Marvel Entertainment, one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, has announced it will exclusively distribute single issue and collected edition foreign language digital comics worldwide with iVerse, an innovator and unique voice in the mobile publishing field.

This multi-year agreement reinforces both Marvel’s position as one of the leading global entertainment brands and the number one comic book publisher in the world, while also bringing its unparalleled library of popular characters and acclaimed stories to the widest possible global audience. This foreign language content will launch in late 2012 with staggered releases worldwide.

“Marvel and iVerse both recognize the opportunity global publishing content expansion brings to Marvel fans worldwide,” explained Peter Phillips, SVP & General Manager, Marvel Digital Media Group. “This partnership with iVerse allows us to introduce Marvel’s rich history of exciting, action packed stories to new audiences who want to know more about the Avengers, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more in their native languages.”

Marvel and iVerse first partnered to distribute single–issue, English language digital comics in 2009. The ComicsPlus app, available through the App Store and Google Play, currently offers a robust selection of Marvel Digital Graphic Novels.

“At iVerse we believe that there is an unprecedented opportunity to expand readership by providing content in readers’ native languages,” said Michael Murphey, CEO, iVerse. “We are lifelong fans of Marvel – their characters and their content. It’s truly an honor to be able to partner with them to bring this spectacular content to the world on as many platforms as possible.”

Soon you can experience the greatest comic books, featuring the Avengers, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more worldwide in foreign languages for the first time ever in the digital realm.

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This November, Tony Stark soars to new heights in your first look at Iron Man #1, kicking off the all-new ongoing series from the chart topping creative team of writer Kieron Gillen and artist Greg Land. The lethal techno virus Extremis is out in the wild and for grabs to the highest bidder. It’s up to Tony Stark to contain it and that means creating a new suit of armor.

When his greatest invention becomes his greatest mistake, Iron Man must act fact…and build faster. As part of Marvel NOW!, Iron Man joins a line of titles that will take the Marvel Universe in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes to deliver all-new ongoing series, great for new and lapsed readers alike!

Each issue of Iron Man includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices. Additionally, each issue of Iron Man features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.

This November, Kieron Gillen and Greg Land redefine what it means to be invincible in Iron Man #1.

For more on Marvel NOW!, please visit now.marvel.com and join the conversation on Twitter using #MarvelNOW.

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Kelowna, U.S.A. – Marvel mania has reached all the way to Club Penguin Island, the number one virtual world for kids, as penguins assemble for the Marvel Super Hero Takeover, an epic online event starting soon.

A meteor has hit the island of Club Penguin, powering up the dangerous Destructobot. Players can choose to suit up as one of 14 Marvel Super Heroes or Super-Villains, including Avengers characters such as Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Thor, as well as the mischievous Super-Villain Loki.

“Everyone wants to feel special and believe that they can do something that no one else can do. That optimism is what drives both Club Penguin and the Marvel story lines and characters,” said Lane Merrifield, co-founder of Club Penguin and executive vice president of Disney Interactive Worlds. “Club Penguin and Marvel characters are the perfect match, and I’m sure our players will love it!”

“Bringing our worlds together marks a major milestone for both Marvel and Club Penguin,” said Rob Steffens, Executive Vice President of Marvel Entertainment. “Reactions from the fans are already tremendous, and we’re thrilled that we’re able to bring Marvel and Club Penguin together for such an epic event.”

As part of The Marvel Super Hero Takeover event, players can:

• Choose to dress up as Marvel Super Heroes, Super-Villains or civilians
• Explore the island, which has been transformed to include new destinations such as a bank, jail, and a superhero headquarters
• Join teams to decide whether to defend or defeat the evil Destructobot
• Meet Aunt Arctic, the news reporter and editor-in-chief for the Penguin Times, the Club Penguin Island newspaper. She’ll be keeping a close eye on the battle of Super Heroes and Super-Villains around the island

About Club Penguin

Club Penguin is the number one virtual world for children. Club Penguin works to maintain a fun and safe online entertainment experience by using filtering technology and live moderators. The award-winning virtual world of Club Penguin contains no third-party advertising and is free to use and enjoy, however a subscription membership provides access to additional features that enhance the play experience. Club Penguin, headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, is enjoyed by children around the world, and can be played in English, German, Portuguese, French and Spanish.

