Marvel Noise

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 25, 2008) – Last year, The Hero Initiative, the charity dedicated to helping older comic creators in medical or financial need, enlisted the aid of 100 top-flight Spider-Man artists throughout history to create The Ultimate Spider-Man #100 Project , a collection of 100 original Spider-Man covers. Hero is reprising the program with something meaner and greener.

Marvel Comics has generously donated 100 blank-covered cardstock copies of the new Hulk #1 to Hero. The call has gone out to create a new, Hulk-centric “Ultimate 100,” and dozens of artists are currently putting pen to paper. Artists involved include well-known Hulk vets such as Sal Buscema, Mike Deodato Jr., Ron Garney, Ed McGuinness, Don Perlin, Herb Trimpe, Ron Wilson, and more. In addition, Marvel superstars such as J. Scott Campbell, John Cassaday, Frank Cho, David Finch, Joe Quesada and John Romita Sr. have stepped up to add their own take on ol’ Greenskin.

“It’ll be tough to beat what we saw last year with the Spider-Man books,” said Hero Initiative Board member Brian Pulido. “But folks are really stepping up to the plate already with some amazing Hulk pieces. It’s great to see them as they roll in!”

“After witnessing the overwhelming industry participation and fan response to the Ultimate Spider-Man #100 Project, Marvel is excited to be working with the Hero Initiative once again on such a unique and beneficial project. It’s quite inspiring to watch the comic book community come together so selflessly to support those who came before them. And what better way to honor the pioneers of our industry, then by creating one-of-a-kind cover illustrations of one of the most iconic heroes of all time, the Incredible Hulk,” said Marvel Publisher Dan Buckley.

All 100 original Hulk covers will be auctioned at a later date, with proceeds benefiting The Hero Initiative. Plans also call for a book collecting all 100 covers. The first covers received will be on display publicly for the first time at the Orlando MegaCon, taking place March 7-9 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. For more information on that event, please visit www.MegaConvention.com

Marvel Comics is a division of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., a leading global character-based entertainment company that has developed and owns a library of more than 5,000 characters, which have entertained generations around the world for over 60 years. Marvel’s operations are focused in entertainment and consumer product licensing and comic book publishing. Marvel Studios supports the development of feature films, DVD/video products and TV series. Marvel’s creative team also supports the development of video games and toy lines based on its characters as well as for a broad and growing range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, foods and promotions. Marvel’s comic book division is a leading publisher in the global marketplace while also serving as an invaluable source of intellectual property. Marvel’s Toy Biz division is a recognized creative force and leader in toy design, sales and marketing, developing and overseeing both licensee and in-house toy lines.
For additional information visit http://www.marvel.com

The Hero Initiative is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need. Hero creates a financial safety net for yesterdays’ creators who may need emergency medical aid, financial support for essentials of life, and an avenue back into paying work. It’s a chance for all of us to give back something to the people who have given us so much enjoyment. For more information, visit www.HeroInitiative.org or call 310-909-7809.

Marvel is proud to announce that, for the first, the landmark Ultimate Spider-Man Ultimate Collection Vol. 1 and Ultimate X-Men Ultimate Collection Vol. 1 will make their debuts in Spanish! The Ultimate Spider-Man Spanish Collection TPB and Ultimate X-Men Spanish Collection TPB present the first year of stories from these landmark series and remain some of Marvel’s most memorable, action-packed epics!

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN SPANISH COLLECTION TPB (JAN082218)
Written by BRAIN MICHAEL BENDIS
Pencils & Cover by MARK BAGLEY
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ULTIMO COLLECIÒN LIBRO 1 TPB (JAN082218)
Escrito por BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Dibujado por MARK BAGLEY
Rated A …$29.99
FOC—2/28/08, On-Sale—3/26/08

ULTIMATE X-MEN SPANISH COLLECTION TPB (JAN082219)
Written by MARK MILLAR with GEOFF JOHNS
Penciled by ADAM KUBERT, ANDY KUBERT, TOM RANEY, THOMAS DERENICK & AARON LOPRESTI
New Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
ULTIMATE X-MEN ULTIMATE COLLECIÒN LIBRO 1 TPB (JAN082219)
Escrito por MARK MILLAR con GEOFF JOHNS
Dibujado por ADAM KUBERT, ANDY KUBERT, TOM RANEY, THOMAS DERENICK & AARON LOPRESTI
Nuevo dibujo LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Rated T+ …$29.99
FOC—2/28/08, On-Sale—3/26/08

Will Amadeus Cho Choose Good or Evil In Incredible Hercules #115?

