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Instead of announcing another Secret Wars title, Marvel today opted to tease a bit more about their FCBD All-New All-Different Avengers issue. The cover follows the usual Marvel tease, which shows seven figures lunging towards a almost-unseen opponent. Five of the figures are blacked out in a way familiar to Marvel teasers, but two figures – Ms. Marvel and the female Thor are shown. “Who will be Earth’s Mightiest Heroes when the dust settles from Secret Wars? Find out here!” The issue has already been advertised to feature a back-up feature of Uncanny Inhumans by Charles Soule and Brandon Peterson.

Let’s start with the obvious shadowed figures. In the top center of the image is Sam Wilson (still Cap) and underneath him is a spidey silhouette but with this being “All-Different”, it’s most likely Miles Morales (If so, good for you Marvel!). Over on the left of the image we see an image shaped like a flying Japanese Motorcycle rider is probably Pepper Pots in her Rescue armor, or a female incarnation of Iron Man we’ll meet during Secret Wars. On the bottom right, the gauntlets and helmet point to Sam Alexander bringing Nova into these Avengers. Above him is probably the hardest figure to place. On first glance it looks like Dr. Doom flying with his cape comedically dropped over his head, but a few theories like Hyperion and Dr. Strange have made the rounds on the internet. In sticking with the concept of things we haven’t seen yet, I’d venture to say this could be some new incarnation of the Vision that’s going to be similar to what we’ll see in the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron movie.

All-New All-Different Avengers will be a FCBD offering in shops May 2, 2015.

Let’s hear your theories on who these new Avengers are? Does it seem wise to already show the new Marvel U before Secret Wars even begins? Will Marvel announce the end of this new universe before they even destroy the old one?

YUP. #AFORCE. #SECRETWARS @gwillowwilson. Jorge Molina. Me. pic.twitter.com/2gMiW851RW

— Marguerite Bennett (@EvilMarguerite) February 6, 2015

I guess the View ladies boofed this but the news is out– and PSYCHE IT WASN’T STAR WARS! Marvel is gathering its heroines for A-Force, an all female Avengers, with the creative team of Marguerite Bennett, G. Willow Wilson and Jorge Molina.

A raft of PR went out at 11:30 after the View was supposed to announce this, but they didn’t because…. Martha Stewart came on and talked about fringe, and Kim Catrall talked about life after the city of sex or something. YOU CANNOT CONTROL THE LADIES OF THE VIEW, people.

HuffPo supplies more of what we need to know:
Marvel Comics has gathered an all-female team of Avengers, who will begin saving the world this May. Fan favorite characters like She-Hulk, Dazzler, Medusa and Nico Minoru star in “A-Force,” a new monthly series that will follow these women as they fight evil. It’s written by G. Willow Wilson and Marguerite K. Bennett, with artwork from Jorge Molina.

“We’ve purposefully assembled a team composed of very different characters — from disparate parts of the Marvel U, with very different power sets, identities and ideologies,” Wilson said in a statement. “They’ll all have to come together to answer some big questions: what would you sacrifice to succeed? What is being a hero worth?” The A-Force will also introduce, Singularity, a cosmically charged brand new super hero to the universe.
“Our heroines embody the ideals of what we can each strive to be,” Bennett said in the same statement. “A-Force” is Marvel’s 15th female-led comic series and represents a dramatic shift in comic culture. Last September, Marvel made waves when it announced that the new Thor would be a woman.

“Marvel has always celebrated the diversity of its family of characters and creators,” series editor Daniel Ketch said. “This new series will unite Marvel’s mightiest heroines with the exceptionally creative minds of writers G. Willow Wilson and Marguerite Bennett to craft a story full of epic battles, personal triumphs, and heart-stopping peril … and an all-new character who will push the boundaries of diversity in comic books even further.”

Oh and here’s a variant cover by Stephanie Hans.

By Davey Nieves

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games and The LEGO Group announced Thursday their 2015 slate of LEGO videogames, including LEGO Jurassic World, LEGO Marvel’s Avengers, plus new handheld and mobile titles. Here’s the full rundown straight from Warner Bros Interactive.

The upcoming LEGO videogame titles are:

LEGO Jurassic World™
Following the epic storylines of Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III, as well as the highly anticipated Jurassic World, LEGO Jurassic World is the first videogame where players will be able to relive and experience all four Jurassic films. The game will be available in June for the Xbox One, all-in-one games and entertainment system, the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, the Wii U™ system from Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system, and Windows PC.

