Marvel has announced Uncanny Avengers #8AU from the blockbuster team of Rick Remender, Gerry Duggan & Adam Kubert. This May, the Uncanny Avengers must band together and make their way throughout this new dystopian world. But when The Apocalypse Twins and Kang are involved, will they make it out of the Age of Ultron in one piece? And when Havok and Rogue set off to save the Morlocks, what secret will Rogue unearth about the Twin’s hidden past?

“We’ve been setting up the role of Apocalypse, the Apocalypse Twins in the Marvel Universe, and with this issue readers get their first in-depth look at them and a MAJOR  reveal in regards to Kang’s involvement in it all,” explained Remender. “It also hints at a big future romance we’re developing. Do not miss this issue.”

With the robotic revolution in full force, no fan can miss how Age of Ultron will ultimately change the Marvel Universe leaving no hero or villain unscathed.

“When Rick first told me about the Uncanny Avengers I was floored – it’s such a fun book with so many threads are being woven together. Fans are only starting to see the hints of where this run is going,” explained Duggan. “Age Of Ultron asks one of the greatest questions fans have been wondering for decades, what if Ultron won?! And throughout the event, people are going to love seeing these dominoes…and characters fall. The story I’m cooking up with Rick and Adam is a fun, but important story that marries two timelines, and I’m just thrilled to be a part of it in some small way.”

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to your local comic shop and reserve a copy of Uncanny Avengers #8AU.

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Dexter Morgan is s skilled forensic blood spatter expert with the Miami police department but he’s also the city’s friendly neighborhood crime-fighting serial killer who has to face his greatest challenge yet—a high school reunion. Dexter #1 (of 5), from series creator & New York Times best-selling Jeff Lindsay and artist Dalibor Talajic (Deadpool), brings fans the very first comic book featuring everyone’s favorite psychopath, Dexter. While keeping his Dark Passenger’s bloodlust–his inner demon–under control, Dexter must stop the latest murderous threat to Miami…the Skid Row Slasher. As this new menace racks up a body count to rival that of Dexter, can  Miami’s “darkest” hero save the day and keep his cover intact as a normal, well-adjusted member of society?

“Marvel Comics has always been a place where I felt at home. It has been a very important part of my life, and has always been a wellspring of creative and relevant ideas,” says Jeff Lindsay. “I feel like I’m coming home. It is a huge thrill for me to bring Dexter into this very special pantheon.”

The character of Dexter Morgan debuted in 2004’s Dily’s Award-winning Darkly Dreaming Dexter and has since appeared in five subsequent novels, with the seventh novel, Dexter’s Debut, scheduled for release in 2013. Marvels’ Dexter #1 marks the first time a story in the novels’ continuity has been presented in the comic book format.

“Dexter is a perfect fit for comics, bringing an exciting cast of layered characters together with gripping, visually arresting stories ” said Ruwan Jayatilleke, Associate Publisher & SVP, Marvel Entertainment. “It’s an honor for Marvel to work with a lauded author such as Jeff Lindsay, whose ability to both horrify and move an audience is unparalleled. Fans of Dexter will be thrilled by this new story that fits seamlessly into the world they already know.”

This February, join Dexter and his Dark Passenger in an all-new story from creator Jeff Lindsay in Dexter #1 (of 5), available in comic shops everywhere.

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The world’s best super heroes—Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man—have all achieved greatness, but there’s a new comic book star on the block who wants to make history unlike any other…and his name is LeBron James.

Marvel Entertainment and ESPN The Magazine are proud to officially unveil LeBron: King of The Rings, an all-new, full-color, ten-page comic which debuted exclusively in ESPN The Magazine’s NBA Preview on Friday, October 19. Two years ago, LeBron James predicted he would win not one, not two, not three … but seven NBA titles. What if he was right? In their second collaboration, The Mag and Marvel Custom Solutions have united to create LeBron: King of the Rings, an epic tale of zombies, clones, holograms, bionics and a star who will stop at nothing to fulfill his promise.

“Collaborating with a creative and innovative partner such as Marvel allows us the opportunity to provide fans a fun and unique way to experience sports,” said Editor in Chief of ESPN The Magazine, Chad Millman. “We are both proud and excited to bring   our first ever comic to the marketplace and hope both (NBA and comic book) fans will be too.”

LeBron: King of the Rings springs from the minds of ESPN’s Ty Wenger and Otto Strong, acclaimed writer Christos Gage and fan-favorite artists Mike Deodato, Scott Eaton, Greg Land and Terry Dodson. Featuring a cover by Adi Granov, this is the first comic book created in collaboration by Marvel Custom Solutions and ESPN The Magazine.

“The undeniable synergy between ESPN and Marvel Comics is on full display in ‘LeBron: King of the Rings‘,” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief of Marvel Comics. “Professional athletes, with their super-human abilities and character flaws, are the closest thing to real-life super heroes, and in the NBA none stands taller than LeBron James. Whether you root for — or against — the Miami Heat in its quest to achieve those rings, this story will make you laugh, wince and cheer.”

“Whether you come for the wit and commentary of ESPN’s basketball insiders, or the fantastic storytelling skills of Marvel’s all-stars, LeBron: King of the Rings has something for everyone,” said Bill Rosemann, Editor, Marvel Entertainment. “A true dream team has assembled to take you on a wild ‘What If?’ journey sure to have NBA and comic fans buzzing.”

This week, don’t miss your chance to get the most-anticipated, can’t-miss insight on the upcoming NBA season and an exclusive new comic book, LeBron: King of the Rings, in the latest issue of ESPN The Magazine. To learn more please visit ESPN.com.

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The best-selling comic event of the year is on store shelves in a limited-edition, oversized collection with the Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover Experience the pop culture event like never before as your favorite heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine, Cyclops, Magneto and more go head-to-head with the entire Marvel Universe at stake.

The Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover features the top talent of the industry including top-selling authors: 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) and even more! This unprecedented assembly of acclaimed writers is joined by a cavalcade of the industry’s superstar artists including John Romita Jr (Avengers); Olivier Coipel (The Mighty Thor); Adam Kubert (X-Men: Schism) and others.

With a limited print run, the Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover includes a number of bonus features that enhance the Avengers vs. X-Men experience even further including:

• Exclusive (to the collection) behind the scenes extras utilizing special augmented reality technology with the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma.
• Avengers vs. X-Men Infinite comics in print for the very first time.
• Special guest introduction by WWE Champion, CM Punk.
• A code for a free digital copy available exclusively through the Marvel Comics app & Marvel Digital Comics Shop.

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?

You’ve heard It’s Coming—and now you can witness every punch thrown, every shield slung and every blast blown out in the Avengers vs. X-Men Hardcover.

All your favorite super heroes enter the fight—and only one team will emerge victorious.

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

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In the move that shocked and saddened comic book fans worldwide, beloved super hero Professor Charles Xavier meets his demise in Avengers VS. X-Men #11. In the penultimate chapter of the biggest comic book story in 2012, superstar creators Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel rally the forces of the Marvel Universe against the final two members of the seemingly all-powerful Phoenix Five—Cyclops and Emma Frost. But as this epic battle rages, Cyclops makes a decision that not only takes the life of the man who formed the X-Men and raised him like a son, but that also may damn both the Avengers and the X-Men.

“When we first crafted Avengers VS. X-Men, we didn’t set out to kill any characters but as the story progressed it became obvious that this had to be the last stand of Charles Xavier”, said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Entertainment. “He’s one of my favorite characters and while like all fans I’m sad to see him perish, both Brian and Olivier deliver a powerful, dramatic conclusion to his story. Rest assured his death will reverberate across the Marvel Universe, leading into major launches like Uncanny Avengers and All-New X-Men this fall.”

