Posts Tagged ‘ Thor ’

Over the course of SDCC, Marvel has been revealing pre-production art of the Avengers – and they fit together…

(Click to make a bit larger)

Black Widow, Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Nick Fury, Maria Hill and Agent Coulson all look pretty damn good here – and honestly, I’m getting a little excited by next year’s movie especially after the post-credits bit on Captain America…

Oh, and if the Skrulls are in the movie as rumored, I’d say the chances of Coulson being one are pretty damn high, no?

I’m not really sure why the UK and the US often get different movie posters, but they do – and sometimes I prefer the UK ones over the US. Empire has run the newly released UK ones.

Quite like that tag line – ‘Courage is Immortal’ – and I think Bleeding Cool’s reference to the Nuremburg rally is a little unfair. Anyway, for comparison here are the last two US ones that were released again –

– which set do you prefer?

Marvel has released two new posters for Thor and damn but they’re looking good. The more I see of this, the more I think that it’s definitely the movie to beat this summer.

Yep. Looking forward to this.

Over on Bleeding Cool, they’re running the motion poster for the upcoming Conan the Barbarian movie which is being released – of course – in 3D.

While I have nothing against 3D as such I’m not a fan of movies automatically coming out in 3D with a 2D option – that feels the wrong way round to me (and yes, Thor, I’m looking at you). Until a movie can convince me that 3D really adds to it – like I believe Avatar did – and, more importantly, actually looks good and doesn’t detract from it, I’ll stick to 2D thanks.

Even so – I do like this poster. Of course when I was a kid it was called a website banner…

A new trailer for Thor has hit, expanding on what we’ve seen before. This time out, we start off more Earth-bound…

For me, this is still the movie to beat this summer. Yes, X-Men First Class looks better than expected, but I still have my doubts about Captain America – and Green Lantern looks like it could be a huge disappointment.

This, though – this I rank highly for three reasons; firstly, Kenneth Branagh can do no wrong in my eyes – none at all; second, Natalie Portman remains one of my favorite actresses dating back to Leon (that’s The Professional to you Yanks) and the hugely underrated Beautiful Girls; and thirdly, I was damn impressed with Chris Hemsworth’s five minutes of screen time at the start of Star Trek – the guy has charisma by the bucketload and I think he really sells me on the part in this trailer.

So yes, the gauntlet – well, hammer – is thrown down. For my money, this is the one to beat.

Captain America wasn’t the only Marvel movie getting a trailer in the Superbowl – Thor also got a spot:

This one sells me on the movie much better (although as the full trailer is already out, I have a better idea what to expect).

Big guy –

- has hammer –

- hits stuff.

Yep, that’ll do nicely.

I know, it’s everywhere. Even so, it’s worth posting: the first official Thor trailer. Not like that unofficial longer one that did the rounds a few months ago and absolutely is not on my site in a hidden, password protected post.

No, sir.

Looks good – now, when can we get the first Captain America one?

Marvel has released the one sheet tease for the upcoming Thor movie.

I’m still optimistic about this because of the trailer that was released that I’m not allowed to repost… and because of Kenneth Branagh’s involvement.

Even so, the lighting on the armor doesn’t help the rubbery look, does it?

I miss Incredible Hercules.

I mean, I know I’m picking up Chaos War – which appears to be the culmination of Pak and Van Lente’s run on the character – in trade, but still; I miss panels like this in what I pick up week to week:

Awesome.

I mean, Booster Gold‘s chalkboards?

Pfft.

Like Marvel would lift something like that wholesale and plunk it into their books…

…oh.

According to CBR the above page is from Avengers #5, so it looks like I’m wrong…

Anyway, let’s have a little breakdown shall we?

Going from left to right along the timeline…

• Siege

– Well, we know what that is, I guess. It seems to be quite a way before the next events, at least one of which takes place prior to it. Probably an aspect of time being broken in the arc the panel appears in. Or an editorial slip.