After the injuries to Amadeus Cho’s coyote pup at the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, the world’s seventh smartest person has implemented his most deadly idea yet — destroying S.H.I.E.L.D.! In Incredible Hercules #115, from the critically acclaimed team of co-writers Greg Pak (World War Hulk) & Fred Van Lente (Wolverine: First Class), and artist Khoi Pham, comes the greatest challenges Hercules may have ever faced! Not only must he try to sway Cho from crossing a line from which he can never return, but Herc’s brother — Ares, God of War — kicks their feud into high gear. Just what more could Ares do to enrage and injure his brother? Just wait till you see what happens in this jaw-dropping conflict! This issue is also available with a stunning regular cover by Art Adams and a variant by Marko Djurdjevic!

An IGN.Com Editor’s Choice, reviewer Bryan Joel exclaimed, “Incredible Hercules is something of a miracle book. It’s been by and large hailed as a surprising joy and critical success, landing inside in the top 20 on the sales charts… Some really first-class stuff here,” further declaring the book “a remarkable achievement.”

“This is well worth the time and money,” said Paul Brian McCoy of ComicsBulletin.Com. “I recommend this highly. It is, without a doubt, one of the best books Marvel is putting out at the moment.”

Now that Cho has been able to get into the S.H.I.E.L.D mainframe, what’s his next move? We’ve seen what Hercules is capable of in battle, but is Ares enough to take him down? All these questions and more are answered in the action packed Incredible Hercules #115!

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #115 (JAN082150)
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #115 DJURDJEVIC VARIANT (JAN082151)
Written by GREG PAK & FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by KHOI PHAM
Colored by STEPHANE PERU
Cover by ART ADAMS
Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated A …$2.99
FOC—2/28/08,On-Sale—3/19/08

Marko Djurdjevic Joins Thor In Battle As Odin Returns!

Acclaimed cover artist Mark Djurdjevic joins the thunderous hit series Thor as special guest artist for a two-issue arc that promises to turn the God of Thunder’s world on its head! Writer JMS (The Twelve) has brought Asgard to Earth, transformed Loki into a woman and pitted Thor against Iron Man… so what could JSM have planned for Thor’s father, Odin? Has he been found? And more importantly… should he be found?

As a special bonus, Djurdjevic and regular series artist Olivier Coipel have teamed-up to create a special variant cover for this issue—and you need to see the results of this superstar jam to believe it! This stunning image is also available as the Thor By Coipel & Djurdjevic Poster!

Thor’s world has been rocked by the machinations of others, but will the return of his father set him on a path of no return? And what of Loki’s machinations with the deadly Dr. Doom? If you haven’t checked out one of 2007’s most critically-acclaimed new series, then don’t miss Thor #7, kicking off a series of events that promise to shatter the status quo!

THOR #7 (DEC072216)
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Art and Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
50/50 Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL & MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Rated T+…$2.99
FOC—2/28/08, On-Sale—3/19/08

THOR BY COIPEL & DJURDJEVIC POSTER (DEC072283)
24×36 Color Poster…$7.99
IN STORES NOW!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Our host is back in the studio this week and as usual he’s running off the new releases, rambles on in SkrullWatch, and gladly takes the contributions from Mike Sims with the Mighty Marvel Movie Minute and Backwards Dave offering another Bring ’em Back. There’s also a question comin’ our way thanks to a voicemail and a blast from the past by way of Marvel Tales.

Titles mentioned include Captain America, X-Men: Legacy, Kick-Ass, Thor, and Black Panther.

Download it here.
Discuss this episode on the Marvel Noise forum.

Kryptographik: http://www.lordshaper.com/kryptographik/

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Marvel titles on sale 2.27.08:

Comics

BLACK PANTHER ANNUAL #1
COVER BY: JUAN DOE
WRITER: REGINALD HUDLIN
PENCILS: LARRY STROMAN
INKS: KEN LASHLEY
“BLACK TO THE FUTURE”: A special double-sized issue to commemorate Black History Month.
It’s 2057 and the Watcher’s prediction came true: Wakanda is an Imperial Power steering the course for humanity’s future. As T’Challa prepares the next Black Panther for the great responsibility ahead, he must first reflect on the road traveled–a long and winding journey filled with surprises.
Rated T+…$3.99