Then, on October 3, the dramatic conclusion to the series arrives in Avengers VS X-Men #12, as the remaining Marvel super heroes launch their final assault on the Phoenix Five and the force that threatens to consume all of reality. Once this battle ends, nothing with be the same for the Avengers, the X-Men or anyone else in the Marvel Universe.

Plus, Join the Marvel ReEvolution as Marvel brings fans even more value to their comics reading experience. Every issue of Avengers VS. X-Men comes packaged with a code for a Free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app and with exclusive, behind the scenes extras via the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma.

Don’t forget to get your copy of Avengers VS. X-Men #11, the comic everyone’s talking about, on sale now in comic shops everywhere, on the Marvel Comics app, and the all-new Marvel Comics Webstore.

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

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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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Marvel’s making sure all comic book stores worldwide are prepared for the biggest launch of the year with the Uncanny Avengers Launch Parties on Wednesday, October 10 – all day long. In addition to being the first in line to purchase Uncanny Avengers #1, fans will also be able to receive special items exclusive to these parties.

To ensure these parties are the biggest sales success of 2012, each retailer opting into this event will receive a free Uncanny Avengers Party Kit from Marvel, containing exclusive promotional materials. In order to receive this party kit, every retailer just needs to opt in though Diamond.

“There is no better time than NOW! to get excited for the kick-off title of our new initiative,” said David Gabriel, Marvel Senior Vice-President of Sales. “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned up to this point and are making sure all of our valued retail partners have what they need to get their fans buzzing for this event. Whether it’s advertising, promotional material, multi-tiered ordering incentives or limited edition variant covers, Marvel is committed to making sure that Uncanny Avengers #1 is their highest selling title of the year for comic ships worldwide.”

All retailers who opt into the parties will receive the following as part of the Uncanny Avengers Party Kit:

• Uncanny Avengers Postcards
• Uncanny Avengers Customizable Flyer
• Uncanny Avengers Customizable Press Release
• Uncanny Avengers Backlist Sales
• Uncanny Avengers Mini Posters
• Uncanny Avengers Promo Items
• Uncanny Avengers #1 Personalized Variant
• Uncanny Avengers Party Lithographs
• Mass media promotion around the launch of Uncanny Avengers and the associated parties
• Promotion of parties to Marvel fan base via Marvel.com, Twitter and Facebook
• An additional discount on in stock trade paperbacks
• Free Uncanny Avengers Party Tickets
• Free Uncanny Avengers Pins
• Free Uncanny Avengers in-store signage and shelf-talkers

And that’s not all; Retailers who opt in for Uncanny Avengers Launch Parties will also be eligible to order a Uncanny Avengers #1 Deadpool Call Me Maybe Variant. From red-hot artist Mark Brooks, Deadpool is looking to fill a spot on Rick Remender and John Cassaday’s superstar lineup of heroes….but they don’t seem to be answering his calls. This one of a kind variant will have fans flocking to their stores to grab this must have cover.

Retailers, please check the Marvel Mailer or Diamond Daily for regular updates about the Uncanny Avengers Launch Parties.

Each issue of Uncanny Avengers includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices and in the Marvel Digital Comics Shop. Additionally, each issue of Uncanny Avengers 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, Rick Remender & John Cassaday redefine what it means to be Earth’s Mightiest in Uncanny Avengers #1.

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

Image Courtesy of  Laríssa

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Marvel has revealed the first look at Captain Marvel #2. The all-new creative team of Kelly Sue DeConnick & Dexter Soy dial it up a notch as Carol Danvers comes face to face with a challenge from her past – one she can’t walk away from. And who – or what – is the secret of the Banshee Squadron?

Also, don’t miss your chance to see Marvel history in the making when Captain Marvel #1 Second Printing Variant & Avenging Spider-Man #9 Second Printing Variant fly back into comic book stores, starring the all-new smash hit superhero Captain Marvel. Dive into the high-stakes adventures of Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel #2, soaring into comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app, and Marvel Digital Comic Shop this August.

Also in the news, with the Mad Titan, Thanos, out of the reach from Earth’s Mightiest – his quest for power and domination over the Marvel Universe continues in Avengers Assemble #7. But the Avengers won’t go down without a fight, and courtesy of Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley, they’re bringing the Guardians of the Galaxy with them. But can even their combined strength defeat Thanos with a cosmic cube in his possession? Find out in Avengers Assemble #7, hitting comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app, and Marvel Digital Comic Shop this September.

Finally, Eisner Winning artist Mike Allred makes his return to Marvel in Daredevil #17.

“It’s the issue Mike Allred was born to draw” – Marvel Senior Editor, Stephen Wacker

Prepare for non-stop action as not one, not two, but three, Eisner Award winning creators present your first look at Daredevil #17. Courtesy of Mark Waid and special guest artist Michael Allred & colorist Laura Allred, this pulse-pounding adventure pits the Man Without Fear against an old foe…Stilt-Man. Can Daredevil make it out of this grudge match in one piece? Find out in Daredevil #17, hitting comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app, and Marvel Digital Comic Shop this August.

The article Marvel Presents New Captain Marvel, Avengers and Daredevil appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The most popular characters. The most acclaimed creators. The most ambitious stories. This is Marvel NOW!.

This Fall, the Marvel Universe heads in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes — Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more — to deliver all-new ongoing series, each beginning with issue #1! Marvel NOW! is the culmination of Marvel ReEvolution, the groundbreaking new initiative to evolve the comic book experience through innovation.

It kicks off in October’s Uncanny Avengers #1, from the superstar dream team of Rick Remender (Uncanny X-Force, Venom) and John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men, Captain America) and continues with jaw-dropping new Marvel NOW! series nearly every week through February.

“There’s never been a better time to check out comics than Marvel NOW!” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Entertainment. “This isn’t a reboot or a reimagining—Marvel NOW! is all about looking forward, building on our rich history of great stories and delivering new ideas.”

In Uncanny Avengers #1, the Avengers and X-Men must join forces to overcome the greatest challenge either team has ever faced, one so devastating that neither can afford to do it alone! Can Captain America’s newly assembled team find a way to peacefully co-exist while also dealing with the game-changing repercussions of Avengers VS X-Men?

Then in November, Marvel NOW! expands to all corners of the universe with launches including All-New X-Men #1 by Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers VS. X-Men, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man) and Stuart Immonen (Avengers VS. X-Men #1 Infinite, Fear Itself); Avengers #1 by Jonathan Hickman (Avengers VS X-Men, Fantastic Four) and Jerome Opena (Uncanny X-Force), on-sale in December; and New Avengers #1, by Hickman and Steve Epting (FF, Captain America), on-sale in January 2013.

“We brought fans the biggest comic book event imaginable in Avengers VS. X-Men and now we’re taking the Marvel Universe to an exciting new place, beginning with Uncanny Avengers #1,” said Tom Brevoort, SVP, Executive Editor, Marvel Entertainment. “If you’re a long-time fan, all the stories you’ve read will give you even more enjoyment of what’s happening now—we’re not abandoning our past. But if you’re a new reader, this is where you’re going to learn just why Marvel comics are unlike anything else you’ve ever read. And no character is left unaffected by Marvel NOW!.”