• Captain America Reborn – Again, aside from placement no surprise here. There’s a little side note asking ‘What did Cap see???’ referring to his vision at the end of the series, which bore some resemblance to the War of the Worlds-esque (or Tripods-esque, depending on your frame of reference) alien invasion from Killraven‘s alternate future.

• Nine Worlds in Disarray -this presumably links into Matt Fraction’s upcoming Thor run, which will apparently deal with the nine worlds of Norse mythology, of which Asgard is only one. Again, the timeline appears slightly skew-wiff as this presumably takes place before the next notation…EDIT: Apparently Avengers Prime concerns the Nine Worlds being in disarray – thanks, Kunstgriff!

• The Heroic Age Begins! – I guess there’s not much mystery there.

• Three! – a reference to the upcoming Fantastic Four arc which apparently promises the death of one of the core characters (because that’s never happened before).

• Hope Returns!? – presumably referring to the recent Second Coming in the X-Men books featuring the return of Hope from the future.

• There’s a dotted line leading down to the next comment that I can’t quite make out “Spider on the …” Horizon? Horror? Whatever it is, it seems to begin with HO and end with ON. Horton? I’m guessing this is Spider-Man related…

• Man Without Fear – no real secret here, either, as Black Panther is becoming the new Man without Fear and taking over Daredevil’s book.

• Throwbacks! - Okay. I have no idea what this refers to. Any ideas?

• Chaos! – The upcoming Chaos War event, of course.

Next slide, please…

• EDIT: There’s a bunch of equations including the words ‘Similar Form‘ and ending in ‘Paired‘. Not sure what this could refer to but open to suggestions!

• Five Lights – A not-so subtle reference to the current Five Lights arc in Uncanny X-Men leading to Generation Hope.

• Who is Worthy? – 9,9,9, – these linked comments outside of the timeline presumably refer again to Thor‘s nine worlds and perhaps an indication that someone else is going to try hefting mjolonir for a while – or that Thor himself may not be worthy? We’ll see.

• EDIT: Crossed out below this is something else I can’t make out: What Wouldn’t Do ?????? Any suggestions?
  Back on the timeline…
  • What is Where Asgard Should Be? – Thor again. A valid question; if Asgard’s in Oklahoma, what’s occupying it’s old position at the end of the rainbow bridge?
  • Master of Kung Fu – Shang-Chi’s making a comeback in Shadowland, and there’s a new Heroes for Hire series on the horizon – so maybe he’ll have a part in that? Or will there be a new Master of Kung-Fu? Replacement heroes are all the rage, you know.
  • Nova Antiquus – perhaps an earlier bearer of the Novaforce will be making an appearance wherever Nova himself ends up?
  • Academy Traitor! – I’m guessing there’s a traitor in Avengers Academy?
  • Return of the King – There’s a few people this could refer to; Magneto has been referred to as a king a few times in the past; the Black Panther’s in exile of some sort from his own country; the Kingpin perhaps? Or it could (hopefully) be the return of Black Bolt who died at the end of War of Kings. In any case there appears to be a King. And he appears to be returning.

  Off to the side of the timeline -

  • EDIT: The one I couldn’t quite make out earlier is The Drumm of Revenge – presumably pointing towards a Dr Voodoo (Jericho Drumm) story – or perhaps his dead brother? Either war I’d put money on this happening in New Avengers.

