Mortal Kombat X Chapter One

Mortal Kombat X will be hitting gaming consoles this April and in order to keep the hype going, DC Comics is releasing a digital series by the same name. 

 

Comic books designed around video games, especially a fighting one, are usually tricky to pull off. For this reason, I don't have high exceptions for the Mortal Kombat X series. If you're a fan of the franchise, like myself, and you're curious about the new series, I'd say to check it out. Although I’d suggest reading it for fun and avoid nitpicking. The first issue introduces readers to some familiar Kombatants, such as Kenshi, Scorpion, Hsu Hao, and Sub Zero. Although there isn’t exactly any one-on-one fighting in the debut issue, there is plenty of blood and gore. The art and color in this publication, created by Dexter Soy and Veronica Gandini, make it a joy to look at. Mortal Kombat X will be a weekly series and you can find the first issue right now on the ComiXology app for $0.99.

The Battle for Logan's Remains has Begun

Tomorrow is New Comic Book day and the main comic you should have your eyes on is Wolverines #1. Now that Logan is dead, his adamantium remains are in high demand, and the battle for his body has begun. Wolverines will be an ongoing weekly series, featuring characters such as Mystique, X-23, Sabretooth, Lady Deathstrike, Daken, and a rumored mystery character. I'm definitely looking forward to reading this series that is co-written by Charles Soule and Ray Fawkes. The first issue will include a number of variant covers, including one by fan favorite artist Skottie Young. So make sure to put Wolverines on your list of comics to pick up tomorrow January 7, 2015!

Inhumans

Marvel has announced a large amount of movies that are set to be released all the way through 2019. Incase you don't read comics but love the movies, you're in luck because most of the films coming out have familiar faces like Avengers, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy and Fantastic Four. There is however one group of heroes you may not be familiar with, the Inhumans. 

Inhumans is scheduled to be released in November of 2018, which gives you plenty of time to get acquainted with this species of superhumans. The Inhuman race was created and then abandoned by the Kree and are led by their King, Black Bolt and his Queen, Medusa in the city of Attilan. Not too long ago, the race of Inhumans was introduced on ABC's Agents of S.H.IE.L.D. The show is to be connected with the Marvel Universe Films. If you want to start reading the comics but don't know where to start, you can find the #1 issue of Inhumans right now for free on the ComiXology app. so go download it now! 

A Miniseries Eight Years in the Making

Graveyard Shift is a 4-issue miniseries from Image Comics that made its debut on December 24, 2014. Graveyard Shift was a side project for writer Jay Faerber and artist Fran Bueno that has been in the works since 2006, taking it almost eight years to finish.

Graveyard Shift is a crime/romance/horror story that focuses around a homicide detective named Liam and his girlfriend Hope. The couple ends up getting involved with a gang of Vampires while Liam and his crime unit are chasing one of them down only to realize that they aren’t pursuing a human at all but a Vampire, which then catches the attention of the rest of the Vampires. After a series of unfortunate events that happen on the same night, Liam is left to uncover the culprit behind the death of his girlfriend, Hope.

The first issue starts off fast and I personally really like the artwork by Fran Bueno. If you're looking for something fresh, with fleshed out characters or are a fan of the Vampire lore, I suggest checking this series out. Issue #1 is in stores now and issue #2 will be coming out later in January.

Proton Packs and Ninjutsu

Two of the most iconic teams, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters, celebrated their 30th Anniversary this past year and there's no better way to do so than by teaming up!

These two groups have been with me ever since I was a child and after all these years, its been a joy to finally see them together in a miniseries. The chemistry between the two squads works so well. The mixture of all the nerd/science talk between Donatello, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler mixed with the sarcasm between Raphael and Peter Venkman makes for a series that's totally radical!

The mini series starts off with Donatello designing a prototype teleporter that he decides to test out on the team, sending Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, April, and Casey Jones into a different dimension of New York City. This alternate New York City is invested with the supernatural and it's protectors are the one and only Ghostbusters. The two parties must join forces and take down a new enemy all while they race against the clock to get back home.

Whether you're a TMNT lover or a fan of the Ghostbusters, this miniseries is a must for any comic book collector's collection!

The Force returns to Marvel!

January is finally here, which means Star Wars will be making its highly anticipated return to Marvel Comics! Star Wars comics were originally with Marvel through the late 1980's until it was picked up by Dark Horse Comics and ran through 2014. Although I really enjoyed what Dark Horse did with Star Wars, I've been looking forward to seeing what Marvel does with the new series. 