Image Courtesy of  The Avengers

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Marvel Entertainment and Disney Interactive Media Group (DIMG) has announced that the first social game based on Marvel’s iconic characters, Marvel: Avengers Alliance, is now live on Facebook.

Developed by Playdom, Marvel: Avengers Alliancefeatures a tactical turn-based combat experience with dozens of familiar Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains, setting a new standard of production value and interactivity in a social game.

“Marvel: Avengers Alliance combines epic Marvel characters with Playdom’s industry-leading game mechanics to deliver a game that is sure to attract casual gamers and Super Hero fans alike,” said John Spinale, Senior Vice President of Social Games, Disney Interactive Media Group. “With this game, Disney is bringing one of the world’s largest entertainment brands to the largest social network, giving millions of fans an entirely new opportunity to engage with the characters they love.”

“We are thrilled to break new ground here, working with Playdom to create the first ever Facebook game to feature Marvel’s Super Heroes,” said TQ Jefferson, Vice President of Games Production for Marvel.

“With both a compelling story and Marvel’s premier super team, The Avengers, leading the rest of our heroes in epic turn-based battles, Marvel: Avengers Alliance allows us to engage fans and gamers in a way that we never have before. The future of Marvel games begins now.”

With dozens of the most iconic Marvel characters available at launch, Marvel: Avengers Alliance offers players a tactical turn-based combat experience unlike any other social game. Players will have the opportunity to recruit some of Marvel’s most notable characters, including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow and many others. Players can train their heroes to unlock unique abilities, and further customize abilities.

Players can also square off against each other in player-versus-player combat, challenging their social graph to super-powered showdowns.

Marvel: Avengers Alliance takes place in the wake of a galaxy-wide disaster, known as the Pulse, which exposes Manhattan to attacks by Marvel’s most deadly Super Villains.

Players are recruited as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., the secret espionage and peace-keeping organization of the Marvel Universe, to assemble and lead teams of Super Heroes with a mission to keep New York City safe from the clutches of such enemies as Loki, Doctor Doom and Magneto, as well as sinister criminal organizations like Hydra and AIM.

In the coming months, Marvel: Avengers Alliance will continue to expand with ongoing content releases.  Players can look forward to new missions and storylines, additional Super Heroes, and upgraded abilities, plus new equipment, weapons, powers and costumes for unlock and purchase.

Social gamers and Marvel fans can join S.H.I.E.L.D and begin the adventure immediately: http://www.facebook.com/avengersalliance.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/avengersalliance

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Universal Studios Hollywood prepares for battle with the debut of an innovative, national 30-second commercial for its exciting, new motion-based thrill ride, “Transformers: The Ride-3D,” debuting May 2012. The spot, which airs on February 5 during NBC’s Super Bowl Pre-Game coverage, will also introduce PrepareForBattle.com, an interactive website designed to engage fans with exclusive intel as the campaign’s momentum escalates.

The evocative spot marks Universal Studios Hollywood’s inaugural consumer awareness effort for its marketing campaign launching “Transformers: The Ride-3D.” When NBC’s Super Bowl game coverage once again transcends sports to captivate the nation, Universal Studios Hollywood’s spot will capture consumer imagination as the movie-based theme park sets the stage for its epic new ride, envisioned to completely and uniquely revolutionize the next generation of immersive themed rides.

The spot will culminate with a call to action, challenging viewers to enlist at PrepareForBattle.com as N.E.S.T. volunteers within an elite Autobot–human combat force. The PrepareForBattle.com website includes an interactive, online game in which fans and theme park enthusiasts will compete to rise up the military ranks by successfully completing missions involving exclusive videos, downloads and trivia.