  And back on the timeline again –

  • Night Falls – Well that’s not ominous at all. A sign that something bad is coming? Perhaps it’s horror-related somehow? Who knows.
  • Iron Lad Returns – Looks like everyone’s favorite young Kang/Young Avenger is on his way back through the timestream somehow, presumably in the the Children’s Crusade mini.
  • All Hope Lies in Doom! – Well, when doesn’t it? Sounds like Doctor Doom is going to be getting some pagetime, maybe in the Fantastic Four, maybe in an Avengers book – but somewhere.
  • Schizm! – Sounds like there’s going to be a split somewhere along the line. Could be in a team, could be in reality, hell, could be anywhere. Or it could be some new character causing trouble – but my money’s on the first option. I think there’s going to be a falling out between characters somewhere again.
  • Stark Resilient – I’m guessing that’s a reference to the current Invincible Iron Man arc of the same name, in which case that book is ahead of the curve.
  • Where is Wanda? – Probably the end of the current Avengers: The Children’s Crusade mini series starring the Young Avengers that’s running right now.
  • Galactus Seed – That just sounds…wrong. More likely to be another arc in Hickman’s Fantastic Four than about Galacta, which is a shame.
  • ST….365NRATS – I have no clue. As long as it’s not Marvel’s answer to Lab Rats.
  • Fear without Man – I suspect that this will be an arc either following Daredevil Reborn (or perhaps that series itself) or simply an arc in the Black Panther’s run.
  • What’s in the Rings?!?! – Despite the earlier Return of the King reference, I guess this isn’t about bringing Gandalf and co to the MU. Instead, I think we’ll see the Mandarin’s rings being explored somewhat – mainly because I can’t think of any other rings of note in the MU.
  • Steve’s Vision! – Sounds like that vision we were talking about earlier is going to come to pass relatively soon.
  • Ultron War – Is Hank Pym’s greatest mistake coming back? Again? Honestly in light of the Ultron Imperative and Annihilation Conquest, any more Ultron stories seem redundant.
  • Yesterday’s X-Men – Possibly referring to that teaser of dead X-Men that popped up recently? Or something else? It’s off to the side of the main timeline so it may not take place around this time.
  • Born To Burn – Given that I think Johnny Storm will be the missing FF member at the end of ‘Three’, I would guess that this would be his return to the fold.
  • We Are Here – The point at which Avengers #5 takes place.
  • Kang’s Forces – I think this refers to a big ol’ timewar that’s going on in the Avengers book, which I’m getting in trades, and probably not the big Kang War we had at the end of Kurt Busiek’s run. Or, sadly, The Crossing (which I’m expecting to get the big Omnibus treatment any day now…).
  • Scorched Earth? – Sometimes the only way to win is to destroy what you’re fighting for. Whether a reference to the Kang thing, the Killraven thing, or something else I don’t know. EDIT: Apparently Jeff Parker’s first storyline in (Red) Hulk, starting with this week’s #25 is called – wait for it – ‘Scorched Earth’, named for the Intelligencia’s plan. Safe bet that this refers to that.
  • 3PION - Well, not a ‘P’ but a Punisher skull symbol. Probably not the return of Lynn Varley and the other Punisher stand-ins, sadly. EDIT: I’ve read that this could be deciphered as 3SkullION or Triskelion – which would be the Ultimate Avenger’s HQ over in the Ultimate Marvel U. Is there a crossover in the offing?
  • INFINITE FUTURES!! Again, I suspect this has to do with the future being hazy after the Kang thing wraps up. Or that Marvel hasn’t had it’s 2012 editorial retreats yet.

  Lots to clear up here, and lots of hints.

  But Booster Gold still did it first!

  Continue Reading »

I missed this image over the weekend, or last week, or whenever it came out, although I did tweet about the news last week.

In case I haven’t mentioned it, DeFalco and Frenz’s original Thunderstrike run – and their previous Eric Masterson Thor issues rank amongst some of my favorite runs. They’re not high art by any means, but they are damn good comics about a man doing the right thing – if the right thing involves hitting people upside the head with an enchanted hammer or mace.

Yes, Thunderstrike’s look was very 90s – down to the ponytail, lightning-bolt earring and sleeveless leather jacket – but putting that aside, the comic had a very old-school sentiment running through it. Eric eventually sacrificed himself and the run was topped off by one of my favorite Thor stories ever as the Absorbing Man paid his respects to the foe he’d come to…er, respect.