Marvel has a couple of series debuting this year. Star Wars is scheduled to come out January 14,2015 and it's set to take place after the events of Episode IV. Darth Vader will get his own series in February titled Star Wars: Darth Vader. and in March, a five part miniseries Star Wars: Princess Leia, will center around Leia and how she deals with the destruction of her home world Alderann. 

If you're as big of a fan of the Star Wars Universe, you're going to want to read these three new series coming out this year. Don't forget to mark your calendars
for January 14,2015 and be one of the first to pickup Marvels: Star Wars! 

Top 2014 Comic Book Events

I think it's safe to say that 2014 was a great year for comics: fantastic movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain America:The Winter Soldier ruled the box office, shows such as Arrow, The Flash, and Gotham had superb television ratings, and most importantly, comic book sales were at an all time high. There were a lot events that happened in the comic book world this year and I've put together a little list of my top favorite events.

5.) Marvel's announcement for a whole new Captain America and Thor was definitely a high point this year. With Steve Rodgers' rapid aging, he has passed the shield down to Sam Wilson aka Falcon, making him the new Captain America and leader of the Avengers. Earlier in the year, Nick Fury whispered something in Thor Odinson's ear in the story arc. Original Sin that made Thor unworthy to wield his trusty hammer Mjolnir. In October, Thor #1 hit comic shops with a new person worthy of  Mjolnir, but this time around, the new Thunder God is female.











4.) The new creative team of Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcer took over Batgirl in issue #35 and it has become quite a fan favorite. Barbara is back in college and Batgirl has a new look. The series has become to lean towards the social media generation and in my opinion, it has been really fun to read.









3.) After almost a year since Damian Wayne's death, Batman managed to retrieve Damian's soul from Apokolips in Robin Rises. Damian is now back with super strength, the ability to fly, and a new bullet proof body. In 2015, it's going to be pretty enjoyable to see Batman fighting along side with his now superhuman son.








2.) Back in May, DC Comics came out with an 11 month weekly series titled Futures End. Issue #0 was released on Free Comic Book Day and it started 35 years into the future on Prime Earth. Brother Eye has transformed the majority of everyone on Earth, including heroes like Superman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman, into cyborg bugs. Bruce Wayne has designed a time machine to travel back and prevent this horrible future but right before Bruce is able to use the machine, the Batcave is overrun with cyborgs and Batman Beyond's Terry McGinnis is forced to travel in time instead to prevent Brother Eye's take over.

1.) Marvel Comics did something that many speculated would never actually happen by killing off one of its most iconic characters. Logan lost his mutant healing factor which led many of his past enemies to come after him and try to kill him. In September, Marvel released a four part series titled Death of Wolverine and even though many didn't approve about the way Wolverine was killed off, I believe his death belongs on the top spot for 2014 Comic Book Events.

A Darker Look into Gotham

DC Comics added a new series by Ray Fawkes this past November entitled Gotham By Midnight. Fawkes is the same man that previously brought us Constantine.

Gotham by Midnight adds a new layer to Gotham City by making it a whole lot darker. Instead of focusing on the typical characters (i.e. Batman, Joker, Penguin, Two Face) this new installment deals with the supernatural side. Gotham by Midnight focuses on the midnight shift of GCPD's special unit that is known for investigating cases outside of Batmans understanding. This special paranormal unit consist of Jim Corrigan (aka Spectre), Detective Lisa Drake, Dr. Szandor Tarr (a forensic investigator), and a nun named Sister Justine.

I find the concept behind this series really neat because it's different from everything else that's inside the Batman Universe. I'm sure we'll see crossovers with characters such as Constantine and possibly even Justice League Dark later in the future. Ben Templesmith's artwork on Gotham By Midnight adds to this supernatural horror series by visually making it really dark and gritty. If you're a fan of the supernatural or just looking for something different to read, I suggest checking this series out. There's only two issues out right now but issue #3 is due to hit stores on January 28,2015 so don't worry, it's not too late to start reading Gotham By Midnight.

Go Stan Lee, it's Your Birthday!

Today we in the comic community celebrate a very special birthday, the man himself, Stan Lee turns 92!