LEGO Marvel’s Avengers
Avengers Assemble! Experience the first console videogame featuring characters and storylines from the blockbuster film Marvel’s The Avengers and the much anticipated sequel Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, and more. Play as the most powerful Super Heroes in their quest to save humanity. The game will be available in fall 2015 for the Xbox One, all-in-one games and entertainment system, the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, the Wii U system from Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS hand-held system, and Windows PC.

LEGO Ninjago™: Shadow of Ronin™
The popular LEGO Ninjago franchise gets its most expansive adventure to date in LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin. The latest LEGO handheld game delivers an untold story of the LEGO Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu TV show. Using their Spinjitzu abilities, players can unleash their Ninja’s elemental power to smash their way through enemies and solve puzzles. Developed by TT Fusion, a subsidiary of TT Games, the game comes to the Nintendo 3DS handheld system and the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system on March 24, 2015.

The LEGO Movie Videogame
The LEGO Movie Videogame for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch follows Emmet, an average, rule-following citizen, who is mistakenly identified as the key to saving the world. In the game, players guide Emmet as he is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared. With a delightful mix of over 90 characters from the feature film, including Batman, Superman and the Green Ninja, The LEGO Movie Videogame leads gamers on a journey through fantastical worlds in 45 exciting levels. Developed by TT Games, the mobile game is now available on the App Store.

LEGO Batman™: Beyond Gotham
In LEGO Batman: Beyond Gotham for mobile devices, the Caped Crusader joins forces with the Super Heroes of the DC Comics universe and blasts off to outer space to stop the evil Brainiac from destroying Earth. Players will unlock and play as their favorite DC Comics characters, including members of the Justice League and the Legion of Doom, and explore iconic locations such as the Hall of Justice, the Batcave and the Justice League Watchtower. Developed by TT Games, the mobile game will be available this summer.

Lego Jurassic World is scheduled for a June release in step with the film’s release while Lego Avengers could be the company’s November release. It appears that while the first Lego Marvel game focused more the entire comics universe, this new game will be more in tune with the Marvel MCU. It’s Lego so you can expect brick destruction and cuteness. We’ll have more on the game as news comes out leading to E3 in June.

What Lego games are you looking forward to in 2015?

Lego has made a Helicarrier. Repeat, LEGO HAS MADE A HELICARRIER. OVER DO YOU COPY? And it comes with Black Widow AND Maria Hill! Oh and HAwkeye, Nick Fury and Captain America. And 3 Quinjets, and and and…It’s not the one from Avengers: Age of Ultron (if there is one) but who cares. It come with:

• Includes 5 minifigures: Nick Fury, Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye and Maria Hill, plus an iconic SHIELD eagle stand to display them on
• Features 3 microscale Quinjets, 3 fighter jets, a gasoline truck, 2 forklift trucks, 2 runways, 4 road blockades, armored exterior with translucent elements, detailed interior, plus 12 microfigures (Nick Fury, Hawkeye, Captain America, Iron Man and 8 SHIELD agents)
• Also includes a detailed runway
• Weapons include Hawkeye’s bow, Black Widow’s gun and Captain America’s shield
• SHIELD Agent Maria Hill minifigure is new for spring 2015!
• Includes a plaque with facts about The SHIELD Helicarrier
• Add lights and spinning rotors to the Helicarrier with the 88000, 8883 and 8870 LEGO® Power Functions sets (sold separately)
• Rotors can also be turned manually
• Includes a display stand
• Helicarrier measures over 11” (29cm) high, 31” (80cm) long and 17” (45cm) wide
• Each Quinjet measures over 1” (3cm) high, 2” (7cm) long and 2” (7cm) wide
• Minifigure stand measures over 4” (12cm) high, and 2” (6cm deep) and 6” (16cm wide)

With nearly 3000 pieces, this is not a cheap set. No It will set you back US $349.99 ($399.99 in Canada) but…it’s still pretty awesome.Here’s some pictures for you to dream over.

Lego has made a Helicarrier. Repeat, LEGO HAS MADE A HELICARRIER. OVER DO YOU COPY? And it comes with Black Widow AND Maria Hill! Oh and HAwkeye, Nick Fury and Captain America. And 3 Quinjets, and and and…It’s not the one from Avengers: Age of Ultron (if there is one) but who cares. It come with:

• Includes 5 minifigures: Nick Fury, Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye and Maria Hill, plus an iconic SHIELD eagle stand to display them on
• Features 3 microscale Quinjets, 3 fighter jets, a gasoline truck, 2 forklift trucks, 2 runways, 4 road blockades, armored exterior with translucent elements, detailed interior, plus 12 microfigures (Nick Fury, Hawkeye, Captain America, Iron Man and 8 SHIELD agents)
• Also includes a detailed runway
• Weapons include Hawkeye’s bow, Black Widow’s gun and Captain America’s shield
• SHIELD Agent Maria Hill minifigure is new for spring 2015!
• Includes a plaque with facts about The SHIELD Helicarrier
• Add lights and spinning rotors to the Helicarrier with the 88000, 8883 and 8870 LEGO® Power Functions sets (sold separately)
• Rotors can also be turned manually
• Includes a display stand
• Helicarrier measures over 11” (29cm) high, 31” (80cm) long and 17” (45cm) wide
• Each Quinjet measures over 1” (3cm) high, 2” (7cm) long and 2” (7cm) wide
• Minifigure stand measures over 4” (12cm) high, and 2” (6cm deep) and 6” (16cm wide)

With nearly 3000 pieces, this is not a cheap set. No It will set you back US $349.99 ($399.99 in Canada) but…it’s still pretty awesome.Here’s some pictures for you to dream over.

“I’m going to tear you apart from the inside.”

Is it possible that Ultron is the first truly worthwhile “dyed in the wool” bad guy that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has had since Loki? He’s striking a menacing enough presence in this new Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer that I’m hoping the end of toothless, dull villains like Ronan the Accuser and Malekith is nigh.

There’s quite a bit to absorb here, but watching scenes of Captain America and Ultron fight hand to hand, and Hulk and Iron Man in a massive brawl…it’s rather exhilarating stuff. I didn’t think it possible, but Marvel may actually be able to top their recent high-point in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy. Here’s hoping!

It’s fun to be excited about things!

Here’s the official synopsis:

When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Avengers: Age of Ultron opens May 1st.

By: Alexander Jones

Jonathan Hickman is going through a pretty massive career change. First up, he’s relaunching The Manhattan Projects with a new number one and title change, with The Manhattan Projects: The Sun Beyond The Stars #1. Expect the new #1 on March 11, 2015, along with Nick Pitarra on art with Jordie Bellaire on colors.

Next up, is some Marvel news. After spearheading a giant event in the Avengers side of Marvel with infinity, along with two additional Avengers books, it seems the author is seeking a “nap.” Hickman references the furious shipping schedule at Marvel for reasons behind this career move:

I do think that going to Marvel is a very good move for some creators to make. It’s certainly been good for me. And because they’re double-shipping, you really can’t simulate the volume and velocity of the work – it’s like getting live reps in sports. Going to press isn’t something you can practice.

The story came from a Newsarama interview, and it’s also worth noting that Hickman is only a taking a breather at Marvel AFTER the upcoming Secret Wars event that he is writing.

Saying that, I’m on my last couple of issues of Avengers and I’m into the eight issues of Secret Wars, and after that I’m taking a bit of a break. I need it. The Image work will, however, endure nap time.

Of course, Jonathan Hickman isn’t leaving comics entirely either. We have his upcoming title The Dying and the Dead to look forward too, as well as The Manhattan Projects and East of West. Really Hickman is not taking a nap, he might just be working more than ever now!

Oh, and Hickman also says this to Newsarama when asked about what’s next for him:

Feel Better Now – written and drawn by me –  will come out from Image in the back half of 2016, but other than that, sleeping. Oh, and catching up on comics I’ve missed.

Does he actually sleep?

WHOA — Marvel really did announce a Captain Marvel movie for 2018, and Black Panther for 2017, with Chadwick Boseman (42) joining Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans on stage.

Today’s Marvel presser was roundly liveblogged, and it was apparently a tumultuous event at the Disney owned El Capitan theater. The entire Stage 3 line-up was announced and it goes like this:

Captain America: Civil War for May 6, 2016 — huh what could THAT refer to. Spinning out of Avengers 2 no doubt. Captain America was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.

Doctor Strange November 4, 2016. Directed by Scott Derrickson. No official Cumberbatch confirmation. Doctor Strange was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Guardians 2 moved up to May 5, 2017. The Guardians of the Galaxy created by various people, including Jack Kirby, Bill Mantlo, Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin.

A third Thor movie: Thor Ragnarok July 28th, 2017. Thor was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.

Black Panther starring Chadwick Boseman on November 5, 2017. Black Panther was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Avengers: Infinity War in TWO PARTS, just like Harry Potter for 2018 and 2019, while Chris Evans is still in shape.  The Avengers created mostly by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Captain Marvel for July 6th, 2018. Carol Danvers was created by Roy Thomas and Gene Colan; in her role as Captain Marvel she was developed by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy.