Players achieving the highest accumulated point totals will win prizes including original Transformers collectibles and a grand prize trip to experience “Transformers: The Ride–3D” at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Larry Kurzweil, President, Universal Studios Hollywood said, “We’re very excited to introduce our new breakthrough advertising campaign for ‘Transformers: The Ride-3D’ during the coveted Super Bowl and to be a part of the edge-of-your-seat suspense surrounding these spots for millions of viewers. In just thirty thrilling seconds, we’ll be able to capture how exhilarating this mega-attraction will be when it officially opens at Universal Studios Hollywood this May.”

“Transformers: The Ride–3D” is based on the iconic brand from Hasbro and electrifying film franchise, directed by Michael Bay, and celebrated for its multi-generational appeal, inventive storyline, spectacular action sequences and amazing special effects. The most recent movie, Transformers: Dark of the Moon has become the fourth largest grossing movie of all time at the global box office.

The thrill ride will tell a new “Transformers” story using original, photo-realistic 3D-HD media, sophisticated special effects masterminded by Industrial Light & Magic, and one of the most elaborate roaming flight simulator ride systems ever created.

Fusing high-tech elements with an epic new “Transformers” tale, “Transformers: The Ride–3D” will be Universal Studios Hollywood’s most ambitious ride ever created and will set a new standard in the world of theme park attractions, stretching the medium’s potential as an immersive and powerful storytelling vehicle.

In the “Transformers” movies, Earth’s humans are caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between alien robots, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons that physically convert from common mechanical devices, such as cars, trucks and planes to robotic warriors. ”Transformers: The Ride–3D” is being created under a license between Universal Parks & Resorts and Hasbro.

The ride’s pioneering photo realistic 3D media is being created by multiple Oscar -winning Industrial Light & Magic, a division of Lucasfilms, the ground-breaking visionary special effects company behind such acclaimed films as “Transformers” “Avatar,” “Iron Man” and “Star Wars.”

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie

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This April, The Avengers and the X-Men — the two most popular franchises in comics history — go to war. Marvel has announced the Avengers VS X-Men, a landmark twelve-issue pop culture event bringing together the world’s greatest super heroes — Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Magneto and more — for an unforgettable battle beginning in April 2012.

Avengers VS X-Men is written by a team of the top-selling authors in the comic book industry today: Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man); Jason Aaron (Wolverine & The X-Men, Wolverine); Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four, Ultimate Comics Ultimates); Ed Brubaker (Captain America, Winter Soldier); Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man, The Mighty Thor).

This unprecedented assembly of acclaimed writers is joined by a trio of the industry’s superstar artists: John Romita Jr (Avengers); Olivier Coipel (The Mighty Thor); Adam Kubert (X-Men: Schism).

The Avengers and X-Men have learned that the all-powerful embodiment of both death and rebirth known as the Phoenix Force is on a crash course for Earth – and it needs a new host to unleash its immeasurable power. But what is the shocking decision tied to the Phoenix’s return that will pit the Avengers against the X-Men? And when good friends become bitter enemies, what does this mean for the future of the Marvel Universe?

Shipping twice monthly, this epic twelve-issue limited series will be available in comic stores and on the Marvel Comics app on the same day — additionally, each print issue of Avengers VS X-Men includes a code for a free digital copy of the issue on the Marvel Comics app at no additional cost to fans or retailers.

“Avengers VS X-Men brings together the most powerful forces in comics for a super hero war like you’ve never seen before and will never see again. We all want to see the best of the best go against each other — Lakers & Celtics; Ali & Frazier; Yankees & Red Sox; and in comics it’s the Avengers fighting the X-Men,” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Entertainment.

“We’ve brought together the biggest writers, biggest artists and biggest characters for the biggest story we’ve ever told. This is the kind of high-octane action-packed story that fans demand while also having a profound effect on every character involved—and reshaping the Marvel Universe in its wake.”