Every comic book bearing the Marvel NOW! branding includes a code for a free digital copy of that same comic on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices. Additionally, each issue #1 of Marvel NOW! series 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 is the natural next step of the Marvel ReEvolution, as we evolve every facet of Marvel publishing,” explained Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer, Marvel Entertainment. “You’ve seen us craft new digital storytelling formats like Marvel Infinite Comics and bring added value to our comics with Marvel AR. Now our print comics leap into the future with a cinematic new look for our covers, exciting new designs for our biggest characters and stories that will send you on the kind of journey you can only get at Marvel.”

This October, “Join The ReEvolution” as Marvel NOW! kicks off with Uncanny Avengers #1, ushering in a new era for comics and the perfect jumping on point for new readers. The biggest creators bring you the biggest characters in the biggest stories…and it’s happening NOW!

To commemorate the historic release of Uncanny Avengers #1 on Wednesday, October 10, participating retailers can host special advance release parties the night before. That’s right, you can experience the biggest new series launch of the year on Tuesday, October 9 at select retailers, who’ll also have limited edition giveaways exclusive to these events.

For more on Marvel NOW!, please visit www.marvel.com and join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #MarvelNOW.

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Marvel is presenting your first look at superstar artist Adi Granov’s variant cover to Hawkeye #1, the start of an all-new ongoing series featuring the breakout star of the hit summer blockbuster. Join self-made hero Hawkeye in a high stakes adventure with the ex-Young Avenger Kate Bishop at his side.

Will he be able to prove himself worthy to be called one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? The red-hot fan favorite team of writer Matt Fraction and artist David Aja reunite to kick off this action packed epic in Hawkeye #1, coming to comic shops everywhere, on the Marvel Comics app, and the Marvel Digital Comics Shop this August.

This October, dive headfirst into Marvel NOW! as the superstar dream team of Rick Remender (Uncanny X-Force, Venom) and John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men, Captain America) deliver high stakes action in Uncanny Avengers #1 – sporting a jaw-dropping cover by Cassaday.

No fan can miss the blockbuster debut of an all-new Avengers team featuring members from all across the Marvel Universe…a team uniting Avenger and X-Man alike! But following the devastating events of Avengers VS X-Men, can Captain America pull together a team that can get along for its first mission? Plus, Uncanny Avengers #1 is the first title to sport the all-new Marvel NOW! cover design.

“We’re no longer going to be locked into where our logos are placed, which has traditionally been the top third of our covers, and we’re going to start to look at our covers with an eye towards strong design and commerciality above all else, explained Marvel Chief Creative Officer, Joe Quesada. “What’s going to attract the reader’s eye, what’s going to make them want to buy that particular title? That’s the first question our artists and editors are going to ask themselves.”

Also; Every new issue with the Marvel NOW! branding comes packaged with a code for a FREE digital copy on the Marvel Comics app.

And that’s not all because readers will be able to take the Marvel NOW! experience even further by unlocking access to exclusive behind the scenes extras utilizing special augmented reality technology with the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma. This is exciting bonus content that you cannot access anywhere else.

Have you joined the Marvel ReEvolution? Join the conversation on Twitter with #MarvelNOW!

For more on MarvelNOW!, please visit NOW.Marvel.com.

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KÀ by Cirque du Soleil, the spectacular production at MGM Grand Las Vegas, and Marvel Custom Solutions team up to tell the story of this acclaimed live production through an all-new, collectible comic book. KÀ #1 will debut at the Marvel booth (#2329) during Comic Con International in San Diego, July 12 – 15, 2012.

“To see our live KÀ performances transform from the theatre to ink on pages in a comic book is an incredible opportunity for our entire team,” said Marie-Hélène Gagnon, Artistic Director of KÀ. “By aligning ourselves with the premier brand of comic book creators, we have produced an illustration of KÀ that depicts the story very vividly and stays true to the plot. Marvel and its team of creators have been great to collaborate with and have embraced the story of KÀ and the expectations of Cirque du Soleil.”

“Marvel’s proud to bring the exciting, out of this world action and adventure of KÀ to life in this all new comic book,” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Worldwide. “This is a great comic for fans of all ages, whether they’re long-time fans of Marvel, KÀ or new to both exciting brands of storytelling.”

KÀ fans attending Comic Con International can take home the heroic journey of Imperial Twins separated by war who encounter adventure and peril at every turn on their quest to reunite their kingdom.

“What’s more jaw-dropping, the majesty of the Imperial Court…the dynamic dance of their martial arts display…the overwhelming might of the invading archer army…the desperate fight for survival in the storm-tossed seas…or the tantalizing glimpses at the future threats that await the Twins?” said Marvel Editor Bill Rosemann. “Readers can decide for themselves when they feast their eyes on the all-out spectacle that writer Bryan J.L. Glass, artist Wellinton Alves and cover artist Michael Del Mundo have crafted in this world premiere debut issue.”

KÀ #1 will be distributed at Comic Con International in San Diego at the Marvel booth in July. A limited amount of books also will be available at comic book stores in select markets. In addition to the print copy of the comic book, fans will be able to access the KÀ customized comic book by utilizing Marvel’s cutting-edge digital comics reader.

Fans can get an inside look at the making of the comic book by visiting www.kacomicbook.com. Featuring sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes information, including line art, storyboards and more, this site will serve as a hub for details on the collaboration. Fans will be able to receive information on how to get their own copy of the comic book. On Twitter, fans can tweet about the collaboration to @Cirque and @Marvel using the #KAComicBook hashtag.

About KÀ:
KÀ by Cirque du Soleil is a heroic journey of love and conflict set within ever-changing theatrical landscapes that conjure an entire empire on stage. Presented exclusively at MGM Grand Las Vegas, KÀ unfolds on a colossal, 360-degree rotating stage which forms the backdrop for this cinematic journey of aerial adventure and perpendicular acrobatics. For more information visit www.ka.com.

Image Courtesy of  Cirque du Soleil

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Marvel has proudly presented the first look at Amazing Spider-Man #688, kicking off “No Turning Back” this June. Someone has tampered with the grave of Billy Connors and all signs point to the Lizard. But Spidey won’t be alone in his hunt for Curt Connors, because Morbius the Living Vampire is hot on his trail.

Can Spidey handle both of these monsters before it turns into an all-out brawl? The superstar creative team of Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli bring you high stakes action and drama like no other as the celebration of Spider-Man’s 50th Anniversary continues in Amazing Spider-Man #688, swinging into comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Digital Comics Shop this June.

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Marvel is pleased to present your first look at the hotly anticipated wedding of the year in Astonishing X-Men #51. From New York Times best-sellers Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins, Astonishing X-Men #51 features a who’s who of the Marvel Universe including some guests that may surprise you.

Not only does this unforgettable issue feature covers by Dustin Weaver and Marko Djurdjevic, along with a special “Create Your Own Wedding” blank variant cover by Phil Noto, but select comic book retailers nationwide will host wedding parties at their stores  to celebrate this joyous occasion. It’s the story that has everyone talking, and this June –  witness Northstar and Kyle tie the knot, in Astonishing X-Men #51.

Plus! Head on over to Marvel.com to catch a very special episode of This Week In Marvel podcast, featuring Astonishing X-Men artist Mike Perkins.

The article The Wedding of the Year: Astonishing X-Men #51 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Marvel has presented fans with a first look at Defenders #8 as red-hot artist Jamie McKelvie joins superstar writer Matt Fraction for a story like no other. After traveling to Wakanda, the Defenders must journey into the forbidden land of Z’Gambo to face off against the evil John Aman, Prince of Orphans. What sort of secrets is he protecting, and can the Defenders find out before it’s too late? But they’re not the only ones after his secret, as the Black Cat makes her own bid to steal it away.

