Category Archives: x-men
The Wolverine: Twitter Q&A with Hugh Jackman
Need a break from the Iron Man 3 hysteria of this weekend? Well, here’s a very special question and answer session done via Twitter with Hugh Jackman about the upcoming feature film The Wolverine… Read the rest of this entry
Tainted Love In Tales from the Longbox – Uncanny X-Men #186 (1984)
Every other week, Jason Shayer will highlight an issue or a run of issues pulled from the horde of comic book long boxes that occupy more room in his house than his wife can tolerate. Each of these reviews will delve into what made that issue or run significant as well as discuss the creative personalities behind the work. “Long Box” refers to the lengthy, white cardboard boxes most comics find themselves stored within – bagged, alphabetized and numerically ordered.
Uncanny X-Men #186
“Lifedeath”
October 1984
Writer – Chris Claremont with plot assist by Barry Windsor-Smith
Artists – Barry Windsor-Smith/Terry Austin
“Once upon a time, there was a woman who could fly.”
Chris Claremont teamed up with Barry Windsor-Smith in 1984 for a double-sized issue of Uncanny X-Men. The art was a jarring break from the usual John Romita Jr. art. However, this collaborative effort generated a sequel in Uncanny X-Men #198 “Lifedeath II” and a couple of other stand-alone stories in Uncanny X-Men #205 (which focused on Wolverine) and Uncanny X-Men #214.
Guess Who’s In X-Men: Days Of Future Past
Yesterday, director Bryan Singer announced via Twitter that Peter Dinklage would be joining the already amazing cast of X-Men: Days of Future Past. How amazing is it it – well, we’ve got Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellan, Patrick Stewart, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Jennifer Lawrence, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Anna Paquin, James McAvoy all reprising their roles from the various X-Men films.
So will Dinklage play? Though he wasn’t in the original story, smart money would be on Alpha Flight’s Puck. Tell us, does this new casting move add to your excitement for X-Men: Days Of Future Past, due out Summer 2014?
Tales from the Longbox – Alpha Flight #1 (1982)
Every other week, Jason Shayer will highlight an issue or a run of issues pulled from the horde of comic book long boxes that occupy more room in his house than his wife can tolerate. Each of these reviews will delve into what made that issue or run significant as well as discuss the creative personalities behind the work. “Long Box” refers to the lengthy, white cardboard boxes most comics find themselves stored within – bagged, alphabetized and numerically ordered.
Alpha Flight #1 (1982)
“Tundra!”
John Byrne, writer and artist
I thought a look back at this landmark issue would be appropriate as I’ll be using this timeframe as a setting for our new Marvel Super-Heroes RPG campaign with fellow Biff Bam Poppers Andy and JP.
After the début of Alpha Flight, in The Uncanny X-Men #120-121 (April 1979) and several guest appearances by its member in the Marvel, Canada’s super-hero team earned its own ongoing title. John Byrne, co-creator of Alpha Flight with Chris Claremont, was handed the creative reigns.
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Biff Bam Pop’s Holiday Gift Guide: AvsX Hardcover Edition
The confrontation between Marvel Comics’ two biggest franchises, and their two biggest superhero teams, was the event of the summer, and the do-not-miss maxi-series that changed the status quo of the Marvel Universe. Yes, the Avengers versus the X-Men – AvsX – was the big one this year.
If you missed it, or if you didn’t, there’s an amazing way to relive all the action you did and didn’t see, with this edition of Biff Bam Pop’s Holiday Gift Guide. We’ll check out the AvsX Hardcover Edition after the jump.
Tales from the Longbox – Uncanny X-Men #141-142 (1981)
Every other week, Jason Shayer will highlight an issue or a run of issues pulled from the horde of comic book long boxes that occupy more room in his house than his wife can tolerate. Each of these reviews will delve into what made that issue or run significant as well as discuss the creative personalities behind the work. “Long Box” refers to the lengthy, white cardboard boxes most comics find themselves stored within – bagged, alphabetized and numerically ordered.
Uncanny X-Men #141-142
January- February 1981
“Days of Future Past”
Writing: Chris Claremont (plot and script) and John Byrne (plot)
Penciler: John Byrne
Inker: Terry Austin
While many fans may classify the Dark Phoenix Saga as the ultimate X-Men storyline, I’d argue for a two-issue, cross-time story called “Days of Future Past”. Both Claremont and Byrne are at the top of their game, coming off the Dark Phoenix Saga storyline and still telling outstanding stories.
Avengers Vs. X-Men #12 Is The Way To Go On The Wednesday Run – October 3, 2012
Oh boy. You know, there are a lot of really interesting comics released today. A lot.
Does anyone out there remember the original mid-1980’s television commercial for the very first Legend of Zelda video game? You know: “Which. Way. To. Go?” No? Well, that’s how I’m feeling within the confines of this column today. I’ve been recommending multiple comics for the past few Wednesdays – and that kinda feels like cheating when the modus operandi of The Wednesday Run is to recommend one great comic each week. Besides, how could you or I possibly carry all of the cool books out today? We’d need a donkey! Any volunteers to help me carry a few items out of my local shop today?
I mean, the Halloween-flavoured Superman ghost story in Action Comics #13, the just-in-time-for-everyone’s-favourite-candy-coated-holiday first trade collection of I, Vampire, part one of the much-anticipated “Rotworld” storyline in Swamp Thing or the absolutely beautiful first issue of Daredevil: End of Days could all make the singular recommendation this week.
So…Which. Way. To. Go?
No, no. I need to pick one. And although the title of this week’s column is a huge spoiler (I do love spoilers!), the reasons for the pick can be found after the jump.
Saturday At The Movies: Marvel Anime Wolverine
I’m not a big fan of cartoons produced in the Japanese-styled Anime or Manga aesthetic. I know there are a lot out there that are. Some of those fans write for this very website. Still, growing up, I was a huge fan of Star Blazers and Robotech. Silver Hawks was a pretty cool show and Akira was amazing. These programs, and a few others, were able to make the jump across the Pacific and reach North America households to much acclaim. More importantly, they fuelled the imagination of kids and got them interested in Anime and Manga. Maybe that’s why I like the DC Entertainment-produced, Anime-styled, Batman: Gotham Knight, released in 2008, so much. We got to see a favourite character from a radically different perspective.
Not to be outdone, Marvel Entertainment took that same idea and expanded upon it, creating four separate, 12-episode series’, based on their most popular comic book characters.
