You Know, He WAS Born Better

HELMUT FLIPPIN' ZEMO IS BACK IN CAPTAIN AMERICA #606!

And I just want you to know that I WILL fucking cut you all if he doesn't match up to the complex and amazingly developed character that I fell in love with back when Thunderbolts was an amazing title about redemption.

I mean we're talking about one of my favourite characters of all time.

... that is all.

EDIT: GOD DAMN IT ALL! Brubaker has since said in another interview that Zemo will be a straight up villain.

source: Comic Book Resources

News: Kirby sues Marvel, Sony, Fox, Universal, Paramount etc

The estate of the late artist and creator Jack Kirby is suing Marvel (and Disney) along with most of the big movie studios. Kirby's family apparently want to negotiate a new deal for the use of characters that Kirby helped to create for Marvel comics - including the Fantastic Four, the original X-Men, and many classic Avengers such as Captain America, Thor, Black Panther and Iron Man. If this legal action is successful, it probably won't affect the use of these characters in future comics and movies at all. Rather, Marvel/Disney and the companies that own the relevant film rights would probably readily make a deal with Kirby's estate, if it was the only way to continue exploiting the lucrative franchises that characters like Iron Man have proven to be (see last year's box office). Of course, this legal action may well not be successful; it is, however, being handled for Kirby's estate by Marc Toberoff, the same lawyer that recently won some of the lucrative Superman rights for the Siegel estate, meaning that this could well result in a win for Kirby's family. Watch this space.

News from BleedingCool, a great comic site, found via SlashFilm, an even greater film site.

Two Comics Related Videos To Watch If You Haven't Already

Okay figured I'd waste some space by pointing out this nice behind the scenes at Marvel:


Yeah kinda good eh.

Also famed internet video-bloke Spoony has done a vlog running through his comics collection and talking about 'em. It's worth checking out.

I won't embed that one simply 'cause I'm not a jackass.

About Us: Flip The Page On Tumblr! (and wherever else)

Want to see me chat about things that aren't comics (mostly) and inane shit? Well you finally can, as Flip The Page hits Tumblr!

This now makes THREE different places you can get ahold of me (four if I decide to share my Facebook eventually), so CHECK THEM ALL OUT!

Tumblr

Twitter

RIGHT HERE YOU FOOLS!

Check them all out and if you're crazy enough leave some feedback in comment form!

Young Avengers: Allan Heinberg Returns!

So yeah, Young Avengers returning properly. Allan Heinberg is returning to write an 8 issue limited series about our favourite team of young'uns. Not much else is out there right now, but that isn't the point of this post. the point is that this might well mark the first point since Heinberg left that the events in a Young Avengers limited ACTUALLY FUCKING MATTER!

Seriously, Nothing consequential has been allowed to happen for the three limiteds that have occurred so far, except perhaps the addition of the young masters of evil (if they become that) but then that doesn't change the team, just the adversaries available to them.

The team has remained the same since the original series' conclusion and that just bothers me. No-one can leave or join because Heinberg has a vision for it (a brilliant one though I'm sure). Marvel would probably say that isn't the case or something but looking at all the limited series there's no getting around it. Heck even the spreading out into other series, like Stature being in the Initiative (didn't last) or her being in the Mighty Avengers (inconsequential effect on the YA I'm sure). Heck in Secret Invasion Vision got a blast through his head and it didn't shake things up AT ALL.

So here's to some actual CHANGE happening and God is it about time!

News Shots: FAN EXPO STUFF!

KA-POW! NEWS TIME!

- Disney now own Marvel Entertainment Inc.... Fuck. More on that at some other point when I can point out the internet's reaction.

- The Pet Avengers is just another 4 issue limited series, watering down my INITIAL EXCITEMENT but not enough to stop me anticipating the shit out of it. To find out more about the upcoming series head over to COMIC BOOK RESOURCES NOW!

- X-Factor is taking a month's hiatus come November in preparation for ISSUE #200! This will bring them into New York where they'll fill that age-old role of the 'go-to guys'. Ya know, like Matt Murdock being EVERYONE'S lawyer or Moon Knight driving EVERYONE'S taxi. This'll be them solving EVERYONE'S problems. Again, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES is the place to mosey on over to where they talk to Peter David about it all.