It’s a race against the clock in Defenders #8, which hits comic shops everywhere, the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Digital Comics Shop this July.

The article Preview of Marvel’s Defenders #8 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The American gay community and its supporters have had a lot of political and social spotlight in the last two weeks. First, President Obama publicly supported gay marriage. That was followed a week later with an official endorsement and support from the NAACP for gay marriage. Then a day after this, DC Comics jumped into the fray with the announcement that one of their core characters would be outed. That’s right, one of the company’s iconic characters; Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Robin, Green Lantern, or Green Arrow, will come out of the closet and reveal to be gay.

President Obama’s approval of gay marriage is no surprise as he was for it back in 1996 and is the most liberal person to be President in decades. As an organization, the NAACP has been moving steadily down the liberal path for some time and will do a lot to support President Obama. DC’s decision, however, is more puzzling. It is one thing to add a gay super hero to their character roster. However, to decide to out one of the iconic characters in American pop culture is a more bold move, and will in my opinion backfire.

Which ever character DC has chosen to out, they will not be the first gay comic book character. Marvel comic books character, Northstar, was the first gay superhero in comicdom but Northstar never became a well-known character, nor prominent outside the Marvel comics sphere. By comparison, everyone knows Wolverine, even if you do not read comic books. In the ensuing years after Northstar, other gay characters have been introduced. Colossus of the Ultimate X-men line from Marvel, Batwoman in DC, as well as two lesbian characters in the DC title “Outsiders.”

Fanboys and girls took these changes in stride. After all, in a world where people can fly, shoot lasers out of their eyes and hands, and a regular man can beat out Superman, writers try to make it as close as possible to reality. Yes, in a world where all this is possible, there would be gay super heroes and villains. Besides, as one Orlando, Florida area comic bookstore manager said, “they are just following the current social trends.” And he is right, comics left the space of silly kid fun a long time ago. Social realism has been injected in the story lines and characters for years. Characters have been made drug addicted, alcoholics, wife beaters, in the 1970′s black characters where introduced, as were stories about racism. So what is so different now, and what is the big deal?

I have a few answers. The first, I believe it is a cardinal sin in writing to change anything about a well-known character for any reason other than storyline. If you violate that rule, you typically lose the audience. An example of this is the change in powers for Superman, following the “Death of Superman” storyline. After the mega sales caused by the death of Superman, it was revealed that he was in fact not really dead, just in a super coma. Once he returned, his powers were energy based, and his hair was long. Calling the fan reaction lukewarm would be charitable as best. Sales for the comic dropped way below expectations, given he was back from the dead. Over the years various characters have been tweaked and changed in effort to stay fresh, or increase sales. Origin stories can change a little, sometimes costumes can alter, and you can change their powers a bit, but you cannot change say, Batman into a black man. If you make too drastic a change, you will lose readers.

Can there be anything more of a blatant pander, than changing Superman into a gay alien? Will we be faced with seeing Wonder Woman, not in love with Steve Trevor, or secretly Superman, but with Supergirl? There is no original storyline which will makes sense, other than “Oh, well they were secretly gay all these decades.” And that is a problem. Millions of people have grown up with these characters, millions more still enjoy them and now they will watch as decades of story, of character meaning, go out the window just to make a point. Here is why this matters.

Wonder Woman is from an island of amazons; no men. So it is really easy to make her a lesbian. If they ever make a movie for Wonder Woman, will the movie version incorporate a possible impending revelation? What do you do with integral characters like Steve Trevor who was the main reason she wanted to leave her cozy little island in the first place. What if it is Batman? What are the implications, justified or not, of a gay Bruce Wayne, living with young boys dressed in tights? Will this affect the millions of kids who would be future audiences — which super heroes are they going to be cheering on?

To me, the issue is not about having a gay super hero. If super heroes existed, there would naturally be a few. Rather, the issue is changing an iconic character for a political or social statement. The racial unrest of the 60′s and 70′s prompted the creation of characters like the Black Panther, Falcon, and Black Lighting. They did not; however, turn Captain America into a black man from the Bronx.

What DC is doing is wrong and stupid. I love comics, but I will not be buying a comic with one of the major heroes turned into a gay character. Neither will many others. I predict many parents will stop buying those comics for their children. If a movie comes out, if they do not hold true to the original characters, I will not see that either. This will be because DC destroyed an iconic character and all its rich history. The hero, whomever it turns out to be, will not be that character of old, any longer. There is no Superman without Lois Lane. There is no Batman without the tension of Catwoman. There is no Wonder Woman without Steve Trevor. There is no Green Arrow without his doggish ways, and love of the Black Canary. I could go on and on. These are icons. You do not change them.

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Both Dark Horse Comics and Marvel Comics has something special lined up for their fans. In Avengers VS. X-Men #4, by the blockbuster creative team of Jonathan Hickman and John Romita Jr., both the Avengers and the X-Men have lost Hope. With Wolverine out of commission, and fights breaking out all across the Marvel Universe – do the X-Men have the upper hand to find the Mutant Messiah? And can Thor’s team in space stop the Phoenix Force?

Plus; Join the Marvel ReEvolution as Marvel brings fans a new comic reading experience. Every issue of Avengers VS X-Men comes packaged with a code for a FREE digital copy on the Marvel Comics app and Marvel Digital Comics Shop.

And that’s not all — Take the Avengers VS X-Men enjoyment even further by unlocking access to exclusive behind the scenes extras utilizing special augmented reality technology with the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma. This is exciting bonus content that you cannot access anywhere else.

Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX.

Here comes the pain as all your favorite super heroes enter the fight—and only one team will emerge victorious. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime comic event in, Avengers VS X-Men #4, on sale now in comic shops everywhere, on the Marvel Comics app, and the all-new Marvel Digital Comics Shop.

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

Dark Horse presents exclusive prequel comic

As announced through Best Buy, fans eagerly awaiting Darksiders II can get an exclusive Darksiders prequel comic from Dark Horse Comics when they preorder the Best Buy exclusive Darksiders II: Angel of Death edition for Xbox 360  or PlayStation 3.

With a stunning cover from game creator Joe Madureira, this Best Buy exclusive print issue takes place before the events of Darksiders II, as Death travels to Earth to hunt down and confront a rogue demon.

Written by Andrew Kreisberg (Batman Confidential, Green Arrow and Black Canary, FOX’s Fringe) and drawn by Roger Robinson (Batman: Arkham City, Azrael), Darksiders II: Death’s Door reveals essential secrets from the world of the upcoming game.

Preorder your copy of Darksiders II today.

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Marvel Entertainment, one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, announced it will exclusively distribute single issue English-language digital comics worldwide with comiXology, the largest digital comics platform.

This multi-year agreement reinforces Marvel’s commitment to bringing its unparalleled library of popular characters and acclaimed stories to fans with a dedicated commitment to technology partner comiXology.

“As the industry leader, Marvel is committed to growing the comics market through digital innovation—and bolstering our existing partnership with comiXology continues that,” explained Peter Phillips, SVP & General Manager, Marvel Digital Media. “This agreement is a huge win for current and future fans of the Avengers, X-Men, Spider-Man and Marvel’s entire library of exciting characters.”

Marvel fans will enjoy continued access to single-issue digital comics via the Marvel apps available for Apple iOS and Android, as well as the new web-based Marvel Comics Shop, all powered by comiXology. Marvel comics can also be found on the comiXology platform available on Apple iOS, Android, Kindle Fire and comixology.com.