CAPTAIN AMERICA #35
COVER BY: BUTCH GUICE
WRITER: ED BRUBAKER
PENCILS: BUTCH GUICE
INKS: BUTCH GUICE and MIKE PERKINS
THE NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA FIGHTS FOR THE HEART OF HIS COUNTRY IN A CITY GONE INSANE! Last issue was just the tip of the iceberg, as the Red Skull’s master plan kicks into motion, and chaos begins to take hold of the US, with only one man to stand in its way, but is he up to the task? By Harvey and Eisner Award-Winning Best Writer Ed Brubaker with art by master storytellers Steve Epting and Butch Guice!
Rated T+…$2.99

CRIMINAL 2 #1
COVER BY: SEAN PHILLIPS
WRITER: ED BRUBAKER
PENCILS: SEAN PHILLIPS
That’s right, the most acclaimed crime comic in the industry is giving readers and retailers a second chance to get onboard as we relaunch with a new format, featuring more pages, longer main stories, and an expanded magazine section! “Second Chance In Hell” begins the first of three standalone issues, this one focusing on Gnarly the bartenders and telling the story of the last days of his life as a boxer and revealing how the Undertow bar came into his hands. It’s a hard-hitting period-piece, set in the grimy early 70s, where crime, seduction and betrayal go hand-in-hand. And on top of this longer-than-usual length main story, CRIMINAL now features an expanded back-pages section, as well – with articles by Brubaker and other top crime writers, from novelists to screenwriters to comic writers. These noir articles have become a popular piece of the CRIMINAL package, and are something that can only be found in the comics, not in any collections. So please take this SECOND CHANCE IN HELL to find out what everyone’s been talking about!
Mature Content …$3.50

DAREDEVIL #105
COVER BY: MARKO DJURDJEVIC
WRITER: ED BRUBAKER
PENCILS: MICHAEL LARK
INKS: STEFANO GAUDIANO
Daredevil faces Mr. Fear in the shocking conclusion to “Without Fear” by award-winning creators Brubaker and Lark! How far will Matt Murdock go to save his wife? What is Milla’s fate? And what is Mr. Fear’s final secret? All the answers are here!
32 PGS./Rated T+…$2.99

House Of M Avengers #5 (of 5), $2.99

KICK-ASS #1
COVERS BY: JOHN ROMITA JR. and STEVE MCNIVEN
WRITER: MARK MILLAR
PENCILS: JOHN ROMITA JR.
The greatest super hero comic of all-time is finally here. WOLVERINE: ENEMY OF THE STATE’s team of MARK MILLAR (CIVIL WAR) and JOHN ROMITA JR. (WORLD WAR HULK) reunite for the best new book of the 21st century. Have you ever wanted to be a super hero? Dreamed of donning a mask and just heading outside to some kick-ass? Well, this is the book for you–the comic that starts where other super hero books draw the line. KICK-ASS is realistic super heroes taken to the next level. Miss out and you’re an idiot!
Explicit Content …$2.99

Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four #33, $2.99
Marvel Adventures Iron Man #10, $2.99
Marvel Illustrated Picture Dorian Gray #3 (of 6), $2.99
Marvel Zombies 2 #5 (of 5), $2.99
New Exiles #0, $4.99
New Exiles #1 2nd Ptg Var, $2.99
New Warriors #9, $2.99
She-Hulk 2 #26, $2.99
Spider-Man With Great Power #2 (of 5), $3.99

THOR #6
COVERS BY: OLIVIER COIPEL and ART ADAMS
WRITER: J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
PENCILS: OLIVIER COIPEL
INKS: MARK MORALES
Asgard stands once more. Thor has reclaimed his role as the God of Thunder, and key members of his Norse pantheon stand by his side. Now, the blockbuster first arc by fan-mega-favorites J. Michael Straczynski (SPIDER-MAN: ONE MORE DAY) and Olivier Coipel (HOUSE OF M) comes to an end. What will be the new status quo for the Odinson? Just be sure to get this one before it sells out like the rest!!
Rated T+ …$2.99

Thunderbolts International Incident, $2.99
Twelve #1 (of 12) 2nd Ptg Var, $2.99
Ultimate Fantastic Four #51, $2.99
Ultimate Spider-Man #119, $2.99
World War Hulk Aftersmash Damage Control #2 (of 3), $2.99
X-Men First Class Vol 2 #9, $2.99

