[New post] X-Men: Greatest Hits part three

X-Men: Greatest Hits part three dailypop | June 11, 2011 at 9:33 pm | Tags: x-men marvel hellfire club sebastian shaw | Categories: X-Men | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-2J9

"And Hellfire is Their Name"

By Chris Claremont and John Byrne
Published Apr-July 1980
Head writer of a critically acclaimed and fan favorite monthly book, Claremont was in full steam when he penned this one with John Byrne. Hardly a team as powerful as the Avengers or as finely tuned as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men are at their best when all the chips are down and their backs are against the wall. For me, this issue meets that recipe perfectly. Suspicious of the goings on in the Hellfire Club's Inner Circle, the X-Men arrange for an all out assault on the building, despite the misgivings of Professor X (no doubt disappointed at his protege Scott's mishandling of the team and Warren Worthington (AKA the Angel), who also happens to be a member of the exclusive Hellfire Club. For months Jean Grey has been changing, growing more distant from her teammates as she becomes enthralled by a romantic daydream involving Jason Wyngarde (modeled by Byrne after actor Peter Wyngarde, alias Jason King). By the time the attack is underway it is a doomed affair.

The Inner Circle are mutants led by Sebastian Shaw, the Black King. Acting with no for-knowledge, the X-Men are easily defeated by the powerful foes with even the headstrong Wolverine thrust into the sewers by the gravity-controlling mutant Harry Leland. The team defeated, a swarthy shirtless Shaw celebrates his victory over these upstarts.

Part of a much larger story going back to issue 101 in which Jean Grey resurfaced from a crashed space shuttle as the Phoenix, this single issue remains one of my all time favorites. It shows the team as a not the brightest bunch on the block and hardly the most powerful. Yet despite these setbacks they are tenacious and indefatigable.

Additionally, this issue introduced the menace of the Hellfire Club. Previously the threats that the X-Men had faced were set at eliminating the mutants from the face of the planet, but Sebastian Shaw saw himself as king over all, mutant and human alike. Uninterested in mutant superiority like the terrorist Magneto, Shaw was just after power. The fact that Shaw was chosen as a key element in the prequel X-Men: First Class speaks to the brilliance of the character.

Of course the moment that this issue is most well remembered for is the final panel that still sparks a response from readers.

The concluding panel of Uncanny X-Men 132

Add a comment to this post

WordPress.com | Thanks for flying with WordPress! Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Express yourself. Start a blog.

Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://subscribe.wordpress.com

[New post] Matt Smith confirmed for another 14 episodes of Doctor Who

Matt Smith confirmed for another 14 episodes of Doctor Who dailypop | June 11, 2011 at 8:59 pm | Tags: barrowman torchwood, doctor who matt smith moffat | Categories: Doctor Who- 11th Doctor | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-2J2

As the final part of series 6 (part one of two) 'A Good Man Goes to War' airs in the US on BBC America, the news of the Eleventh Doctor's third year greets us. The youngest actor to ever hold the mantle of Time Lord on Doctor Who, Smith had the unenviable task of winning over an audience raised on three plus years of David Tennant as the Doctor. The program has gone on to become an international success, breaking all viewing figure records on BBC America, now showing the program (more or less) concurrently with the BBC to avoid piracy issues.

A genuine eccentric, Smith could very well be the best Doctor of the entire BBC Wales program to date. Quirky, dynamic and sincere in his delivery of the most incomprehensible dialog. The scripts have wavered some, the effects haven't always been the best, the through it all I must applaud Smith for his perseverance
and for bringing new life to the program as a whole.

Beyond his third year, it's anyone's guess but there are already talks of a set of 'specials' to replace a full set of 13 episodes due to budgetary restraints and a tiring lead actor. It seems that Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill are leaving the program in the seventh series (possibly in series 6 part two) which, though I have mostly enjoyed the characters, I am ready for.

The future is an open book and hopefully it will not involve old ideas such as John Barrowman and River Song. But Moffat is apparently keen to have the two similar characters meet.

Via Geeks of Doom:

Steven Moffat and the BBC have also confirmed that Matt Smith will be continuing his role as the Doctor in Series 7 during 2012, following some silly rumors online that he was stepping down. With the official confirmation from the BBC, the rumors were put to rest… but that didn't stop Moffat and others lay out some clues as to what else we might be seeing in Series 7.