In addition, Marvel’s digital comics will be available through comiXology’s Digital Storefronts for brick-and-mortar retailers.

“We’re extremely proud that Marvel has chosen comiXology as its partner,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “Our expanded relationship will foster increased innovation and accelerate plans for more points of distribution and reading. I’m more than thrilled.”

The comiXology-powered Marvel Comics app launched in 2010 and has remained one of the top grossing apps in the iTunes store. As the first major comics company to offer single issues for digital purchase and featuring the largest library of digital comics, Marvel continues to be the industry leader in digital innovation.

You can download the Marvel Comics app right here and experience the greatest comics books in the world, featuring the Avengers, Iron Man, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine and more.

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Earlier this year, Marvel changed how the world experienced digital comics with Avengers VS. X-Men #1 Infinite. This June, the Marvel ReEvolution continues as Marvel is pleased to announce the next jaw dropping Marvel Infinite Comic to be included with June’s Avengers VS. X-Men #6. Representing the latest form of comic book storytelling using tablets and smartphones as a new canvas, each new Marvel Infinite Comic continues to take advantage of modern technology while staying true to medium’s greatest strengths.

Following the world changing events of Avengers VS. X-Men #6, superstar creators Mark Waid, Yves “Balak” Bigerel and Carlo Barberi bring fans a must read story featuring Cyclops and how the world is seen through his eyes.

“After the deafening critical acclaim for the first Infinite Comic, we had to bring Mark Waid back for the next one,” said Marvel Senior Editor Nick Lowe. “But joining Mark this time around is Yves Bigerel & Carlo Barberi. Now, not many Marvelites may recognize Bigerel’s name, but he is of huge importance to digital comics. His pen name is Balak and he made the comic that solidified for us what digital comics COULD be. Yves took Waid’s rough idea and realized the story-telling and it’s going to blow you away. Then, Carlo took Yves storyboards and knocked them out of the park!”

The unknown, and untapped potential of the Phoenix Force is revealed in the next all-new Avengers VS. X-Men Infinite Comic, available on June 20. Fans can find the next Avengers VS. X-Men Infinite Comic in one of three ways:

1. Free with the redemption of a code found in print copies of Avengers VS. X-Men #6

2. Free with a purchase of the digital copy of Avengers VS. X-Men #6 on the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Digital Comics Shop,

3. Available for $1.99, also on the Marvel Comics app and the Marvel Digital Comics Shop

With three easy ways to obtain the Infinite Comic, no fan can miss out on the story that changes the game for the comic blockbuster event of the summer.

Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX.

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

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The war is here – Today in Avengers VS. X-Men #3, by the blockbuster creative team of Ed Brubaker and John Romita Jr., Captain America splits the Avengers up all across the Marvel Universe to find Hope before the X-Men do. But Cyclops and his team are hot on the mutant messiah’s trail and are not letting Earth’s Mightiest get in their way. With Wolverine’s loyalty still in question – Captain America must make a harrowing decision and the result will have everyone talking.

Plus! Join the Marvel ReEvolution as Marvel brings fans a new comic reading experience. Every issue of Avengers VS X-Men comes packaged with a code for a FREE digital copy on the Marvel Comics app and Marvel Digital Comics Shop.

And that’s not all – Take the Avengers VS X-Men enjoyment even further by unlocking access to exclusive behind the scenes extras utilizing special augmented reality technology with the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma. This is exciting bonus content that you cannot access anywhere else.

Here comes the pain as all your favorite super heroes enter—and only one team will emerge victorious! Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime comic event in, Avengers VS X-Men #3, on sale now in comic shops everywhere, on the Marvel Comics app, and the all-new Marvel Digital Comics Shop.

Marvel is also proud to present your first look at, Secret Avengers #27, an explosive tie-in to the critically acclaimed blockbuster event of the year – Avengers VS. X-Men. From the red-hot team of Rick Remender & Renato Guedes, Captain Marvel is reborn to unite all Kree across the galaxy.

But, as the Kree rally – Thor and his team must face off against Captain Marvel, The Protector & Ms. Marvel in an attempt to halt the Phoenix Force. Want to know the mysterious connection the Kree have with the Phoenix Force? Find out in Secret Avengers #27, hitting comic shops worldwide, the Marvel Comics app and the all-new Marvel Comics web store – this May.

You’ve heard It’s Coming—and now The War Is Here in Avengers VS X-Men! All your favorite super heroes enter—and only one team will emerge victorious!

Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX!

The article Avengers Rule the Bunch in New from Marvel appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Marvel and MTV have officially launched the first full-length episode of Avengers VS. X-Men: War Journals, an unprecedented new video series going behind the scenes of the year’s most important comic book event, at MTV Geek.

Join Axel Alonso (Marvel Editor in Chief), Tom Brevoort (Marvel SVP/Executive Editor) and Nick Lowe (Senior Editor) as they discuss putting their own personal allegiances aside to craft the biggest story in Marvel history and meet fans at Midtown Comics in NYC for the largest Avengers VS. X-Men launch party in the world!

As fans argue about who will win—Avengers or X-Men—some of the hottest celebrities—DJ Pauly D, Big Time Rush and the Wanted—let you know just which team they’ve chosen! Plus, discover more bonus clips featuring the biggest names in comics exclusively at MTV Geek.

Also this month – The war is here! In Avengers VS. X-Men #2 by the blockbuster creative team of Jason Aaron and John Romita Jr., Captain America leads the assault against the X-Men in a brawl that no-one will forget. The Mutant Messiah, Hope, is the target and Earth’s Mightiest are not leaving Utopia without her. But to get to Hope, they’ll have to go through Cyclops and his team of X-Men who are putting up the fight of their lives.

Plus! Join the Marvel ReEvolution as Marvel brings fans a new comic reading experience. Every issue of Avengers VS X-Men comes packaged with a code for a FREE digital copy on the Marvel Comics app.

And that’s not all; Take the Avengers VS X-Men enjoyment even further by unlocking access to exclusive behind the scenes extras utilizing special augmented reality technology with the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma. This is exciting bonus content that you cannot access anywhere else.

Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX.

Here comes the pain as all your favorite super heroes enter—and only one team will emerge victorious. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime comic event in, Avengers VS X-Men #2, on sale now in comic shops everywhere, on the Marvel Comics app, and the all-new Marvel Comics Webstore.

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

To check out all of MTV’s Avengers VS. X-Men: War Journals, please visit http://avx.mtv.com.

The article Avenger VS. X-Men – The War is Here! appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

This June, it’s time for Peter Parker, better known as the Amazing Spider-Man, to cross worlds and meet Miles Morales…the all-new Spider-Man?

Marvel has announced Spider-Men, an all-new five issue landmark story from award-winning author Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers VS. X-Men, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man), red-hot artist Sara Pichelli (Ultimate Comics Spider-Man) and acclaimed cover artist Jim Cheung (Avengers VS. X-Men), which brings Peter Parker and Miles Morales together for the first time. That’s right, the Spider-Man from two different realities—the Marvel Universe and Ultimate Comics Universe—bring their worlds together for a battle no one web-head could win.

When Spider-Man tracks down one of his deadliest villains, he suddenly finds himself thrust into another world where Peter Parker is dead…and there’s a new Spider-Man in town. As these two heroes learn the truth about their identities and their universes, they’ll embark on a journey that’ll leave them forever changed—and reveal a startling truth about a key player in the Spider-Man mythos.