X-MEN: LEGACY #208
COVER BY: DAVID FINCH
WRITER: MIKE CAREY
PENCILS: SCOT EATON and JOHN ROMITA JR.
INKS: JOHN DELL and KLAUS JANSON
“LEGACY”
The X-Men’s past becomes the present as Xavier fights the greatest battle of his life. With his mind hanging in the balance, one false move can cause irreversible damage. Help arrives from an unlikely source, but in the world post-Messiah Complex, sometimes your enemies are the only people you can trust.
Rated A…$2.99

YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #2
COVER BY: JIM CHEUNG
WRITER: BRIAN REED
PENCILS and INKS: HARVEY TALIBAO
Teddy Altman thought he was just an average teenager with super strength and the ability to shapeshift. Then he discovered he was the son of a Skrull Princess and the Kree’s most famed hero – Captain Marvel. Writer Brian Reed (CAPTAIN MARVEL, NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI) and Harvey Tolibao (IRON MAN ANNUAL, STAR WARS) bring you the tale of the Hulkling’s first meeting with the father he never knew.
Rated T+…$2.99

Zombie Simon Garth #4 (of 4), $3.99

Collections

ALL-NEW OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE A TO Z VOL. 1 PREMIERE
The most exciting and comprehensive Marvel handbook is finally here! Beginning a twelve-volume guide to the Marvel Universe with more than 100 huge entries in each tome! This issue – from 1602 to Blackwulf! Spotlighting people (Angel, Annihilus, Ant-Man, Apocalypse, Arachne, Ares, Aurora, Banshee, Baron Zemo, Beast, Beta Ray Bill, Bishop, Black Bolt, Black Knight, Black Panther, Black Widow), places (Atlantis), teams (AIM, Acolytes, Agents of Atlas, Alpha Flight, Avengers), species (Badoon), alternate realities (2020, 2099, the Age of Apocalypse) and more!
Rated T+ …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-3028-4

FRANKLIN RICHARDS: COLLECTED CHAOS
COVER BY: CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
WRITERS: MARC SUMERAK and CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
PENCILS: CHRIS ELIOPOULOS
Move over, Mr. Fantastic – the progeny of Marvel’s First Family has a brand-new digest! Franklin Richards returns with this collection of four critically acclaimed FRANKLIN RICHARDS: SON OF A GENIUS one-shots! Join Franklin and his robot pal H.E.R.B.I.E. as they head into Reed’s lab for all kinds of fantastic fun, amazing adventures and more trouble than you can shake an Ultimate Nullifier at! This compilation is bound to bring out the kid in every reader! Collecting FRANKLIN RICHARDS: MARCH MADNESS, WORLD BE WARNED, MONSTER MASH and FALL FOOTBALL FIASCO.
All Ages …$8.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2787-1

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA HEROES VOL. 2 (and VARIANT EDITION VOLUME 92)
COVER BY: JOHN ROMITA
PENCILS: JOHN ROMITA, DICK AYERS, BILL EVERETT, MORT LAWRENCE, and BOB POWELL
The Atlas Era Hero Revival continues with the adventures of the comics’ most famous trio of Communist conquering heroes: Captain America, the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner! Beginning with the Big Three’s anthology adventures in Men’s Adventures, we then dive headlong into Captain America’s complete 1954 solo series. Illustrated by Bullpen legend John Romita in some of his very first super hero stories, you’ll see Cap and Bucky fight Fifth Columnists, Commie spies and even the Soviet Electro! Next up, it’s the Human Torch and Toro! Returned from his slumber by an atomic bomb, the Torch has rejoined his young sidekick in a battle to clean up threats as amazing and entertaining as vampires, killer robots and his 1950s nemesis, the Vulture. Their crime-fighting adventures even take on a global purchase, stretching all the way to the 38th Parallel and Communist Korea! And finally, for a quick taste of what’s to come in Atlas Era Heroes’ next volume, comes an assortment of Bill Everett’s lavishly drawn tales of the lord of the Atlantis, Namor the Sub-Mariner. Considered by many to be the definitive take on the character, Everett’s ’50s Sub-Mariner is nothing less than treasure from the deep! We’d be remiss to leave you without a bevy of historical bonuses, including a rare Human Torch tale that went unprinted for more than a decade, original artwork, Atlas Era house ads and an introduction by Hero Revival scholar extraordinaire Roy Thomas. Collecting MEN’S ADVENTURES #27-28, CAPTAIN AMERICA #76-78, HUMAN TORCH #36-38 and MARVEL SUPER-HEROES #16.
All Ages …$59.99