- Jeff Parker continues to prove why he's the shining star of an upcoming piece I'm writing about the future best writers EVARR by handling something called WORLD WAR HULKS: ALPHA. It's a step to greatness but then it's a tie-in to a Loeb event. Mixed feelings.

- More What If stories are appearing. None of them are interesting.

- Apparently the Sentry will appear a lot in the future. Bleh I say, BLEH!

- Allan Heinberg is FINALLY writing a new Young Avengers arc in an 8 issue limited series. More on my fangirlish squeals later.



That's the news shots. I'll be writing more on a variety of these soon (and anything else that crops up) just figured I'd lay them all out here so I can pick and choose later.

Interlude: Pre-Reviews Holy Shit Moment

Started writing up my Lockjaw review when I came upon this towards the back of the issue (wait I'm writing another review when Herc isn't up yet?! HAX!):

Tell me some news better than that. Go on, I dare you.

You can't? Could that be because this is AWESOME? Yes?

Knew it.

NEWS SHOTS: Nomad Logo/Preview, 100 Wolverine Covers, Marvel on PSP

THE NEWS TODAY:

• A 6 page Nomad preview is now available for your perusal at COMIC BOOK RESOURCES. It's wicked cool and now includes the logo, which is awesome. Its chances of being limited series of the year increases.
• The Hero Initiative is doing it's charitable awesomeness again, this time with a 100-cover Wolverine dealio. So make yourself feel charitable and at least read up about it over at Marvel.com!
• Soon enough PSP readers will be able to read marvel comics on their PSP! I've never been big on the PSP or teensy screens for reading (teensy compared to a comic book I mean) but this looks awesome. Read about it over at Marvel.com!

That's News Shots and the Herc review has been delayed by various factors. Thoughts on solicits coming soon!

New Thunderbolts Writer Announced: Jeff Parker

HOLY.
SHIT.

So it's been announced that JEFF PARKER is taking over what was once Marvel's best superhero comic (Busiek's opening run specifically). This is the best possible choice outside of putting Fabian Nicieza back on it. Parker is one of the future greats of Marvel (the rest of whom will be revealed in the top ten writers conclusion) and needed something this high profile to get him up to that pinnacle.

Why is he the best possible choice? READ AGENTS OF ATLAS! The tone of that series is similar in feeling to the original Thunderbolts, though it's more of an opposite version of the original plot with heroes masquerading as villains. Sure, Parker has said the tone will still be a lot like Warren Ellis and Andy Diggle's runs but that brilliant tone will hopefully sneak in before long.

I don't think I could be more excited without Marvel announcing Baron Helmut Zemo returning as the star of the series. Ah, but that is just a dream.

OH YEAH! TAKEN A BREAK!

Probably quite important to mention that I've been taking a break these past few days. As such there will be NO Quick-Fire Reviews this week (again).

BUT WAIT!

I WILL be reviewing some of this week's releases in full FTP text reviews over the next few days. So you don't really miss out on much.

In the meantime I point you all to Hex or Weekly Crisis for your bloggy goodness and I'll just keep on lounging about doing nothing.

Apologies: I'm back!

And You're Not Amused

So yeah, disappeared off the map this weekend. Kinda followed up on that whole 'no laptop is a problem' thing. Quick-Fire reviews for LAST WEEK will be up in the new format tomorrow, followed by the FTP Text Review for... Whatever and rounding off with a Top Ten that's taken a lot out of me. Oh and I have a new microphone for the New Mutants video so the pace should up on that. All relevance to Merc with a Month is null and void however, as I'm going to just intersperse these reviews with others of more interest to myself and my tiny tiny audience.

Peace out and keep ya eye on this space!

Let's Try That AGAIN! (The One They Call Unusual plug)

THE ONE THEY CALL UNUSUAL

Milan's original post (for posterity):

Well, Max might not be happy for me to do this... oh, I mean FLIP THE PAGE. But my site has been updated for once and I want to share this with the readers of this site.