Plus, for the first time ever, fans can watch and take part in the groundbreaking Avengers VS X-Men live Kickoff beginning at 3:00pm ET today on Marvel.com and http://new.livestream.com/marveluniverse. A unique event produced in collaboration with Livestream.com’s cutting edge streaming services and the Hangout functionality provided by Google+, they will be bringing the writers and editors of AVX directly to the fans.

Make sure to follow Marvel on Google+ as five lucky True Believers will be chosen to join in on the AVX hangout with their favorite writers and editors. Even if you’re not part of the Hangout, your questions can still be answered via Facebook and Twitter using hashtag #AvX—just make sure to send in your questions before the press conference ends.

For more on Avengers VS X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.com

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Marvel fans can celebrate the New Year with the biggest change to the world of digital comics in 2012. Beginning with January’s Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #6, all Ultimate Comics Universe titles will be polybagged with a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices at no extra cost.

This comes after the incredible success of the digital copy so far. In February, these codes (redeemable for the same print issue as purchased) expand to the rest of the Ultimate Comics Universe, as new arcs begin with Ultimate Comics X-Men #7 and Ultimate Comics Ultimates #7.

“The groundbreaking stories told each month in the Ultimate Comics Universe are some of the best comics being published today,” said David Gabriel, Senior Vice-President of Sales, Marvel Entertainment. “Looking at the tremendous response to our digital copy code offer with Avenging Spider-Man #1, it’s clear that this is something fans want to see more of and we’re delivering it on a scale never seen before, with no extra cost to retailers or fans—and historic benefits for our retail partners.”

The Ultimate Comics line made history in 2010 with the first line of comics to be offered digitally on the same day print editions hit stores, beginning with Ultimate Comics Thor #1. With its inception in 2000, the Ultimate Comics Universe re-imagined the world’s most popular super heroes, including Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Wolverine and more, for a new generation.

It continues to be one of the most acclaimed and best-selling comics initiatives of the last decade, with the 2011 introduction of an all-new Spider-Man heralded as one of the most important moves in pop culture history.

In 2012, no fan can miss Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, Ultimate Comics Ultimates and Ultimate Comics X-Men, as they begin red-hot new storylines and each issue includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app.

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Marvel has brought their comic book characters to the big screen for a long time. Marvel has brought out one film every year since 2002, starting with “Spider-man.” Since then, we have seen many Marvel character adaptations, including Daredevil, the Punisher, the Hulk, Elektra, Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America.

Future releases include “The Amazing Spiderman” and its sequel. Both “Thor” and “Iron Man” will also have sequels. The Avengers is the latest Marvel comic book to see the big screen. It is part of the Marvel cinematic universe that crosses over several Marvel superhero films including “Iron Man” (2008), “The Incredible Hulk” (2008), “Iron Man 2″ (2010), “Thor” (2011), and “Captain America: The First Avenger” ( 2011).

The movie is directed by Josh Whedon, and stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson. The Avengers comic book made its debut in September 1963. The original lineup consisted of Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor.

Captain America did not appear alongside until the fourth issue when the original team found him. The other two characters, Ant-Man and Wasp, are not featured in the film. Even though many Marvel characters have been in the Avengers lineup, one thing has always remained consistent: they fight.

As with most Marvel films, the movie version of the Avengers does not exactly remain totally faithful to the comic book. Now this may not upset many moviegoers who seem to love these comic book action heroes. Diehard Marvel fans do not like these stories being tampered with.

On a Marvel fan site, I found that a majority of Marvel fans do not like many of the films that have been produced, except the first two Spider-man and X-men movies. Being a Marvel fan myself, I can remember the days when there were no Marvel movies whatsoever. Waiting for a Marvel movie looked like something that was never going to happen.

Spider-man was something that was rumored to happen since 1992, with many people promising a Spidey film, including James Cameron, which never saw light of day. Finally, when these films did come out, fans expecting something great only felt disappointed time and again.

All Marvel fans agree the action in the movies has been great, but the stories is where they feel let down. They don’t understand why Marvel cannot make the same quality movies as D.C. Comics, which D.C. Comics has done with Superman and Batman, movies that have brilliant stories.

