he decides to get payback, raising and training his daughter to exterminate crime and donning costumed identities to hide their faces. Damon Macready was just a man... but Big Daddy is ready to kick the mob's ass. Instead of an accountant who sold his comic book collection to fund an ideal future for his daughter, Cage plays a Big Daddy who actually wants revenge, and dresses in a costume that has a noticeable similarity to Batman. The actor also pays homage to the legendary DC character by incorporating a "utility belt" and speaking in a manner that would make William Shatner and Adam West proud. Good performance I've got to say, but wait til you get a load of BD's daughter.
Young actress Chloe Grace Moretz plays Mindy Macready/ Hit-Girl, Big Daddy's "Baby Girl" who completely steals the movie's spotlight with her moves and kick-assery! Much like her comic book counterpart, Hit-Girl is the character that makes Kick-Ass work, and as adorable looking as the 11 year old lady looks, you DO NOT want to mess with her. Her knowledge of using guns and the balisong thanks to her daddy's training comes a long way, and unlike the comics, she gets a lot of great action scenes that pay tribute to a number of games and movies people will probably recognize outright. I love Hit-Girl, and she made this movie totally awesome to watch.
Another familiar Hollywood face who last appeared alongside Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes is actor Mark Strong, who breaths new life into the role of Frank D'Amico, a mob boss who was not such an intimidating villain in the Kick-Ass comics, but becomes a serious threat with some serious martial arts skills to show for it in the movie adaptation. D'Amico mixes his calm and organized nature with some aggression and frustration, and that adds a new layer to the character that was just another punk waiting to get his ass kicked by the right person. He's not all ruthless, however, as he shows a father side to his "strictly business" attitude with his son Chris D'Amico, played by Christopher Charles Mintz-Plasse.
A comic book reader himself, Chris actually respects Kick-Ass in this film unlike his comic book counterpart, but also takes on the role of Red Mist to draw out the hero and impress his father in relation to the mob killings. He's not so much the Harry Osborn type of guy, but that soon becomes apparent by the end of this film that Kick-Ass has gained a new enemy instead of an ally in the superhero business.
Kick-Ass Red Band Trailer
Co-produced by Brad Pitt and co-written by the actual comic book's creators, Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. themselves, the movie adaptation of Kick-Ass does more than good, it really KICKS ASS. Tons of actions, lots of nods to other films and videogames, and great acting and comedy only serve the film well. Even if it deviates from the comics and improvises on certain scenes, it's fresh enough to feel great about this movie, especially on the changes made to Dave and the characters around him. True, it won't replace that feeling of awesomeness I got the first time I read the comics, but Kick-Ass The Movie is another great experience for the comic book/ action movie lover. This is certainly looking like a sleeper hit to many who don't know about the premise of this film, but if you be curious enough to give it a try, rest assured, it WILL KICK YOUR ASS.
Kick-Ass: The Movie premieres today on cinemas everywhere. Most of you have probably seen the trailers already and gotten a gist of what it's all about... but did any of you read the comics on which the movie is based upon? If you haven't, you're missing out on what is probably one of the most awesome, gruesome, best written superhero stories ever written in the history of comics, and one that touches on life as we know it rather than the surreal adventures of an alien refugee from another planet or a boy endowed with radioactive spider powers! Warnings should be given of course, and this IS NOT FOR YOUNG KIDS, and STRICTLY FOR MATURE READERS ONLY. If you wanted to know what it meant to be a superhero in this day and age, look no further. Kick-Ass is here.
Written by Mark Millar and drawn by John Romita Jr., Kick-Ass tells the story of Dave Lizewski - your average high school teenager living with a single father and has a big love for comic books and porn. He's neither athletic nor the smartest boy in class, and everytime he makes a move on his crush, Katie Deauxma, he's rebuffed with insults that would make any man feel puny. Yep, life seems pretty dull for Dave... but all of that changes one day when he has an epiphany. "Why does everyone work to get a job they don't want and a future that isn't the least bit exciting"? "Why hasn't anyone tried to be a superhero"? With those thoughts feeding his energy and imagination, Dave sets out to carve a heroic legacy for himself by purchasing a spandex suit online and hitting the streets in search of trouble wherever it may be. After a few hits and big mistakes, Dave strikes gold when he manages to save a guy from a serious beat down from some goons, and with bystanders seeing and recording the whole thing, he soon becomes a You Tube sensation, and finds a moniker to call himself by - "Kick-Ass". Following the sudden surge of popularity, Kick-Ass' influence goes from media hype to trend setter, as other wackos start coming out of the woodwork and begin dressing up as superheroes, such as the crimson vigilante Red Mist and the mob killing duo of Big Daddy and Hit Girl. Yes, it does feel great to be a hero... but there are consequences that follow because of it. What Dave Lizewski doesn't realize is that his actions have triggered the ire of the mob, and they will see to it that Kick-Ass and his cohorts get a less heroic ending than they thought.
When it started out back in 2008, I didn't really know what to make of Kick-Ass. The idea seemed too crazy to imagine - a kid wanting to make a difference decides to become, of all things, a superhero. As an avid comic book reader, I could relate to the idea, but I don't know if I'd actually survive the world's scrutiny and abuse if I dared to step out in a pair of tights and fight crime.
That, my friends, is where the brilliance of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. comes in.
If you ever longed to read a tale where a regular ol' joe like you and me wanted to become a superhero, this is the book for you. It comes along so natural and down to earth that you can relate to Dave's situation every step of the way. Every punch, kick, insult, injury, frustration, and emotion the kid takes is a hit to our character, and we feel the up and down moments as if we were actually experiencing them firsthand. Millar, the guy who delivered classic Marvel books like The Ultimates and Civil War, taps into life's daily going ons as inspiration to create a tale that doesn't have anything special... except people kicking ass as heroes and learning things the hard way. He's not one to censor things either, and being a book away from the norm means that the kid gloves are off and the shit is about to hit the fan. You will see about every curse word there is to know, and the most violent, gore-fested death scenes you can actually see in a comic, and all that artwork comes from the talented hand of John Romita Jr. It's not the artist's first team up with Millar either, as both worked on an epic Wolverine run with Wolverine: Enemy Of The State a few years back. To say that this is a dream team come true is an understatement.
If you haven't read Kick-Ass, you're sorely missing out on a true classic. As an 8 issue miniseries that only concluded recently, the Hardcover is finally out and ripe for the picking at a bookstore near you. Of course, with the movie out in theaters now, it's going to be a little hard to come by, but when you actually see one, don't hesitate to grab a copy. Comic book stories do make for good movie material, but it's always a constant fact that not everything makes a complete or faithful translation to film. There are very noticeable differences between both mediums, but I would definitely recommend to check out both when you have the time. Rest assured, it will definitely Kick-Ass.XD
For kicks, here's the trailer for the movie one more time... in case you missed it.
Via Newsarama and you tube, here it is - The final redband trailer for Mark Millar and John Romita Jr.'s Kick Ass! Pack 'em up and watch what it takes to be a true hero... and kick ass!