My site, http://theonetheycallunusual.blogspot.com/ , will be me commenting on pop culture as well as other random stuff that I find amusing. Feel free to visit and thanks.

The One They Call Unusual, or Milan Matejka.

Ps. Currently writing an article to fit the page but you have to contend with the welcome opening from the site. And sorry in advance.

It has movie related stuff.

By all means visit it, it has some good stuff from way back and a steadily beginning trickle of new content.

It won't hurt you.

Maybe.

P.S.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!

1000 Hits AND Matching Output From Last Month?!

Okay okay, so most of those hits are just random ones from me updating or trying to fix stuff with the site but a celebration's a celebration. So here's our celebration:

COMIC NUDES!

Oh.... Oh God I'm so sorry.... WHY DID I DO THAT?!

Further evidence Liefeld is a (disproportionate) DICK!

Source: Well Old But Awesome Article Over At Geekanerd (also further proof of his dickery)

Quick-Fire Reviews: NO QUICK-FIRE REVIEWS

THAT'S RIGHT!!

No, I'm not gonna do them this week. If comics decide to take the week off then so do I. The only other releases I wanted to read this week were Dark X-Men: The Beginning #1 and X-Men Forever #3. I don't have these. I could review Essential X-Men's latest issue that I bagged but that'd be X-Men overkill. So no reviews. Kinda handy considering the whole format changing thing I'm doing as well. Instead of Quick-Fire I'll crank out another Top Ten and my thoughts on some recent comics related stuff.

See you all later

Oh, it's a big week for comics next week, with some of my favourites appearing. What better way to start the new format of reviews than with ridiculous praise?

Interlude: A Sketch Of Rikki Barnes To Whet My Excitement

Turns out that on June 26th ComicBookResources had a brilliant Cup 'o Joe that I managed to ignore by being one of the few fools who never checks out the column.

Well FOOL ON ME! Turns out a nice little bit of Rikki Barnes/Nomad art snuck its way in there, whetting my appetite for the upcoming lovefest that is Nomad: Girl Without A World.

I'm aware I shouldn't keep making posts about this, but we're talking the ONE release this year I'm genuinely excited about so any and all information that appears will be thrown in your faces right here at Flip The Page.

Here's The Awesome Art In Question:

Oh Fuck... That's Awesome.

Source: Cup 'o Joe Q&A

Interlude: Things I'm Looking Forward To/Dreading This Week

AH! Finally rested from a complete phone-in of updates on my part on sunday, I return with a possible new feature (and an attempt to increase hits on this relatively visitless day) wherein I talk things I actually give a shit about comics wise this week. Oh and just to make it a little more negative, things that are shit this week. For a self proclaimed miserable bastard I'm being far too optimistic nowadays.

HELP ME FEEL POPULAR BY READING THE ARTICLE!

THINGS I CARE ABOUT THIS WEEK:
- More than anything this week I'm overly enthusiastic about Marvel's decade variant covers. Honestly I started out thinking they'd all be terrible but with each that appears my heart melts and I want to hold them and never let go. Except the Ms. Marvel one. That ruined the chain.

- Deadpool: Merc With A Mouth #1. Why? Simply enough because it's directly related to those promised video reviews (I'm actually almost done scripting the first. I'm new at this shut up). Oh and because the reprint of New Mutants #098 renders the original releases collector's value MOOT! AHAHAHAHAHA OH HOW SWEET IT MUST TASTE TO KNOW THAT SOME POOR STUPID FUCK MAY HAVE ACTUALLY PAID THE FULL 45 DOLLARS FOR THE COMIC WHEN IT'S GETTING REPRINTED!

- Cable getting Paul Gulacy as the new artist. Ariel Olivetti isn't a BAD artist, just a bad artist with his run on Cable. Gulacy has flaws, at least from the one work of his I've read (Penance: Relentless) but I can excuse that because we're talking a living legend here (at least if I were to believe the man's wikipedia page. Which I do) so me dishing out any criticism of his art would be hasty at best. That and anyone who overuses bracket (like me) doesn't deserve an opinion on people above his station. Still means I can call Jeph Loeb a cunt though.