One of the great examples of a Marvel picture that had a storyline that was tampered with was “The Hulk”starring Eric Bana. They came up with a side story about Bruce Banner’s father, which was the reason why he was affected by gamma rays. This totally diverts from the original vision and should have been left out of the picture.

It should have just stuck to the facts. Although the recent Iron Man films have been viewed by the fans as brilliant, ” The Avengers” also looks to be another film fans are eagerly awaiting for.

Image Courtesy of  http://marvel.com/ 

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Since 1998, Marvel Productions has been releasing superhero movies after the other- but how could this once bankrupt company, grow to such a colossus?  In 1997, Marvel, a once vast comic book company collapsed. Forced to re-organize, the newly formed Marvel Enterprises started their movie production division. In 1998, they created Blade with Wesley Snipes, and the rest is history. Now, after considerable success at the box office Marvel is releasing one of their biggest projects: The Avengers.

The Avengers is a team assembled by S.H.I.E.L.D leader, Nick Fury. S.H.I.E.L.D. is a law-enforcement/ espionage agency that keeps the peace throughout the world.  With Captain America coming 4 issues later the team of superheroes first consisted of Wasp, Ant Man, Thor, Iron Man, and the Hulk.

With release scheduled for May 4, 2012, the movie started production on April 25, 2011. Crafting a star studded cast together, Marvel will be bringing most of the actors back that they used in their other movies, such as, Chris Hemworth Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Paul Bettany as the voice of Jarvis. Along with these old faces come new ones. Jeremy Renner will play Hawkeye, and Cobie Smulders will perform as Maria Hill.

If you know the Avengers, then you are probably wondering, “where is the Hulk?” Well, after Edward Norton’s falling out with Marvel, they replaced him with Mark Ruffalo. What is exciting about this new Hulk is that it is not all CGI. Mark Ruffalo will put on a motion-tracking suit and, in post-production, artists will draw on the Hulk according to Ruffalo’s movements. Oh, and Lou Ferigno is voicing the Hulk, no big deal.

The original writer of The Avengers is Zak Penn. He has written movies like X2, X-men: Last Stand and The Incredible Hulk but bringing all these characters into one movie proved a challenge to Penn. He told Craveonline.com, “My job is to kind of shuttle between the different movies and make sure that finally we’re mimicking that comic book structure where all of these movies are connected… There’s just a board that tracks ‘Here’s where everything that happens in this movie overlaps with that movie.’” However, though Zak Penn made the original script, the official writer is the director, Joss Whedon.

Joss Whedon, has written many hit movies like Toy Story, as well as underground cult TV classics like Buffy the Vampire Slayer—he also directed part of the series. With his reputation, many cult followers believe he will stay true to the comic’s story. Whedon was a fan of the comics as a kid, and has given a hint of what the movie will focus around. Whedon, had said at the 2010 Comic-Con,”these people shouldn’t be in the same room let alone on the same team — and that is the definition of family.”

In an interview for IamRogue.com, Tom Hiddleston, playing Loki, alluded to how each character interacts with each other.  “These are seven big egos, and I’m referring to the characters not the actors. They all want to be the alpha male, or in Black Widow’s case the alpha female. So he has made a virtue of that by having them all compete for the top dog slot,” Hiddleston said.

It seems like Loki will not be the only obstacle the Avengers need to overcome.  They will have to learn how to work together for the salvation of Earth. Its one large dysfunctional family of superheroes that the world relies on, they will need to learn how to rely on one another in order to make their team work.

Considering the fact that The Avengers has been in the works since 2005, it’s safe to say that this hero ensemble is long overdue and maintains its position as one of the most anticipated Marvel pictures yet.  With Joss Wedon behind the wheel and still riding the wave of Marvel Enterprises’ success in comic adaptations, movie fans can look forward to being blown away in summer 2012.

Image Courtesy of  http://www.facebook.com/TheAvengersMovie?sk=photos

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