“This year is the 50th anniversary of Spider-Man and we’re so happy that the stars aligned for us to tell a Spider-Man story that nobody has ever seen before,” said Bendis. “It’s an honor and a privilege to present both this story and these characters to fans on such an auspicious occasion.

The work Sara has done on Spider-Men is a step above the already high standard that she has set for herself on our Ultimate Comics Spider-Man series. For me, this is a celebration of the best character in mainstream comics and some of the best art mainstream comics has to offer.”

Each issue of Spider-Men features variants covers by some of the biggest names in comics including Humberto Ramos  (Amazing Spider-Man), Mike Deodato (New Avengers), Marcos Martin (Amazing Spider-Man), Terry Dodson (Avenging Spider-Man), Travis Charest (Captain America) and Sara Pichelli.

“Knowing how much Brian loves and respects Spider-Man, there’s no way I wouldn’t want to work on Spider-Men with him,” said Sara Pichelli. “It’s going to be an explosive celebration of Spider-Man’s 50th anniversary—are you ready?”

In 1962’s Amazing Fantasy #15, the world first met Peter Parker and saw him become the hero Spider-Man in the Marvel Universe. Soon after, Spider-Man became a pop culture sensation, launching multiple television series, blockbuster films and some of the most popular comics of all time. Then in 2011, Marvel introduced Miles Morales, a new character of African American and Hispanic descent, who became Spider-Man in the Ultimate Comics Universe after that world’s Peter Parker perished.

“This is one of the biggest stories in Marvel history,” said Axel Alonso, Editor in Chief, Marvel Entertainment. “Peter Parker and Miles Morales are two of our most popular characters and fans have been clamoring for them to meet—we’ve got quite a few surprises in store for both characters. This is only the beginning of how we’re celebrating Spider-Man’s spectacular 50th Anniversary.”

This June, swing into action with world’s most amazing super heroes in Spider-Men #1.

The article Get Ready for Spider-Men This June appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

On Tuesday, be the first to experience the explosive opener to the year’s most anticipated comic event, Avengers VS. X-Men, at your local comic shop.

That’s right True Believer, tomorrow night at 8PM (local time)*, be the first in line at one of over 1,100+ Avengers VS. X-Men Launch Parties to find out what sends Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to the shores of Utopia for all-out war. It’s the biggest comic event of the century and you are invited to get in on the excitement.

Do you stand with the Avengers? Or the X-Men? We’ve loaded up participating comic shops with Avengers (or X-Men) themed exclusive mini posters, buttons, variants, lithographs and more, but the only way to get them is to show up.

Plus, don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet some of the creators behind this epic event at these select comic shops.

• Midtown Comics – Times Square
• Special Guests: Adam Kubert, Axel Alonso, Tom Brevoort & Nick Lowe
• Special Avengers VS. X-Men #1 Variant by Skottie Young AND a LIMITED EDITION Avengers Vs. X-Men New Era Cap Available
• 200 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018
• www.midtowncomics.com

• Elite Comics
• Special Guest: Jason Aaron
• 11842 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
• www.elite-comics.com

• Meltdown Comics
• Special Guest: Ed Brubaker
• LIMITED EDITION Avengers Vs. X-Men New Era Cap Available
• 7522 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046
• www.meltcomics.com

• Excalibur Comics
• Special Guests: Matt Fraction & CB Cebulski
• 2444 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
• http://www.excaliburcomics.net/

Want to see if your retailer is participating? Check out Marvel.com for a full list of retailers hosting Avengers VS. X-Men Launch Parties.

Can’t make it to any of these events yourself? Tune in to Marvel.com, facebook.com/marvel or gplus.to/marvelentertainment beginning at approximately 8 PM EST tomorrow, April 3 for live coverage of the Avengers VS. X-Men Launch Party at Midtown Comics in New York, featuring  Adam Kubert, Axel Alonso, Tom Brevoort and Nick Lowe.

Which team will reign supreme? Join the conversation on Twitter with #AvX. For more on Avengers VS X-Men, please visit http://avx.marvel.com

The article The Avengers Vs X-Men Launch Party Comes to You appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Sunday, at the SXSW Interactive Festival, Marvel Entertainment unveiled Marvel AR, the first major augmented reality app from a comic book company. As part of the recently announced Marvel ReEvolution, which brings the world of print and digital media together for a comics experience like never before, the Marvel AR app powered by Aurasma will be released on April 2 for iOS and Android devices.

Fans can first discover the power of this new app in Avengers VS X-Men #1, arriving in comic stores on April 4 and kicking off the comic book event of the year in which the world’s most popular Super Heroes go to war.

By opening this app and scanning select Marvel products featuring the Marvel AR logo, you’ll unlock exclusive content starring the world’s most popular super heroes. Go behind the scenes of your favorite comics, see new footage, hear from creators, get caught up on past events and more.

“It’s time to join the Marvel ReEvolution, as we bring the worlds of print and digital media together for an unprecedented fan experience,” said Peter Phillips, senior vice president and general manager, Marvel Digital Media Group. “Avengers VS X-Men is the biggest story we’ve ever told and teaming with Aurasma allows us to bring our fans a deeper experience when they purchase select Marvel comics and other Marvel products. Just wait till you see what we’ve planned!”

Marvel partnered with Aurasma, the world’s leading augmented reality platform, to create a mobile experience designed to empower fans to discover a new world of content that brings their favorite Super Heroes to life through tablets and mobile devices. Aurasma’s cutting-edge image recognition technology enables the Marvel AR app to recognize images in new Marvel comic books, promotional posters and other merchandise, seamlessly augmenting the images with interactive virtual content such as videos, animations and more.

“Marvel is no stranger to digital media and is once again making history, this time by using Aurasma’s transformative technology to bridge the physical world with the virtual,” said, David Stone, Aurasma’s director of client services. “What better way to excite and engage fans than to give them the power to interact with all of their favorite characters in a new way?”

Aurasma’s free platform unlocks a whole new dimension for partners to creatively enhance the real world. In this case, comic books will reach new depths by unleashing coveted and fan-pleasing content like director and editor commentary and other special features, only accessible through the Marvel AR app.

The Marvel AR companion app, powered by Aurasma, will be available for free in April at the Apple App Store and Android Market.

The article Marvel Augmented Reality Unveiled at SXSW Interactive Festival appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The Marvel ReEvolution is here—and comics will never be the same. The future of comic book publishing was unveiled on Monday to the raucous crowd at SXSW Interactive’ s ScreenBurn Arcade courtesy of industry superstars Axel Alonso (Editor  in Chief, Marvel Comics), Peter Phillips (SVP/GM, Marvel Digital Media) and Jeph Loeb (Head of Marvel Television) during the historic Marvel: House of Ideas panel.

An industry first, the Marvel ReEvolution seamlessly brings the worlds of print and digital media together for a comics experience like no other. The first two elements of this exciting new initiative were revealed as Marvel Infinite Comics, a new comic book format, and Marvel AR, the first major augmented reality app from a comics company. And fans will not have to wait long to get in on the action as they will both be released with the hotly-anticipated Avengers X-Men #1 on April 4, when the two biggest Super Heroes teams in the world go to war.

“Marvel’s always led graphic fiction industry in digital media innovation and the Marvel ReEvolution is a quantum leap into the future of publishing,” said Dan Buckley. Publisher & President of the Print, Animation & Digital Divisions, Marvel Worldwide, Inc.

“We see print and digital product as complementary, not competitive—so we’ve made sure that not only do we have new digital content but also digital products that enhance the printed page. The release of Avengers VS X-Men #1, the biggest story we’ve ever told, is the activation point for the re-evolution of comics as a whole.”