In the MC2/Spider-Girl continuity, Eric’s son Kevin picked up his father’s mace (well, internalized it anyway) and became Thunderstrike himself – and fought alongside Stinger, the MC2 version of Cassie Lang, as a member of A-Next (another series I’d recommend tracking down in the dollar bins).

I’d guess from the silhouette that someone new and young will be picking up the mace – and though I’d guess Kevin Masterson, I’ll be happy to be wrong. No matter what, I’ll be picking this up come November.

Via io9 – the full Thor trailer from SDCC -and I take back every negative thing I said about the stills that were released. My faith in Kenneth Branagh looks not to be misplaced – because this looks amazing.

Annd…we’re done. The video has been removed at the request of Paramount.

From the stage at SDCC2010 – the cast of the Avengers movie – (L-R) Robert Downey Jr (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Samuel L Jackson (Nick Fury), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner), Joss Whedon (Director), Kevin Feige (Marvel Studios).

Do I have my concerns about this? A few.

But right now?

I’m just pretty damn excited about it.

Via

Okay. That‘s a good shot.

Loki has a helmet, Odin has a throne, Fandral has a goatee and Hogun may have a teeny tiny topknot – which for some reason always makes me think of Tasslehoff the Kender:

You know, if I had a topknot I’d be pretty fricking grim too.

Via

Marvel has released their first image from the upcoming Thor movie (well aside from this one)…

…and it all looks a bit..plasticky, somehow doesn’t it?

I have faith in Kenneth Branagh, but I’m thoroughly underwhelmed by this.

Also, as impressive as Anthony Hopkins looks, he’s no Brian Blessed.

Casting FAIL!

From tonight’s Entertainment Tonight via

Okay, I’m looking forward to this even more now!

ComicBookMovie.com also has some screencaps up (only one of which I’m displaying here) – so go take a look at more if the video gets yanked.

With the concept art for Thor and Captain America hitting the internet the past few days, I figured it was time to flex my not-so-mighty photoshopPixlr skills and mash up a few images…

And you know what? As thrown together as it is, I kind of like it.

I’m at home today looking after the wee one, who has croup. That means no daycare for him for the next three days, and today’s my day to look after him – so no post really. He’s far too awesome and distracting to spend much time not doting over him.

Not to mention that when he cries because he’s sick it breaks my heart.

Anyway, in lieu of a real post let me just point you in the direction of Amazon, which currently has the JMS Thor Omnibus up for preorder at $26.39 – full retail is $64.99 so that’s a hell of a discount!

Here’s the solicit:

THOR BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI OMNIBUS HC COIPEL COVER
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Penciled by OLIVIER COIPEL, MARKO DJURDJEVIC & DAVID AJA
Covers by OLIVIER COIPEL & MICHAEL TURNER
Witness the return of Thor in a story only J. Michael Straczynski could tell! Returned to the pantheon of great Marvel heroes, the Asgardian God of Thunder is reunited with the mortal form of Dr. Don Blake. Together, they must reckon with the legacy of the mythic Norse kingdom and the awakening of its immortal heroes – but in a world that may not want them back! J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5 creator, Changeling screenwriter) hits a grand slam with his reappraisal of the Thor mythos, a creative success on so many levels the glowing praise from fans and critics alike is becoming routine. Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR #536-537, THOR #1-12 & #600-603 and THOR GIANT-SIZE FINALE.

The description on Amazon is out of date and misses off a bunch of the issues, but the ISBN number matches so it seems to be the right book – at that kind of discount its difficult to refuse!

Latino Review seems to have scored the first pic of Captain Kirk’s dad Chris Hemsworth as Thor in the upcoming movie – and he sure looks the part.

The armor on display here looks more than a little like the recent Coipiel-designed armor too. As Kenneth Branagh’s directing, I already have high hopes for this – but they just got kicked up a notch.