- Uncanny X-Men. Last issue reminded me why I love the main comic for the X-People so I'm understandably stoked for.... Oh, a crossover... NO I WON'T CHANGE MY MIND!

- Batman & Robin #2. As far as I'm concerned it'll be the missing half to issue 1, which felt awesome yet incomplete. Oh and I'm hoping Pyg will die horribly to make me feel good.

- Anything Green Lantern related. I'm a fan of the Corps but both are solid things for me to see anything to do with them as brilliant.

THINGS I DESPISE THIS WEEK:
- No further information on the highlight of my year; Nomad: Girl Without A World. I need more stuff on that like air.

- Captain America Reborn #1. I just don't care. I like both Caps but when I prefer both USAgent and Rikki Barnes to them it's hard to care about this massive moment in Marvel history.

- Having NO idea when The Great Unknown #3 (of 5) will appear, or even if it has already. My favourite Image mini and it seems to just not exist. Ugh.

- These special "after Watchmen what's next?" editions of comics I actually PREFER to watchmen. It degrades their own importance by essentially cashing in on how people love to buy Watchmen and anything with the words Watchmen on it. Which means that comic fans presumably have a lot of gay porn. Or porn aimed at voyeurs. It doesn't matter which.

- Being unaware of updates on the Scott Pilgrim movie. I don't know if any information is continuing to come out now that it's in production but I really wish I could find something more on it than what I know already (very little).



So yeah. Now that I've stroked my own ego why don't you small quantity of readers tell me what YOU are looking forward to or despise this week. Or don't make any comments. Like you usually do. Torment me by not acknowledging my existence.

God I hope that sounds satirical and not like I'm begging for attention.

MORE CHANGES!

Sick of these changes yet? ME NEITHER! This time we're welcoming someone who knows next to nothing about comics.

"Buh-whaaaa?!" I hear you cry! Well fear not strange noise making people! For what this person doesn't know about comics he certainly knows about film. He even has his own (soon to be revived) awesome film blog! So it's with great pleasure that I welcome The One They Call Unusual, MILAN!

There totally isn't a pattern in me defacing people's photos here.

Anyway, Milan will be bringing us interesting comic book movie (or movies related to comics) material, starting with a snazzy who's who of Green Lantern candidates for the (eventually) upcoming film! Expect that soon enough (he's finished it, I'm just a crappy ass editor) and look forward to his future work.


Extra news: I was going to do my Quick-Fire Reviews earlier in the week but have been sluggishly trying to do some edits to the site. Expect them tonight, save me being worse than usual.

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES!

So, I'm sure that some of none of you have spotted one small change to the site, Mainly because It's unnoticable at present. The thing in question is simply enough the addition of another writer: Tim!

He's here to provide a fortnightly feature reviewing the Paninininini comics mag-thing ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN. Something that will not only provide great insight into the UK marvel scene (we're WAY behind) but also be a great retrospect for anyone who's read these stories in the past.

... and for the UK people it'll be a good review thing. That too.

So we welcome Tim (yeah his name is so much snappier than Flip The Page shut up) and you'll see his contributions soon!

To Those Who Recognise My Profile Picture:

This shit just went up a notch!

Nomad: Girl Without A World Announced

To most this is just another announcemeny of ANOTHER minor character getting a spotlight limited series, but we're talking about RIKKI BARNES here. As the new Nomad for now too (apparently. don't hold me to that)

Not just that but the writer is Sean Mckeever, who wrote some good stuff with Young Inhumans.

So the best news for me, a chance to update my profile picture AND pretty pointless news for everyone else.

On the note of updates I've finished the notes for New Mutants #098 (this stuff is HARD) and am getting ready to churn out the Top Ten #2: Black Avengers update soon as. MIGHT do a previews thing but my opinions are fanboyish schlock at best.

EDIT: turns out the good people at IGN have an interview with mckeever about NOMAD. Check it out here. Yeah, I'm making this a long link 'cause I can.... And so you can actually notice it.