Marvel Infinite Comics represent a new form of comic book storytelling, using tablets and smartphones as a new canvas for storytelling, taking advantage of modern technology while staying true to medium’s greatest strengths.

The first comic released in this format will be Avengers VS X-Men #1 Infinite, from acclaimed creators Mark Waid and Stuart Immonen and available on April 4 for purchase on the Marvel Comics app, free with the redemption of the code found in print copies of Avengers VS X-Men #1 or included with the purchase of the digital version.

“We call these Marvel Infinite Comics because the storytelling possibilities are, frankly, infinite. Writers and artists now have a whole host of new tools at their disposal to redefine the comic book medium,” said Alonso.

“Current tablets and smartphones, along with comiXology’s Guided View technology, allow us to develop new, full length stories for a different medium that are very much truly comics—but experienced by readers in a way no other major company has ever executed.”

The Marvel AR app, powered by Aurasma, will be released in April for iOS and Android devices. By opening this app and scanning select Marvel products featuring the Marvel AR logo, you’ll unlock exclusive content starring the world’s most popular Super Heroes — including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk and many others! Go behind the scenes of your favorite comics, see new footage, hear from creators, catch yourself up on past events and more.

“Marvel AR is a perfect example of how digital innovation not only gives added value to print comics, but also brings a delivers an entirely new reading experience,” explained Phillips. “Now fans will have access to more behind-the-scenes material from their favorite Marvel products than ever before—and it’s all absolutely free.”

Check out www.marvel.com for more information on the Marvel ReEvolution and stay tuned for exciting developments as the comic industry changes forever.

The article Marvel ReEvolution: Future of Comic Book Publishing is Here appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Considering the recent demise of Bandai’s North American anime licensing branch, and the closure of Tokyopop’s North American manga licensing offices in 2011, that old Western cliche seems still to hold true in America: There ain’t enough room in this town for the both of us.

In place of several publishers, licensors, and distributors that once offered a selection and variety to the translation and quality of the Japanese-imported anime and manga, the landscape now features two sole skyscrapers: Funimation for anime, and Viz Media for manga.

Unlike the North American comics industry, which has a “big two” of DC and Marvel, along with several notable smaller publishers such as Dark Horse and Image, the manga scene has steadily been thinning out since the early 2000s, and today, Viz is really the only big name in the business.

The easy answer is to blame the bad economy, but escapism into a fantasy world never gets old, and that is exactly what manga and anime sell. North American comics are more or less stable, and the video game industry is now even larger than the film industry in North America.

Escapism booms during economically tough times, but manga is busting. And on the anime side of things, Funimation’s nearest competitor, 4Kids, is now in bankruptcy. What have Funimation and Viz done that other companies have not?

For starters, they did not make stupid business decisions like Bandai’s North American wing, and they went with safe and solid titles. Funimation and Viz were both able to acquire several properties during the late ’90s that would each have been flagship titles for lesser companies.

So is it a simple matter of strong-arming the competition into destitution? Selling established North American comics such as Batman or X-Men to North Americans is a much easier task compared to importing Japanese media. A certain level of cultural and linguistic empathy bolsters the potential sales of DC and Marvel’s comics in America. Add a familiar name to that, and by comparison, half the marketing is done before you even start to sell an issue of Spider-Man.

That creates a larger market for those titles. Dragon Ball, on the other hand, had several failed attempts at being introduced here before it caught on like wildfire, because it was a very Japanese title.

Take some characters from the Journey to the West (a story that would be instantly recognizable within Asia), add in a Shaolin monk and ubiquitous references to ladies’ underwear (some of which, such as Bulma’s name, didn’t even carry over), and you have a mixture of nonsense that turns out as popular as green tea in Asia, and as popular as, well… green tea in North America, at least at first.

Companies cannot afford to follow the model of Dragon Ball. They need to create something familiar and established to give it appeal, and that ends up meaning one thing: a lack of innovation.

Viz and Funimation are successful because they play it safe, licensing only the most popular titles and then holding on to them for as long as possible. At the same time, Japanese content creators are realizing the same thing, and putting out nothing but the same familiar archetypes season after season, year after year.

Remember the original GameBoy, with its blocky grey body, its green screen, and its inexplicably purple buttons? Who said the buttons on that thing should be purple? Who knows? It was a weird decision, a silly risk, but it made for one of the most iconic handheld platform designs to this day.

Anime needs purple buttons. Just a few weird, innocuous twists to pull it out of the ordinary, make it interesting, and make it iconic. Dragon Ball would probably be too risky and foreign to introduce into today’s market, but surely something like 2008‘s Kaiba would have been warmly appreciated stateside.

Playing it safe results in diminishing returns at best. Funimation and Viz may be doing well for the moment, but when the mediocrity reaches a fever pitch and fans are aching for something novel, plucky risk-taking little companies will be the ones reaping the rewards.

The article Playing It Safe In The Precarious Anime Industry appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Ultimate Spider-Man, premiering April 1 on Disney XD as part of the Marvel Universe block, is the super hero show everyone’s talking about—and you can experience the world premiere at South By Southwest Interactive Festival.

At the historic Marvel: House of Ideas, panel Sunday, March 11 at 1pm on the IGN stage at the Palmer Events Center, Jeph Loeb (EVP/Head of Marvel Television) will debut the entire first episode of Ultimate Spider-Man for fans in attendance.

This can’t-miss panel also features the unveiling of Marvel’s bold new multimedia plans that includes the announcement of Marvel’s revolutionary new ways to read comics, courtesy of Axel Alonso (Marvel Comics Editor in Chief) and Peter Phillips (SVP & GM, Marvel Digital Media Group). Don’t forget– this event is free and open to the public, so fans of all ages can be in attendance for the first look at the series that will redefines super hero animation—and the announcements that will change how you see comics.

“We’ve heard that Austin has some of the best Marvel fans in the world and we couldn’t imagine a better ‘thank you’ for their support than the world premiere of Ultimate Spider-Man which comes to Disney XD on April 1st,” said Loeb. “Working with top writers and talent, we’ve produced an animated series that brings Spider-Man to life like you’ve never seen him before. They say they do it up big in Texas —and we can’t wait for the smiles on the crowd’s faces when they get the first look at Ultimate Spidey in action!”

Once the Marvel: House of Ideas panel concludes, fans in attendance will receive a limited edition Marvel lithograph (while supplies last) and a chance to have it signed by Loeb & Alonso in a special Marvel signing session.

Stay tuned to www.marvel.com and www.sxswscreenburn.com for more details on the Marvel: House of Ideas panel and Marvel’s plans for SXSW.

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The epic storytelling of Marvel — full of action, adventure and humor, along with complex, courageous and aspirational characters – will be introduced to a new generation of kids and families through a dedicated programming block, Marvel Universe, premiering Sunday, April 1 on Disney XD.

The new series, “Ultimate Spider-Man,” is written and guided by the most star-studded creative team in Super Hero television history, including some of the most influential names in comic books and pop culture. The programming block will also feature the second season of “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” and new short-form series that take viewers behind the scenes to meet the creative teams and explore the many facets of the Marvel Universe.

“The Disney XD audience will be thrilled by the excitement and energy of the newest Marvel series. Our dedicated block showcases the relatable characters that have sparked the imaginations of so many people, young and old. The Marvel Universe block’s new short-form programs are made with our audience in mind, and are designed to further explore the world of Marvel for fans of all ages.