Following the official announcements from the BBC, John Barrowman (aka Captain Jack Harkness from Torchwood) revealed in an interview with Zap2It that the return of Captain Jack to Doctor Who has been discussed between Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat. "I've always said that if I'm asked to go back to Doctor Who, I'll go at the drop of a hat," Barrowman says. "That's where Captain Jack got his beginnings. And it's already been discussed."

There have been some hints and tips about the potential return for Captain Jack Harkness over the last couple of years, and it's inevitable the character will return at some point: he was created by Steven Moffat to begin with. In reality, it's a matter of timing and fitting everything into everyone's schedule.

Add a comment to this post

WordPress.com | Thanks for flying with WordPress! Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Publish text, photos, music, and videos by email using our Post by Email feature.

Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://subscribe.wordpress.com

[New post] Marvel Comics gets ready for a Dozen Days of Vengeance and Earthfall

Marvel Comics gets ready for a Dozen Days of Vengeance and Earthfall dailypop | June 11, 2011 at 7:48 pm | Tags: captain america avengers red skull, marvel comics nova annihilation abnett lanning cosmic sci-fi comic book super heroes | Categories: Marvel | URL: http://wp.me/p4kUt-2IY

Just released are details on a pair of wide-reaching stories for Marvel Comics. Joe Casey (Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes) will chart a course reaching all the way back to the Red Skull's first appearance in WWII. There have been many WWII-era stories in Captain America in the past few years, so it should come as no surprise that the latest story involving the star-spangled Avenger will involve his deadliest foe and a threat stemming from his earliest days as the sentinel of liberty.

A Dozen Days of Vengeance

Via ComicBookMovie.com:

CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #7 in 1941 contained the birth of Captain America's ultimate foe and one of the purist embodiments of evil in the Marvel Universe: The Red Skull.

Johann Schmidt went from downtrodden youth to Nazi officer to Germany's version of Captain America under the tutelage of Adolf Hitler himself. He battled Cap and the rest of the Allied Powers' forces through World War II before placing himself in suspended animation. Re-emerging in the modern era, the Skull would continue his rivalry with his patriotic opposite number while also becoming a thorn in the side of the Avengers and many other Marvel heroes. Numerous times the Skull has appeared to perish, but always seems to turn back up by various means, including transferring his consciousness into a body cloned from Cap himself or utilizing the Cosmic Cube.

In recent years, The Red Skull orchestrated a scheme that saw the original Captain America, Steve Rogers, apparently assassinated—in actuality hurled backwards in time—and replaced by his former sidekick, Bucky Barnes. The Skull would lose his body in battle with Barnes and then fail in an attempt to subvert the mind of the returned Rogers, apparently dying once again. His daughter Sin has since succeeded him, but The Red Skull can never totally be counted out.

"There's a thread to this story that stretches all the way back to World War II," reveals Casey. "An atrocity committed by the Red Skull that has never been revealed—until now."

Thanks for checking out A Dozen Days of Vengeance. Get ready for VENGEANCE #1, coming your way July 6!"

The second major storyline to be announced involves that team of cosmic heroes assembled by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, the Annihilators. This already renowned pair of creators have seen a successive steam of successes from their Annihilation, Annihilation: Conquest, Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova series over the years. With both Nova and the Guardians MIA, the Annihilators are the only 'fix' that cosmic Marvel fans have had and with that mini-series now ended, many have wondered what the next step could be.

It's a big one...

Avengers Vs. Annihilators: Earthfall

Via Newsarama:

Announced this morning via Press Release and Marvel.com, Annihilators: Earthfall #1 will launch a four issue mini-series this September that sees Gladiator, Quasar, Ronan, Ikon and Beta-Ray Bill coming to Earth to square up against the Avengers. Co-written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, collectively known in the industry as DnA, the story marks the continuation of years of cosmic action from the duo.
"A desperate and vital mission brings the Annihilators to Earth, and what generates the conflict with Earth's Mightiest Heroes is basically the clash of jurisdiction, and the incompatible interests of both teams; what's good for Earth might not be good for the Galaxy—and vice versa!" Abnett told Marvel.com.

Lanning also noted that this is a great jumping-on point to the Marvel Cosmic group, as they'll be introducing the characters when they come to Earth. With folks like Gladiator and Ronan in the squad, who have traditionally clashed with Earth's heroes, it certainly spells trouble.

The book will also once again feature a Rocket Raccoon and Groot back-up, similar to the first Annihilators series.

Add a comment to this post

WordPress.com | Thanks for flying with WordPress! Manage Subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Publish text, photos, music, and videos by email using our Post by Email feature.

Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://subscribe.wordpress.com

Latest articles from Retro To Go

---

• eBay watch: 1959 BMW Isetta 300 Super Plus bubble car
• Umbro's retro-styled New York Cosmos Anthem Jacket and Track Top now available to buy
• Puma x UNDFTD Clyde Canvas trainers
• Vintage Leaf Jumbo Storage Bag
• Granny Light Shades
• Heal's Helix inspired throw
• Kaiser Idell 6556-super floor lamp

eBay watch: 1959 BMW Isetta 300 Super Plus bubble car Posted: 10 Jun 2011 07:15 AM PDT A real head-turner, although this 1959 BMW Isetta 300 Super Plus bubble car guaranteed to spread a little happiness wherever it goes. A left-hand drive, it's completely restored. In fact, it's pretty much completely re-built, according to the write-up. Although you would be hard pressed to tell, with the car looking every bit the original. See the listing for all the details of what has been upgraded or replaced. Whether that 298cc will get you around fast enough, only you will know. But if you want some attention on the road or like the idea of owning a classic you can display at various shows and gatherings, this could be for you. £6,400 is the opening price. Find out more at the eBay website

Umbro's retro-styled New York Cosmos Anthem Jacket and Track Top now available to buy Posted: 10 Jun 2011 06:44 AM PDT Last year, we mentioned over on our His Knibs site that Umbro was remaking the New York Cosmos kit for the reformed US football legends. At the time, there was no news of it being for sale. Well, you can buy it now. At least, you can buy the best bits of the range. Those 'best bits' are the New York Cosmos Anthem Jacket and Track Top . The Anthem is very much in a 1960s bomber jacket style, in a rich green with the New York Cosmos crest on the chest, the name embroidered across the back, a shaped body and a three-colour stripe on the cuff and collar. £54.99 is the price - see over the page for a picture of Pele wearing one. Alternatively, Umbro has a Track Top out based on the 1970s version. In white, it has green detailing, the Cosmos badge and is made of a double knit fabric with polyester outer layer to protect you from the elements combined. That's also £54.99. Find out more at the Mundo website

Puma x UNDFTD Clyde Canvas trainers Posted: 10 Jun 2011 06:26 AM PDT The Puma Clyde is a 1970s trainer that we've featured many times, although none quite like the Puma x UNDFTD Clyde Canvas trainers. THis is, as you might have guessed, a limited edition makeover, specifically by Undefeated out of Los Angeles. The design of the shoe has (quite rightly) remained largely unchanged, aside from the addition of a canvas upper, some additional branding for the tongue and four new colour options. One of those is above, another over the page. A good one for summer, £69 is the price. Find out more at the End Clothing website

Vintage Leaf Jumbo Storage Bag Posted: 10 Jun 2011 06:14 AM PDT   Dotcom Gift Shop has a whole range of things in this glorious retro print, including the Vintage Leaf Jumbo Storage Bag. Vintage Leaf is a colourful 1950s style pattern, which adorns tins, cake cases and a doormat. The jumbo storage bag is made from recycled plastic bottles and provides a great storage solution for tidying away out-of-season clothes, bedding or toys. It costs just £4.95. View the whole collection at the Dotcom Gift Shop.

Granny Light Shades Posted: 10 Jun 2011 06:14 AM PDT   Idyll Home has a collection of old-fashioned pendant shades they are calling Granny Light Shades. There are three designs to choose from: Rib, Fluted or Brocade. Each is made from white ceramic, whilst looking like they are made from fabric. They each cost £21. Buy online from Idyll Home.

Heal's Helix inspired throw Posted: 10 Jun 2011 02:20 AM PDT Heal's have gone back into their enviable archives again for this Helix inspired throw. Helix was part of a 1970 collection from the company: the collection was named Countdown because it was launched the same day as Apollo 13. There's a hint of space travel in the swirls of the design, but now is more reminiscent of the influence of Op Art on the period.  If you like this pattern, Heal's have also reissued it on cushions, coasters and mugs.  The throw costs £105. Buy it online

Kaiser Idell 6556-super floor lamp Posted: 10 Jun 2011 02:11 AM PDT We've featured a Kaiser Idell table lamp before, but here's another imposing piece of twentieth century design, the 6556-super floor lamp. Like the table lamp, it was designed by Christian Dell, an industrial designer at the Bauhaus and first produced back in the 1930s. It also shares that lamp's classic modernist good looks and is made from steel and brass. Take your pick from a black or white version.  The lamp costs £614. Buy it from The Conran Shop

You are subscribed to email updates from Retro To Go To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610