And as predicted, the Inhumans for November 2018 The inhumans were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby because there is like, nothing they did not create.

Also released, this sweet concept art for the Black Panther:

If you’re keeping score at home….well, this is a BIG chart. Collating. As several folks pointed out, DC revealed thei rmovie slate at an investors conference and mostly to keep investors happy following the failed Rupert Murdoch takeover and shaky stock earnings. Marvel held a popular event where fans were present and involved.  A lot of people don’t want to get into the WB vs Disney thing, but I can assure you, it is real.

Also, aren’t you glad that Marvel settled with the estate of Jack Kirby so that his legacy with these characters can be fully explored going forward? Yes you are.

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In an interview with delightful hero Brian Truitt of USA Today, Marvel have unveiled the branding for their next wave of comics. Called All-New Marvel Now, the two launch books will be All-New Invaders by James Robinson and Steve Pugh; as well as Matt Fraction and Joe Madiurera’s Inhumans.

All-New Marvel Now will start in December, and certain current books will be renumbered to take that into account. As a result, Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers will feature an issue 24.NOW, for example. Which, yes, is ridiculous. Across the line, Marvel will be rebranding the design of their comics to match the covers you can see here, whilst Captain America seems set to be put in the spotlight (handy when there’s a new film coming out soon!)

All-New Invaders will see Cap reunited with Namor and the Original Human Torch – AS WELL AS The Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes. Written by James Robinson and drawn by Steve Pugh, this new ongoing series will send the team off to another war – one with the Kree, an alien race returning in force.

Inhumans was already announced, and will also launch as part of All-New Marvel Now. Matt Fraction will write and Joe Mad will pencil the series, which looks to redevelop the concept of X-Men – a minority forced to band together in the face of overwhelming oppression – but for a franchise whose film rights aren’t owned by FOX.

Avengers 24.NOW, by Hickman and Esad Ribic, will begin the new phase for Marvel on December 24th. Hey, that’s Christmas! Once Marvel send out larger versions of the covers, I’ll update the article accordinglu.

One of the most notable parts of the announcement, however, is that certain ANMN issues will come with a digital code which gives you access to the original run of comics. So readers can not only get these new comics – they can also get a look at the classic stories as well, to catch them up.

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Well, the capuchin monkeys at Stately Beat Manor remembered who I was, so I didn’t have to run that gauntlet again.  (Stately Beat Manor is situated on an island in the Hudson, near Croton.  Back in the 1940s, when organ grinders were eradicated from the streets of New York, Gerhard von Fulano Zutano Mengano y Perengano, the inventor of the mechanical clapping monkey, offered his island estate as a nature preserve for the numerous orphaned capuchin monkeys.  Since then, they have become quite protective of the grounds, discouraging any boater foolish enough to get in range of their catapults.)

The tree octopi enjoyed the fresh crabs I brought them from Hunts Point.  I’ll play with them during the weekend, in the garden fountain pool designed by Tiffany and Bartholdi.  Since I have seniority over the other Beat Elite reporters, I’ll be sleeping in the Kirby Room in the north wing.  It has a private balcony, and the ceiling is painted in fluorescent paint, so that it glows like a trippy black light poster!  (Yeah, the women love it… it’s better than a mirror!)  The Beat’s working library is just a few doors down the hall.  (The archives in the sub-basement hold most of her collection, and she likes visitors to peruse specific shelves, so nothing gets too musty or dusty.  Last summer it was Soviet Russia and the Warsaw Pact comics.  This year, it’s sub-Saharan Africa.  Can’t wait to read me some Powerman!)

So, Wednesday marks the beginning of Comic-Con International: San Diego, with Preview Night.  There’s not much news streaming on Google, aside from the Twilight tragedy from Tuesday (which hit #1 on Yahoo! News earlier today).  There will be some excitement tomorrow, when the paparazzi and bloggers invade.  So today is kinda laid back, going with the flow, remembering where Heidi hides her secret stash of chocolate.  Here’s some interesting links I’ve discovered, and hope you enjoy!   Not much in the way of pictures, but I’ll try to find some to keep things interesting.

Putting the “international” in CCI is this early report from a Russian reporter, filed yesterday.  You’ll need a browser to translate it, or you can just look at the pictures.

For those of you stuck on the outside, looking in, here’s a handy interactive map of various events happening in the trolley circle north of the convention center.  If you look on the right, there’s a menu, which includes listings of food trucks!

How inclusive has Comic-Con become?  Well, venerable Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group will be at Booth #1515.  In addition to science fiction and fantasy authors, there will be two notable authors: E.L. James (she of Shades of Grey fame)