From learning how to draw Marvel heroes to seeing the real science behind the heroes’ cool gadgets, devoted Marvel fans and new fans alike will find the block to be a great destination,” said David Levine, Vice President and General Manager, Disney XD.

“The Marvel Universe, which is exploding in theaters, comic books, games and online, bursts onto your TV with the top talent in comics and animation, and the premiere titles Spider-Man and The Avengers! We are bringing the fun, action and adventure known to Marvel fans and families alike. In addition, the never-before-seen animated and live action shorts round out your Sunday morning of can’t miss shows in the Mighty Marvel Manner!” exclaimed Jeph Loeb, Marvel’s Head of TV.

Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man (who also provides the voice of Stan the Janitor in “Ultimate Spider-Man”) said, “It’s a thrill to see that the highest standards in story telling are so perfectly exemplified by Spider-Man leaping from the pages of the comic book onto the screen to be enjoyed by a new generation.”

The amazing team made up of Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer, Joe Quesada, and Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb, Supervising Producers/Writers Man of Action (Joe Kelly, Joe Casey, Steven T. Seagle & Duncan Rouleau), Creative Consultant/Writer Paul Dini (“Batman: The Animated Series,” “Lost”), and Consulting Producer/Writer Brian Michael Bendis (Marvel’s Ultimate Comics Spider-Man comic series), “Ultimate Spider-Man” marks firsts for one of Marvel’s most popular characters the world over.

In the storyline, a teenage Peter Parker (voiced by actor Drake Bell) juggles the relatable challenges of high school with the extraordinary challenges of being a Super Hero. Nick Fury (voiced by actor Chi McBride) invites Parker to train with his S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, where Peter’s alter-ego, Spider-Man, will join forces with four other teenage Super Heroes – Nova, White Tiger, Power Man and Iron Fist, on the greatest action and adventure ever as they work to become Ultimate Super Heroes.

The premiere episode (11:00 a.m., EST/PST) is entitled “Great Power,” and the second episode is “Great Responsibility” (11:30 a.m., EST). The premiere episodes will be available on DisneyXD.com and Comcast platforms via VOD and XfinityTV.com directly following the Sunday, April 1 premiere on Disney XD.  On April 2, they will be available on Disney XD Mobile VOD available via AT&T, MetroPCS, MobiTV, Sprint and Verizon; along with iTunes, Xbox Live and Sony Playstation.

Rounding out the Marvel Universe block are exciting new short-form series including (the last three series are hosted by Radio Disney’s Morgan Tompkins):

• “Fury Files” – Top-secret access to S.H.I.E.L.D. video dossiers on key Marvel heroes, including Iron Fist, Power Man, Nova and White Tiger and the villains they face, are animated with mix of traditional animation and motion comic art.
• “Marvel Mash-Up” – The Marvel Universe is turned upside down with these hilarious and unexpected takes on iconic Marvel heroes and villains, featuring classic animation edited with a comedic twist.
• “Animated Reality” – Stunt and special effects experts showcase the epic moves of favorite Marvel Super Heroes including Captain America and Spider-Man.
• “What Would It Take?” – Get a glimpse into the science and modern technology required to create the heroes’ gadgets, abilities and tech in real life, ranging from Iron Man’s jet propulsion boots to Iron Fist’s power-packed punch.
• “Master Class” – Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer, Joe Quesada, explains the artistic vision behind Marvel’s greatest Super Heroes and shows how artists bring them to life.

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Marvel has recently announced the first look at Daredevil #12. The best reviewed comic of the year continues as writer, Mark Waid, welcomes aboard fan favorite artist Chris Samnee (Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Ultimate Comics Spiderman). Matt Murdock’s alter-ego leaves him little time for a social life; but the Man Without Fear finally makes time for Kirsten McDuffie. But, the assistant district attorney’s motives aren’t so innocent; she’s on a mission to uncover Daredevil’s true identity at any cost.

“I’ve been a lifelong Daredevil fan and Mark happens to be one of my all-time favorite funnybook writers, said Samnee. “I’ve have been head over heels for this latest run of DD since I first caught a glimpse of Paolo’s onomatopoeia filled cover for issue one.”

“When Chris’s pages come in over email, I drop everything to admire them” explained Waid. “He’s astounding.”

Will Daredevil’s super-human senses save him from falling hopelessly in love? Find out in Daredevil #12, hitting comic shops everywhere and the Marvel Comics app, this May; as Samnee joins the all-star Daredevil creative team, creating unimaginable adventures only The Man Without Fear can handle.

“Chris is a profoundly adept storyteller with an eye for posture and mood in all his characters,” adds Marvel Senior Editor, Stephen Wacker “He’s a perfect complement to his cohort Paolo Rivera’s outstanding art on Daredevil and I’m over the moon that he’s on board.”

Marvel also gave a first look at Hulk #50, from the critically acclaimed team Jeff Parker and Carlo Pagulayan. Red Hulk’s hostile encounter in Las Vegas during Circle of Four is coming back to haunt him. The end of the world may be upon us, but that’s not all that’s headed for Red Hulk;

“The Red Hulk didn’t get out of that Venom story unscathed,” explains Jeff Parker. “Something followed him out of hell and it’s going to make the supernatural territory of Marvel break open and swallow our anti-hero whole!”

The stakes grow even higher, as a mysterious figure lurks in the shadows waiting to destroy Red Hulk and his fellow comrades! Will Red Hulk’s might be enough to match ghoulish malevolent magic? Can the help of Doctor Strange, Iron Man, Daredevil and more aid Thunderbolt Ross? Find out in the bonus-sized issue- Hulk #50, hitting comic shops everywhere and the Marvel Comics app, this April.

“This arc puts Red Hulk in the paranormal hot seat,” adds Marvel Comics Senior Editor Mark Panicca. “Hulk #50 is a gamma-powered, poltergeist-packed issue that’s a joy ride through Marvel’s darkest side.”

No fan can miss this explosive landmark 50th issue providing readers with a perfect jumping on point, as Red Hulk combats a supernatural threat unlike any he’s ever faced before! With variant covers by Walter Simonson, Arthur Adams, & Humberto Ramos AND a 10 page back up by fan favorite artist Dan Brereton – this is a must have!

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The most-anticipated new show of 2012 is almost here—Ultimate Spider-Man swings into the Marvel Universe block on Disney XD on April 1, giving fans of all ages a whole new look at the world’s greatest Super Hero. But you can get your first look at this all-new animated series in Ultimate Spider-Man Premiere, a screen capture comic book adaptation of the premiere episode, utilizing the same story and art you’ll see on the small screen, but presented like you won’t see anywhere else. This comic is perfect for fans of all ages and a must-have item to have in stock for Free Comic Book Day.

Retailers should check the Marvel Mailer and Diamond Daily for more information on Ultimate Spider-Man Premiere (NOV118181), arriving in stores March 28.

And Spidey is not done yet. The next big Spider-Man epic begins in Amazing Spider-Man #682, part one of Ends Of The Earth, by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. The Sinister Six, led by the vengeful Doctor Octopus, is back and they’re looking for revenge.

“Max Dillon has evolved from a simple super villain to a living force of nature,” explains Slott. “How can anyone stop power incarnate?”

He continues; “What would happen if Mysterio finally pulled off his greatest special effect? What happens to the showman of crime when the show’s over?”

Can Spider-Man & Earth’s Mightiest save the world before Doc Ock’s explosive endgame is revealed? Find in Amazing Spider-Man #682 hitting comic shops and the Marvel Comics app this March.

Join the conversation on Twitter with #SpiderMan.

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