Stan Lee was born December 28,1922 and boy does he still look good! Stan Lee has co-created some very iconic characters like, Spider-Man, X-Men, The Fantastic 4, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Iron Man. Lee has been a very influential person in the comic industry, paving the way for many writers and artists, during his time with Marvel Comics. Many of his characters have been brought to life in the big screen and if you look close enough you'll see him make a cameo in each of those movies, from a hotdog vendor in X-Men to a Smithsonian Institution security guard in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

So let's all give Stan Lee a very big Happy Birthday and may this year be good to him, Excelsior!

Superior Tony Stark

Tony Stark is as arrogant as ever in his new series, Superior Iron Man. We're just three issues in and I'm really digging what Tom Taylor is doing with this series.

Stark has moved to San Francisco to try out his latest invention called Extremis 3.0 app. This app is vanity at its finest, it helps improve a persons life by making them more attractive, smarter and healthier. But it sounds too good to be true and it comes with a price, and only a few can afford it.

Superior Iron Man #3 focuses on Tony Stark and Matt Murdock also known as Daredevil and it really shows Tony's new arrogant and aggressive personality. Matt Murdock reached out to Tony to try and reason with him about what Extremis 3.0 is doing to the city. The confrontation heats up when Tony uses the app on Matt Murdock without his permission, and Murdock's character really shows after Tony has given him something that even the greatest doctors couldn't do.

I wouldn't really call this an Iron Man comic but more of a Tony Stark story. It's different from what Marvel has out right now. It's more about morality and has the reader thinking what would you do if you were able to erase your flaws. Like any well written character you're going to either love him or despise him, but you're going to want to continue reading this series. Not to mention the new all chrome Iron Man suit is easy on the eyes. Superior Iron Man #3 is out now so go out and give it a try!

Highlight Comic of the Week: Robin Rises Alpha #1

The day has finally arrived and Damian Wayne is back from the dead in, Robin Rises Alpha #1!

Damian Wayne is the son of Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Thalia al Ghul, and depending on who you're talking to, he is the 5th or 6th Robin (and now the 2nd Robin to rise from the dead.) Damian was killed almost a year ago back in early 2013 by the Heretic, an older clone version of himself.

Batman has been through hell and back as he traveled to Apokolips to get back Damian's stolen corpse from Darkseid, along with the help of Batgirl, Red Robin, Red Hood, and Cyborg. Robin Rises leaves off at the final parts of Batman and Robin #37. As we all have been speculating due to the recent hints, Damian is back and with Superpowers.

Damian's homecoming is short lived because he is immediately thrown into fighting for his life against Kalibak in the Batcave. It is at that very moment that Damian discovers his new superhuman strength and ability to fly.

Anyone that knows me knows that I'm a huge Robin fan, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what Peter Tomasi does with Damian Wayne and his new found powers. I love the art work by Andy Kubert in this issue. Especially the part where Alfred is suiting up to battle with whats about to come through the Boom Tube and the reuniting of Bruce and his son Damian. If you're a Robin fan or even if you haven't been reading the Batman and Robin comics, I suggest you go and pickup Robin Rises Alpha #1 that's out now. It's almost safe to say 2015 will be a fun year in comics with Bat and Robin!

Shocking Secret Revealed for Upcoming Uncanny Avengers

Marvel released a new teaser poster for next years relaunch of the Uncanny Avengers earlier today. The teaser poster singles out Quicksilver indicating he might have been living a lie. What does that mean? Well let me give you a brief summary of who Quicksilver is.

In 1964 Quicksilver debuted on the issue of The X-Men #4. Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff) is a mutant with superhuman speed. His father is Magneto and has a twin sister Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. Quicksilver has been part of a few affiliations, the Botherhood of Evil Mutants, Inhumans, X-Factor and now with the Avengers.

If you're not a comic book reader but a fan of the movies you may recognize Quicksilver in this years X-Men: Days of Future Past. Where he is portrayed as a juvenile delinquent that helps Xavier and Logan breakout Magneto from the Pentagon. He also appeared on the end credits along with his sister on Captain America: The Winter Soldier and will be coming out on next years Avengers: Age of Ultron. Since 20th Century Fox owns X-Men and Marvel Studios has the rights to Avengers, due to contract agreement Quicksilver isn't referred to as the son of Magneto. Although 20th Century Fox found a funny way of sneaking that into Days of Future Past.

So what is the poster hinting too? Its hinting that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch may not have been mutants all along but in fact Inhumans, a Superhuman Race created by the Kree.

Uncanny Avengers by Rick Remender and Daniel Acuna will be hitting comic shops January 28,2015!