New Avengers: Illuminati is a five issue series that will explore how the secret cabal has affected the history of the Marvel universe. New Avengers Brian Michael Bendis works with artist Jim Cheung on this one and we can no doubt expect some shocking revelations. Anticipation factor: 8
Stan Lee Meets… is a series of one off titles celebrating Mr Lee's 65 years with Marvel. He'll be 'meeting' Spider-Man, The Thing, Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange and Silver Surfer. Each title will contain three tales, an original Lee story with big name artists Oliver Coipel, Lee Weeks, Salvador Larroca, Alan Davis and Mike Wieringo lined up to illustrate them, a classic Lee story and the third will be a new story from top creators paying tribute to the man who started it all. The first (Spider-Man) is out now. Anticipation factor: 7
Not much from DC has me waiting with bated breath with only Frank Miller's Holy Terror, Batman! really piquing my interest. Touted by Miller as a piece of propaganda in much the same way as the comics of WWII, it pits Batman against Osama and Al Qaeda after a terrorist attack on Gotham. This will be nothing if not controversial when (or should that be if?) it sees the light of day. Anticipation factor: 7
Horror has a new home or at least several horror icons do and it's Wildstorm.
A Nightmare on Elm Street starts the ball rolling in October from Chuck Dixon and Kevin West. Anticipation factor: 6
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is up next with Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning with the severed limbs rendered by Wesley Craig. Anticipation factor: 6
Friday the 13th kicks off the new year in gory style thanks to Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray and an as yet unnamed artist. Anticipation factor: 6
Wildstorm are also relaunching a number of titles under the new Worldstorm brand starting in September.
The Authority by Grant Morrison and Gene Ha Anticipation factor: 6
Deathblow from Brian Azzarello and Carlos D'Anda. Anticipation factor: 6
Gen13 - Gail (The All New Atom ) Simone and Talent (hopefully not in name only) Caldwell. Anticipation factor: 5
Stormwatch - Christos Gage and Doug Mahnke. Anticipation factor: 6
Wildcats from Grant Morrison and Wildstorm top man Jim Lee. Anticipation factor: 7
Also on the horizon is a solo title for Midnighter, the 'gay Batman' from The Authority to be written by Garth Ennis with art by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story. Ennis has gone on record as saying there will be no guest appearances, particularly from Apollo (if Midnighter's the gay Batman then he's the gay Superman), Midnighter's other half, describing him as a 'boring blond twat.' Anticipation factor: 6
Article comments
1 - moebiusgraphics.com
RE: Frank Miller's BATMAN VERSUS AL-QAEDA
After finishing 120 pages prior to the premiere of SIN CITY in the spring of 2005, Miller's only completed about ten pages of the book in the past year. And with other, more lucrative movie work ahead of him outside of comics (300, SIN CITY 2, THE SPIRIT), plus STILL not having yet finished the abortion that is ALL-STAR BATMAN, don't count on seeing this comic any time soon.
2 - Ian Woolstencroft
I’m not even convinced it will get released even if he does finish it. Have DC confirmed they will publish it? As far as I’m aware there hasn’t been an official announcement from them.
I take it you’re not a fan of All Star Batman? From a story point of view I think it’s one of the worst things Miller’s done. Still at least Jim Lee’s art looks great. I hadn’t heard the news about The Spirit film so thanks for that. While I’m certainly excited about it, once again I’m not convinced it will happen. Has there been any confirmation from other sources than Miller? He’s certainly the perfect choice though so I’ll keep my figures crossed.
3 - yenrag
"Ron Garneys artwork is not up to the task." You're wrong.Instead of making blanket sttements that hurt peoples careers, list reasons that can help them. Its called a critique. Otherwise your review is worthless.
Best,
Ron Garney
4 - yenrag
"Ron Garneys art isnt up to the standard" Your wrong Ian. It most certainly is. Instead of making blanket statements about someones work that potentially can damage a career, try making constructive comments with reasons attached. Its called a critique, otherwise your review is worthless.
Best,
Ron Garney
5 - Ian Woolstencroft
Yenrag I see you needed two attempts to get your point across.
Firstly, telling me I’m wrong just because you don’t agree with me is far more a blanket statement than the one I made. In my opinion, Garney’s art isn’t up to the standard of the other artists I mentioned, that’s not to say it’s bad, just workmanlike. Not everyone can be a superstar artist whose name on a book will help to sell it. For every Jim Lee there are ten Ron Garney’s but every army needs soldiers as well as generals. My point was that in recent years Amazing Spider-Man readers have been spoilt by Marvel, with some of there top talent working on the book.
If only I had as much power as you seem to credit me with! The first of my regular monthly columns and I’m already damaging someone’s career. And if you were indeed Ron Garney (instead of his number one fanboy) I think your ego is big enough to take my criticism, after all I’m wrong and you are as good as John Romita Jr. and Mike Deodato Jr, at least according to your comment.
6 - Garth
Ian, I saw your comments about Edgar Rice Burroughs and I'm betting like you that anticipation will be high for a Mars series.
I know this at least anectdotely because I'm seeing a lot of activity on an older Edgar Rice Burroughs book at the auction site. A lot of people appear to have a lot of pint-up emotions about getting their hands on his materials.