ONSLAUGHT REBORN
COVER BY: ROB LIEFELD
WRITER: JEPH LOEB
PENCILS: ROB LIEFELD
Marvel’s greatest heroes sacrificed themselves to save the world from the deadliest threat they had ever faced: Onslaught! The lives of the Fantastic Four and the Avengers were saved only when Franklin Richards created a parallel universe, where we found those heroes, reborn! But this world has long since merged back into our own, and the evil Onslaught — forged from the most vile parts of Magneto’s and Professor X’s psyches — has been presumed long dead. But now, he, himself, is reborn — and he’s bringing fragments of the other universe with him! Join comics superstars Jeph Loeb and Rob Liefeld in this no-holds-barred, all-out action extravaganza — celebrating the 10th anniversary of the event that changed Marvel history — as Onslaught, the Marvel Universe and the Heroes Reborn Universe collide in this massive crossover! Collecting ONSLAUGHT REBORN #1-5.
Rated T+ …$19.99

ORSON SCOTT CARD’S WYRMS
COVER BY: ADRIANO BATISTA
WRITERS: ORSON SCOTT CARD and JAKE BLACK
PENCILS: ADRIANO BATISTA
Fusing high science fiction with the classical mythological archetype of the quest, New York Times best-selling author Orson Scott Card’s WYRMS is a must-read for any fan of science fiction and fantasy. Featuring a world settled by humans from a crashed starship who have built their own unique society, WYRMS is a story full of many themes and ideas, crafted by the writer responsible for such masterpieces as ENDER’S GAME and SPEAKER FOR THE DEAD. And with stunning artwork by Adriano Batista that brings these characters to life, WYRMS is a can’t miss event! Collecting WYRMS 1-6.
Parental Advisory …$14.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2661-4

PUNISHER MAX VOL. 4
COVER BY: TIM BRADSTREET
WRITER: GARTH ENNIS
PENCILS: LEANDRO FERNANDEZ and LAN MEDINA
This deluxe hardcover collects PUNISHER MAX VOL. 7: MAN OF STONE and PUNISHER MAX VOL. 8: WIDOWMAKER, plus extras. In MAN OF STONE, two new players arrive to work out a lethal grudge as British Special Forces and Taliban insurgents face off in the Afghan highlands. One is Frank Castle, the man they call the Punisher. The other is General Nikolai Alexandrovich Zakharov, Soviet war criminal, known as the Man of Stone. Neither will stop until the other is dead – and Zakharov has brought not only a platoon of elite shock troops, but CIA traitor Rawlins, blackest of black operators. Castle has allies of his own, but this is old, bad, bloody country. You go to war in Afghanistan…and everybody dies. And in WIDOWMAKER, five Mafia widows are going to try what so many of their menfolk failed at: They’re going to take the Punisher down. But they’re not the only ones out for revenge. You spend your life married to organized crime, you end up with things in your past you’d rather forget. And for these women, the past is coming back in the worst way possible. Armed. Deadly. And hungry for justice. Collecting PUNISHER #37-49.
Explicit Content …$29.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2867-0

SHANNA THE SHE DEVIL: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
COVER BY: KHARI EVANS
WRITERS: JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
PENCILS: KHARI EVANS
Shanna the She-Devil returns in an all-new series jam-packed with jungle action, Hong Kong gangsters, dinosaurs, diamonds and cavemen! Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti reunite with super-hot artist Khari Evans (DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON) to bring you the story of modern-day pirates shipwrecked on the Marvel Universe’s deadliest island, where only Shanna can protect them from hordes of man-eating monsters! Collecting SHANNA THE SHE DEVIL: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST #1-4.
96 PGS./Parental Advisory …$10.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2412-2

X-MEN: SUPERNOVAS
COVER BY: CHRIS BACHALO
WRITER: MIKE CAREY
PENCILS: CHRIS BACHALO, HUMBERTO RAMOS, CLAYTON HENRY, and MARK BROOKS
A new direction for the X-Men, or at least what’s left of them! As old threats are put to rest, more deadly threats emerge from the unlikeliest of places. Threats that spell doom for the X-Men. Plus: What could possibly strike terror into the heart of…Sabretooth?! And who are the Children of the Vault? This is the book you’ve been waiting for! A perfect starting point for any new reader! Collecting X-MEN #188-199 and ANNUAL #1.
Rated A …$29.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-2319-4

Marvel Previews March 2008, AR